I love my design wall

You know how every once in a while you make a purchase that turns out to be just wonderful?  You hesitated at the time, but after a while you realize that you are SO glad you did it?

I feel that way about my portable design wall. (Shoot.  I don't have a picture handy, but you can see it here.  I remember spotting them at PIQF when "Cheryl Ann" first introduced them, and I remember standing with my friend and hemming and hawing over whether they'd be useful and whether they'd be worth the price.  I didn't buy one that day, but some weeks later got the opportunity to get in on a bulk order and I went ahead.

I sure am glad I did.

I use it at home more often than I would have thought.  I don't have a big design wall in my little office/studio, so when I'm laying out a large quilt, I set it up in the bedroom and work there.  Twice a year, I take it to quilt retreat and if I don't use it, I set it up and some one else will need it.  (At the retreat, the entire large room is lined with these large portable design walls.)

And this week, I brought it with me to Tahoe and I've laid out two large quilts whose pieces have been in the UFO pile for quite a while.  Designing the quilts and laying out the blocks in preparation for sewing is one of those fun tasks that takes time and space -- so I've spent several peaceful mornings just moving pieces around on the wall. I have my own funny numbering and stacking system so I can remove pieces from the wall and have them ready to sew for later.

So I've been appreciating my design wall this week, and thinking about how glad I am I bought it.

Do you have any item that brings those feelings to mind?