A Stack of Books and a new toy

I recently splurged and bought myself a new light box. I was using a 25-year-old Princesses tracing box until the bulb went out and apparently they are not replaceable. Or I’m not as smart as a 5th grader because I couldn’t figure out how to get the bulb out to replace it.

Then I dug around and found a Lion King one. Same bulky idea, where the top opens to store all your stencils for tracing. This was only about 20 years old. Well, that one didn’t last much longer before it gave up the ghost. That’s when my lightbulb went off and I decided it was time for me to get my very own, grown-up light box.

I studied them all, read all the reviews and finally decided on the Artograph Light Pad Light Box in the 12″ x 9″ size.  After finally deciding on this brand, I struggled deciding which size to order. I let reasoning take over and came to this decision based on most often using the printer, in conjunction with tracing, and with traditional sized printer paper size this would be a perfect fit. And it is. I love this thing!

Transfer design @ Sewfrench

It is lean and clean, lights up evenly and is beautifully bright.

Stack of Books quilt @ SewfrenchI tried many different methods of transferring lettering the lettering and for me, my trusty blue pen, and fonts pulled off the computer, for tracing worked best. And if I was a wiz at identifying the fonts of the book titles I choose, or even a font with similar characteristics, things would be going even faster!

Stack of Books quilt @ Sewfrench

This project is taking me forever, but I’m learning to embrace it.

Stack of Books quilt @ Sewfrench

Not really. It is a perfect example of faking it until you make it though. I’ll fake knowing what I’m doing. And liking it. And smile all the while. 🙂

And two years later, it is still the quilt project I keep coming back to when nothing else is prepped to work on in front of the evening TV.

Kona quilt @ Sewfrench

I just keep reading and just keep stitching… And adding books than made an impression, on me, as I go.

Books quilt @ Sewfrench

Linking up with:
Fabric Tuesday
WIP

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24 Responses to A Stack of Books and a new toy

  1. knitnkwilt says:

    that’s fun, that you are making the titles ones you have actually read and liked. No mere fillers here! Sounds like a good investment.

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  2. What a great idea! Gone with the Wind and The Red Tent are favorites of my older daughter, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is on my favorite books list: http://redflannelpantry.com/books/recommended-books/ How many books are in your stack?

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  3. Elita @ Busy Needle Quilting says:

    I’ve read a good number of those as well. Room sticks in my mind particularly as well as Postmortem (PC being one of my favourite authors). Lovely project to work slowly on!

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  4. quiltykanuck says:

    That is just so lovely! Now you are making me want to get one! LOL. Love the quilt.

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  5. It would be a big stack if I put all the titles I have loved! Books are magical. I like the hand embroidery a lot. Handwork is so satisfying but people dismiss it as too time consuming. What else are you going to do when you’re tired, tv is mediocre, and you need something for your hands to do??
    LeeAnna
    lapaylor.blogspot.com

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    • sewfrench says:

      Oh, I know, LeeAnna! I’m a huge reader, too, books always leave an impression, even those you hope not to remember! I am a huge admirer of handwork. I think my problem, with embroidery, has more to do with lack of skills, than anything else. But it’s getting better with every evening of stitching! Youtube videos help, too!

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  6. lauragbeck says:

    Oh! A beautiful light box! When I was doing graphic design I LOVED my overgrown toy – ‘think’ light TABLE! So nice! Enjoy it!

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  7. Becky M says:

    oh such a clever idea for a quilt! I was going to say that i even just loved the idea of embroidery on a quilt! Great lightbox too. I’m still holding my transfers up to the sliding glass door when I have to do tracing. I’m so ghetto! lol

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  8. Kim Jacques says:

    Hey you should let us know things we could build for ya!!!

    Out and about with my iPhone

    >

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  9. The Sassy Quilter says:

    What a cool idea. I can see how the titles you pick really make it personal. Love it.

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  10. What a fabulous idea! You can go to bed with a bunch of good books!

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  11. Kay says:

    I absolutely love this!!! This has to become a project for me at some point.

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