I have looked in a few stores and never found a deal like this. For the price you get a very wide selection of embroidery thread. They do not tangle coming off the spool while in use. After I'm done using the spool I'll put a very small piece of tape to hold the running end of the thread.
Wilton Decorator Preferred Heart Pan
I have had my 6 inch heart pan for many years, and I love it. You may have to experiment with recipes to make sure the one you want to use doesn't spill over the edges. Any recipe with up to 1 cup flour will probably work great; I use 1 yolk when I split a recipe with an egg. My cakes look great and not like some dinky little thing. It is perfect for small families or those who want to celebrate but eat small slices or not have leftovers. If you have to, you can eke out 8 pieces. I just used the pan with a half muffin recipe to make a Valentine's Day Breakfast; I sifted a little powdered sugar on top and everyone loved it. E. Stein
Red Carpet Studios Hobo Bag with Matching Scarf, Butterfly Orange
List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $24.59
Today's Bonus: 2% Off
The picture is deceiving and the fabric is thin. Not a good value. I bought two and don't know what I am going to do with them. EDIT: I ended up giving them to my daughters and they liked them....
Westcott 13790 Westcott titanium rotary trimmer, 12 cut 19 x 14
List Price: $84.99
Sale Price: $66.99
Today's Bonus: 21% Off
I have this trimmer/cutter and it's been really great but I can't get the replacement blades or rubber mats because Westcott has discontinued it and is no longer supplying the replacement parts. I'm very disappointed in them I didn't purchase it to be a disposable, I liked that you could replace the blades and other parts. Evidently not, tho.
Advanced Tool Design Model ATD-8606 24 Piece Serpentine Belt
List Price: $213.55
Sale Price: $134.01
Today's Bonus: 37% Off
I think this is a nice set, with aceptable quality level for professional use. In fact I have seen more an more of these ATD products which are very well made. Everytime I need a tool, I always check to see the ATD version to compare price and quality
Cricut Cartridge - Tags Bags Boxes and More 2
List Price: $34.99
Sale Price: $26.99
Today's Bonus: 23% Off
I purchased this a few months back and just recently starting exploring and playing. I usually don't write reviews but thought it would be extremely useful to pass on information that I learned while watching youtube videos and googling about this cart. You do not have to purchase a scoring tip. Granted at this time I have no done every single box but the multiple ones I have done so far I found a little trick. Turn your blade setting down to "2" and your pressure to "low". Load mat and select "shift" and the box you would like to cut. This will score your lines for you. After it's finished scoring, do not remove. Hit "load mat" again and it will reset to the original spot. Turn your blade back to cutting depth (I used 6) being careful not to move the blade carriage and your pressure back up (I use high). Select the box to be cut and it will then cut your lines. When it's finished you should have a box cutout as well as score lines! Hope this helps someone out! Apart from spending money on a scoring tip that isn't necessary this will also save the hassle of having to keep changing out blades.
SINGER SteamWorks Pro 1500 Watt Garment & Fabric Steamer with 90
List Price: $99.99
Sale Price: $73.99
Today's Bonus: 26% Off
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Singer's SteamWorks Pro steamer is just amazing, so lets get down to it.
Assembly was fairly straight forward and took about five minutes to unpack everything and get it all put together. So the instructions get an A+.
To start off I filled the tank with filtered water (they recommend distilled water obviously) and slid in onto the base, flipped the machine on, waited about a minute and steam was shooting out so it was time to start steaming!
Using it for the first time, let alone a garment steamer for the first time, was an experience. I started with some drapes that had recently been washed but not ironed. A few passes with the steamer took every last wrinkle out of them! It actually surprised me because infomercials have really ruined my expectations on steamers as they seem to over glorify them.
Next up was a button up work shirt. Using the folding hanger and the garment clip bar to hold the shirt, a minute of going over the shirt made it look like it had been freshly pressed! Just amazing with so little effort.
The SteamWorks Pro steamer works flawlessly on everything I've tried it and it uses VERY little water.
Now there are a few things that I would consider minor flaws.
* First of all there is a LOT of plastic and it's not the heavy duty feeling ABS plastic. The pole clasps that are on the telescopic pole (these are what you use to lock the pole at different heights) are made of plastic and I am honestly waiting for one of them to break and prevent me from collapsing or extending the pole.
* I find the steamer hose a little bit too short and too stiff. When you are using it, the hose does become more pliable when heated up. Not a huge issue.
* The drain plug doesn't completely drain the unit and requires you to tilt it. They really should have designed it better so you didn't have to do this.
* Even when fully collapsed the unit is 32" tall. If you are like me, I have no room to store stuff like this and am resorting to having it just sitting in my room.
* No storage for the accessories. Now I have to find a place to put these bits and pieces.
* No handle, so I am unsure where I can grab to move/pick up the unit. It also doesn't roll on carpet or carpet with rugs very well.
These are all really nitpicky flaws, none of which detract from how well the unit works/functions.
For how well it works and the price, you really can't beat this garment steamer!
Pros:
Works and works very well.
Uses very little water and doesn't saturate the garment.
The accessories and nice, especially the handheld steaming board and space age oven mitt (seriously, it comes with a protective glossy silver oven mitt!).
Easy to operate.
Easy to put together.
Somewhat compact and collapsable.
Produces steam within a minute of turning it on.
Cons:
Fairly bulky, need to find a place to store it when not in use.
Drain plug doesn't completely drain the unit.
Tons of plastic! Only time will tell how well it will hold up to being used.
Has no storage for it's accessories.
SINGER Futura XL-400 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine
List Price: $899.99
Sale Price: $549.99
Today's Bonus: 39% Off
I owned this machine for several months by now, and its amazing.
As with any technological product (no matter if its a cellular or a sewing Machine) there's a learning curve for it. Do research, read manuals, ask around.
I did a ton of research before buying this particular model. It could sew and embroider. most of the machines just came with either 4x4 hoops or 4 x 4 and 5 x 7 hoops. the large hoop for large projects are a plus. and last but not least, the price range of it, compare to other brands that do the same was the selling point hundred of dollars less than the others. WOW.
Machine Related:
The sewing/embroidering part is big, yes BIG, making quilting or sewing big projects easier. But if you did a little research on this particular machine, you already knew it was big and that you will need ample space for it. When in sewing mode, its not bigger than any regular sewing machine, but with the embroidery arm attached this thing is huge, as to accommodate the big hoop that came with it.
Mine is sitting on a desk by itself and my regular sewing machine and serger are in another desk.
Its very bright, which means that working on it is less of a task, more of a joy.
Sewing part:
Include most of the presser feet you might need to start any project right away. A beautiful selections of stitches lost of stitches to task and embellish your fabric. its true, there are not hundreds of them, but there are plenty.
making button hole is easier.
Threading system helps those of us that struggle with needle eye :-)
Embroidery part:
-Right out of the box, it comes with a software that allows you to do a ton of embroidery designs included. the hoops, 4 x 4 and 6 x 10 were the most easy to install that I have tested. just snap on place and ready!
there's a certain order to do things to avoid mistakes that are "user error", not machine related. and that's why there's a manual for it. manuals are your friends, READ THEM!
-it includes designs both small and big to be used right away and you can download more via internet
it read all design formats: PES, HUS, DST, VP3, FHE, etc, although XXX is Singer native.
Speed control, back up and forward stitch buttons, to customize your user time, as fast/sow as you want, back up to restitch or forward to skip ahead.
I do have cons, but all of the fixable.
the spool stand that comes on the machine, its a common complain. i don't know what it is, but thread tends to tangle on the path, making for the breaking threads and needles. a thread stand behind the machine solve it. Or, as i heard from many users, putting the spool in a cup behind the machine works wonders.:-)
it says to sew with the tension on "s" and embroider with it on "E". you will soon learn that you need to adapt this as tension relate to fabric and thickness of it. I embroider with it a little on top of the "E" and a little below the "S" for sewing.
The software that comes with it is as simple as it gets. you can create sayings and re-size designs, change colors, and that's it. But again, i knew this. I knew that Singer sell additional software for it. ALL machines come with this type of software unless you buy them with a bundle. You want to do more? prepare to pay more.
Final thought: embroidery doesn't come cheap. Not even closed. Whether you want to create a small business or be creative around the house (my case) you are going to be buying LOTS and LOTS of stuffs: the special thread (I get mine here, poly Threadart brand, and Metro from their site.), stabilizers (all kinds: cut-away, tear-away, water soluble), needles, more designs, and if you want to be creative, additional software that will allow you to create or modify designs (I use Wilcom and Embird).
Need help? there is plenty of it on the web, including great support pages, forums and groups (I belong to 2 amazing ones on Facebook)
I love my XL-400 and will recommend it 100% to my friends or anybody willing to hear me. Sorry if other haven't had a great experience with I will advise to have patience and READ THE MANUAL! :-)
P.S. November 5th, 2012: I added a few pictures of projects I have completed with my XL-400. I have found out that some designs might look pretty but doesn't embroider as well as others. same thing for the type of thread, bobbin thread and stabilizers yo choose.
P.S. 2 January 11th, 2013: since people keep asking me and repeating their cons, I thought I add some points:
You need a PC/laptop in order for this machine to embroider (not to sew)but you can use the software without the machine, after you turn it on and open the software, just turn the machine off and use the software.
The included software is not an elegance program but instead of a tiny LCD screen you get a big one (as big as your laptop/PC screen) that let you work on your design right there.
I have several machines and a serger (brother, viking and singer) and all of them have a small space for feet change, not just the embroidery machines, but the sewing also. and the XL-400 is the taller of them all (well, except for the quattro, but that a league of its own)
It doesn't have speed bobbin control. I have never seen a machine with speed bobbin control. guess never need it, since all machine ideally come set to wind bobbin as tight as required.
about the thread breaking, I did mention that (happens to me in my brothers also) and mentioned also the cup technique and the ease of a thread stand. I use it as 3/4 of the speed, never less, never more, never a problem. try a diff brand of thread. What work for me, might not work for you and vice-versa.
-The noise emitting from the machine, this I can not say anything since mine its not quiet but I don't find it THAT loud either ( inserting the bobbin upside down, since 15J bobbins have one side curve and the other straight, increase the sounds AND the breakage, but since it is user error, is fixable ;-)
"DOES NOT INCLUDE AUTOMATIC THREAD CUTTER" no, really, it doesn't, it never said it did. get a tiny embroidery scissor, a curve scissor or a duck scissor. or all three! you can never have too many scissors.
the hoops are flat and plastic. take care of them.
me? still in love with my machine...
P.S. 3 February 13, 2013: Apparently Amazon had a bad batch of these machines. They even put up a message that they were reviewing/revising the machines they had in stock.
Sorry for those that got one lemon machine.
I still hold unto my review of MY machine as an excellent one, worth getting it.
Morbern® Marine Vinyl Wave Tangerine Indoor/Outdoor
The material is good quality, but I ended up throwing it out. Looked too much like high visibility, Norwegian buoy type orange (for those nautical types). I had intended to re-cover a vinyl cushion on our back deck but this orange was way too vibrant to work with everything else.
JHB Lisa Pavelka Watch Parts 0.5 Ounces Multicolor
List Price: $10.99
Sale Price: $7.40
Today's Bonus: 33% Off
This product goes by weight and it had a few tiny cogs (which is what i wanted cogs of many different sizes) and then the bulk of it was these large inside watch faces and tiny screws, and when I saw tiny I mean really tiny.. I have read some other reviews with similar statements I just thought well I want tiny... yeah.. Not this tiny.. False advertising the pick is packed with all kinds of cog pieces nothing like the pic.
925 Sterling Silver Pearl Necklace Shortener Enhancer Changeable
List Price: $20.99
Sale Price: $10.98
Today's Bonus: 48% Off
I had been looking for an enhancer with a medium size opening. This is perfect. The design on the bale is exactly what I was looking for and the snap closure is strong enough that I don't worry about looking my pendants. The service was great and I love the item.
Metallic Foil Paper; 8.5 x 10; Pack of 20 Sheets; 10 Color Pack
I am just never disappointed with anything I find on Amazon! This paper is great for crafting!
I use it at home for crafts and in my classroom! The children and I really love it! It is thin
enough to punch out or cut with dies but thick enough to emboss! Great!
I use it at home for crafts and in my classroom! The children and I really love it! It is thin
enough to punch out or cut with dies but thick enough to emboss! Great!
Three DVD set of Pocket Sketching
FUN AND FABULOUS INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO SET. It's hard to express just how wonderful this technique is and how great a teacher this artist is. She leads you from baby-steps through actually creating paintings you can be proud of. And you do it in privacy of your home or office without stress, pausing and reviewing at your own pace. Actually, this is very stress-relieving. I found the ideas just flowing when I lost myself in my right-brain creative process. HIGHLY RECOMMEND these DVD's for the creative child hiding within each of us. PS: You can easily purchase the pilot pens necessary for this technique here at Amazon: Pilot Razor Point Marker Stick Pens, Extra Fine Point, Black Ink, Dozen Box (11001). Individual DVD's also available.
Brother Compact Sewing Machine Fashion Faces Decorative Skins
I ordered this machine because the one I had only did forward and reverse and zig-zag and I have had it for 20 years and it still works very well,It to is a Brother. I started doing applique quilting and needed a machine that had more stitches so I ordered this machine. It was everything I had expected and it was a good price at $60.00. I priced a new one and found it was over a hundred dollars. This machine would be perfect even for a beginner. It is easy to use and can handle alot of different materials. I would highly recomend this machine.
SINGER 2250 Tradition Basic 10-Stitch Sewing Machine
This is my first sewing machine, the first time I've used one. I love it, and hate to see it's rating so low due to reports of bobbin jamming. None of the 3 complaints mentioned that they even attempted to adjust the upper or lower tension adjustments. My machine jammed up the first time I used it but I read the instructions and adjusted the tensionsproblem solved. Adjusting the lower bobbin tension is a touchy feely operation, but not hard to do. From the instructions"To test the bobbin thread tension, remove the bobbin case and bobbin and hold it by suspending it by the thread. Jerk it once or twice. If the tension is correct, the thread will unwind by about an inch or two. If the tension is too tight, it does not unwind at all. If the tension is too loose, it will drop too much. To adjust, turn the small screw on the side of the bobbin case." There is a screwdriver included to make this adjustment. It clamps the thread, so a thicker or thinner thread could mean an adjustment is necessary. Mine needed to be loosened for the first spool of thread I used. This bobbin case is polished stainless steel, so it's not wearing out soon. I guess the screw might get loose someday, my local Jo-Ann fabric store sells new complete bobbin cases for $2.99. The upper thread tension dial requires a lot of adjustment depending on the work. A sewing machine isn't a hair dryer. They are complex weird monsters and there is a learning curve, no way around it. You've got to tune em like a guitar. This machine is heavy and stable and has a pleasant look and feel. It disturbs me there is no inclusion of oil or lubrication instructons. I doubt it's never necessary, so I got a tube of Official Singer Oil, a very thick oil with a look and smell like melted butter. I recomend it. I've only had my 2250 for a week. 5 stars so far.
Southworth Parchment Specialty Paper, Celery, 24 lb, 100 Count
List Price: $15.99
Sale Price: $11.40
Today's Bonus: 29% Off
I was looking for good quality parchment/cotton paper for a long time as well when i came across this brand. The quality of their product is great, but with major setback, at least for me: Everything from this company comes with watermarks on every page. Just to be clear, i am printing high quality advertising material on this paper, so when I buy paper of this grade the last thing i need is some advertisement being embedded by production company, which is visible. I gave it 2 stars just for the quality.
Badger Air-Brush Company Fine Conversion for Model 100 and 150
This is a quality Badger item. Fits my Badger model 100 airbrush perfectly. I put bees-wax on the threads to keep things from binding and to keep paint out of the threads.
