The Current Craft o' the Month

I have a pretty clear picture of the universe I'd like to inhabit; it's basically Amelie meets The Science of Sleep. Ish. And if those titles mean nothing to you, I think I can sum things up in one clearly definable word: Whimsical. In fact, in this imaginary Ash-iverse, there are actually popsicles called Whimsicles.

So I got this idea the other day, sprung from the Ash-iverse and a recollection of the children's film, Hook. (Yes, Phil Collins was in that.) Anyway, remember that character, Tootles? The one who said nothing but "I've lost my marbes" and then at the end of the film -- uh-oh, spoiler -- it turned out he'd left 'em in a bag in Neverland? Well I was thinking, wouldn't it be great to find lost marbles somewhere? Like you're at the grocery store, you crab a bottle of, I don't know, cran-raspberry juice, and behind it -- tada! -- a pouch of misplaced marbles. Holy crap, that would just make my day.

With that idea in mind, I bought some felt, thread, and put my newly-inherited collection of vintage marbles to work. What I ended up with is just a prototype -- I'd like to end up with something resembling a luggage tag next time -- but with a bit more practice, I can see this being an incredibly fanciful, unexpected object to leave behind on public trans, on a chair at a restaurant, or sneaked into the pocket of the gentlewo/man who's put you out of your mind.

How to make your own "Lost Marbles":

Acquire marbles:

Trace any shape onto your felt or chosen fabric, twice. These shapes, once cut out, will serve as the top and bottom of your lost-marble "pouch." I used a coaster the first time, a coffee mug here:

Sew the two patches together around the edges. You may use any method you prefer. Once you've only a small opening left, roll an appropriate amount of marbles inside:

Here's what I ended up with originally (If you wish to include text on your handiwork, might I suggest printing with a light marker first for great accuracy) (Yes, mine looks like something from Winnie the Pooh):