This week for Project Quilting, we were tasked with being inspired by a book we have read. When I worked full time as an engineer, I was an avid reader. I would devour books in the evenings as an escape from the stresses of the work day. I have fond memories of long hours spent in a bath soaking in warmth and being lost in the pages of a (good/decent/interesting/exciting/amazing) book.
These days, I don’t read many books, but I sure listen to a lot of audiobooks, and the time spent listening to an audiobook is my favorite time of day. Just before going to bed, my husband and I turn on our speaker and listen to a chapter (or three) of an audiobook. It’s a tradition we started when we were traveling in 2019, and it’s such a lovely way to unwind together. So, my project this week is not so much inspired by any specific book, but by our evening audiobook routine.

Bucca-Bow Reference Image
We call our bluetooth speaker the “Bucca-Bow” because of the distinctive power on and power off sounds it makes. I snapped a quick reference photo of the speaker on my desk, and then printed the image out to use as a template for some raw edge applique.

Bucca-Bow Mug Rug
I pieced a black and off-white scrap together to recreate the background, then I glue basted a solid blue fabric trimmed out to the speaker shape on top. I also used the reference image to place a small red scrap in the correct location. After quilting around the perimeter of the speaker, I quilted the inner edges of the larger, smooth sections, and then I quilted a dense crosshatch to mimic the distinctive woven portion of the speaker. I didn’t particularly spend a lot of time quilting the brand information onto the red scrap of the speaker, but it’s there to secure the scrap in place.

Bucca-Bow Mug Rug
The mug rug finished at 6 1/2″ wide by 4 1/2″ tall, and it worked as a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband. It is now in use on his desk, and I’m looking forward to turning on the real Bucca-Bow tonight to listen to the next chapter in our mind’s eye movie (we are currently just starting to listen to Horus Rising). We are really into “space soap operas” and some favorites include:
- the entire Thrawn Star Wars series,
- the Dune prequel trilogy,
- Ender’s Shadow, and
- the Ancillary series by Ann Leckie.
I recorded the sounds of the speaker turning on and off for the Instagram Reel above, in case you don’t know the distinctive power on and power off sounds that I’m talking about.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you. May you find delight, joy, and love in your day!
Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday.
What a clever interpretation of the challenge, Yvonne. How neat that the two of you listen to an audiobook each evening; that is a great idea. I am an avid reader, so I had to do some thinking on this one, but came up with something simple and a good memory.
What a good idea, I like your take on the challenge! I’m still mulling over ideas.
Love the unique interpretation of the challenge and the special connection to the way you and your husband “read” together. It is such a fun little piece. Love hearing the box’s great sounds!
What a fun personal challenge! I had to go back to listen to the sound, as I missed it the first time. 😉
What a cool project, Yvonne! Love the details you snuck in there!
I like this! Your speaker is a fantastic colour and I love how you have used stitching to get its texture. I like to listen to the radio before I go to sleep – it’s a great way to unwind.
Very nice! I’m thinking of giving this project quilting prompt a try too.
A very useful and colorful mug rug for your husband. Audiobooks are fantastic since our time is limited these days.
I’m an avid audio book fan and listen when I’m sewing (especially the mindless sewing). Your interpretation of this challenge is so great. The colors are wonderful and the finished project is small enough to be usable. Reading is so important to me and having real books, e-books and audio books available make me happy. It’s great that you can continue to enjoy books and share them with your husband.
This is so cute and also cute is that it was a Valentine’s gift! Love how so many of us used symbolism in our makes with this challenge.