There is something rather lovely about wooden cotton reels...
...But what do you do with the empty ones?
Knowing they must be of some sort of crafty use, I had a go at fashioning a thrifty felty pincushion with some scraps...
It's a little bit wonky but perfectly functional. I normally keep my pins in a teacup during a sewing project, but recently kept finding that I would jab my fingers every time I reached in there for one. Now I'm keeping needles and cotton reels in a teacup and making use of a pincushion for pins. You know, like normal people do.
I have a bit of a thing for toadstools at the moment. When I was small I had a book of children's short stories by Ruth Ainsworth, and in one a boy made a toad house in a hollow at the foot of a tree in his garden, including damp moss to keep visiting toads cool, and a toadstool for them to sit on. Being exactly the sort of child who would do that sort of thing myself the story stuck in my mind, and for some reason I've thought of it a lot lately.
What do you use cotton reels for?
Aw, I love old fashioned wooden cotton reels, my mum has so many in her sewing box I always want to steal them. Cute pincushion idea, I want to give it a go too...
ReplyDeleteI got mine from my nan's stash, so they're even more special :) x
DeleteWhat a delightfully whimsical little pin cushion Anna! I never thought about doing something like this with mine, but feeling very inspired! Xx
ReplyDeleteI loved your teacup pincushion! x
DeleteSuch a quirky way to fairytale up your empty cotton reels! Toadstools are just such a lovely emblem, I once saw some gorgeous toadstool fabric at Birmingham Rag Market but it was incredibly expensive so I just couldn't quite stretch to treating myself . . . sigh!
ReplyDeleteJem xXx
Toadstools seem to be everywhere (apart from real ones) at the moment, I think they're so cheery! x
DeleteThe last one I used became the pot holding the twiggy trunk of a little felt Christmas tree I made back in December. Loving the use you've found for yours :D
ReplyDeleteAw that's a good idea! x
DeleteEver so sweet and a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you Claire. x
DeleteOh my days!!! This is officially amazing! Now I know what to do with cotton reels :)
ReplyDeleteThanks
YP
x
http://yorkshirepud123.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm thinking cotton reel mushrooms too :) x
DeleteBrilliant :) There is something very intriguing about toadstools.
ReplyDeleteThey have rather magical associations, I think that's why I like them! x
DeleteLove these, so clever! :) x
ReplyDeleteThanks Ada :) xd
DeleteVery clever! Mine usually become cat toys and end up under a cupboard or the sofa... but this is a much better use for them :)
ReplyDeleteOooh I can imagine cats love them - they're so skittish and roll nicely! x
DeleteI have to admit I've never come to the end of a cotton reel, but when I do I will definitely have a go at making one of these! The reel is such a realistic replica of toadstool base. And you know I have a fondness for toadstools too - in fact, I think it could all stem from a story I had on a record as a child, but alas I don't remember what it was called and have never been able to track it down. But the illustrations on the sleeve have always stuck with me. Hope to see more toadstooly creations on your blog soon! Helenx
ReplyDeleteI do have another toadstooly project in mind... you and I appear to be inspiring one another's fungus related ideas! x
DeleteHi Anna! The pincushion is very cute. I also love your handpainted buttons. I have a craft blog too - would you like to swap banners? I can add yours to the side of my page, and I have a link like yours to grab my banner on the right side of my blog: www.coryographies.blogspot.com I'm a happy new reader!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cory :) Will check out your blog and get back to you asap! x
DeleteOh this is such a lovely idea! There's something very magical about toadstools, I think. And cotton reels too for that matter. I love the labels on the reels as well! :) xx
ReplyDeleteI admit I didn't really look at the labels until I came to photograph the reels for this post, but you're absolutely right! x
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