WOYWW 380

                                  SHINE A LIGHT ON EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD...

Thanks for all the well wishes last week! We still feel as if we are in a permanent holiday home at the moment - having decided to unpack as little as possible, it is amazing how few items you actually need for daily living. Hmmmm, when we eventually buy a house, I think I'm going to have a major prune of our stuff. 

I played in a church service last week (this IS craft related, fear not!) and as usual was at the back in the dim light. Well, even with reading glasses. I couldn't see the tiny notes in the hymn book. Look.....
See how tiny they are compared to the other piece and the cream paper doesn't help either. A quick search of a well known interwebs site revealed the Mighty Bright Music stand light.

As demonstrated here on my stand - it looks like some mutant alien insect doesn't it??! If you're wondering what those small things that look like chess pieces are, they are very powerful little magnets that hold your music onto the stand - the merest breeze can whip your music away faster than you can say Accelerando. 

My music case has loads of stuff in, the stand, music folder, small towel (for catching drips!), bass stand, mouthpiece, valve oil, vaseline (for the slides). It weighs a blooming ton and that's before you consider the 2 stone weight of the instrument itself - anyhow I digress. I wanted a case to carry and protect the lights in (plus some spare batteries too) and so I made this:

Not the best bit of sewing I've ever done, but it was quick, easy and made from scraps, the little pocket on the front will hold three triple A batteries.  See, there was some crafting to show (eventually!!)

And they are in action at the outdoors church service I played in as part of the Pewsey Carnival fortnight:
This was before we started - they really helped when the sun set later. Yay - no more blind-as-a-bat peering at the music for me. Woohoo.

There you are, you got to the end, hopefully unscathed. I will try to show a bit more actual craft next week, but that may well be a rash promise :-D


28 comments:

Helen said...

that light looks very useful (and insect like) - no more wrong notes for you then!! Happy WOYWW Helen #?

Sue said...

Hi Jan, Glad you are getting on ok in your temporary home.

The lights for your stand are a fab idea. Like the little cover you made for them.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #12

Kathyk said...

Cracking music bag and have a great WOYWW

Kathyk
#7

okienurse said...

I think the bag is great...quick or not! I will have to keep that light in mind as a Christmas gift for my son the band commander! He is currently serving in Iraq again but should be home the end of next month! Have a great week. Vickie #10

misteejay said...

A lovely and practical make - so useful.
You are a lady of many talents.
Toni xx

Annie said...

I'd say thats a made to measure perfect bag Jan....just right for the job. It's good to see life is settling in at your new abode too. I'm right there with you with stuff in boxes for years Jan cos we have been pretty firm when it's come to emptying some of ours that have been packed for what now must be over 3 years for some of them....surely we don't 'need' any of it?
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x # 16

Anne said...

A fab bag Jan. We moved 21 years ago and there are still one/two boxes in roof space never unpacked. We are going to sort out the roof space( DS has offered to crawl in there and get stuff out for us ( poor old dears that we are LOL I just don't like going in there ) and we are getting rid of stuff!!!
It's good to be back to WOYWW Anne x #17

lisa said...

It's a lovely bag, Jan. You are clever to just be able to run something up to hold everything you need. I never knew musicians need so much equipment.
Glad you are still enjoying your new home. We have been clearing out, I think you inspired me. It's amazing what junk you hoard isn't it?
Have a good week
Hugs Lisa #25

Neet said...

Definitely an alien music stand. Now I know that if I go anywhere and there is a band playing and I see that antennae it will be LLJ.
Great bag and so useful too with the pocket on the front. |So you are able to begin your sewing again with the new temp home - that is good to hear. Hope you find something you really want and you can then unwrap the essentials and dispose of the unwanted. Must admit I have been too sentimental in what I kept and have far too much in my kitchen. I tried to be minimal but I only got half way there.
Have a good week
Love, Neet 22 xx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I was wondering where you were going with the music stand! It's a great feeling when you can make something that actually serves a purpose. My stuff is usually just for fun - that's why I'm having a hard time selling the idea to hubby - he thinks what I do is just a waste of time! Good luck with your house hunt! We're still looking. Everything we see is overpriced. (sigh) zsuzsa #28

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya Jan, it does indeed look like some bug, maybe you should stick some googly eyes on them lol. I agree we keep far too much stuff ' because we might need it'! If I threw out all the stuff like that I've kept that I haven't used for twelve months, I would have more kitchen storage space. Glad you are happy where you are, see you in November, all being well. Love and huge hugs to you all, Shaz xxxx

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I like that clever little clamped lamp and the magnetic sheet music holders. I could use one of those lamps to read at Church. I love the classic mission style Episcopal Church I attend with it's gorgeous light fixtures, but the lighting is not the best for me to read. That's a very clever bag you made too. Blessings!

Sharon said...

Congrats on the house sale! That went quickly. A lovely case for the music stand - holds everything perfectly.

Have a great week
Sharon K #40

LisaDV said...

Love the case. It's a very clever little light. Happy Wednesday. LisaDV #37

Stacy Sheldon said...

oh how neat is that :) I love the bug lights and the case :) ~Stacy #43

Chidkid said...

and I bet all your friends will want one too! Great idea. Happy WOYWW. Elaine no. 20

glitterandglue said...

Oh Jan. And there was I imagining you sat at the organ!!! But do tell... what hymn words go to The spirit of freedom and The Loco-motion??!! Love those magnets - indispensable! The light is a great idea too. Well found.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and for that gorgeous card. The girls (oops, my grown up daughters!!) were thrilled to know so many folk have been sending cards to me - I have had nearly 60!!!, and I think there will be more yet!
Take care, dear girl, in your Still-feels-like-a-holiday-home.
God bless.
Margaret #2

Caz said...

Great light and great bag for it!!
Love the little magnets!
Happy WOYWW
Caz #36

Unknown said...

I love it when crafting skills become life skills!!! I can't see without my readers up close AT ALL, so I can totally relate to that. I'm still fiddling with sewing zippers and little bags for practice. I really want to get confident at the zipper thing. But I have to say adding that pouch for the batteries was completely brilliant. How cute are you, in your temporary little place though, and finding a way to still stitch things up. It's like an episode of Cranford (this little miniseries show I love and I watch it over and over). The ladies light their candles in their sparse little 1800's house and stitch away. Will your transition time be long in this house? I'm thinking of you, and know you will find the perfect place! I know, let's buy Downton! Hugs. Happy Wednesday! Sandy Leigh #44

Julia Dunnit said...

Accelerando! That's a Potter style spell isn't it? Loving the lights, they and the stand are looking butterfly-esque. Yep. Esque.

Laura said...

How cool -- didn't know you play the tuba! I played the trombone in school! When will the WOYWW band be formed? Let me know so I can remind myself how to play -- it's been . . . a long time. lol Just saying hello -- not WOYWWing this week. ~ Laura

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Very useful little light, love it. I started learning to play the sax but got distracted and must go back to it soon. Have a great woyww, Angela x 19

StampedbyChris said...

That stand light and magnets is brilliant! I played the violin many years ago. Now I just play with paper!
Hugs
Chris P #34

RosA said...

It's good that you can just whip up a little fabric case when you need it! I have finally unearthed my sewing machine because my sister's machine was acting up and she wanted a blouse sewn asap. So she made the hour long drive over and we had a sewing day. She also brought over an overlocker (which she had been GIVEN!) so I could see if it actually worked, and thread it, if it did! Well, it did work and I threaded it for her! She went home one happy bunny :)
Have a good week (and how nice to be just minutes away from Julia!)
RosA # 27

Unknown said...

Hello Jan. What a great carry case you made for your stand and I love the alien lights but when I saw the picture of your music sheets hanging on it reminded me more of the l;argue street lights on the highway back home. I love haveing brights lights that make the dark appear into daylight. LOL. Hoping you find a place to call home soon but glad you are enjoying the new house and yes I hear you about purging as I know I have tons well. But I have about two years(crossing my fingers we move then from living in the cold northern Canada) cause at this rate I will need my own Uhaul to move my craft stuff alone. Have a fantastic week Hugs Always ~Anne L#5

Annie Claxton said...

hehehe I love your alien music stand and that's a fab little case you made just from scraps - love that butterfly fabric, very pretty. Have a fab weekend :o) Annie C #21

sandra de said...

The alien lights are brilliant! and the case is pretty good as well. Enjoy your holiday home and there is something quite refreshing to not be surrounded by our usual clutter. have a great week.
sandra de

Nikki said...

That's fantastic to have all set up to hold your music gear :) and Yes Shiny Bobbles are SO SWEET lol
hugs Nikki really late

WOYWW 769

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