Poppyprint comes to town

And today we are honoured, excited and privileged to have a visitor from Canada on the blog - only my very special and gifted friend Krista Poppyprint.  If you don't know her blog, you need to get on over there pronto.  And without further ado ... may we welcome to the blog ... Krista aka Poppyprint...with a fabulous Christmas gift suggestion for any quilters in your life.

We're getting down to the wire, folks. Not many shopping days left now, which is why my quilter's gift idea is IDEAL for last minute {husband-type} shoppers. Like mine. Why? Because he won't have to go near a mall, sewing center or fabric shop**.

Nosiree, for this extra-special-highly-functional gift, your man can go to Mecca. His Mecca. That's right: the hardware store. He'll love you even more just for suggesting it! Before he even reaches the cash-out, he'll be high-fiving other last minute shopping men who are buying their poor wives a cordless drill for Christmas, secure in the knowledge that he dreamed up the most fabulous present ever known to quilting wives.

THE ROLLING TOOLBOX

Quilter's tool box

As a retreat organizer, my tools and supplies are on the move monthly. My retreat clientele are a clever bunch and a couple of years ago, several of the gals started showing up with all of their gear securely packed in these affordable, lightweight toolboxes.  I immediately put one on my Christmas list.  I'm pretty sure my husband thought he'd hit the jackpot when he saw that my gift was available at Canadian Tire - not only could he complete his shopping, but he could pick up some new windshield wipers for the car, a roll of duct tape and a new outdoor extension cord for the Christmas lights. Score!

Quilter's tool box
house tape measure by Laurraine, pattern available here

These units are like rolling luggage for the traveling quilter.  But without the quilt store price tag (again, can I hear a hallelujah from the husbands, please?). The top box has a handy tray for all your marking tools, cutting implements, hand cream, bobbins, pins, measuring tape and emergency mints/chocolate.  Below the tray is an open (or slotted compartment, depending on the brand) area for fabric, patterns, rulers, first aid kit.

Quilter's tool box
rotary cutter pouch by Suzanne

The boxes have varying features depending on manufacturer. My box (made by tool giant Stanley) has this fantastic turny tray for hardware bits that is perfect for buttons, snaps, clasps, grommets, D-rings and the like.

Quilter's tool box

Finally, the top box is a detachable stand-alone tool box. Below it you've got another open bin for bulky stuff like a power bar, Ott light, extension cord or more fabric. Although I cannot prove it, a bottle of wine fits beautifully in here, too.

Quilter's tool box

Here you have all three main components of your sewing room on wheels:

Quilter's tool box

I keep mine fairly loaded at all times and it sits right beside the chair in my home sewing room, so all my notions are easily accessible.  When at retreat, it assumes the same position:

Quilter's tool box
ooo look, it's Felicity over there on the left! 
 That's Elizabeth's thread catcher and Anna's 241 bag in the shot as well.

Hi ho, hi ho, off to retreat I go......

Quilter's tool box
photo by Felicity

See how happy I look? See how my arms and shoulders are not laden with heavy and cumbersome totebags and boxes?  This could be YOU!  

** manquilters, please excuse the implication that you, too, are last minute shoppers based solely on your gender. As creative quilting types, I am making the assumption that all your gifts are completed and wrapped, like mine, and you are hereby exempt from the last-minute-shopper stereotype presented in this post for comedic effect.

Comments

  1. Very cool! If I went on retreat, I'd go buy myself one today! Clever!

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  2. Do you think manquilters' wives are the last-minute type? That would be funny!

    Great idea btw, and totally relevant for the upcoming FQLondon2012!

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  3. What a wonderful way to take it all with you...will definitely check these out. And I loved your lively, quick-witted post...so cute!

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  4. That is very clever! This is a great idea for those without a dedicated sewing room too. Easy to move your sewing roadshow from the dining room when folks come over for dinner. Great idea, thanks Krista!

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  5. Oh Krista - I've been considering one of these for just this purpose for a long time - maybe next year
    And to top it all I'd make an ironing mat to lay on top of the box too so it can be used whilst at a quilt guild or workshop ;o)

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  6. Once upon a time ago at the dawn of my quilting career (ahme 11+ years) there was a similar rollling cart being purchased by quilters - the best part a Bernina could fint into that bottom bin!

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  7. I would say great idea but I once got a sander for my Birthday! I don't want to be sending out mixed messages...

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  8. I have about 4 of those with long lost craft projects in (amongst my other hardware shop ingenuius/cheap storage solutions. Think I may have to repurpose one for London!

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  9. What a great tip Krista! And seeing as my husband used to make kitchens I have a feeling I may already have something similar to this knocking around in our barn!

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  10. Thanks for the call-out to us manquilters! To know that we're even being considered ... my, how far we've come.

    @Laura, I can confirm that, yes, my wife is the last-minute type. Some serious gender role-reversal going on in the @QuiltDad home!

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  11. Great idea and such a fun post. It might just be big enough to replace my 4 sewing baskets at home, even if it does not go on the road. I am afraid that I am a last minute shopper like the husbands, I hope that I can still hang out with the quilters too.

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  12. I love my rolling tool box! I've used this same one for about 4 years now... It's so easy to roll this with one hand and my sewing machine with the other...one trip and it's time to SEW!!

    I also use a bungee cord and attach my ironing surface to the front of my sewing machine rolling bag...

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  13. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!!

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  14. Ooooh I have an 'art/design' one but never thought to get one for this purpose. Not so pretty, but B&Q £20 http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/handtools-storage-workwear/tool-storage-workbenches/tool-storage/toolboxes___trollies/Stanley-Rolling-Mobile-Work-Centre-10907984 would do the job; thanks Krista.

    PS. Hubby got his 'orders' last night!

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  15. Here I was seriously thinking that Krista was visiting you in person! I was thinking, Wow, that's a lot of stuff to take on an international trip! hehe

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  16. Hmm, a sewing trolley that holds wine - my kind of kit!

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  17. Great idea Krista, I expect to see a load of these in June, maybe you should discuss sponsorship with Stanley?

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  18. Niiiiiice! I have a small toolbox (and it's pink, thankyouverymuch), but this is making me covet my neighbor's possessions!

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  19. Absolutely brilliant.

    I'd like one as a handbag!

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  20. ... oh and if you look at the hairdressing tool trolleys you can get colours too! pink pink pink!

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALU-HAIRDRESSING-VANITY-BEAUTY-CASE-TROLLEY-TOOL-BOX-/370553492353?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Make_up_Cosmetics_Make_up_Cases_Bags_PP&hash=item5646b59381

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  21. Sending my hub off to the hardware shop as we speak...

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  22. Hilarious! Such a great idea! I also love that it makes you look kind of tough ;)

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  23. And there's also room for quite a lot of chocolate in there! Love the pink one that Sarah's link takes you to. Great post - thank you!

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  24. Whoa, that thing is cooooooooool! I want one :-D

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  25. absolutely genius. and you are telling me i can get chocolate AND wine in there? i hear the angels singing already...

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  26. Having seen the rolly kit in person, I can attest to its fabulousness. Thanks for the shoutouts - that *is* me in the background! :)

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  27. wow wow wow my jaw is on the floor.
    That is the coolest rolly toolbox EVER! I am especially loving the little detachable tray she is using for snap buttons etc! So good!

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  28. I love this!!! Such a great idea. I'll have to show my husband for sure! Love it!!!!

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  29. EXCELLENT POST!! I love the toolbox on wheels. A place for everything calms my organizer-type brain.

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  30. A brilliant idea! Now I just have to find myself a retreat to go to...

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  31. Great idea, very cool rolling tool box!

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