Happy Spring! Plus a Quick Spring Gift for Quilty Friends

Happy Spring to you! I can’t believe Easter is just a few days away. For the better part of the last three months, I’ve had my head glued to my desk working on a very big and exciting project that I’ll be able to share with you really soon. Meanwhile, I’ve poorly neglected this little blog and so many other things I enjoy, like keeping up with you all on social media – and the cute things you’re making and sharing. Not to mention my family is surely tired of seeing me in a messy bun and rotating through my favorite yoga pants for weeks now … gulping down coffee and ordering take out dinners way too often. But, phew …. the big deadline is over and spring is here! Spring is here!!

One thing that’s been on my heart and mind to get in the mail … and that’s been long overdue these past weeks … is a gift for one of my quilty friends. I’ve had a little something sitting here on my desk for her, and I thought it would be fun to send it with a little spring cheer. I still have some of those darling scraps left over from the Bunnies and Cream projects I created – they are perfect for this!

I created a quick little pin cushion by making a four-patch out of 4) 2 1/2″ squares for the top. I then stitched the four-patch to a 4 1/2″ piece of gray linen (1/4″ seam allowance, RST) leaving a 1″ gap open for turning and stuffing. After stuffing and handstitching the gap closed, I found a cute flower button in my stash and handsewed it to the middle on top. When I say this project was quick, it was 20 minutes or less to this spring pin cushion! A fun little gift, right?

Then there was this idea that had been rolling around in my head for some time …

As a side note – I absolutely love cute shape heads on straight pins (especially for tucking in and gifting with pin cushions). I feel like a giddy little kid when I discover new shapes, but some of my favorites include flowers, hearts and these cute bows I spotted recently. I think it’s a bonus when they come on beautiful wheels, too. So I had this idea to make my own little pins, customized with cute shape for different seasons or gifts. I had been brainstorming on just how I could make these pins when I remembered these teeny tiny little charms that are available for jewelry. They are about 8mm or less – just darling teeny things. So I scooped up a few of these charms in a spring theme from etsy – bunnies (loved the chocolate one), a “thank you” tulip, Easter eggs and some strawberries (strawberries … oh how I love thee all year round). Then I experimented … a little jewelry glue and a few needles later.

I’ll be darned … it worked out pretty cute! I give you the results of my spring experiment … Spring needles for my pincushion! What do you think?

This little spring gift is ready to go! And these little charms come in all shapes, sizes and themes. Mother’s day, summer, Christmas … yay! You can also find them in bulk for less expensive, too. Hope this inspires some sweet pins for your next pincushion, too. Wishing you all a wonderful Easter and the loveliest spring weather and flowers. Hugs, Elea