4Real Forums: JennGM & Others: Light Box

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Planning and Ordering our Days ( Forum Locked)
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Topic: JennGM & Others: Light Box

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SallyT
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 3:12pm \| IP Logged

OK, so in this thread,, JennGM mentioned getting a light box for Christmas.

I'd like to hear more about how people use light boxes. We have one -- it was my dad's, and I have no idea what he used it for, but it came home with us last year in a carload of stuff out of my mother's old house. And . . . here it sits.

So I'd love some ideas here. If you have a light box, what do you do with it? What don't you do with it that you could envision doing?

Enquiring minds, &c. Thanks!

Sally

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MaryM
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 4:04pm \| IP Logged

I only have the cheaper/simpler craft one. I use it for dry embossing mostly. I have also used it for various tracing projects thought the years, including forgery...

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 4:11pm \| IP Logged

Well, I first owned this easel set-up and have used it for my calligraphy.

I use it in different ways, but my main approach is setting up my lines and spacing on a grid or paper. Then I put another paper on top of that and have the light through it to do the writing. This means I don't have to redraw my lines every time I write something.

I've used this for addressing envelopes, writing out poems or prayers or psalms.

For my boys who are learning, they can put a paper over the prepared lines and practice their calligraphy, but also do their copywork. I have some plans for that.

I also use this for illumination or illustrations. I sketch it out and then put it on the light box so I can redraw and paint it.

Basically, it takes me a while to get a final draft of my calligraphy, so I like having the light box to save me time of redrawing.

I didn't like the ledge on my easel, so I wanted a smooth edge light box.

My other use, and I tried it out already yesterday, is for tracing sewing patterns. I know there are newer patterns that have several sizes and require tracing to create a usable pattern.

I buy vintage patterns, which are quite delicate, so I trace them with Sewable Swedish Tracing Paper (which is a little thinner than interfacing).

I just traced a 1930s pattern so easily.

Those are my initial uses...I know there are a few other uses that escape me right now, but if I remember I'll come back here.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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MaryM
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 4:19pm \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

I buy vintage patterns, which are quite delicate, so I trace them with Sewable Swedish Tracing Paper (which is a little thinner than interfacing).

I just traced a 1930s pattern so easily.

Cool. Would love to hear more about this. Obviously the pattern size is bigger than the surface of the light box, so explain the process. Do you have to just move it around incrementally? You make it sound so easy yet I am not picturing it.

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 4:24pm \| IP Logged

Yes, I did have to move it incrementally. I thought it would be harder, but it wasn't hard at all. I did pin the pattern to the tracing cloth.

If a post-heart surgery patient could do it without getting frustrated, it's not that hard.

The tracing paper comes in a roll, which makes it convenient.

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CSBasile
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 5:20pm \| IP Logged

In the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, tracing on the light box is one of the favorite works for many of the children! We had simple hand drawn images of various items found in the church -- the pews, the tabernacle, the paten, etc. The children trace the images, color them and then compile little booklets. The booklets are a great take-along to keep young kids occupied during Mass.

SallyT
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 8:48pm \| IP Logged

Great ideas! Thank you all so much for giving me things to think about.

And of course I'd love to hear more . . .

Sally

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 9:31pm \| IP Logged

BTW, you can purchase a light box at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. I'm not sure about Michaels or AC Moore. My Dh bought mine at HL.

ETA: if you have the money, Artograph is a better brand because of the LED light because it is cooler.

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SallyT
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Posted: Jan 08 2014 at 10:31pm \| IP Logged

Good to know. Better put my inherited one to use, though! (I really would love to know why Dad bought it and what he did with it, but I guess I'll have to wait for heaven . . . :) )

Sally

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MaryM
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 12:08am \| IP Logged

Something else we have used a light box for is making paper doll clothes.

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Servant2theKing
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 8:37am \| IP Logged

A light box is also useful for cutting pieces of stained glass for projects.

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Aagot
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 9:43am \| IP Logged

Sally,
My dad used his to look at slides before placing them in the carosel of the projector.

JennGM
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 10:03am \| IP Logged

MaryM wrote:

Something else we have used a light box for is making paper doll clothes.

Brilliant! I remember doing a Shakespearean project in Freshman year making Elizabethean clothing for Paper dolls. This would have been so useful!

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria

JennGM
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 10:06am \| IP Logged

Servant2theKing wrote:

A light box is also useful for cutting pieces of stained glass for projects.

Do you do stained glass? I'm totally in awe and inspires. I have always wanted to that.

Another use is when we borrow a book from the library that has patterns (like sewing patterns, airplane folding, etc.) that we need to trace because we can't cut it out.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria

JennGM
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 10:27am \| IP Logged

Aagot wrote:

Sally,
My dad used his to look at slides before placing them in the carosel of the projector.

That is really useful -- my husband has lots of slides from his dad, and it would be helpful to reorganize them. They are in such a state!

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Jennifer G. Miller
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'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

JennGM
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Posted: Jan 09 2014 at 10:30am \| IP Logged

I'm also thinking that organizing my negatives the light box would also be helpful!

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Family in Feast and Feria

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