I recently bought myself a floor standing Ottlite (with magnifier and clip).

I’m so happy with it and even better, my Dear Mum is happy too – long story to follow on that. But re the light, never thought a light could be so good, even with migraine sensitive eyes, never thought I’d use the clip attachment – actually think it’s the best thing since sliced bread for holding my pattern at eye height. Stitching speed has improved, frogging is down and overall product is looking much nicer! Thrilled with it!

Re Mum I’m in my 30’s but live with Dear Mum and unfortunately she comes from a Scottish tradition of very short arms and deeeeep pockets and if it costs more than $2 it is a total waste of money. I'm on a very meagre salary and as a result even convincing her that I really do need to buy new shoes, no I can't duck tape the old ones it wouldn't be appropriate office wear, is very hard work.

In the end I simply told her I was buying an Ottlite at the craft show, where it would be on special. We saw them, she saw the price of them, and while she was fainting I hastily paid for one. We didn’t talk all the way home except to establish we weren’t having dinner because I’d spent too much (we have food in the house, it’s more a “I’m going to make you realize we can’t afford it by making you go without” thing).

Got it home, unpacked and started putting it together with ongoing negative commentary from Dear Mum. Was thrilled to find it was metal and my needle minders stick to it, as does my thread heaven now it has a magnetic strip stuck to the bottom of it and my scissors on another magnet - all off the table and out of cats reach - EXCELLENT. Then I switched it on. Mum was sitting beside me reading the paper.

After looking at my current project in despair at all the little problems I could now clearly see (haven’t been game to look through the magnifier yet) I sighed. Mum said “what’s wrong?” I said “you were right, the light was a bad idea, I can see how bad my stitching is now, happy?” Truthfully at this point I was despairing over my project but REALLY excited about how good the next one would be now I had such amazing light and my stitching tools were in order.

Mum just got really quiet and said “well I think it’s fabulous, I haven’t been able to read a paper without glasses for 20 years. If I’d realized how much better it made seeing, I just wish we’d bought one years ago”.

Suffice it to say, we had dinner and Dear Mum is now more excited about my new light than me – and that’s saying something.

a wonderful story. You should send it to the Ott Light People. Maybe they will send a light for your Mum.

Carole

what a cute story! i just love your mum ... she's quite the character

DH got me a floor standing OTT light when i moved into my stitchy room. and i love mine, too. first thing i noticed, tho, was how bad my project looked to me now - aack!!!

but like you, the next one w/be better than ever because i can see.

i'm so excited for you!

Love your testimonial and I'm so very glad that you love your Ott lite!! I too, recently got my first Ott Lite as a Christmas present, and I'm sooooooooooo very glad that I asked for one--mine is a table top model and I do NOT know how I managed to do without one for so long!! It really is amazing just how much easier it makes the stitching.
I'm glad to hear that your mom thinks so highly of it too!!

Dear Mum she sounds a real character. Glad you stuck to your guns and got it though.

I am hopefully off to the craft show on Saturday with DD to buy myself a magnifying lamp.

I agree you should send the story to the Ottlamp people, if nothing else it will give them a giggle or two.

Sally

What a great story! I too, loved my floor model so much, I bought a flip-up portable one so I can take it with me when I go to stitching group or out of town. I see that Ott now makes one that takes batteries!!

I'm glad you're both happy! I love mine too.

Mother and daughter lights, I love it

Great story and so glad your Mum can appreciate that it was worthwhile! I have the little tulip one, but can't wait to get the larger stand one with magnifier some time. I pointed it out to my DH for potential gifts and that they're often 50% off at a local store.

So happy it's working so well for you!