Needlebook love

-
For several weeks now, one of my friends has been bugging me (poke, poke) about...needlebooks.  She has a hankering to make some, and wants me to have a swap.
I've been more of a pincushion person myself...but I'm willing to change.  The pretty pincushion above is special because it is how I met my wonderful blog buddy, Angela.  She and I were in an international pincushion swap, and she was partnered with me!
You know I'm a sucker for any kind of vintage sewing notion, like the pretty little flat (above) into which you stash pins, and the little bejeweled walnut...
that opens up to hold a thimble and some pins on velvet.
I love this little holder for safety pins...I guess it could be used for needles, too, though.
It's seen a lot of use, which makes it that much more fun.
Speaking of safety pins, this little ring of pins is a treasure, to me.

This tattered needle book is from 1914...
and looks it!
When all is said and done, I discovered that I only really own one needlebook myself!
It's one I received last year on Valentine's Day, as part of a swap; my initials are sweetly sewn into the front of it!
Needlebooks

I made a board on Pinterest about needlebooks (feel free to follow it if you have a Pinterest account.)  So many fun and pretty ones -- tons of inspiration!  And, my friend wore me down: I'll be announcing a Needlebook Swap on the Button Floozies blog next week.  You heard it here first!

Comments

Lisa said…
Oh! Don't forget about me for the swap! You know I love this stuff. :)
March 2, 2012 at 8:14 AM
Anonymous said…
What an annoying friend!!!!
March 2, 2012 at 8:16 AM
Beth Leintz said…
I love vintage sewing notions too- but I'm a pin cushion, girl, too. I LOVE that walnut thimble holder- what a treasure.
March 2, 2012 at 8:36 AM
Kathy said…
Loved looking at all the variety and that little walnut is amazing!
March 2, 2012 at 9:28 AM
Linda @ A La Carte said…
Aren't those cute! I'm going to check out your pinterest board.
March 2, 2012 at 9:42 AM
Wendy said…
The pin cushion is just lovely! The walnut keep is fabulous! I also have a thing for pin cushions. I will be keeping a lookout for the swap announcement.
March 2, 2012 at 12:47 PM
LuLu Kellogg said…
I need to make a little Halloween one!

I am sipping sugar free hot chocolate out of my little mug you sent me and I have my hand warmers on too!!

XOXO
March 2, 2012 at 6:25 PM
Tammy said…
That would be a fun swap!! Love the vintage notions, especially the little gold walnut!
March 3, 2012 at 7:56 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Baby Jesus Candy Cane Christmas Ornament How-To

-
Image
Here's a tutorial to make sweet baby Jesus ornaments: Materials: 3/4" round wooden balls blue felt like-sized small wooden stars flesh-colored acrylic paint yellow acrylic paint black permanent marker small button as star decor raffia natural excelsior "moss" silver thread or coordinating yarn candy cane You'll also need glue or a hot glue gun, paint brush and scissors Begin by painting the wooden balls with flesh-colored paint and the stars with yellow paint. When dry, draw two sleeping eyes on the ball. Meanwhile, cut small pieces of felt and make little rolls to represent the baby's body; tie with a tiny piece of raffia. Next, glue the wooden ball onto the top of the body roll of felt; if you wish, you can also cut a small wedge of felt to glue over like a little swaddled hood on the baby's head, but I think it looks cute without it as well. Glue the l...
Read more

Flagler College in St. Augustine: the Tiffany connection

-
Image
We visited this wonderful building that began its life in 1888 as a lavish hotel built by Henry Flagler, one of the founders of Standard Oil, and now houses Flagler College . It is such a beautiful old building and in it we saw: these fabulous Tiffany chandeliers... on a spectacular painted and embossed ceiling in one of the hotel's drawing rooms.   I apologize for the quality of the indoor photos -- it was quite dark in the building. I had to laugh at these painted cherubs on the ceiling... and the way their ribbony robes encircle the chandelier mount! This large clock over the mantle is special because it's a Thomas Edison clock and because it is made from one piece of rare onyx.  We were told that Edison's "signature" on his clocks is the use of the incorrect Roman numeral "4". But the most spectacular feature of the building is that Louis Comfort Tiffany himself made the stained glass windows. Most of Tiffany's windows a...
Read more

The joy of creating

-
Image
I'm in the middle of a time where the creative life has taken a necessary back seat to more immediate needs...like working a full time job.  I have to be very intentional to make time for art. This is not always easy but it sure does make me appreciate the projects I make time for, more than ever before. Here's one that I've been daydreaming about doing for, literally, months: a curtain topper made from vintage handkerchiefs.  And I finally finished it on Sunday! The first thing I had to do was clear off my sewing machine table so I could use it.  Then, I found some fabric I love in my stash, and cut out and sewed a ~50" scrunchy curtain rod cover from it. If you ever do this -- give yourself about 3x as much time as you think you need.   You wouldn't believe how long it takes to turn the cover right side out once it's sewn!  My recommendation: don't use shiny, slippery fabric like I did!  Next, I got out my two huge piles of vintage hankie...
Read more