Nut pinkeep

I have made these little nut pinkeeps over the years, they make lovely gifts for someone who sews. Small and easy to attach to a sewing basket,these pinkeeps are easy to make, the hardest part is cracking the walnut shell in half.

For each pinkeep you need a half walnut shell, a bit of fabric, I like to use a velvet but they look equally cute with a cotton print, a little trim (lace, ricrac etc)stuffing, (polyfiber or my preference, old wool, sawdust,), some ribbon for hanging nut pinkeep, and hot glue gun and glue sticks. Pins to embellish. Sealer for nut, i like to use shellac flakes but a spray sealer is fine as well. This will just make sure no little insects get into the nut.
Seal your nutshell.
Cut your fabric about an 1" larger than the diameter of nutshell. Run a gathering stitch around egde of fabric using strong thread or double your thread. Pull up thread to so fabric fits inside rim of nutshell. Fasten off thread. Glue fabric to just inside nut shell, leaving a small opening for stufing. Stuff shell and fill up fabric until you have the shape required. Glue opening closed.Stitch gather lace or trim of choice around fabric edge. glue or stitch thin ribbon where lace and fabric join, leaving a long tail end to make loop for hanging. Knot ends of loop. Place pins in fabric to embellish and your little nutpinkeep is completed.