https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/mario-mushroom-pincushroom • Posted by HotPinkCrayola
I got this idea from a similar project by Nicole found here: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/mini-jam-jar-pincushion I saved a mini jam jar I'd got as part of a cream tea (OMGYUM) specifically to do this. I was always losing pins half way through projects because I didn't have a pin cushion, but no longer! Mario Pincushroom to the rescue! (As is so often the case in 'Super Mario Bros'...) I'd love to see versions of this if anyone gives it a go.
I got this idea from a similar project by Nicole found here: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/mini-jam-jar-pincushion I saved a mini jam jar I'd got as part of a cream tea (OMGYUM) specifically to do this. I was always losing pins half way through projects because I didn't have a pin cushion, but no longer! Mario Pincushroom to the rescue! (As is so often the case in 'Super Mario Bros'...) I'd love to see versions of this if anyone gives it a go.
Gather your stuff. You need your jam jar, glue gun and a scrap of fabric cut into a circle a bit larger than your jar lid. Now, the fabric SHOULD be spotty, but I only had plain red in my scrap bag, so I added the spots later on with fabric paint.
Start by gluing one small section (about a centimetre wide) to your jar lid's outer edge.
Do the same at four points- North, South, East and West is the easiest way to think of it.
Now, take one of the unattached bits and glue that down, being careful to fold the corners out neatly as you do. Written down that sounds more confusing than it is. You'll see what I mean straight away while doing it.
Now glue those corners down flat. This should create a nice smooth fold.
Do the same for two more loose bits. NOT THE FOURTH THOUGH! You need to leave a gap for the next bit.
Stuffing! Use little pinches and stuff it until the top is nice and rounded. You don't need this much, I just like to exaggerate. You could probably also use cotton wool balls if you don't have toy stuffing.
Once you're happy with the shape, glue the last gap closed as you did for the other three in steps 4 and 5. It's a good idea to check at this point that you haven't accidently glued the lid shut...
Next, grab your sharpie and draw on some eyes. I've done mine like a modern Mario Mushroom, but you could go for solid black or ever pixelated squares.
If you used spotty fabric, just feel smug and ignore this step. If you didn't, then blob some spots on with your fabric glue now. Leave it to dry thoroughly before you touch it if you do the optional next step, because otherwise you'll do as I did and end up with paint all over your hand.
I decided that my jar was a bit tall to look enough like a Mario Mushroom (one that hadn't been steamrollered by Bowsers Mario Kart anyway). To fix this, I grabbed some scraps of green fabric I had hanging round from my Poison Ivy costume (shameless self promotion - photos and how to on my page!). Some choppy triangles and leaf shapes and a bit more glue gunning later, it just looks like the little guy is hiding in long grass. I also considered making it look like he was stood on top of a Mystery Box, but I didn't really have the stuff for that to hand.
And there you go. A Mario Pincushroom to prevent you ever again having another mid-project 'where the heck are my pins?!' crisis.