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Cricut BrightPad Go Unboxing and Review

The Cricut BrightPad Go is a must-have for anyone who needs concentrated light that helps with design for sewing and craft projects, but is perfect for anyone interested in diamond painting or transferring an image to another surface, like copying a design on graphite paper.

What is in the box?

I have an old Fiskars Light Boss that has been a sturdy and helpful companion over the years, but it is limited to a 120v Fluorescent bulb and isn’t very bright. I still use it and love that it was built well and has lasted this long. My vision has not held up as well, and I require a brighter light and need the convenience of being cordless, as I don’t always have access to a plug near my work areas.

The Cricut BrightPad Go isn’t an inexpensive tool, but it is a tool and not a supply for your craft room. It has many uses and will hopefully work for many years. As I show in the unboxing video, I love that I can use the pad to align fabric edges and patterns. This will be especially helpful with dark fabrics. As you can see below, I enjoy to use it when I am working on my diamond paintings. I’ve used a lamp, but the pad is superior, as the light source comes up through the canvas and makes the design legend symbols easier to see. It helps reduce eye strain and doesn’t light up the entire room instead of my work area.

One thing I’d like to point out is that the manual, for lack of a better word, states that once charged, you won’t need to recharge for a few months. This is misleading. I was so excited, believing that I would get a long use out of the pad before it needed charging again. A fully charged pad will work for two hours on the brightest setting. The quoted multiple months are what one can expect when the pad is charged and just on idle waiting to be used. Meaning, the battery doesn’t have a quick drain if you don’t use the pad.

So far I’m really enjoying the Cricut Brightpad Go and look forward to sharing how it holds up!

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Blue Light Protection From DIFF Charitable Eyewear

This is my frame, but they are currently out of stock. Yes, I’m wearing readers on my head. I’m 45 and I rock the reader.

FINN – SEA TORTOISE + BLUE LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

Thank you, AllTrue (previously Causebox) for introducing me to DIFF blue light technology glasses. They were an option to choose from as an item in my SPRING 2021 AllTrue subscription box. I didn’t choose them, but they were available for purchase in the add-on market and thought I would try them out. You can check out the unboxing video below.

I initially thought they were a gimmick and the latest fad that everyone professes they need to have before they forget the glasses in a few months in the back of the junk drawer. My few weeks in these glasses has proven beyond beneficial, and I can honestly report that they are 100% necessary if you work on a computer or use your phone a lot. If you need to find out why blue light is worrying, here is a great article from UC Davis.

The lenses have a slight yellow to them that warms up the online page. It is much more comfortable for my eyes. I notice a difference in eye strain when I’m watching tv as well. In a chat with their online customer service, they stated the lenses are 30% blue light blocking.

photo of diff glasses

Bottom line: While I don’t have a method to measure what blue light is reaching my eye, I believe they truly help protect your eyes from the harmful blue light emitted from your digital screens that is contributing to your eye strain. I believe this because my eyes just feel better when I’m wearing them and they feel worse when I’m not. That’s easy math for me, and I’m a convert.

I’m wearing size medium, measurements for the glasses are 48 – 21 – 145, they are unisex with scratch resistant nylon lenses and the frame is a hand cut acetate. Additional bonus points, if something happens to the lenses or I just need another pair of glasses, they can be fitted with prescription lenses!

I love that DIFF is giving back with every purchase we make with them! “Every pair of DIFF glasses sold helps to provide the gift of sight to someone in need through eye exams, glasses, medicine, and surgery. To date, we’ve donated over 1.5 MILLION pairs of glasses worldwide — and that’s just the beginning of it.”

You can also purchase the glasses at Amazon. They would make a perfect gift for the writer in your life!

Some links on my site are part of affiliate programs, and if you click on them or make a purchase from the link, I may make a few pennies.

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Manual Exposure Reader Review: Forest

Reedy Creek Park Image with Amazon Reader Review

Continuing with my series of reader reviews with my original photographs, I’d like to highlight a 5 star review written by Melissa Ann for Manual Exposure. For those who haven’t read Manual Exposure, I believe this review provides great insight into the book.

I receive a number of questions wondering about the level of sex in my book. Melissa says, “I consider the book to be quite steamy without being too much. It isn’t erotica, but it also isn’t innocent. Intelligent and sexy, you need to read this book!”

I love that! Yes, there is some sexual content in my book—I do not fade to black. I can’t decide for you if there is too little or too much sexual detail, as every reader as their own personal preferences. I feel I’ve tackled the scenes honestly, and I want you experience the passion between my characters.

Thank you for a beautiful review, Melissa! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the book and took the time to leave such a compelling review.

This photograph was taken at Reedy Creek Park in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reedy Creek Park Image with Amazon Review

Check out this sunset photograph and another reader review of Manual Exposure!

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Manual Exposure Reader Review: Sunset

DG Kaye Review

To highlight some of the amazing reviews Manual Exposure is receiving from readers, I am recreating the reviews on my original photographs. This creative outlet gives me the opportunity to express how grateful I am that they have taken the time to leave a review. So often we love something and fail to make note of it. I encourage all of you to leave a review for the books that you’ve loved. It could be the very thing a writer needs to encourage them to keep writing.

This photograph was taken in Illinois. The sunsets on the flat horizon can be very beautiful, and I just happened to be standing in the right spot at the right time. There was no need for a filter, as the sky was just that color. Amazing, right?

I hope you enjoy the images, and I hope the reviews encourage you to read my book.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

DG Kaye Review