Beam N Read Blog Hop

Welcome to day four of IHAN's Beam N Read Blog Hop!

I want to thank Kelly from I Have A Notion and the great folks at ASF Lightware Solutions for inviting me to participate in this blog hop.  Quite honestly, I probably wouldn't have given this light a second glance if it hadn't been sent to me for a review.  I have a nice bright light next to my chair where I do most of my handwork, so why would I need to strap a light around my neck?  It didn't take me long to figure out that this little light is invaluable for anyone who does any kind of handwork!  The extra bright light directed towards your stitching (without obstructing your view) makes all the difference in the world while stitching, especially when there isn't any natural light available.  The Beam N Read is lightweight and has a comfortable, easy to adjust neck strap.   It only took a few minutes of use and I was hopelessly hooked on my Beam N Read!

One of the handy attachments that comes with the Beam N Read LED6 is a detachable magnifier for times when your bifocals or reading glasses just aren't enough...like when threading a needle.  Don't you just hate it when you can't get the thread to go through that tiny needle eye?!  Sometimes it isn't lack of vision that makes it difficult to thread that needle.  Did you know that a needle has a right and wrong side?  You can't see it by looking, but if you're having a hard time threading the needle try turning it around and threading it through the other side.  Works for me every time!   

Would you like a Beam N Read LED6 Hands Free Light of your very own? Here's your chance to win one!  Just leave a comment telling me what hand project you would like to shine a little extra light on.  Simple as that!  I'll draw a winner on Saturday, July 2 by Random Number Generator.  The winner will be notified by email, so if you are a no-reply blogger make sure that you leave your e-mail address with your comment.

Here's The Fine Print...
The drawing is open to the everyone on the globe and to make this possible, the winners will be responsible for the shipping costs of their light to the address of their choice (lights are being shipped from OH, USA). The winner will be able to choose the delivery service (UPS, FedEx, USPS). 

Don't forget to stop by Bejeweled Quilts By Barb and read her review of the Beam N Read Light and sign up for her giveaway as well!

Comments are now closed!  
Congratulations to the winner, Kathy MacKie!

A New Fabric Designer?

My oldest granddaughter was here visiting the other day and while she was here she spent some time doodling with markers.  As she was working I commented that her design would make a pretty fabric.  It was then that the lightbulb went on and I ran to my sewing room for a sheet of printable fabric.  Within minutes I had printed a priceless piece of one of a kind fabric!  I may be biased, but I think Miss One could make a career as a fabric designer! 

Beam N Read Blog Hop

I'm very excited to be participating in the Beam N Read Blog Hop sponsored by I Have A Notion!

Have you heard about the Beam N Read LED6 Hands Free Light?  It's the personal, portable, hands free light that is perfect for hand quilting, stitching, knitting, reading or any hand work that requires a little extra light.

Features

• Extra wide and bright personal light from 6 LEDs that won't disturb others
• Especially useful for needlecrafts and all craft work
• 4 standard alkaline AA batteries (not included) last 48 hours at full brightness
• Clip-on filters: red for maintaining night vision, orange for a softer light
• Large 4"x5" acrylic Fresnel magnifier for detail work attaches to light with adjustable clip-on hinge in either vertical or horizontal position  

There are 10 bloggers participating in the Beam N Read Blog Hop and you know that whenever I Have A Notion is involved there are going to be giveaways.  In fact, each blog participating in the blog hop will be giving away a Beam N Read LED6 Hands Free Light at the end of the week!

Here's the blog hop line up:

Monday, June 27
Sew I Quilt  http://sewdollswhosnext.blogspot.com
Amy's Creative Side  http://amyscreativeside.com

Tuesday, June 28
Irish Muses  http://thedote.blogspot.com
Happy Cottage Quilter  http://happycottagequilter.blogspot.com

Wednesday, June 29
Insights From SewCalGal  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Jane's Fabric  http://janesfabrics.blogspot.com

Thursday, June 30
Bejeweled Quilts By Barb  http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com
Hanging On by a Needle and Thread  http://hangingonbyaneedleandthread.blogspot.com

Friday, July 1
Patsy Thompson Designs  http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/blog
I Have A Notion  http://www.ihaveanotion.blogspot.com

Have fun touring all of the blogs in the hop this week and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog on their designated blog hop day for a chance to win your very own Beam N Read Hands Free Light!

Silent Sunday

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

 Just like a brownie only in the shape of a cookie!

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Granulated sugar for rolling

Cream together shortening and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and flour; mix well. Shape into walnut size balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes or until tops are slightly cracked and sides are set.

I Know A Secret

I know a secret.  (I'm terrible at keeping secrets.)  Would you like a little hint?  I Have A Notion is sponsoring the Beam N Read Blog Hop next week and I'm one of the participants!  Hmm...that was more than a little hint, wasn't it?  The hop officially begins next Monday, June 27 and wraps up on Friday, July 1.  Each day different bloggers will be reviewing the Beam N Read Hands Free Light, sharing stitching tips and of course there will be a few giveaways as well. (I told you I was terrible at keeping secrets!)  As long as the secret is out, you may as well go ahead and tell all of your quilty friends about IHAN's Beam N Read Blog Hop...it's going to be a lot of fun!

Just One More

It was a busy weekend that didn't include much sewing, but I did manage to find enough time to make a Mini Amish Bars quilt for a special friend.

Father's Day

6 In 6 Challenge: Week 6

Mission accomplished...and then some!  I have successfully completed my 6 In 6 Challenge by finishing projects that used 7 1/4 yards of stash fabric over the last 6 weeks...1 1/4 yards past my goal!  The reward for completing this challenge was to be a fabric shopping trip, but I realized a few things while working on this challenge.  The main thing being that I have a LOT of fabric and using 7 1/4 yards didn't even make a noticeable dent in my stash.  Do I really need more fabric?  No.  Do I really need a shopping trip and lunch out with my friends? Yes!  I will still make the rounds to a few favorite quilt shops with my quilty friends, but my shopping list will focus on things that I do need, like thread and batting, instead of fabric that I don't need.  I'm willing to bet that I will still have a very good time even if I don't buy fabric!