"Out with the Old, In with the New" + CONTEST!

Readers, I'm not a fan of dogmatic people, and I would hate to come across as one.  My Daily Ditch© method of personal transformation does create miracles, but it's important to allow a few things into your life, too -- otherwise, you'll have nothing left to ditch.  Think about it.

I'd been very curious about Claire Schaeffer's book, Couture Sewing Techniques, and finally decided to treat myself -- not only to a copy, but also to the latest edition, something I normally wouldn't spring for.  It's so nice to read a sewing book that isn't full of Eighties fashion, do you know what I mean?  I'm not going to discuss the book today, but it's a beaut.

On Monday, I received a mystery box in the mail.  Fortunately, it wasn't ticking.



Readers, as you know, I sometimes link to other blogs or wax enthusiastic about something, but it's never to benefit myself -- at least not consciously.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to discover this fabulous tomato pincushion -- a gift from Sunni at A Fabulous Stitch for....I'm not sure what; I must have mentioned her here at MPB, hopefully not in a disparaging way.



Folks, if MGM's Gilbert Adrian designed a pincushion this would be it -- am I right?

I must say that while I'm more accustomed to your standard hothouse tomato pincushion, Sunni's is a full-fledged beefsteak.  Seriously though, this vegetable -- or is it a fruit -- is so charming, I'm loath to stick pins in it! 





But that's not all!  Thoughtful Sunni also sent me this beautiful adjustable dog collar!







Actually, don't tell Sunni, but I think I'm going to use this as a wrist pincushion.





Now it wouldn't really look right if now I said, Go buy one of Sunni's pincushions, which you can purchase here or here, so I'm just going to thank Sunni and leave it at that.

And now onto The Daily Ditch©.

Today's theme is Name That Jetsam!

Friends, I can't remember why I ever bought an RF Modulator, but it had something to do with hooking up an old DVD player (which I no longer own), to an even older TV (which I no longer own).  Today I will no longer own this RF Modulator.



Why, oh why, did I have this sitting around?  Hopefully it was a gift. 



Or this.  Don't their songs all sound the same?



I found this black plastic wand sitting in a cabinet and had no idea what it was. 



But I figured it out -- behold!  Why do I own two cheap tripods?  Later today I will own just one.



And now for our contest:  Readers, please identify one of the following items:





The winner will receive...nothing!  You wouldn't want to go against the spirit of The Daily Ditch© would you?  Actually, you will enjoy the pleasure of being right, which is all most of us really long for anyway.

In closing, friends, wherever you may be sticking your pins, I hope this day will be an enjoyable one for you.

Seriously, what is that pale jade plastic thing -- do you know?  I do!

POST-WINNER UPDATE:  (SPOILER ALERT!)

Click photo to play movie in Picasa.