Sunday 8 December 2013

FNWF and could you be converted!

Like all of my Friday night sewing sessions, this one also followed on into bits of Saturday and Sunday….whenever I could fit it in…. I started this on Friday…. 008 (Medium) ……and finished it today….. 004 (Medium)007 (Medium)009 (Medium) Just so pretty in pink!  I think I may have to make some more in other colours!!!!!    …I love this design and yes, it is one by Gail Pan  ( a great Aussie designer) which is featured in a new Martingale/The Pattern Place book called  ‘Sew Gifts’.  (Congrat’s Gail….woohooooo!) Martingale - Sew Gifts! (Print version + eBook bundle) So many more great projects I’m going to have to save up and make for other FNWF nights!!!!  Thanks Cheryll for another great Friday Night With Friends…..why not pop on over and see what the other girls got up to? Design H_ I don’t know about you, but I found I was buying far too many ‘physical’ books….. and running out of room faster than you can say ‘Lickety stitch’.  Once I found Martingale’s site, I registered for their newsletter every week, and they tell me when they have their books on sale.  I have been buying e-books for quite a while now, as opposed to the hard copy ones.  Sometimes (most times) it is $6 an e-book on sale…….and they hardly take any space at all!  Now that USB memory sticks are so cheap, I have a different one for different things……one for my Martingale/Patchwork Place books…….an 8GB stick and, yes, I confess, I am a book hoarder…but noone would know…..dare i say it…….I have 100 books on that stick (eek!) and it’s only half full!!!!!  010 (Medium) I have one smaller one that I save all my subscribed e-mags to and other ones for backups so I don’t lose my saved patterns and tutorials on my computer (and my computer then doesn’t run so slow!!!!)  So many advantages to e-books! 011 (Medium) I keep them nearby, hanging on my cupboard door handle on lanyards.   I can use them on my computer, on my laptop in the sewing room, in my e-reader in bed, or even take them to a friend’s place…I can print out the whole book if I want, and bind it, but because they’re so portable and easy to access in the stick form, and take hardly any room, I generally just browse the patterns I want and print those pages out only… 012 (Medium) Then I stash them in a folder if I like the pattern or just use it for scrap paper….I can always print it again!!!!  So handy!!! Don’t get me wrong, I love reading through a craft book or magazine whilst lounging on the chair, sipping a coffee or three, (after all, I was a librarian in a former life!!!) but If you’ve never thought of e-books before, try it, it’s life changing!! – I’m living proof! Are you a convert too??? Sugary hugs xox :o) my signature

18 comments:

Maria said...

Pretty project you worked on Wendy...
Hmmm!!! Maybe we need a "Weekend Sew In"
Clever girl saving your books onto the USB but I still like the physical book....

Anthea said...

Hi Wendy. That's a gorgeous little pouch you made for FNWF, well done. And you know I love anything Gail...

As for the e-books, I think they are a great idea. I like the idea of purchasing PDF patterns too... Perhaps the only trap with them is that because they are not cluttering up bookshelves in the home, that it's easy to buy heaps of them and end up with many similar patterns... maybe? Still, they are a good idea, especially being that lots of designers sell their own.
I agree with Maria - a Sew In/Sew Along would be possible with the use of e-books... there, something else for you to think about co-ordinating, LOL x

Tammy said...

Wendy I love this project. it is gorgeous.

Edi said...

Hi Wendy,
Your little bag turned out beautifully. I have to admit to not really being a convert. I have some e-reading materials, but I do love turning a page and drooling over it. I am, however, a huge advocate of our public libraries. I have made it my habit to borrow books first. If I really like them, can't live without them types, I order them used from Amazon. I never pay full price and can acquire most titles for less than $10.00 US including shipping. Can't beat it - but then I don't have 100 titles of just craft books :)

Love'n'hugs, my sweet

Denise SA said...

I love ebooks but have had problems with templates not being where they should be.

Jeanette said...

Haven't bought an quilting ebooks but i sure do love my Kindle. Wouldn't be without it now. Still love paper books though. Your project looks gorgeous. Hugs,xx

Christine M said...

Your bag is just lovely Wendy.

Cheryll said...

Well I think it's a great idea... so perhaps in 2014 that will be the way I store too. Thanks :)

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love that bag Wendy that is gorgeous must check out the ebooks....

Farm Quilter said...

Adore ebooks and you are smart to keep their content off your computer. Only bad thing is when something dies...my Kindle died and I lost some books from when I first got it and didn't know how to manage my ebooks on Amazon. I've had usb sticks lose their ability to plug in and then everything on it is gone :( or at least I am not smart enough to figure out how to retrieve the information.

Debra Kay Neiman said...

You may want to burn a DVD or CD with your files. I lost a lot of embroidery files for my machine when my flash drive quit working. The techy guy who tried to restore them told me a flash drive is not permanent. A second copy on a disc is advisable. LOVE the bag, I know you had fun. Merry Christmas. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

Michelle Ridgway said...

Lovely project Wendy. I am afraid I will be like some crazy old lady surrounded by books with pathways to get through.I love the sight, feel and smell of books. I am glad you have found something that works so well for you....me I am a lost cause lol!

desertskyquilts said...

Hmmm. Somehow the possibilities of using the sticks for storage had escaped me! I'll have to think about that. I have so much space on my computer, I never really worried, but this would be a great way to organize my gazillion folders!

desertskyquilts said...

P. S. Love the Gail Pan stitchery and the bag!

Lin said...

Love your pretty bag. I have had a few e magazines but find that I really prefer to be able to hold the mag and just flick through when I have five minutes. Your storage method sounds great - all very organised. xx

ukcitycrafter said...

Such a pretty bag Wendy, it's a good idea to save your precious eBooks on flash pens, my problem would be remembering what patterns were on them!

ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

KERYN B said...

Gorgeous bag Wendy love the fabric.

Quilting Chemist (Danette) said...

Wendy you pink bag is beautiful! I think I'll take a look at e books, I just don't have the space for all the books I'd like to get.