Friday, 4 May 2018
En Route to Las Vegas, Nevada
I’m way behind on my road trip posts, so I really shouldn’t be digressing to post
about Mui’s solution to a small dilemma I had, but I’m going to do so anyway ;-)
I love doing counted cross-stitch … the smaller the stitch the better … and no pre-printed patterns. But when my eyesight started to get bad, I gave it up and picked up other hobbies … such as photography and blogging. But I missed my embroidery.
Recently I had occasion to work on a ‘memory project’ … a kit that was handed out to interested passengers on our RTW voyage last year. That completed, I started another project … a hostess gift this time.
For the RTW project, Mui had the paper pattern enlarged at a commercial print shop so I could see the details without straining my eyes. That worked out OK. The current pattern I’m working on, however, came as a digital file, so I had the bright idea of using my iPad to view it … and mark stitches off as I complete them. Brilliant … except that I needed some sort of a stand for the iPad. I didn’t want to move the suction-cup stand I use when the iPad serves as a GPS while we’re tootling down the road … and I didn’t want to buy a second such stand either.
So, Mui came up with the ingenious idea of using a couple of L-brackets and a nice piece of wood to create a mini-table — a tray, really — that rests on the back of the sofa for stability. Since that’s where I usually sit while we’re watching TV (I do most of my embroidery work during that ‘dead’ time), the solution turned out to be perfect … simple, too.
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A couple of screws to attach the L-brackets … et voilà … we have an iPad tray.
We found the wood top at a crafts store … already stained.
Perfectly positioned along the back of the couch so I can follow the pattern on the iPad.
A couple of felt pads on the back of the brackets keep the window from getting scratched, and I can remove the tray easily enough when I don’t need it … although it does serve nicely as a place to put my cup of tea when I sit down to do my morning reading.
© 2004-2018 Two to Travel's Phaeton Journeys. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by ERIN ERKUN.
Mui never ceases to amaze me:)
ReplyDeleteMui is a very handy guy, and he can cook, too! Your home with its personal modifications is as lovely and functional as most sticks and bricks. Glad you posted this one, even though I did get to actually see it.
ReplyDeleteVery smart. I like it when the ideas work out!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a handy/creative guy travel along with you:) Very nice!
ReplyDeleteQuick! Apply for a patent! ;c)
ReplyDeleteReally ingenious. Glad you are back to a beloved hobby! I love handwork too and have done a lot of embroidery and quilting in my past. Wish I had room for a frame.
ReplyDelete