I started to set up the photo shoot for my "finished" green octopus ... and then I saw the tray full of sequins and beads. Ack!  I forgot the suckers.

Actually the thing octo is in and the tray the beads and sequins are in are one bento box I bought in Chinatown in New York.  I bought it because of the cute monkey and kooky saying on the lid:

LOVE it!  It works really great for carrying around things you don't want crushed in your bag.  I also like using the shallow lid (aka tray) for beads and sequins so they don't roll all over the place.

  The same day at the same store, I bought this bag that holds bento boxes.  When I'm going to the park with some tiny hand sewing, this is perfect for stashing the bento box of sewing goodies and my keys and wallet.  I bought it for the saying on the front, "A lawn, a lily, a lilac tree: they take a lot of beating, wherever they be."  In some unexplainable way, that saying really touches me in a deep and sad place.

Lately I've been tucking my misshapen, badly sewn, reject stuffie bits in there.  And, against all odds, they've actually come in handy.