Emotional Turmoil

Most times, I don't mind being a grown up. I like to make decisions and I like to think I'm pretty good at making them. However, there are those times in life when you finally have had enough and you need to stand up for yourself.

Remember several weeks back when I was BEGGING Santa to bring me a Bernina 830...well, I got it. And I've had problem after problem with it since. Obviously, I understand, it's a machine and machines can have problems. But day 1 the embroidery module didn't work. Without boring you to death with the details, I will tell you that I've had numerous thread problems, stitching problems, "fatal error" screen on Day 10, grinding noises at various points, but worst of all on day 32. It took me an hour to fix. And day 32 was the day I had had it.

During this time, I did not stay silent. I called the store 3 if not 4 times, and was there twice. The second time was December 27. I just wanted to buy fabric and try to be nice and voice a few of my concerns. The more questions they asked the worse it made me feel. I could feel my blood pressure rising and I just wanted to cry.

As many of you know, I sew nearly every day. I used to have a quilt shop but I got a full time job in town and just do things for people as time allows, but I still sew pretty much every day. So I NEED a working machine. And the place where I got my machine knows this- they have my tax ID number etc. I've been working with them for the last five years, but mostly in the last 4. I purchased my machine that I had traded in on this one from them.

I talked to the owner of the shop on Tuesday (since that's the first day after Day 32 that they were open due to the holiday) and was trying my darndest not to cry. She said she'd order a new machine (FINALLY) but I still needed to take the class. It might be the machine, or it might be me.........I'm 25. I've been sewing for the last 17 years of my life! I know I don't know everything about this new machine, but I know enough to be able to straight stitch, for heaven's sake.

I've also contacted Bernina directly, because I didn't like the way the store was handling things. -When I talked to the owner I tried explaining only two of the problems, and there was immediate justification- This is one of the things they told me "may require an adjustment in a consumer's sewing technique".

I finally decided after speaking with the manager of the store yesterday, who again, told me I was threading too fast, not threading properly, using the wrong thread and really just not completely listening to me, that I needed to talk to someone else who had an 830 or 820. I also Googled "Lemon Bernina's". I did a poll on Facebook to see what others thought I should do.

Turns out, I'm not the only one who's had problems with the machine, like they lead me to believe.
Turns out, the store published a whole page of problems in their last newsletter about this machine.
Turns out, I'm not the only one who has experienced bad customer service from this store.
And, it turns out, pretty much everyone thought I needed to get a lawyer and speak to the Better Business Bureau.

Since I had built, what I thought, was a good relationship with this store over the last 5 years it tore me up to make a decision on what to do. I feel sick even thinking about it now. I never wanted it to go this far. But, when they sold me this machine they only talked about how much I would love it. They've talked about how many they've sold. But they did NOT talk about the issues it has. And they aren't all user error.

If I was a beginning sewer or if I only had one consistent problem I would agree, it's the machine, maybe a class would help a little bit. However, it isn't just one problem. Nor, am I new to sewing.

So until the investigation is done and I have closure I will be an emotional wreck I'm afraid. (I have one of the worst headaches today) But hopefully, now they'll listen.

2011 comes to an end

Some of you might remember back in February I made a little "to-do" list for this year and since there is only 1 day left this year I thought I would fill you in on how I did!

:) 1. Finish remodeling my kitchen

Well, there's trim left to do around the countertop and that's it. I'm okay with that.
2. Learn how to quilt feathers

I did practice this a few times but I'm not happy with it. One side of the feather looks awesome, the other...not so much. My brain just can't get them together.
:) 3. Get family pictures done

We had family photos done in October, I think? YAY.
:) 4. Finish reading "Decision Points" by George W. Bush

I'm almost done ~40 pages left and since I only read it on the rare 15 minute breaks and ocassionally at lunch, I did okay. Plus I think I can finish by the end of tomorrow, since I brought it home.
5. Build the walnut media center that is currently floating around in my head

Nope. Maybe next year.
6. Put carpet in our bedroom

Not even close. I couldn't talk Adam into it THIS year.
:) 7. Finish Ali's room

YEP!!
:S 8. Build bookcases for the living room

Yeah, so, I kind of cheated on this one and just bought one...hey, I didn't have time!
:) 9. Go back to college

YES I DID> and I finished my classes with great grades!
10. Perfect quilting feathers

Considering I didn't learn them that well, this will be a no.
:) 11. Read "If Wishes Were Horses"

I read it this summer between my classes, it was very good!
12. Build a Hope Chest

Nope :(
:) 13. Construct my new show quilt

I can say yes, it's constructed, however, not quilted! I better get on that
:) 14. Take a Ricky Timms class

Yes I did. Made a Kalidescope :):) Also, not quilted! Yikes!
15. Work on Ali's scrapbooks

I'm getting wayyyy behind...
:) 16. Go on a vacation

This year I was so very lucky to go on not one but two vacations! In July to see my sister working in South Dakota. Taking Ali to Mount Rushmore was awesome. Even though it doesn't change I always leave amazed. And going to Switzerland to see my exchange sister, Miriam and her family was a once in a life time experience.
:) 17. Stop worrying about the past

I am happy to report this was sucessful. I even surprised myself!
:) 18. Take a class with Carol Mollers

Carol taught the Ricky Timms class! haha
:) 19. Do more landscaping

I planted a tree. And I weeded a LOT.
20. Read Sarah Palin's book

Didn't happen. There's something about romances that trumps politics.
:) 21. Clean the barn

In the fall when I found a horse I thought I was in love with, I worked really hard on cleaning for about a week, then I went to look at the horse and he was totally lame. The poor guy. SO I decided it wasn't time and went back to quilting...
:):) 22. Give away more Quilts of Valor

I held a workshop in March, I believe, to make quilts of Valor and the support this time was mind blowing. I was so surprised given the help the last several years. At the Fourth of July MOMS benefit (since I was in SD) Kim handed the quilts out for me and I think we gave away 12 more. So happy!!
:) 23. Spend less time with doctors

I did this! I did this!! I love my doctor but being healthy is more important and if that means seeing him less, then so be it!

I did so many other things this year than I had planned. I read more books that I originally had on my list so even thought I didn't start Sarah Palin's book, my books were not neglected. In fact I bought 3 books before we left for Switzerland and I read one of them. And my mom got me 3 books for Christmas, one being Jaycee Duggards book- I finished in about 24 hours.

I feel like I've accomplished so much this year- too much to bore you with....

I wish you all a VERY Happy New Year! And here's to a new list! :)

Since I'm sick.......

Going to the doctor is getting...well...old.
In my last 25 years I have learned something-- doctors aren't always right

Right at this very minute I am stuck.

On my couch.

with Mono.

Again.

I first got mono in the seventh grade- at which time they said, and I quote, "the good thing about mono is that you can only get it once."

I got it again in 9th grade.

And here I am again at 25. The second time I thought it was a terrible coincidence. This time it's just plain annoying. I have things to do! And my work friends don't want me to infect them {not that I blame them}

So I wrapped presents- after my nap.

And I put garland on the banister- after my nap.

And after medicine, I am finally able to swallow better so I had a little something to eat.

And here are a few photos to catch you up on our tree harvesting adventure! :)

I think I'm in Love......

I know what you're thinking...

Yes, I already have a machine.

But I think I do enough sewing to justify this.

And Marcia at Pine Needles told me I deserve it!

So Santa if you're listening...

I'd really like this Swiss made Bernina 830 Limited Edition.

I promise I've been really good this year.

Some times too good.

:D

November 15

Can you believe we're half way through November?

I cannot.

I've been doing this thing on Facebook that's called the 30 days of Thanksgiving. And throughout the month I have been saying (almost everyday) what I am thankful for.

And so far they've been pretty much related to all of the crazy things in my life like feeling better and my daughter and my business. You know, those types of things.

I hope everyone is as thankful for the things in their lives as I am. Good or bad they have shaped who I am.

Just a little funny photo for ya!

Holiday Explosion Business Show

I am currently sitting at the Elks club. Patiently waiting for the Holdiay Explosion Home Based Business show to start.

It's 9-2 if you were wondering.

In Charles City.

So come see me! I'm giving away a grommet purse valued at $75!

There are also door prizes.

Free Koozies!

And I'm doing Photo Printing on Fabric!!

A Quilt Filled Weekend

Since it's Sunday night and I have nothing better to do than blog.... not...I thought I'd show a few projects I worked on this weekend.

I quilted the center background blocks with my own version of McTavishing. The black border is quilted with very small swirls and the outside border is quilted with "sticks". It is backed with Minkee and it's SUPER soft. I just love it. :)

Projects 2 & 3.
Winter table runners

Pieced and Quilted between 1 and 10 p.m.There are two other sizes for this runner. This is the medium...they can also be made into tree skirts.