For Sale, felt goodies

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Etsy shop update, Toadstool Pincushion listed

I've just listed this needle felted toadstool pincushion in my Etsy shop.


It's a simplified design of the original pincushion which was a gift for a friend during a pincushion swap last year. There isn't as much detail as the original as I wanted an affordable version which took less than a day to make. I hope I haven't oversimplified it... we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for looking.

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Swap: I forgot the pins.... (photos added)

OMG I forgot about the pins. Doh! I made some shrink plastic pins to decorate the pincushion, using this tutorial on the Weewonderfuls website. BTW, I pinched Gilraen's photos and put them together below - thanks for sharing Gilraen!

I decorated the shrink plastic with chalks, and rubber stamped some flowers, hearts, dresses and lace using Stayzon ink. As I was short on time I used my paper punches to cut out some shapes (the flower and butterfly punch are about 2cm in diameter to give you an idea of size).

I used gelly roll and souffle pens to add more colour and depth. But you can also use colouring pencils, gel pens, permanent markers etc... Just remember that the colours intensify as the plastic shrinks so less is definitely more.

If you're having trouble applying the colour to the plastic, use either the rough side or take a piece of low grade sand paper and rub it gently across the plastic a few times. This gives the colour something to grab onto.

You can shrink these in the oven but I did them one by one using my heat gun. Basically you pierce each shape with a pin and push the shape all the way to the pin head. When you apply the heat and the plastic shrinks it sticks to the pin. Well, nearly always it does!

I think my favourite is the dress. Actually it's the flower. No wait, it's the butterfly.... Oh well. I think they all look pretty good actually. It's just a shame the photo quality is so cr*p! That's what I get for rushing. Thanks to Gilraen's photos and a little TLC using paint.net these photos are much better than the one I originally posted!

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Swap: little toadstool pincushion, delivered!!!

I am sooooo happy to report that my pal, Gilraen, has received her pincushion, safe and sound. I've been dying to share this on my blog and I have literally been chomping at the bit today hoping and praying that it would arrive safely, especially in light of the impending postal strike.

Enough talk. Time for some pictures of the little Toadstool Pincushion. I've posted these pictures on Flickr, with comments and notes if you want to check them out. Just click on one of the photos to take you there.

Thanks for looking!

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Swap: Pincushion

We've just had a pincushion swap over on the Crafty Threads 'n Yarns forum. Everyone has begun to receive theirs and hopefully my pal should receive hers today or tomorrow.

I had so much fun with this swap and made far more pincushions than I care to mention! Lol. I'll post some piccies of the actual pincushion I sent shortly, but in the meantime, check out the teaser photo on the right to whet your appetite.

And check out this little lovelie that I was sent by my swap pal. Isn't it fab! The aida is backed with a pink piece of felt and my pal added a little silky tassle for embellishment.

I love receiving handmade gifts from other crafters. Don't you?

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