Just What I Wanted!

Reported by Donna Lannerd

OK, is it really wrong to want a super expensive sewing machine over a pair of 2 carat diamond earrings? Of course, I wouldn't really want my husband to pick out the sewing machine. I'm much too picky for that to go well. Plus, it's a personal test-driving product that is best done by yourself or at least with one of your creative friends who shares that same crafting personality trait with you. Therefore, I won't put the super-charged, it-can-do-everything sewing machine on my list but I will tell you about 5 other items that I would love to have under the tree.

5 Things I Need (yes need!)

The Cuttlebug: You've seen it discussed here at Craft Critique and I've seen it in action thanks to friends and I can't stop thinking about it. It die-cuts and it embosses and it's easy to use. I just know I would make all my holiday cards if I had this little puppy helping me out. I would, I really would...well at least most of them.

TrueColor™ 18 Watt Lexington Floor Lamp: I already have the small task lamp but would love to have this beautiful floor size for the living room to help me to see what I'm working on while spending time with the family. It is so nice that they make these to be beautiful as well as functional. $269.95

Quilting Arts Magazine Subscription: I buy this on the newsstand for almost every issue and I sometimes will order back issues if I miss one. Not really all that economical. The photography in this magazine is amazing and I love the ideas that burst from the pages. $32.95 1 year/6 issues (single issue newsstand price $7.99)

Jane's Hothouse Garden fabric collection from Jane Sassaman: This newly released cotton fabric collection oozes with vibrant colors and contemporary images of the artist's work. Yes, I want the whole collection. Approximately $8-10/yard

Electric Quilt Six: Even if you don't quilt you would have a hard time stop making virtual quilts. There are even some Internet groups out there that just make virtual quilts from EQ6. I used to have EQ5 but it didn't like my new computer. I made lots of those virtual quilts but I did design and finish a real one. Even paper crafters can use this to come up with interesting designs using their papers instead of fabric. $149.95

Now here are a few things that I have that would be great to give to others.

Beading on Fabric, Encyclopedia of Bead Stitch Techniques by Larkin Jean Van Horn: I love this book! A great place to start if you want to begin adding beads to fabric. The photography and diagrams are first-rate. The big plus on this book is it is spiral bound and will lie flat while you are using it to learn those new techniques. $21.95

Ott True Color Task Lamp: I've written about this lamp here at Craft Critique before as one item I can't live without and if you can't afford the bigger models yet this is a great one to start with and you can find them on sale for around $40-$50. Suggested retail is $79.95.

Quilters Cut N Press II. This is the large of the Cut N Press models. It is 12" x 18" and has a convenient handle for portability and is great for small spaces. I use this all the time. It is a cutting mat on one side and pressing surface on the other. You can take it anywhere. I've even pressed small items of clothing on this instead of getting out the big ironing board. $32.99

Colorfast Inkjet Fabric Sheets: Another great product from June Tailor. These are 8 1/2" x 11" paper-backed fabric sheets that you insert into your printer just like regular paper. They come in white and cream. They allow you to print your photos directly to fabric and sew them into your projects. They also now have ones that you print on and then fuse to your ready-made item if you don't sew. I haven't tried these ones out yet but I will. 3 pak $12.99

Bead & Button, Ribbon & Felt Jewelry: I just got this yummy book a couple of weeks ago so I haven't made anything out of it yet but the projects seem simple to master but look gorgeous just like the photography though out the pages. The diagrams are also great by integrating color for easier instruction. $19.95

I Can't See Without My Ott Light

Reported by Donna Lannerd

...or my glasses but that's a whole other story.

Okay, so I like to do a lot of crafts. I have yarn, fabric, paper, scissors, floss, needles, stamps, inks, books (loads of books), sewing machines (yes, more than one, well 3), and I could go on and on and on but in the middle of my outlandish stash of everything I do have one item I would have a hard time living without: my Ott Lite.

I have the portable desktop task lamp that I can take almost anywhere with me and when I don't have it I really can't see all that well. It provides the perfect light for me to do anything from sewing, to the finest embroidery, to selecting scrapbooking papers. It is my one tool that I use with whatever I decide to do. My biggest problem with it is that I don't own more and they are not cheap, so that keeps me from owning several at least for now. The lites have gotten better looking since I purchased my little fold up baby. You can get them in beautiful desktop or floor lamp models and with brass or brushed nickel finishes. Some come with magnifiers which is great for doing fine needlework or just threading that darn needle.