A Stitch in Time: Revisiting Stitch V

This may not seem much like an Age of Enlightenment (the recent election notwithstanding); we really are still so many Neanderthals hunched over keyboards. (I myself am pretty resigned to unwanted Planet of the Apes imagery.) So maybe we do chap at the thought of assembling casseroles and gift lists for other Neanderthals in the middle of a busy fall, making the discovery that we don't even have the luxury of a Stitch 2008, well, dulling.

I think I can do something about the last part. I can't do anything about the casseroles, but, dammit, say it with me, "We have evolved past Presto Salad-Shooters and apple-pie candles!" (I actually re-gifted said candle to the person who had given it to me the previous year. They never knew, which is another comment.)

So whether you are a real Neanderthal or just dressed like one, hunch over the keyboard with me for a spin around a virtual Stitch. I'll bet some of the friends we made from Stitch 2007 are hanging out just a bandwidth away. (No need to fish around for last year's brochures in your [ahem] "files": If you need the tourist map, click here for last year's account.)

Austin's LuckyKitty Design has more practical gifts, like checkbook covers and notecards, but it's all about those owls. Hands off Eduardo – he's mine. Tip: If you don't have time to decoupage light switch covers, check out the ones in their favorites list on your way out. My 2007 obsession, Louisiana's supermaggie, have their thinking caps on, as the sculptural forms in handmade felt here get more and more sophisticated. The news flash, though, is the line of bags made in collaboration with local Chia. Meanwhile the fiber-art of Breanna Rokstad-Kincaid's thorns and flowers still intrigues.

Uh-oh, whatcha gonna do, here comes Sheriff Peanut! What started as a wipeable bib has now become a line that includes stuffed animals, adult tees, and more. The coven over at Austin's Boudoir Queen is still up to its dark, sexy tricks. The Imogen Heap Stage Cuff and My Sweet Lady Jane Half-Doll necklace bring back sweet memories of my 1960s-era black-caped elementary school bus driver who taught us dark Victorian ballads of ladies' suicides every morning. Also still darkly compelling are the "handmade artifacts" at local photographer l.e. lake's opticwaste. For a town with such a sunny disposition, Austin has a wide, Dark Shadows-like creative streak. Gratefully so. Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia! Much has been written about this 2008 Best of Austin winner, specifically for her hats, but the 22" armwarmers at $32 make great gifts in our T-shirt climate.

Well, it was fun catching up with old friends. I have to take a left over to Etsy for the deserving on my list; everybody else gets an apple-pie candle.