The Early Workbasket ~ Make~Do Pinkeeps

Welcome friends and needleworkers!

Hope you're all enjoying a 

fabulous Friday!

First, a quick little shipping update on the 

Little Sparrow Pinkeep Club Kits.

Most kits were received at the Post Office on 

Monday, but due to a setback with the 

ink on my printer the remaining 

were received on Tuesday.

If you have not received your's yet, 

you should have it hopefully by Saturday or Monday. 

I sincerely apologize for the shipping delay!

♦

The Early Workbasket...

Make~Do Pinkeeps...

Definition ~

A form of folk art, "make~do's" are useful objects created from

broken or old discarded oil lamp bases, cups, glasses, or 

  anything with an opening to put a pinkeep in or a 

shaft to put a pinkeep around.

Today, I'll share examples showing different 

materials and bases that can be used...

There was no right or wrong when it came to making~do,

ladies from days gone by just used their imagination!  

Search for vintage fabrics...

I've had so much fun collecting antique make~do's over 

the years, but any of these could easily be recreated!

I always keep my eyes open while antiquing for 

unique glass or wood bases...

When ever I purchase an old make~do, its's fun

 to imagine what the base was originally used 

 for...maybe this was a candle stick holder?

Do you have any old needlepoint pieces in your stash? 

Here's a great example of how you could transform

it into a sweet little make~do!

Here's the underside...

No two make~do's are alike, they seem to have simple

construction and what a great way to use pretty

  odds and ends just laying around!

This next example is my favorite...

I love, love, love anything Cobalt Blue! 

Wonderful faded, time worn velvet!

Or, maybe you like vintage Satin...

Do any of you collect "make~do's"?

I wonder what this base was...

Maybe a custard glass or malt glass?

In the days of using glass oil lamps, I'm sure they were

easily knocked over and while the top glass was

 easily broken and lower base usually survived

because of the heavy glass used...

This is a good example of an oil glass lamp base.

Sometimes there will be layers of different fabrics

covering over a previous worn out one...

Here you can see the multiple layers!

Embellishments...

Old lace is a nice choice.

This one also has several layers of old coverings...

Usually finished with just a simple thread 

gathered around the bottom!

This next photo is taken from one of my collector books...

Do you have any old glass bases that could be turned 

into something special for your sewing room?

An then there are the rare, elaborate Strawberry Make~Do's...

My favorite, I also love, love, love "Milk Glass"!

The large Strawberry on top is the pinkeep, while the 

 little hanging berries are emeries...to sharpen your needles!

Endless possibilities!!!

Hope you've enjoyed today's subject on "Make~Do's."

I'm going to have to try my hand at making a 

special make~do!

♦

Weekend Soul Food...

A time to get, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

Ecclesiastes 3:6~7...KJV

♦

Fill your mind with happy thoughts, 

and blessings for a wonderful weekend!

Kindly, Tammy