Vintage Crafters Cafe Swap

I belong to a few Facebook vintage groups, and one of my favorites is Vintage Crafters Cafe.  The group had a vintage pin cushion swap recently; we all made a pin cushion from at least 75% vintage materials, and swapped with another member.  I really had fun designing this one!  First, I sewed a pumpkin using vintage fabrics (only two of the fabrics were "new"):

When finished, I mounted it on an iron candlestick.  It made for a tall, "statement" pincushion!  My partner won't lose it on her sewing table, that's for sure!

I decorated it with some pins and charms and buttons and things, in an Autumn-y palette.

Don't you love the rusty corkscrew wires, and the vintage orange millinery flower?

I included this fun packet of vintage sewing notions from my collection!  Lots of fun old stuff...

  I decorated this old Rexall drug store bag with fabric, a measuring tape, and old buckle!

 Look at this little package of chenille carrots, so adorably wrapped (not by me!)

An antique needle box with thread, pretty flosses, and a grouping of vintage ribbon scraps were among the little treasures inside the bag. 

 The little green Gland-O-Lac pouch is a tiny sewing kit/advertising giveaway from the 40's!  In the tiny brown bag with the pointing finger were some black glass buttons.

Then, to go with the theme, I sent along these sweet pumpkin scented tealights that came so cutely packaged!  My partner, Kathy, seemed to really like all of it!  And here's what Kathy created and sent to me:

Inside of a pretty butterfly box, she sent gifts and this adorable little pin cushion she created from an antique hankie and crochet lace set inside an antique china dish!  With a little doggie on top!

You know (but she didn't!) how much I love blue and white china!  She did a creative and detailed job on what she said was her first time making a pin cushion! 

These gifts came with it: delicate lace, the runner with crochet trim that is underneath it all, and a sweet floral hankie!  Look at the vintage safety pin she included on the lace!

It turned out to be such a fun swap!  Thanks to Kathy and to Michelle, the Vintage Crafters Cafe page administrator!

The only other thing I've made lately is these little likenesses of Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon (my cats); I made the little heads last Fall with some Paperclay leftover from making snowmen.  It's taken me this long, but I found some fabric I liked and used it to make some little rice-and-fluff stuffed kittens.  They make me smile on my kitchen shelf.

Art and Paul approve.  Actually, I think they are both dying to get their little paws on those little balls!

I wish you a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend!  We're enjoying lovely weather and I'm trying to relax as much as possible so that it really feels like a holiday!