Yippee I found it!!!
This morning I was hand sewing a binding onto a small quilt and went to put a new thread in the needle and I was using my new needle threader. Pushed the little button and suddenly the needle went flying. How did that happen? It actually went over my left shoulder and on to the floor into the carpet. I searched for about 15 minutes and my DH said, use another needle, I would find it eventually. But as you can imagine it kept bugging me and I remembered some of you talking about the magnet on the collapsing wand at Harbor Freight, so this afternoon I went over and bought one. (And bought a magnetic ashtray since I was there.)
Waited until after dinner so that I would not rush anything and in a matter of a few minutes I found that flying needle. I am kind of surprised I didn't find more pins, but I do use flowerhead and glass head pins because they are so much easier to find in the carpet.
So I am highly recommending that lovely little gadget to keep in a drawer for these minor emergencies.