Hey Everyone, welcome back to Cool Tool Thursday on Tuesday. I am mixing it up a bit this week as I am really tired from CreativFestival on the weekend in Toronto and am going to wimp out for a short post. I’ll be back with Technique Tuesday on Thursday this week.

I have to say that the event was a huge success for us.  I had lots of fun teaching the mini Bargello sunflower on Wednesday and the spider web Kaleidoscope on Thursday. The booth set up went well even though half way through it I thought oh boy how am I ever going to fit all of this stuff in this little space. I met lots of wonderful people – customers, students and other vendors who made the weekend a success for us – thank you. Also thank you to my husband, Michael who was there with me and helped to promote Quilts by Jen.

This weeks cool tool is the Ott Lite. Definitely one of the tools I use everyday in my studio. There is nothing worse than not being able to see and as my eyes age the more light the better.

I have 5 Ott Lites in my studio – yes 5 and sometimes I think I could use one or two more. They give off such a nice, even and bright light that can be positioned and pointed to where you want it. The light colour is pretty close to a natural daylight, too, so it really helps when making critical colour choices.

We each have one on our desks that has long neck and head on it that is adjustable and can be positioned for optimal light.

The desk lamp

I have this free standing floor lamp which sits over my sewing area. This one I turn to face either the cutting mat or sewing machine depending on what I am doing.

The one at my sewing machine

My second free standing one sits over the cutting table to light it up.

The one over the cutting table

And lastly I have a folding travel lamp that I take to classes. It folds over and is perfect for workshops especially since the light in most classes is not good. This one has a cord but there are rechargeable ones like this. Having never used the rechargeable one I have no idea how long it lasts.

The flip light great for taking to workshops

I would like another one for over my ironing board as I find that to be a dark corner of the room and it is always good to see what you are ironing. And I suppose one for the easy chair upstairs where I sew on the bindings. Christmas is coming…

I am a fan of the Ott Lite as you can see. By watching for sales I have managed to pick all of mine up for really prices as they can be quite pricey. These have been well worth the investment for me.

How do you light up your work space?

Happy Quilting!

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