After 38+ years of using (literally) a Mickey Mouse light box, I decided it was time to have a new one. I used the plastic child's version quite a bit as I worked on the paper pieced arcs for the DWR quilt. While it got the job done, the small 15W night-light bulb only lights up the very centre of the box and is rather dim. The surface is small, there is no on/off switch, and it gets quite warm. (It's also so old that it doesn't have a polarized plug...could be a fire safety hazard, right??). I was certainly able to make do with it over the years for my art work and I was able to utilize it for tracing a quilt pattern for the Leah Day Heart & Feather wholecloth project but I thought something larger, easier to use, and more professional was due.
Since I was planning a shopping trip to Jo-Ann's I thought I would pick up one of the beautiful LightPad LED Illuminated Art & Craft Light Boxes from ArtOGraph that was on sale. Unfortunately, after seeing the 'on-line only' note, and calling the store directly to confirm, I had to order and have it shipped to Canada. That meant I also had to pay not only the shipping but duty and an extra handling charge from Jo-Anns, leading to a hefty bottom line when I checked out. However, it was still much less expensive to purchase from the States. I went to Michael's locally and the cost was almost twice, plus our 13% tax, and they only had the smallest model.
I decided to pay a bit more to get the 11x14 size and am glad I did. When I received my order I was stunned to see "9x12" printed on the box. I thought Jo-Ann's had sent the wrong light box but in fact, the light-up surface is 9x12 and the 'housing/casing' is 11x14. 9x12 is small enough - I can't imagine anything less to be of much use, especially for quilting.
Once I knew I had the correct item and opened up the box I was delighted with my purchase. The LightPad is wonderful! It looks like a Mac computer and has an attractive aluminum and steel frame. I was very relieved as I slipped off the protective storage sleeve 
(a velvet-y, fold-top bag) to see that the work surface wasn't cracked or damaged in any way and had survived the journey across the border! (It would have been a big pain and expense to have to return it!). The surface is smooth and the light is super bright and provides a perfectly illuminated surface from side to side, top to bottom.
I am so excited to use my new light box - for quilting as well as any other tracing I need to do. It fits perfectly next to my Horizon where I will be stitching and it will be so easy to work on my Carol Doak's Mastering Foundation Paper Piecing Craftsy class projects. Yipeee! I love, love, love it!
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