Ready to Cry

I love my sewing machine - I really do.  I did a lot of research before deciding on this brand.  But right now I'm super frustrated. 

2 weeks ago, my machine stoped behaving properly.  See, this is the problem with having a completely computerized sewing machine.   The machine stopped recognizing where the foot was at and on this machine - I no longer have a way to manually lift or lower the foot.

I contacted a friend of mine who used to own a sewing machine shop - he's an excellent technician.  He had my machine for two weeks and I made my red wool dress (you haven't seen it yet) with my back up machine.  I couldn't use my specialty feet with that machine and I couldn't get a consistent seam allowance ~ I believe I'm gonna send that machine to The Princess who only does home dec stuff.  Anyway.  I got my machine back - Technician friend said he couldn't find anything wrong with it.  And that I was doing an excellent job keeping it clean.

Well today I plugged in the embroidery unit.  I have some overdue baby gifts to get done.  And guess what?  Yea - it's not working right.  So, tomorrow I'll take it to the local dealer.  But that's frustrating because they are really a Pfaff dealer and have Viking by default.  You can tell just walking in - they don't like these machines, but they are the only game in town.  What would you do? 

Edited to Add:  I took the machine to the Pfaff and Viking dealer.  I told them very clearly that I wasn't happy with the way they treated Viking owners and I would take my machine elsewhere in the future if I wasn't treated well.  I plugged the machine in to show them what it was doing - because it's hard to explain.  The good news?  I have a service contract that fixes my machine for FREE!  The bad news?  It will take at least 2 weeks. 

Congratulations are in Order

We spent the last 5 days on the Right Coast.  Because this happened.   We are very proud.

I'll share more about our trip later in the week.

Precious Little

Vogue 8788 from Vogue Patterns Website

There has been precious little sewing going on around gMarie that hasn't been crafty lately.  However, if you want to see how Nancy turned my Charming blocks into a stunning quilt - go look!  This is a project that is near and dear to my heart and I do hope that these quilts bring a small amount of comfort and some small knowledge that someone appreciates what those in the service are giving. 

Anyway - I got the new issue of Vogue Patterns and I'm really wanting to make Vogue 8788.  I see it in one of the Lisette Fabrics.  It's not a gathered skirt, so I think it will work and it resembles the super popular 'walk away dress'.

I have a few more 'crafty projects' hanging over my head that have a quick turn around and then it's garment sewing for me.  My closet needs some new blood as spring approaches. 

Customer Service

Slip Jig from the Ravelry Pattern Page :: Love

Have you noticed that customer service seems to be a lost art these days?  Why?  Is it so hard to be nice and polite to people in your shop?  I've recently had experiences on both ends of the customer service spectrum and thought I'd share and see if anyone understands why it's so hard?

Last weekend, my daughters and I went into a LYS to shop for yarn.  I was looking for a specific yarn that I knew they carried.  They had one hank of the yarn in the color I was looking for - I needed 2.  When I walked up to the counter to ask if they had any more - the woman working there barked at me that all they had was on the shelve.  Not - how many do you need?  We are expecting an order any day?  Or can we order it and call you.  Oh - and she didn't bother to look at me while barking her response.  Needless to say I walked out without buying anything.



Next - my husband, one daughter and I went to a different yarn store.  Immediately upon entering we were asked if we needed help.  Were given guidance without the sales people being pushy.   They looked up a pattern on Ravelry for me so everyone knew what I was making and could give opinions - which they did on the color matching.  They helped The Princess get new needles for the socks she was making and made sure the cable was long enough and even showed her how small the needles could go.  Wonderful experience and I'll go back to Fiber Gallery again.

My second amazing customer service was with Blue Moon Fiber Arts online sales.  I had been looking at the Slip Jig pattern for a long time.  It was finally available outside of the sock club and my paypal account was flush so I ordered it.  I got an email saying it shipped - but no link to a downloadable pattern and no way to log into my account to check the status.  I waited about 10 days and then contacted customer service.  I got a response within 24 saying they had been having some problems with their computers but to try resetting my password again and to be aware it was case sensitive.  I reset my password but still couldn't see my pattern.  I replied to customer service again, saying I got into my account, but still couldn't find the pattern.  The next email I got was a notice that my paypal payment had been refunded.  I was a bit crushed because I wanted the pattern.  Within seconds, I got another email from BMFA's customer service with a link to download my pattern.  They had refunded my money because of the issues in trying to get the pattern.  I will shop with them again - as well. 

So tell - do you put your dollars where the service is good?  Or do you shop someplace with less than stellar customer service because it's convenient?

g

All is Snowy & Quiet

I love the way the trees look when they are dusted with snow

I sent JB out into the cold yesterday so he could snap some pics

some of the snow has melted off already and green is showing through

but more snow is expected today

There's an Eagle in that Tree

Last weekend we headed up to the Skagit River to see the Bald Eagles as the migrate.

Thank goodness for photo editing because you couldn't see the Eagle before.

It was also determined that I need a good book on using my camera and a bigger lens.

My Favorite Gift

shhhh - don't tell JB (he doesn't read the blog)

my friend made - yes Made - me a rain chain.

I adore it.  it's made from heavy dog chain, and cute little buckets.

It makes me smile every single time I see it.

So Far Behind

~ I'm never gonna get caught up

~ After DC, we went everywhere - 5 states and a district in 10 days (DC, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.)

~ I was able to meet 3 blogging friends in person, but only took photos of one (which I've shared)

~ I went fabric and yarn shopping - didn't buy much of either.

~ We came home and the holidays were in full swing.

~ I was able to make some things happen this year by making them social (the holiday lights)

~ My friend Y and took Cuteness to see the gingerbread houses.

~ The theme this year was train stations and they were beautiful as always.

~ Cuteness loved the Merry Go Round.

~ Cuteness was scared of Santa

~ I did all my holiday sewing last minute.

~ It's still not done.

~ Saturday is my 17th Anniversary.

~I think I have enough apps on my phone.

~Anyone have a Nook?   I haven't downloaded a single book yet.

~The holidays are low key at our house and for that I'm thankful.

~Hope you had a holiday that was Merry and Bright and that you safely see in 2012.

~I miss this space and will make more efforts to be here more often in 2012.

~I miss my velveteen friends.

~Thank you all.

Back in the Groove

I'm trying to get back in the groove after vacation.  It's harder than it sounds.  Especially with the holidays right on the heels of that vacation. 

So, for those that don't know - we flew to Washington DC and then drove all over the East Coast - incluing Virginia, Maryland, Deleware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  I had real life meet ups with 3 bloggers which was lovely.  I was absolutely amazed by the architecture everywhere we went.  Today - I'll give you some photos of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument taken the night we arrived.  All photos where taken by JB and none of them have been edited. 

Visit - Part 2

In photos.

Brief description: Sunday we had brunch at the Space Needle restaurant.

Then we took monorail downtown, walked around Pike Place Market.

And just generally had fun. Enjoy our day.

Catch Up

 I've mentioned that The Princess came to visit last month, right?  It was 4 crazy, see everything possible in Seattle days. 

First stop on the tour?  Dick's Drive In and the Ballard Locks.  Seattle is full of public art - and the *kids* decided this was art to be played on.  You can see only one of my kids was acting like a monkey and hanging from the sculpture.  Kids!  You can't take them anywhere.  From left to right:  The Musical One, The Boy, and The Princess. 

We also went to Freemont and saw the Troll this day.

The above was a plaque I saw at the junk market we went to on my birthday - love it!

Have a fabulous week everyone - I hope to have some sewing and crafting to share soon.  

Toil or Trouble

What is with my face whenever I have photos taken?  Anyway - yesterday I did nothing but putter and play in the studio and I had a great day indeed!  

I plugged my sewing machine for the first time since the retreat - the first weekend in October! 

I bought this cute Halloween print at a local quilt shop this past summer - it was on clearance and I think I paid about $10 for 3 yards.  How could I pass it up?  It hung out all summer - but really the window for wearing a skirt that says "bubble, bubble, toil & trouble" is pretty limited.  So, After cleaning up the studio and putting away the summer fabrics - I found the Carolyn skirt pattern and got to work.

I added 4" of length to the pattern pieces and it's just about perfect.  The entire skirt was sewn with black thread, and because it's a quirky I didn't put a lot of effort into finishing the inside.  I did fold the seams under and topstitch them to keep the fabric from fraying.

Here's a close up of the print? Isn't is cute? I can honestly say that most people I work with didn't notice it was Halloween themed.  You can also see in the close up - the seam topstitched with the black thread.  Which is really a seam finishing technique.

The one most thrilled with the skirt?  The neighbors 3 year old son.  While I was putting candy in his bowl, he was pointing out witches, cats and bats.  But he couldn't find any ghosts!

Why Yes, I Did Fall Off the Face of the Earth

Those two (The Princess and The Boy) came to visit, there were birthdays, day trips and lots of running. 

Will catch up as soon as I recover. 

United We Stand

Being the dog lover that I am - as I think about the events of 9-11-01 and remember all who responded, I also think about the dogs and their handlers who responded. Some have already perished, sadly.



Moxie, 13, from Winthrop, Massachusetts, arrived with her handler, Mark Aliberti, at the World Trade Center on the evening of September 11 and searched the site for eight days.  Picture taken from an email - credits to Charlotte Dumas/Bancroft USA.



Charlotte Dumas, a photographer has travelled the country to take photographs of the remaining dogs.  Her book is titled Retrieved. 

I am so very grateful to all the police and fire personal who responded from around the country.  Who are still dealing with the remembrances of that day.

I am also so very grateful to the people who serve our country and continue to give sacrifices for a war that seems to be never ending. If you share your spouse with the military - thank you.

Go read Carolyn's account of her days surrounding September 11 - it's quite moving from someone who lives in NJ and works in NY.  And go check out Chan and Angie's posts. 

Perfect End to a Long Weekend

After a lovely long weekend (I don't work Fridays!) - JB and I capped the weekend off by going out to dinner and going to see The Help. 

Oh my.  First let me just say, I am shocked and appaled.  I have a very hard time understanding that people really believed the things that happened in that movie.  Believing that people who are a different color have different diseases?  Really?  And if you believe that - then please tell me why it's okay for them to fix your food, raise and love your babies, and clean your house.  And then - did any of those women think for themselves?  Seriously.  Anyway, I mean I know that it happened, but it was never, ever reality in my world.  It just baffles me.

Second - loved it!  I absolutely loved it.  This is a movie worth buying and watching over and over and over again.  The story is magical, the actors are fabulous.  I really started to love and care about these characters.  I'm sure the fact that I read the book first didn't hurt any.

I will say that I often want a continuance - even after finishing the book I wanted to know if Aibileen was okay.  What happened to her?

And the clothes were incredible - lots of inspiration there. 

Wedding #2

The lovely couple during their first dance.

It was very easy to see how happy and in love they are. 

This is what I wore to the second wedding.

This was a big party to celebrate.  Good times - indeed.

Wedding #1

On August 27, 2011 not one, but two of our friends got married.

Above is the bride.  I've known her since we were 10 or 11.

She's known her groom as long as I've known my husband.

The day was lovely and the Bride was beautiful.

Here I am with her grown son (he was the ring bearer at my wedding 16+ years ago).

Why?

Do brides do this to their friends?  My gradeschool friend is getting married next Saturday and has asked me to be in the wedding.  First, let me just say - I think there should be an age limit on being a bridesmaid - and when you're pushing 50 you're too old! 

Second - I don't care how thin you are - this dress is not flattering on anyone.  Well it's not horrible on the model, but that's not how it looks in real life.  This dress was originally $100 at JCPenney, and color we're waiting is a strange mauvy violet.

There is no waist defination that that model has in the photo.  And can I just say?  a 16 was too big for me but a 14 wouldn't zip over my bust!  My friends have all had a good laugh at that one.  My rib cage is wide, but my actual bust is small.  Today, I took it apart and let the bodice out as much as I could - about an inch and there is no room for anything but me under the dress.  Braless at a church wedding - aren't there rules about that?

Artsy Fartsy?

There is a beautiful weathered fence that I drive past every morning on my way to work. The homeowners put the 'good neighbor' side of the fence on the road side and then they planted flowers at the bottom.

At least twice a week, I see that and think I should bring my camera.  Friday - I headed out with my camera.

And the inspired by Kate Shawl.

When I walked back to my car, some people on the other side asked if it was a 'travelling shawl?'

Yarn Tour Continued

So between Wild Fibers and Beach Basket Yarns we went to more yarn shops - imagine, on a tour of local yarn shops, where else would you go?

So - First stop on today's recap - Knot Just Yarn.   This was a tiny little shop in Burlington with some of the best customer service ever.  The Musical One found yarn to knit a skirt.  They had no quite enough of the same dye lot.  So, first they called the distributor to see if they still had the same dye lot, while she was waiting for them to call back, the owner called the next 2 shops we were going to checking with them for the remainder of the dye lot she needed.  Yarn was found and purchased and they even threw in a free pattern that I had admired that another girl in the shop was knitting.  Sad that great customer service like that is so hard to find.

I bought a tank pattern and a hank of some pink and cream Dream in Color Classy that destined to become a Christmas present.

 After leaving Knot Just Yarn, we drove up the road to NW Handspun Yarns.  This was another amazing shop.  They had tons of fabulous roving, wheels and drop spindles.  (More and more I'm thinking of spinning - sssshhhh - don't say a word.)  When I go on these road trips - I'm looking for 2 things, first a great time with the girls, second yarns and fibers that I can't get at my home LYS.  Like this pretty little hank of Vashon sock made by Rain City Fiber Arts which is merino and silk.  It might not become socks. 

I also bought a 170 gram ball of Kauni yarn in shades of purple and grey.  This would bought specifically with a shawl pattern in mind.  When we last visited KAM, she took me to her LYS and I bought a beautiful pattern for a similar shawl (to the link).  However, the women there were so rude I refused to buy yarn from them and I've been on the lookout ever since.  This sang to me - told me what it wanted to be and begged to come home with me - seriously.  How could I refuse?

Next - we stopped by Boundary Bay where we had a fabulous lunch.  Seriously good food and local beer. 

Our last stop on the tour was still in Bellingham - which really is a charming city - at Apple Yarns.  Miss D bought me this beautiful hank of Huckleberry Knits - McIntosh which was a special color way specifically for Apple yarns. 

I love it.  This will definately become a pair of socks - possibly another pair of cottys. 

Hope you all enjoyed coming along on the tour.  If you ever want to come for a visit - I've kept the map, we can go to some of the shops we missed.