Review of Moda Aspen Frost Charm Pack, Set of 42 5-inch (12.7cm) Precut

Customer Ratings:

A little lighter in color than I wanted. Squares have been true to size so far, which is helpful to me as I am new to quilting and trying to match those corners and such. These will be part of gift to my sons family, placemats with their name on one square.

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I love the colors and the designs in the Aspen Frost line. I'm using them to make holiday gifts and can't wait to give them!

Best Brother Designio Series DZ3000 Computerized Sewing & Quilting Deals

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $799.00
Sale Price: $299.99
Today's Bonus: 62% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I love to sew, and I've owned a lot of sewing machines in my time, all different brands. Brother is one of my favorite brands, because they have some features I don't find often in other brands, like the easy to install bobbin. You just stick the bobbin in, wind it though a clearly marked little channel, it clips the thread and you're ready to go. Brother has one of the few needle threaders that I'm able to do the first time, every time, without having to find a magnifying glass and stick my finger a million times with the needle. Besides all that, this particular sewing machine is computerized, which also gives some great features. For instance when you choose your stitch you want, it automatically sets the stitch length, shows you clearly what foot to use, etc. There is a flip chart made to the front of the machine that shows you all the different stitches, and this one has more than you will ever need. I do quilting, including appliqué, plus a little sewing for the grandchildren, and this has every stitch i could imagine needing.

It sews smoothly and quietly, and the light is bright (which I love!) It has two different built in fonts for monogramming and it's great for labeling children's clothing for school or camp. I found the names easily readable, not scrunched up like some machines. This machine comes with a larger surface you can snap on to use for quilts or other larger items you are sewing, and it makes for a much larger work surface. It does have the cup that holds all the accessories, and there is a tray that has a place for all the commonly used feet that is clearly labeled so they are easier to find. There is an on/off button, so you can use the foot pedal or not. I like to sometimes when I'm sewing something with a lot of curves , but for straight sewing, I love the on/off button. There is also a needle up or needle down button, so if you want to have the needle down in the fabric each time you stop, it makes it much easier to turn corners.

I really believe this would be an excellent machine for a beginner or experienced sewer. It's easy enough for a beginner to figure out, but has everything you would probably ever need so you won't outgrow it. Brother is a brand known for great service and long lasting quality machines. I would not hesitate to recommend this machine.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program After unpacking this sewing machine I was impressed with two things. It was relatively light in weight, yet it offered a lot of space. For me, this is a double edged sort. I personally like the light factor because this makes the machine extremely easy to transport, but it also means plastic components.

I read the instruction booklet and went over what appeared to be a ton of accessories. This machine can cater to my family sewing needs while it also can handle machine quilting which has been a hobby of mine for the past two years. I started out in a beginners class and armed with the basics I have become fairly adept and comfortable when it comes to quilting on a sewing machine.

Because this machine is electronic which means it is programmable, there is an infinite number of stitches that are available to the quilter as well as the seamstress. While I can sew with some proficiency, I usually stick to the basics which means repairing seams, replacing buttons, repairing zippers or replacing them, or just hemming clothing. The virtually stitchless hemming this machine does is quite impressive and a real timesaver. Ditto for sewing buttons; it makes a thankless task easy and a button stays put while looking nice and securely in place. The number of available stitches and lengths will work for me when repairing torn seams. I know this isn't much of a big deal since this is an easy task, but the machines tension is easy to adjust. My current machine leaves something to be desired in this respect. Troublesome tension settings can be a deal breaker for me.

Because I had to review this, I took other features on a test run. The button holer makes precisely stitched holes without much of a learning curve. I liked the machine's drop in bobbin, self threader, and its larger work surface table. This machine also monograms because it has two individual fonts. Loaded with a ton of accessories and fairly easy instructions for the average sewer, this is a nice entry level sewing machine/quilting machine that won't break the bank.

I love this machine's LED display which is clear and bright.

My best advice is to review the machine's features in Amazon's description page. It is impressive as well as mind boggling. I tested out many of the features, but certainly not all of them. In some cases there was a minor learning curve before I got it right. I am making a quilted folk art Christmas Tree skirt right now and it is progressing very well and almost what I consider mindlessly because this is an easy machine to use. Once you get the hang of using the electronics, this becomes a really automatic process.

The pluses:

Infinite versatility

Reasonable price point

Accessorized for most situations

Good tension without stress

Large surface area

Larger than average display

The negatives:

Plastic body and components

Not desirable or necessary for basic sewing needs

Can overwhelm someone who needs a basic home machine because there is a learning curve for new sewers

or crafters

This compares favorably to my Singer machine that cost twice the price. This is a nice machine at an equally nice price.

Best Deals for Brother Designio Series DZ3000 Computerized Sewing & Quilting

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Brother Designio Series DZ3000 Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine is a very well thought out machine. I have used Brother machines in the past (one of my favorites is a high speed straight stitch quilting machine wonderful!) and this one is one of the best that I have used. That is saying a lot because I think Brother is a great brand machine. I currently use a Janome for most projects but it doesn't have the built in stitches that this new machine has. The set that comes with this machine has a huge variety of presser feet important as presser feet can cost quite a bit. The circular stitch guide is really wonderful I've never seen anything like it and it does as it says helps you make perfect stitches in a circle.

The machine is well lit with a single LED light and the display is large and easy to read. The DVD that comes with the set helps explain a variety of common stitch usage and the booklet helps with the rest. I like that the most commonly used presser feet are kept in a tray that is in the part of the base that comes off for free-arm stitching. While I don't think that I will use this machine for most quilting projects (I have sewn for years but I am very much a beginner quilter), I do like the stitch edgings that I can use for decorative stitching on applique projects and/or for making a crazy quilt. The knobs and switches are all well made and feel very sturdy (though as with most machines today, most are hard plastic.) All this and the machine comes with a great hard case unlike my last Singer which came with a flimsy plastic covering (similar to a cheap, cheap, cheap shower curtain.)

The machine has some features that I have come to really depend upon in my stitching. The needle up feature and the pedal free stitching are things I really need. Needle up (or rather down!) makes pivoting a breeze and keeps me from shifting my projects if I have to step away for a minute in the middle of stitching. I've had foot surgery so having the ability not to use a foot pedal makes sewing a literally pain-free experience for me. Brother also has a great needle-threading process that I appreciate more and more the older I get. The bobbin threading on a Brother is about as simple as it can get and the thread cutter (both bobbin and general thread cutter) work really well and allow me to work without constantly picking up and setting down my scissors.

It is a very well thought out machine and one that I will use and have fun with for years to come.

Honest reviews on Brother Designio Series DZ3000 Computerized Sewing & Quilting

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I want to say right off that this machine is not 100% perfect, but it is very excellent and given the vast array of presser feet and attachments included with it, I'd say it is an excellent deal.

Before actually receiving the machine, I did a bit of browsing about here on Amazon and saw that Brother has another product billed as a "sewing and quilting machine" which currently costs about $36 less: the HC1850. Judging by the shape of it and the fact that it also offers 130 stitches, I bet it is mechanically the same machine inside with mostly cosmetic differences on the outside. It appeared to me then that the biggest single selling point this DZ3000 had over the HC1850 is the additional "script" style letter and number font, which really looked like a cool feature. In fact it was the very first thing I checked out after I did receive it.

Well I'm sad to say that the letters and numbers are not what I'd hoped they'd be. The "block" style (which the HC1850 would also have) is at least readable, and could be functional for internally marking children's clothing to prevent loss or theft. I would not say it is fully suitable for decorative use on the exterior of garments or other items; that would be akin to using a 1980's dot matrix printer to print out your job-hunting resume in 2013. It just looks crude and amateurish. That being the case with the block lettering, it is no surprise that this machine bites off more than it can chew with the flowery script font. For the most part, I can't even read the results. And yes we've checked the adjustment according to the manual.

So what is there left to justify the price difference over the HC1850? Well you get 5 additional presser feet, one of which is a very complex and expensive-looking "walking foot." And you get a circular sewing attachment, which we just tried out tonight and found to really work well. I'm not 100% sure about all the additional feet yet, but I know this circular attachment is something really useful. Regardless of the situation with the monogramming, this package taken together blows the HC1850 out of the water for just a very modest increase in cost.

Our (my wife's) main sewing machine is a Janome DC2011 which originally cost $500. Comparing that machine to this Brother, I'd say the Janome sews more smooth and quiet, whereas this one makes a slight clunking sound sometimes. I feel the Janome has a bit more class, as you might expect for the considerable extra money. On the other hand, this cheaper machine has essentially 3 times as many stitches, a whole lot more attachments, and seems to be working just fine overall. My wife says the Brother blind stitch foot beats the heck out of the Janome blind stitch foot. The more decorative stitches, with flowers and leaves sprouting off them, look very good to me. We've sewn buttonholes and buttons with great results. And if it is related to the Brother HC1850, that is good news too: just check the excellent ratings for that machine here on Amazon.

(Edited later to say that after sewing several more items with this machine, my wife has now decided to give away her mechanical Janome HD-1000 "backup" machine to her mom. While that has been an excellent dependable machine for her, she has no need for three and sure isn't letting this Brother go.)

If you seriously want to embroider names and such, buy an embroidery machine. I can't really say how useful this machine will be for quilters; it does come with a special quilting foot and big table attachment that must be useful for that. But for general sewing, the 130 stitches and zillion attachments are sure not going to leave you wanting much. Whatever its faults, the machine seems an incredible deal in its price range.

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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I am a rabid sewer, and have been sewing for almost 35 years. I have 4 machines: 1911 industrial Singer, 1926 Singer, 1928 Singer and a 1983 Singer Merritt. I love my Singers, but I had been feeling like it was time to enter the 21st century for a while.

Here are a couple of general observations about a machine that is as sophisticated as this one. If you are new to sewing, this might overwhelm you at first. Don't let it, just keep coming back and reading the manual again and again-that's what I had to do, and I thought there wasn't a machine I couldn't just sit down, wind a bobbin, and thread. This one takes some learning. At the end of all my muttering and cursing I was glad I had stayed with it.

Cons:

What is UP with the weird way the thread is mounted?!? I really, really, really don't like it, and kept having to rewind my thread because it feeds so damn easily. Just let the thread sit in the upright position! Aaarrg.

Because of the bizarro thread position it took me a long time to wind my first bobbin. My husband closed the door to his office so he wouldn't have to hear all the complaining.

And why, why, why would the bobbin size have to be just an eentsy-weentsy bit smaller/different than every other bobbin? In the past I've just bought packages of bobbins, never even really thinking that they might be all that different. Anyhow, you cannot use these in any other machine-they are even different from other Brother bobbins, according to their manual. Which means buying new bobbins, and then keeping them separate from the others, which is almost impossible to do because they look almost exactly alike.

The foot pedal is pretty insubstantial feeling. It works fine, but it just looks like something that should feel a bit sturdier. After all, you will be stepping on it.

Pros:

Incredibly quiet! This puts all my other machines to shame when it comes to smooth and quiet sewing.

Awesome button hole foot and functions. Really, this machine is the next best thing to actually getting somebody else to sew your button holes.

The self-threading function is the coolest thing I have ever seen on a sewing machine. Can't see worth a damn? Don't worry, this machine is a cinch to thread. When I came across this function in the manual I almost started crying with joy.

Wonderful selection of special stitches and monogramming alphabets and VERY easy to use. These are also easy to set up with the selection buttons.

Basically, this machine is just a joy to use, once you get over the weird thread and bobbin set-up. I'm not sure I'd advocate this machine for a first time sewer. But if you do opt for this machine, you will be able to sew on anything that isn't quite as sophisticated.

Best Smoothfoam Styrofoam Solar System Kit for Modeling, White Deals

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List Price: $9.99
Sale Price: $9.00
Today's Bonus: 10% Off

The only issue is the too-thick ring for Saturn opted for colored pipe cleaners from a crafting store instead and that worked for Neptune and Uranus as well!

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We are learning the solar system this year and I bought this as an extra fun activity. Fun to paint, easy to put together. Great buy for the price! It even has a hook to hang when you are finished :)Highly recommend!

Best Deals for Smoothfoam Styrofoam Solar System Kit for Modeling, White

I bought this for my son in 1st grade. We read the solar system book from national geographic and so then I wanted to have him build a solar system. his is great. He has really enjoyed making it. I have two other children and will purchasing it for them when they are in 1st grade!!!

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My daughter received an A+ on her Solar System Project by using this item! These were great and the sizes were perfect!!

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I liked it very much, it was easy to work with and turned out great. I will look for more items next year, but right now school.is out.YEAH!

Discount Moda 30's Playtime Candy Mini Charm Pack, Set of 42 2 1/2-inch

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List Price: $4.45
Sale Price: $3.55
Today's Bonus: 20% Off

I really like the 1930's collections, so versitle. These will be so simple to use for a quick quilt whethers it's a lap quilt or baby blanket.

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I love Moda fabrics. I'm already using this and other mini charm packs I purchased here in a quilt I am currently working on.

Reviews of Spellbinders S5-142 Shapeabilities Homespun Die Templates

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List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $18.56
Today's Bonus: 38% Off

Parfait pour de belles cartes de la fête des mères! Donne de très bons résultats. La finition est soignée et distinguée.

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Prang be-bé, Super 5-Color Watercolor Kit for Young Children (80813) Review

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Purchased this product for my 2 year old son. Not only does he love it, I do too. Fun to play with, easy to clean up, and easy for him to use. I just put the tiniest bit of water in the tray so that he can't make a mess and so the colors are more vibrant, set him up at the table with his smock and some cardboard underneath his paper, and I have a blooming artist right before my eyes! :)

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Cheap Hampton Art Basics Embossing Collection

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List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $17.12
Today's Bonus: 31% Off

Overall this is a good deal if you are used to purchasing powders for 4 bucks per color. These are small containers and many of the colors don't come out as brilliant as I would have liked. The red melts so dark it almost looks black. All that being said there are a few powders like copper and gold which look absolutely brilliant. As long as you expect a bit of a mish mosh it is totally worth the money.

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These are okay but only 'clear' has the colour written on it, so with the others its take a guess. Obviously some you know but some are very close to each other & WHY wouldn't you put the colour on them????

Best Deals for Hampton Art Basics Embossing Collection

I like to make cads and other crafts that are really enhanced by embossing.

I found these colors to be a great start for those who do limited embossing.

Theses last a long time . Just put any excess powder back in tubes.

Nice to be able to purchase crafting products from Amazon.

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Nice bold colors and good finish.. Would recommend for card makers...adds a nice touch to an elegant card. Easy to use..

Reviews of Royal and Langnickel Gold Engraving Art, Meer Cats

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I loved Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet on TV. I donated to the Meerkat farms in CA. Had a Tshirt, the stuffed meerkat, the whole works!

I got this and it was so neat when I finished! Didn't take forever. Wasn't super delicate. And it was fun to do. If you like these neat little animals, you'll love this.

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Discount Folk Art 884 8-Ounce Gloss Varnish

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Great varnish high gloss and not thick so brushes on very easily. Only negative is that is seems to dry a bit slowly instructions are to let dry for several hours between coats, but that's minor and I will buy more.

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This gloss varnish does what it is supposed to do. It wasn't too thick or too thin and was easy to apply on outdoor statues after I had repainted them. This left a nice finish on my statues that wasn't glittery looking but left them with a nice, believable sheen that was complimentary and not too shiny. I'm hoping that the effort I put into repainting these items for my garden will continue to look beautiful for years to come because they will be exposed to the hot Texas sun. It took about a week after ordering for me to receive this varnish but I believe that Amazon had to obtain this product from the manufacturer (I don't think it is an item that Amazon regularly stocks in its warehouse). But I was still painting my garden statues when I ordered this so I didn't mind a one week delivery time. I didn't see this product in this size on the shelves at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. However, it's possible that I could have missed seeing this because both stores were pretty crowded when I was looking for an 8 oz. size of gloss varnish. I will definitely reorder from this company when I run out of this varnish.

Makin's USA Clay Cutters, Mini Geometric, 12 Per Package Review

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There's not much to say about simple clay cutters. I actually purchased them to use as glass working molds and they work great for that. And if they can stand up to having molten glass pushed through them, I'm sure they can withstand many years of cutting clay.

Cute little mini shapes too.

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Buy Huge Slate Textured Concrete Flagstone Steppingstone Mold, #1818SL-D

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it works like they say it will, simple to use &yes i would recommend it to a friend, good product!!

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I can't wait to use this mold to make my steping stones! I love the size and my creative juices are limitless!! Great choice and look forward to using them forever. Good choice for me!

Review of Kohinoor Gioconda 24 Piece Art Set

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List Price: $36.35
Sale Price: $16.95
Today's Bonus: 53% Off

This is a good set of various pencils and pastels to use when making earth-toned drawings. I especially like the conte-crayon-like sticks. They are nice and long and have a fine texture.

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It's a good product for the money. I gave it to my friend as a present. He likes to draw, and he enjoys that set very much!

Discount InkaDinkaDo Kathy Davis Rubber Stamp with Wood Handle - in your

Customer Ratings:

I love this stamp! It was exactly what I needed. I use it quite often and will buy from this seller again. It allows me to personalize a lot of my notes.

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I use this stamp the most when creating cards. It is classy looking. I would purchase from this vendor again.

Best Deals for InkaDinkaDo Kathy Davis Rubber Stamp with Wood Handle - in your

I love my thank you stamp! Product was exactly what was expected and arrived quickly. I will definitely look here again when I need stamps.

2 Pcs Female Dress Body Mannequin Forms Set (Hips Long) For S-M Review

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List Price: $18.90
Sale Price: $17.89
Today's Bonus: 5% Off

I was very pleased with the purchase. They are just like the picture show. I will be able to show a variety of fashions on them. Remember these are front view only, the back side is hollow.

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10mm Silver Acrylic Cone Spikes Stud Rock Bracelet Pyramid Punk Review

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The reason why I bought these spikes is because I didn't want to pay the round sum of money for a pair of shorts with spikes on them, so I decided to use my craft skills and sew the spikes to the shorts myself! Everything worked just as I wanted. Took a while to deliver but I wasn't in a hurry. I also bought the same in black! :)

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Last weekend I went to the carnival and it was sort of fun especially the Ferris wheel I was amazed