I caved

The Cleveland Plain Dealer had an article in the business section yesterday on the importance of shopping at independently owned local shops. The writer suggested that we select the three stores we would miss the most if they had to close, and go spend some money there. I certainly wouldn't want to be held responsible for the button shop closing! I found a snail, a beach ball, a turtle, and a seashell. Ahem. I found some other things for future projects. You know. Just to keep them in business.

Hallie cat loves the beach ball!
Another interpretation of a sunrise. This one is a bookmark.
My first sock is being blocked in my homemade sock blocker. I saw some in the store for over $20. Whoa! In the first place I don't need two. This first sock has lots of time to block while I knit the second one. I just used a sheet of inexpensive craft foam and cut it out the shape of the sock. Or at least it would have been inexpensive if I hadn't seen the sign next to it that all the remaining fabric in Wal-Mart's diminishing supply was 75% off. (And Wal-Mart was clearly not what they meant by independently owned local shop.) But really - I was there to do a good deed. David had had his car's oil changed and needed a ride to pick it up. So I just scooted in to get my craft foam. And scooted out TWO HOURS later, with a large sack of future projects. The long line at the cutting table was loaded with cheerful quilters and stitchers, all delighted to be getting a bargain. It was like a party!
I wish the place where I went from one needle to the other didn't show so much on the foot. Larry put it well. He said, "Will your foot care?" No, as a matter of fact, my foot won't mind a bit. :>}