Essential Quilting Supplies

I see the discontent reflected in your eyes - No this is not another post about the best scissors (gingher) or the best mats and rotary cutters - No this is what is NECESSARY for me to have a successful quilting day -

1. Music - My dear husband has set the computer up so that it also doubles as a stereo. How he did this I have no idea and when he leaves for a year I guarantee that it will break the day after I and I will have to go out and buy a stereo - but until then my computer has a playlist of all my favorites. This list of essential quilting music MUST include but is not limited to - Jack Johnson - Iz - The Police -Rascal Flats - Green Day - Dixie Chicks - Fleetwood Mac - Jason Miraz - Willie - Pat Green - Jimmy Buffett and Abba - Occasionally when that gets a little repetitive I will listen to the Pulse on satellite radio (on my other blog I have a nice selection that does in a pinch) I will also sing these all out loud while quilting which has the added benefit of clearing out the house!!!! (works like a charm - you should try some time!!!)

2. Starbucks Starbucks and more Starbucks - I know that on these quilting days I need to see the sun at some point - so do I use my time in the sun to gather dinner for my clan? Nope - I use it to drive to my neighborhood Starbucks (where I single handily responsible for my baristas every growing 401K) and get my fix - which leads me to my next essential supply

3. Crock Pot - So they will leave me alone - and not eat the dog

4. Candy - I know many of you might disagree and substitute chocolate here, but to each their own - I need fireballs - and gummy bears and gummy soda and my fav. Jelly Bellies!!!

5. Sweater - Because I will be so engrossed in my quilting my husband will take the opportunity to restart the Great Thermostat War. He is all about the sneak attack, ambushing me by turning the thermostat down to sub artic temps. What happens is that inevitably I will crank that bad boy up to temperatures sustainable by life on earth and eventually the pipe thing will freeze and then break and it will stay cold until the repair man can come fix it -

6. Maddie - My big , fat, hairy loving dog AKA girlfriend. While quilting at my friend Linda's I realized that something was just not quite right. I was just not on my game. Then it hit me - My feet are getting cold and while walking back and forth to the iron I am not tripping on a big lump - I was missing Maddie - She is the ultimate quilt buddy - She tests all the quilts out on the floor for maximum comfort - I need to have her hairy shedding self to truly feel at home and to quilt -

7. Seam Ripper - Need I say more?

I am sure that there are other things I need - Like a machine - thread .... fabric - but I know without my 7 essential supplies - I just might as well give it up - What are your necessities?