Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Tool Time Tuesday...Sewing Gadgets

This week's Tool Time was found at Auto Zone. If there isn't an Auto Zone near you, I'm sure you can find these in any auto parts store. While my husband was talking to some one about spark plugs, I was, of course, wondering around with blogging in mind. Couldn't find much until we went to the register. You know how most registers are...full of little knick knacks like gum, lighters, flash lights, air fresheners and these little cuties...
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A mini tape measure key chain and a telescoping magnet that looks like a pen.


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A mini tape measure is obviously good for sewing and quilting, but it's also great for your key chain when you are out thrifting, at yard sales or when you're at a store and find that perfect little table. Not sure if it will fit some where in the house...well, just use this little gadget to check the size. It's three feet long and only 1/4" wide.
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Here's the magnetic pen. It telescopes open to over 2 feet. I think mechanics use it to reach into the motor if they drop a screw or something. For me it was cute and matched the tape measure. I thought what a great little tool to pick up pin and needles when you drop them on the floor...especially onto carpet. Just wave it over the carpet or floor and it sucks them right up. I know what you're thinking "can't she just bend over and pick them up". Not if I have this do-hickey and it was only a $1.99.
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This is a close up of the pins, but it would be great for when you drop needles. They are so much harder to see without the colored ball on top.


I also found a third gadget at the register, but I'm saving it for next week and a TTT all it's own.
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Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

20 comments:

  1. I love it, thanks! Like I said last week, I would love to go through the hardware stores, etc. together.!

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  2. I need to get one of those magnet things - much better than the dog finding pins that get lost!

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  3. Hey Karen, I was just at the auto store a few hours ago with my sweetie and as he was looking for something or other I walked the isles saying to myself "If I were Karen, what could I make out of this stuff??"

    Nothing came to mind, I'll just leave that to you since you are so great at it!

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  4. oh I am going to stop and see if I can't buy both of these today
    I find things roll off my cutting table behind the furniture, hard to move out bet this would pick up those pins!
    as well as my thimble behind my desk!
    thanks
    Kathie

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  5. I got one of the magnet things at a quilt show and it was a good bit more costly than what you paid at the auto store!!! I do love it, though...especially for dropping pins or my needle down between cushions while doing hand-sewing.

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  6. I have the magnet thing too (love it! it's handy), a gift from a friend at a quilt show many years ago. I think the tag reads $3.99 or $4.99! Just goes to show, once again, how if it's sold for quilting, the price increases dramatically. And why we love your tips! Thanks, Karen.

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  7. Those are great ideas! When you first stated it was magnetic, I thought what a great thing to pick up pins. I kept reading and we were on the same track! Love them!

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  8. Now that is a great idea! I was checking all over town last weekend for some baskets, and I had to bring my tapemeasure from home. This one would be great to keep in my purse. And I have to say the magnetic thingy is a great help when you can't "see" the pins in the carpet! I dropped a sewing needle and was afraid that someone would step on it. The magnetics seem to draw them out. Thanks for the great tips.

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  9. I have both of those little tools and I love them! Another handy little thing to have close-by which we have used thousands of times for all kinds of purposes is a small flat head screwdriver, about the same size as the telescoping magnet. My husband got it free from some trade show booth forever ago, and it never ceases to amaze us how many uses it has.

    MGM

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  10. What neat little finds! Thanks for sharing! I'm headed to Auto Zone today to get me one of each of those! Jenn

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  11. My mother has always carried around one of those tape measures and believe me, it has come in handy many times.

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  12. I have one of those magnetic thingies and I LOVE IT!!! A tape measure on my key chain would be great!!!!

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  13. I picked up my magnet pen at the electronics store (like Tandy or Radio Shack?). My husband couldn't believe I spent more than him (capacitors are pretty cheap). Can't wait to see what else you bought!

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  14. Two more items to add to the shopping list. Thanks for mentioning them.

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  15. Well arent you the clever one. I love buying the small stuff from the counters. When I go to the woodworking stores for hubby's Christmas or birthday, I always buy the small stuff. He loves it because he says he'd never stop and look at all that.

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  16. I've been using a "bingo wand" I've had for years. I used to play bingo and the wand was used to clear all the plastic bingo chips that had the metal edge. You could probably find it at Walmart. Mine was less than 50 cents but that was many years ago.

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  17. I've been using a "bingo wand" I've had for years. I used to play bingo and the wand was used to clear all the plastic bingo chips that had the metal edge. You could probably find it at Walmart. Mine was less than 50 cents but that was many years ago.

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  18. Oh I am getting myself one of those magnetic telescopes.....very cool. I've never seen it mind you! The hunt is on!!

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  19. The magnetic telescope is great. One of my favorite uses is to put a straight pin in my starter strip when chain piecing. I seem to drop that a lot. I grab the magnet & pick it up. It's hard to reach behind my desk. I move it around under furniture to find pins that disappeared.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!

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