Organizing handwork supplies

How do you keep all the necessities on hand while you are working?

I have a tin box about 3.5" x 5.5" x 3.5" with a clip closing and a cloth strap on one end.

Inside I carry a spool of thread, a pin cushion, a pencil, a white fabric marker, a needle case, my "Thread Heaven", several pairs of small scissors and a tiny folding ruler.

When I travel, I carry that tin in my bag along with a zip-lock holding the pieces I am working on.

I usually have a long thread on the needle and a clover cutter on a string around mt neck, but there are times I run out of thread and have to go to my tin for more supplies ... usually thread or sharp scissors or additional pins.

Even visiting with friends in a sewing group, the tin sometimes gets dumped and I have to chase the supplies across the floor, trying to make sure I am leaving nothing behind.

I have seen a number of handy fold-up kits but I am thinking of making a chatelaine that I can wear around my neck and keep things handy. The above is a sketch I made of my idea. I am wondering if anyone has such a thing. I certainly need a place to hold my glasses. Maybe the pocket at the neck could be engineered so that the whole thing would fold up inside when not in use.

I have pieced a few scrappy blocks BUT NOW is the time to put some ideas together.

If anyone out there has suggestions ... Please offer them.





My #3 daughter, Norie, and little Leia came for a few days visit. While Norie helped sort through countless piles of papa's stuff and help organize his computer room, Leia and I got to play. Pictures are a bit dark as the drapes were pulled to block out some of the hot sun.

One of my friends gifted me a few pieces of fleece fabric.

We selected a cat print and a solid orange and Leia pinned the two back-to-back.

Then I began to make six-inch  cuts about an inch wide around the edge.

Leia took each pair and tied them together with a double knot.

Those little hands were just flying and before I even made it to the end of the first side, she was at my elbow.

Somehow, I had thought this would be a longer project but I had not counted on such a fast-working assistant.






Here we are half-way done!

Isn't that a cute cat print?

Here is the finished "quilt".


It is a bit too warm for the weather we are having now but it is very soft and snugly. I suppose it will come in handy in three or four months.

After going home, Norie called to say that Leia was required as homework to write a report on several of  her summer activities.

This project was one of the subjects she picked and had quickly written a report with illustrations. I have just seen a copy of what she has produced and am glad that idea was a hit.

Monday was our 51st wedding anniversary.

Norie took this picture outside our front gate as were going out to celebrate with pizza.

Last year for our 50th, I was camping at the Jamboree so we missed the big one.

Monday after my English class, I went to a shop one of my students recommended and bought Paul a nice light summer hat. It is woven of hemp and will allow air to pass through.

I don't know how long it will last because he tends to lose hats and gloves and umbrellas and things that are not tied to his body but he was pleased with this addition and so may be a bit more careful where he puts it.

A typhoon is on its way but probably will cross the country to the west. I am hoping it will generate a bit of rain for our area to cool things down a bit. Today's clouds moving in are a nice break from the hot sun.