Braided Star Table Topper

Today I finished the Braided-Star table topper I plan to give my sister and her husband, Lura Kay and John H., for their 51st anniversary tomorrow.

It started out like this:

 

-- and turned out like this:

Another Biscornu Pincushion and Needlekeep

Biscornu Pincushion and Needlekeep

The biscornu pincushion is filled with crushed walnut shells. I am here to tell you that crushed walnut shells is *the* filling for pincushions (unless your recipient is allergic to walnuts, maybe). This little pincushion has a very nice weight to it... the pins slide in easily... and when you pull one out, you don’t wind up lifting the entire cushion. Crackerjack!

The needlekeep is filled with emery sand -- heavy and good for sharpening needles.

The baskets arrived that I ordered for the folded-star hotpads.  The middle one is a perfect fit:

Scissors Holder #2

Needlecase

I started on another scissors holder -- and decided I couldn't bear the troublesome cardboard needle book my needles had come in a moment longer. So I made a needlecase, for once just for me. Closed, it measures 6" x 6½". The Irish Chain block on the front was made with leftovers squares from the Mosaic Lighthouse quilt. The pockets inside will hold my spring-loaded snips and new little spring-loaded needlenosed pliers.