I had a big problem
When I began Stitch People, years ago, one of my largest frustrations was feeling like I couldn’t cross-stitch in the evenings. The primary reason for this was that I didn’t feel like I could get an accurate view of the colors of my DMC floss. Many times I would stitch in the evening, following my pattern I’d created and choosing colors, and then I’d wake up in the morning to find that the colors I’d chosen were awful!
I’d have to pick out my work and re-stitch it!
This whole thing was further exacerbated by the fact that I’m a night owl. I work really productively in the evenings. PLUS at the time I was experimenting with different ways to combat Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome – a disorder where my brain gets tricked by artificial light (lightbulbs, TV, phones) and so my “time to go to sleep” chemicals don’t kick in, and I’m never tired when I should be. Or, rather, I’m tired all the time but have trouble falling asleep. One of the things you can do to combat this is install filters on computers and phone screens to reduce the amount of blue light that’s emitted at night. I also tried installing amber-colored bulbs in some lamps in my front room, to remove the blue-ish hued LED lights that are so prevalent these days.
So here’s a night owl and aspiring actor watching films and TV (emitting blue light,) combatting blue light with amber lightbulbs (orange light), making color choices for Stitch People portraits. Not good.
I decided to explore the option of purchasing a “daylight lamp.” These are lamps, or lightbulbs, that emit light similar to that of the sun! How cool, right? If the light I’m getting from these is like daylight, then surely the colors I see in my floss box will be truer than what the blue or amber lightbulbs can give me!
The styles of daylight lamps that were available at the time seemed a bit industrial and utilitarian to me – almost scientific. Plus they were really pricey.
But I found a small light: OttLite’s LED Mini Flip Lite and I decided to give this “daylight” light thing a try. I would clip it to the collar of my shirt as I’d stitch and it would illuminate my work beautifully.
The daylight lamp was an excellent solution.
Fast forward a few months, and I saw that OttLite has AMBASSADORS! Since I’m crazy about their product already, I reached out and asked how I can become one! Long story short, they look for people once a year and they’re not looking for people, yadda yadda yadda but they asked if I’d be interested in reviewing one of their new styles!
Having a space that looks good, in addition to being functional is important to me.
See, I used to work for an interior design company, and I’ve always been one of those people that’s constantly painting walls different colors or moving furniture around. I love a space that FEELS good. So to have new styles? More options beyond utilitarian and science-y? I. Was. Thrilled.
Well get a load of this. Here are some of their fantastic new Table Lamp styles:
The Eastman Architect’s LED Table Lamp
The best part was they let me choose which style I could review! It was a big tie between the Avery style and Destin style – ultimately the Destin won out.
Here are my thoughts about this product:
The style of this lamp is so versatile.
The sleek design is fantastic. I feel like I could put this lamp next to my bed, on my desk, at my piano, or in my front entryway. And I feel like many of OttLite’s styles lend themselves to this versatility.
The lamp is easy to use.
It was simple to get going with it – basically a plug-in and go situation! There is a switch on the cord, so it’s a comfortable and easy access to turn it on and off.
The natural light is a relief, and a huge help.
The best part, of course, is the light it provides. It’s so bright, but the direction of the lamp shade directs the light just where you need it to go (the shade angle is adjustable! Hooray!) And it lights my cross-stitch work in the perfect way.
Plus OttLite combines different types of light wavelengths so you get a “precise balance of contrast and brightness that allows you to see details clearly and colors accurately.” It allows the eye to “see and focus without the harsh glare, distortion, and fatigue other light sources cause.” (Read more about that here.)
I can honestly say that OttLite has solved the problem of picking out floss colors at night.
I haven’t run into the problem of needing to pick out my work because I chose a close-but-no-cigar color for a family portrait. The light is clear and bright and not too blue either, so my sleep phase syndrome is happy about that!
And I’m simply so thrilled about their new styles. For fun, I came up with a few different interior concepts you could use to build or redesign your current work space for the new year!
Want an OttLite Table Lamp of your own?
To ring in the new year, we’ve teamed up with OttLite to give away one new OttLite Table Lamp!
Sorry international peeps, this Giveaway is open to US residents only
To enter to win your own OttLite Table Lamp, do this:
1. “Like” us on Facebook if you haven’t already.
2. Share this blog post on Facebook
3. Comment on this blog post telling us which OttLite Table Lamp you’d choose from the list above (Avery, Dawson, Destin or Eastman), and tell us how, when and/or where your new OttLite would come in the most handy for YOU!
Winners will be announced on the Stitch People Facebook page on December 31 at 12:00pm (noon) PST / 3:00pm EST. U.S. resident entries only.
Happy Stitching!
Lizzy xoxo
I would love the Dawson, it would help with cross stitch and all my scrapbooking and paper crafts. And of course, would be great for all my yarn projects too! Please pick me!!!
I would choose the Dawson! It’s so sleek and classic looking, I could easily put it in any room of the house to help with whatever project I was working on. I often do my crafting in the evenings but have a hard time seeing colors or details using the lights in my house. I cross stitch, paint, sew, play piano, and many other activities that would benefit from an awesome table lamp!
The Dawson lamp is so pretty! I would use this for cross-stitching and jewelry making, I have reached that "certain age" where I need really good light and reading glasses! 😊
Destin!!! I have the same issue… night owl stitcher. I’d love to put this next to my couch on a little side table where I stitch at night.
I love the Destin lamp. It’s so sleek and would come in handy while cross stictching in my favorite spot on our couch or while working at my sewing table.
I too am a night owl. I really need an Ott Lamp, I would select the Destin. Fingers crossed!! 🤞
Dawson! Love the OttLites!! Have to floor models would love a desk top to give to my daughter!!
I’m a night owl too…and the room I stitch in is poorly lit. I have tried all sorts of light/lamp combos and haven’t been pleased with any. Love the looks of the Dawson!
I would choose Dawson. It looks the most flexible to see exactly what I need. I need light because we recently bought new living room furniture. We got a love seat, so we can sit together, but there is no light at my end, so I can’t stitch if I sit there. This would solve so many problems for me. It would also help my Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I’d choose the Avery! 😍 and it would help me be able to stitch at night because (as you said) I need all the help I can get stitching at night. Plus it would add extra light to an already dark room.
Hello…love the Destin(black🖤)!
The Eastman! I stitch at night too, and i would love it right next to me for my projects 🙂
The Destin would be my choice! I would love this wonderful lamp for late night cross-stitching in bed while my husband sleeps 🛌 or elsewhere 🛋, reading 📚, grading papers 💯, painting my nails 💅, doing puzzles 🙇♀️(⬅️ that’s me trying to see colors on pieces at night), repairing jewelry 💎…the list goes on and on! I could really use this lamp! 💁🏻❤️
I love the Dawson. I would use it pretty much all day every day for all my handwork.
I love the Dawson! I have a floor model Ottlite, but would use the Dawson on my table beside my chair. I am an evening to night stitcher and need the best light available to see my many projects. Best of luck to all who enter this wonderful giveaway!
Destin. I’d use it in the early mornings and evenings (and into the night) which is the only time I’m able to stitch without little ones around!
I love them all but the Eastman would best fit my stitch corner. I am a "can’t sleep, get up in the middle of the night" stitch person. It’s quiet but also not that easy to see the colors correctly. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
I’d pick the Destin and I would use it in the evening and nights when my daughter is sleeping.
I would put the Eastman in my parlor where I work on all of my crochet and cross stitch projects!
I would really enjoy the Eastman Architect light! I like the fresh feeling of the white color and think it would go well in my bedroom where I can work on projects quietly after everyone has gone to bed.
Ahh, we suffer from the same dilemma! I work full-time and have 2 busy kids & an even busier husband so all of my stitching is done at night. I’m so glad to read about a solution that worked for you! All of the designs are gorgeous, but the Dawson would fit in perfectly in my space. Thanks so much for the recommendation – beautiful design + function is a win-win. 🙂
I would choose the Destin OttLite – love it! The only free time I have to stitch is at night and the best lighting in our house is in my bathroom, so that is where I stand and stitch. This little lamp would sit in my living room, so I could stitch in a more pleasant atmosphere 😉
The Dawson would be my top pick! It would sit right on my night stand next to my bed. Thanks for the opportunity! Happy New Year!!!
The Dawson! I would love it on my sewing table. It’s a dark room with the light to my back, which cases lots of shadows. These lights are the best!
I mean the Destin! Whoops!
I would use the Eastman for my cross stitch and embroidery projects!
Would love the Dawson Ottlite! Just had to re-do a neck tie and three pairs of shoes because that sure looked like navy blue floss until I saw it in the daylight the next day 😜. I have wanted an Ottlite forever but keep putting it down the list due to other needs!
I love the Eastman! It would look great on my craft table for the variety of projects I always have lined up 🙂
I would choose the Avery or the Destin! Would love to win one to stitch in the evenings when my kiddos are finally in bed.
I would love the Dawson!
I’d choose the Dawson style lamp. This article resonates with me! I avoid stitching hair colors at night because I want to wait to see it in daylight for accuracy. This lamp would allow me to keep stitching at night, even when my husband and I are watching a movie. I would no longer need to turn on our big lamp light.
I think the Avery lamp’s wood accents would perfectly complement the huge Chicago skyline wood burning my husband made for our office/craft space (and probably would have gotten done a lot faster with a light like this haha!) It would be great to have it so I could cross stitch in the evenings after work without worrying that I’m choosing the wrong colors!
I would love a Destin to use at home for my cross stitch! I have an Ott Floor Kamp that is about 15 years old, and I love it! However, it’s not practical for all spaces. These new models would be perfect!
The Destin would be an awesome lamp to own. It would make crafting at night and on those dark days possible again. Thanks for the contest opportunity.
The Dawson would be awesome to have! It would look great in any of my stitching places in my house. I’d use it during my usual stitching hours after the kids have gone to bed. It’s my me time.
The Dawson would suit me best. I would love to have the extra light as my eyes are damaged from a brain and optic nerve disease. My eyes only absorb about 70% of the light available, so for me it is always darker than it really is. Thanks for the chance!
I love Ottlite lamps! I would probably choose the Destin as well. As for where or how I’d use it- so many places! Haha. But I’ve been recently thinking I’d like one for my nightstand so I can stitch in my room.
I have an Ottlite in my living room on an end table for stitching. Sometimes I like to stitch in my bedroom but the lighting is terrible day and night! I would love to have the Dawson for my bedroom.
We are happy to announce the randomly chosen winner of our giveaway! Rebecca Walters! Congratulations! Please email info@stitchpeople.com with your mailing address!