mdall

Jan, I am so sorry to hear that you didnt receive your package for last month. I know exactly how you feel. Still waiting on a package from the secret santa swap. I am sure yours will show up soon as will mine. If not maybe we could be each others angels.

dconroy84

I use either emery sand or Crushed Walnt shells that I get from my LQS when I need them.

Donna C.

Belfrybat

I haven't used emory sand but would like to try it. I did try putting a piece of steel wool in a couple as I'd read it also helps sharpen pins and needles, but am concerned about possibly rusting.

Belfrybat

Nevermind.

Quilty-Louise

I just got a magazine that has the cutest owl pincushions and
would like to maybe make one.

However scanning through the magazine slower (not reading it yet)
I see that this was an ABSOLUTE treasure of an issue to buy, and
glad that I didn't pass it up.

It is the Winter issue Simple Quilts & Sewing projects GALORE I
tell you.

Here is the front cover in case you want to look for it.

Quercus Rubra

Let's see if I can remember what I read with my slow mush brain as I'm waiting for the coffee to start kicking in and the stiffness leaves my hands. I am planning to put my Secret Pal gift under the "tree" if that is okay with my partner. With all that is happening since my 3 mth. DGD passed away, there won't be much Holiday cheer going on with the family.

Luv what a cute snowman!!! He is such Jolly looking fellow!
Jaba your house looks so festive ... Hubby did a great job.
Quilty Louise when I made a pincushion I was desperate. I didn't have any poly-fil or anything so as I was sitting at the sewing machine my eye was drawn to my bowl of clippings of threads, trimmings of blocks and small bits of batting. Sooooo I "upcycled" them into the cushion. I got a nice "tight" fill and I was able to keep the square shape. LOL...anything that saves me a couple of pennies.
Knitette I think receiving items that tell of your area is a wonderful idea. I know for myself I LOVE those kinds of things. I collect postcards, photographs, maps, local guides, pamphlets, candles, leaves, bits of rocks, etc. anything that come from the area. I like seeing things like local patterns, bottons, ribbons, scraps, yarns, charms, laces, etc. that I could add to "crazy" quilt blocks. I have think I would love to these kinds of things to make a "world" crazy quilt lap quilt. Humm that gives me an idea. LOL.
Brenda Jester is cute in his little sweater.

Well I know there was more that I wanted to share but the coffee is a bit slow this morning. So I'm going to try more human.
Toodles,
Tricia

Quilty-Louise

I bought 2 condiment bottles at the store while I was there
because I knew they would be perfect to put the emery sand
in and use the spout to fill the pincushions (thought it would
work better then a funnel).

I think each bottle will hold just about 1-1/2lbs of sand. The picture
below shows an empty bottle and one with 1lb of sand.

Vanogay

Louise, haven't used the sand, mainly because I don't have any. You have to make a special bag to put it in and then inside your pin cushion, right? I'd love to try some in the pin cushions I m ake

Quilty-Louise

LOL I don't know never made a pincushion using the emery
sand. But I want to try one using the owl pattern from the
new magazine I just got. I scanned that pattern to resize it
and try them out.

But that is my goal is to make a little "muslin" bag to put the
sand in them "wrap" some poly-fil around that and stuff in the
pincushion.

Will let you know how that turns out for me.

jaba

I haven't used it either, but would sure try it....anything to keep those needles nice and sharp.