Pins, no needles!

My sewing machine came out today, for the first time in more than a year. I am making a toy turtle (yes, a turtle) for my grandson's second birthday. It is a long time since I made toys!
My niece gave me this Chinese pincushion a few years ago, and it has been well used! The little figures look inscrutable as they hang on to each other, and so serious! Are they holding up the world?