Reasons to Get an iPad

10 great reasons to get an iPad if you are a rug hooker

I waited until March of 2011 to purchase an Apple iPad. I ordered my gadget early on the release day of the iPad 2. Since then I have found many reasons why a rug hooker should have an iPad.
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Top Reasons To Get An iPad

  1. Lightweight and very easy to carry. You can load up movies and survive that airport delay on your way to rug camp.
  2. Organize your photos and have them on hand. If I need to see a photo of a pine tree I can call it up on my iPad and have it sitting right next to me for reference. Don’t have a pine tree photo in your collection of photos? The iPad 2 has a camera.
  3. Jayne Hester introduced me to Camera Fun. It is a free app you can download.
  4. I especially like the sketch lens. When you take a photo, it translates it into a sketch. Sure would make pattern making and dyeing wool easier. This is a photo I took at Manistee, MI after a lunch presentation. Would you like me to make it flow even more naturally by weaving in dyeing wool as part of the creative process (e.g., connecting it directly to pattern making), or keep it as a simple addition like above?
rug hooking lunchroom
Photo taken from my iPad using the Camera Fun app and the Sketch filter.  While this is handy, it does not help you to understand your pattern like tracing it from scratch does, but it is a quick way to get a rough draft.

The app Camera Fun is no longer available for download. Research what is out there and find tour favorite app.

  • I use Doodle Buddy for drawing simple illustrations and have not had to resort to napkins in months. Sometimes the only way to get your point across is with a picture. It is my most used tool when I am teaching. I can even save the drawing or email it to the student.
    • Quick drawing made to illustrate what packing looks like from the side.

    And the best part . . . you shake it like an Etch-A-Sketch to erase it!

  • There are several apps you can use for alarm clocks. For rug camp you will need the usual morning alert, but later in the day you may need a reminder for lunch, wine time and dinner, some of the more important parts of rug camp.
  • I can listen to radio stations that I could not tune into clearly otherwise. I use the I Heart Radio app.
  • I was collecting a lot of fingerprints on the back of my iPad. My daughter recommended Gelaskins.
    • My iPad with gelaskins.com protection
    My iPad with gelaskins.com protection

    Click on the box below to go to their website. You can skin your phone, iPad or computer. Just pick out your equipment, upload your own photo, or use one of theirs and complete the sale. A package arrives in just a few short days. It applies like a sticker and according to the website it is removable, but I haven’t tried taking it off yet. It is now September and mine has been in place since April. The edges are tight and I love having a photo of one of my rugs on the back of my iPad. It makes it uniquely my own.

    GelaSkins - Protection with Style. Not Bulk.
  • You don’t want to drop your newly acquired iPad.
    • My iPad with the Padlette handle
    My iPad with the Padlette handle

    I love my Padlette. It straps on very quickly. I can carry the iPad safely without fear of dropping it and without the dreaded “thumb cramp.” Click on the box below to get your own from Amazon.

  • I can take credit cards (with a wifi connection) and the fees are lower than even PayPal-and no monthly fee. I use Square. It plugs into the headphone jack on my pad then after opening the free app, I can swipe the credit card. My customer signs the iPad with their finger or a stylus and enters their email for a receipt that will not get lost. You can sign up for this program and use an iPhone or Droid phone also. See their site for more details. I’ve used it for several workshops now and my only concern is losing the tiny gadget. After looking around their website I saw a place to order a free spare!
  • Surf the web. I keep up with blog posts using the app Mobile Rss. I can read a dozen websites and keep up with the happenings in much less time. It even keeps the stuff available for off line reading so you can even read blog posts while you’re stuck at a railroad crossing.
  • Angry Birds is awesome in the larger format.
  • It is just plain fun!

    • OK, so that is more than 10 reasons but I bet you can suggest even more. Add your comments if you’ve found a use for an iPad.

    What did I get? I like the black instead of the new white border. I did not get 3G and got the wifi only because most hotels have wifi. I ordered the one with the largest storage so I would not outgrow it quickly. By the time I need more storage, Apple will have added new features that I don’t even know I need yet.

    Convinced? Get your own ipad!

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    12 Comments

    1. I bought the mini when it first came out because the regular size was just too heavy for major reading and the kindle fire was not an option because even that was heavier. The lighter kindles did not work because they did not have the contrast I needed to be able to see.

      I haven’t jumped on the new iPad Air (Fall 2013), but I would drive to a store (at least 1 hour away) and pick it up before I automatically ordered the mini. The large size is stunning — just make sure it fits in your purse. All purses will be judged by how well it accommodates your iPad.

      Reply

    2. I noticed it will soon be 1 year since this post. I have so many new favorite things for the iPad. I’ll start a list and post something later.

      Reply

      1. Please do!! I still haven’t bought my ipad, been saving up. Now I’m trying to pick between the ipad and the mini. Leaning away from the mini… any hints anyone??

        Reply

    3. Cindy, OMG!!!!!! I got my IPad for Christmas and i must say i am a Mac girl all the way! I am still learning but you have helped me sooooo much! I have wanted to do a skin of an antique rug for the back for weeks and you have inspired me to order it!!!!!!!! Thanks for all the tips…im going to a retreat in a couple weeks and am so going to use my IPad!!!!!!!! Rhonda

      Reply

    6. I have the same question as Larry – “I’m wondering how much it costs per month to use the wi-fi system. Is that free?” It sounds awesome, and you may have convinced me I really do need one!! It would make a great Christmas-Birthday present!! Thank you so much for keeping us up to date with the fabulous new toys, and giving us ideas how to use them!

      Sunny : -)

      Reply

      1. The wi-fi is completely free. If you have wireless internet at home it hooks into that very easily. On the road, you just need to find a source of free wi-fi and that is getting easier. Panera Bread, McDonald’s and Burger King are reliable sources in my area. Local libraries and most hotels offer free wi-fi but you may need a passcode that you get at the front desk.

        Most of what I do on the iPad is without the internet.
        to do list, Omnisource
        a shopping list
        Kindle books
        address book and calendar
        calculator, camera
        photo album
        a magnifier (great for when I forget my readers)
        a timer and alarms
        one app, Movietimes, gets me a schedule of the movies in my area. The list of theaters changes as I move, always showing the closest theater first (needs internet)
        I can call my son in NYC and see him using Facetime (needs internet)

        I’m sure there are many more that I forgotten. I use the internet part of the iPad very little so the wifi works for me.

        Reply

        1. Thank you so much for all the info! The more I know, the easier it is to justify buying one, LOL! Is there any place I can order one that will give you a comission????

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    7. Several people have emailed me that they like the Zaggmate case with wireless keyboard. I just use the wireless keyboard for my iMac. It is small and bluetooth and free because I already own it. Not using it so much now as I bought the
      Macbook Air just two weeks ago for writing on the go.

      Reply

    8. Hi Cindi,
      Thanks for the insights on IPad. I’ve been trying to think of uses for the unit and you gave me several ideas. I think the SQUARE method of accepting credit cards sounds great for shows. I wish there was a way to use our Quick Books Pro office accounting/records system on the IPad. I contacted Intuit and they said they do not have an app to run the bookkeeping. I’m wondering how much it costs per month to use the wi-fi system. Is that free?

      Better say good bye for now. Need to start getting ready for the Malabar Farm Stete Park Heritage Days that happens in hust a few days. We have always taken wool that was ready to strip but this year we are going to take wool on the bolt. Much easier to put away when we get home.

      Larry
      p.s. Gloria is scheduled for back surgery soon. She is in terrible pain and they are going to install a spinal cord stimulator to ease the pain.

      Reply