Crafty Product Review: Brightech LED Magnifier Lamp

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Do you ever have times when you start using something and you cannot understand how you functioned BEFORE you had it?  That's me and today's crafty find: a Brightech LightView Flex LED lamp.

I'd seen a number of lights and magnifiers marketed to sewing enthusiasts in stores & online over the years.  Some were crazy expensive.  I didn't really think I ever needed either one.  I told myself they must be for crafter's who wear bifocals and have to work in dark windowless rooms.  I also haven't had space for some giant floor standing lamp either so I didn't even consider getting one.  

Then Brightech contacted me and asked if I'd be willing to try out one of their magnifier LED lamps.  These last few months my crafting time is usually relegated to late at night thanks to baby.  As a result, the big window next to my sewing desk is useless and the dinky ceiling light in the room & the even dimmer bulb on my sewing machine weren't doing me any favors either.  Something in me said to go for it and I'm really glad I did.  I honestly don't know how I was doing my projects without this light!

This lamp is great because it kicks out some serious brightness even though it's pretty small.  I've literally used it all over my house - my craft room, the basement, dining room table, it works everywhere I need it.

I picked the Brightech LightView Flex LED model. Not only is it really reasonably priced (under $30), but it converts so you can use it anywhere.  It's got a nice weighted base that makes it desktop ready, but you can easily swap that out and attach the included clamp option to clip it onto other surfaces:

The magnifier is pretty good.  It gets 1.75x magnification so see the details, but not make me cross-eyed when I look up or when I'm wearing my nearsighted prescription glasses.  It doesn't get hot either which is key with my kids running around and baby hands looking to grab things.

The bendable neck is SO fantastic.  I can adjust it like crazy to get it exactly where I need a little more light or a closer view.  The base is also a handy place to put my pincushion or a hot drink without worrying about knocking it over:

This lamp has definitely made crafting time better and brighter around here!  Two thumbs up:)

I was not financially compensated for this post.  I reviewed this product from Brightech and am now an affiliate because I enjoy using their items.  The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.  For my complete disclosure policy, click here. 

Winter Wear for Baby: The Funny Dots Cuddle Suit

Things got chilly around here pretty quick this year.  We had snow the week before Thanksgiving and the frigid temps look like they're here to stay.  Time to sew the winter wear!  

Our littlest one is 8 months now so ferrying him in & out inside a carrier car seat isn't an easy feat.  Having to carry him sans seat nixes the "toss a blanket over it" easy option, so I needed something that would work better and not cost a fortune either.  So I made this:

I call it a cuddle suit, but bunting, romper, snow suit, or whatever other name it does by, this is my ideal item for this time of year.  Outerwear in snowy climes is tricky with a bigger than newborn baby.  I know because this is my fourth baby in Michigan.  You want to keep them toasty warm, but they HATE being bundled up in something extra puffy.  They loathe most factory made versions.  Babies get squirmy and whiny instantly in most snowsuits because they overheat fast.  This one however is just perfect.

I did a soft interlock outer so it's not heavy and is still breathable:

With a cuddly minky lining to add warmth that keeps the wind out without adding bulk. Strapping him into a car seat or stroller isn't a wrestling match:

The snap front design is genius.  The whole thing opens right up so you can easily lay baby on it and then just snap it up.  No wrangling required with putting it or taking it off on while baby is wearing shoes, which is another plus.

I used the Funny Dots pattern from the Autumn 4/2009 issue of Ottobre Design.  

I'd made it once before when my now 9 year old was just a few months old.  

Of course, I was a sewing newbie back then and stupidly sewed a stretchy velour lining to a quilting cotton outer which was less than ideal.  I couldn't figure out why things wouldn't line up when I was stitching the seams not realizing one fabric had no give and the other was like a rubber band.  Shaking my head at the idea now.  I also was too scared of snaps then too, so I'd used velcro for the front closures which stuck to everything.  PSA: don't do either of those.  

That first version was done in the smallest 50cm size since my daughter was a newborn, but this time I did the largest 74cm for my 8 month old.  Ottobre Design offers generous sizing so I can see this lasting the whole season.  

I kept it inexpensive by using interlock knit for the outer and minky for the lining that I got at JoAnn Stores.  A yard & a half of each was plenty and came in about $18.50 total and I've got enough left of both to make some soft shoes and a few accessories.  The nice thing is that it works with a variety of other fabrics too - fleece, corduroy, even PUL. It's a great sew because there are just 4 pattern pieces.  No set-in sleeves so very beginner friendly.  You'd think it would be more complicated with the placket front, but it's not.

I will say it looked massive until I tried it on my little guy.  I'd been working on it during naps and had this horrible feeling it was going to be miles too big, but putting it on it's totally true to size.  No matter what he wears underneath.  I also like that the sleeves can be cuffed or worn down, so there's some growth room:

We've been using it for weeks now and it's been great.  He likes wearing it and getting him ready to go out the door is so easy.  Despite the early winter weather, we're off to a good and warm start!

Post Thanksgiving Craftastic Monday Link Party!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Were you busy crafting, shopping or getting those Christmas decorations out? It's the perfect time to link up all those fun & fabulous Christmas & winter-themed projects so let's start the party!

Last week I shared the news of the launch of my new shop site, HeavenlyFabricShop.com 

and the holiday deals on the new site of 
10% OFF everything with code 10THANKSGIVING

+

FREE gift offer: 

I also kicked off a giveaway for a $25 Gift Certificate too!  Enter HERE.

~~~~~~~~
It's the biggest shopping time of the year!!  Get some FREE promotion for your blog or small business, and advertise any Cyber Monday sales, by heading over to Facebook for the Sew Can Do Craftastic Mixer:
     

Share your blog or handmade/craft-related business or its Facebook page.  A new one posts every Sunday night on the Sew Can Do Facebook page at 5pm EST.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now let's see those Craftastic Picks!

Clean and Scentsible shared this adorable popsicle stick ski ornament:

Chas' Crazy Creations shared how to turn seasoning shaker jars into fun filled ornaments:

Delightful E Made offered this pomegranate citrus champagne cocktail recipe:

Turtles and Tails created this festive and thrifty DIY holiday tree shelf:

Eyelove Knots gave a tutorial on making this 3-D plaid gift box ornament using plastic canvas

Howling At The Moon showed us this whimsical crochet UFO:

If you're one of this week's features, be sure to grab my Featured On button over on my Buttons Page to share the good news. 

 Want a Chance to 
Be Featured Next Week?  

Link back to the party somewhere on your blog.
I can't feature your post if you don't share the party.  
  

I also feature these projects on Sew Can Do's Craftastic Picks Pinterest board 

AND share each of them on Twitter too for even MORE exposure for YOUR blog!

Follow me there to see more great projects (and see if yours is one of them)!   

On Twitter: Follow @sewcandoblog

On Pinterest: Sew Can Do

Ready to link up your crafty creations?

 

Party rules are simple: 

• As long as it's crafty, and made by you, it's Craftastic (no links to shops, link parties or other people's work).  Add the link to your specific post. Product reviews, plagiarized or sponsored posts for random items will be immediately deleted.  
• Grab my party button & put it on your post, party page or blog somewhere.  If you want the chance to be featured, this is key.  The button code can be found HERE.
• Check out some of the other fabulous links and share some crafty comment love.  We all love getting comments!!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Crafter's Shopping Spree Giveaway & Black Friday Specials!

Big news & goodies for you craft lovers this Thanksgiving week - including a crafter's shopping giveaway, so read on.

It's been over a year since I made my dream of opening an inspirational fabric & craft supplies shop begin on Etsy.   The response to it has been incredible.  I'm thrilled to announce that I'm growing it even more with the launch of my own larger online shop: HeavenlyFabricShop.com!

To celebrate I'm giving away a 

$25 gift certificate to HeavenlyFabricShop.com 

for one lucky crafter to have a little holiday shopping spree.

While I'm still on Etsy, having my own shop site means I can offer even MORE lovely things and interact with customers in more fun ways like by newsletter and a shop blog.  I'm so excited and hopeful that customers & friends will join me there.

And what can you find in the new shop?  Even more faith filled, inspirational and whimsical fabrics, craft supplies AND gifts.  

There are loads of fabulous fabrics for the Christmas season.  Traditional Christmas colors and panels, like this metallic Miracle In Bethlehem panel and star print coordinate:

Picturesque scenes like these beautiful Woodland Dreams prints:

Vibrant color ways and fresh designs like the Stonehenge Nativity collection:

And classic favorites, like this Peanuts Peace Love Joy fabric panel:

Christmas buttons and flat backs for crafting up projects too:

As well as adorable rubber holy figure charms that are fun for making keychains & jewelry (and also make fantastic stocking stuffers).  Some little people in my house will be getting Saint Nicholas in their stockings this year:

In the new shop I also offer lots of faith-filled gifts too, which are perfect for the upcoming holiday.  Some really great options for baby's first Christmas:

Plus faith gifts for the young at heart:

If whimsy & fun is up your street, there are some fun new finds like these rainbow unicorn embroidery scissors:

And my selection of gorgeous glass bubble ball charm beads for jewelry making & craft projects.  

They're great for decorating mini Christmas trees:

To celebrate Thanksgiving/Black Friday shopping and the new site launch, you can use the code 10THANKSGIVING from now through 11/27/18 to save 10% on your entire order. 

ADDED BONUS!!  All purchases of $50+ will receive a 10yd roll of Pellon Easy Knit Tape as a FREE gift.*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* While supplies last, purchases must equal $50 or more not including shipping.