Magnetized

Here's another tip for my quilt friends, but also for anyone who works with needles, pins, or even nails and screws.

My friend Jennifer showed me this strong magnet wand (see blue thing in picture), and it really does work. They are available at fabric and craft stores, perhaps even at someplace like Wal-mart.

I can't tell you how many times I've been working in my big easy chair and suddenly dropped my needle. I freeze and start the search, because I don't want it to end up in the chair and/or in anyone's tushy or foot. Now I keep this magnet wand with me as I'm working and whenever I drop a needle or a pin, I just wave it around and it is so strong it attracts the dropped hazard even from a short distance.

I wouldn't recommend bringing this magnet anywhere near a computer or laptop. We've all heard how magnets can damage them. It would probably be wise to even keep it away from your cell phone, since they are pretty much little computers now.

It's a cool tool.