Absence makes the heart grow fonder...

I got to pick up my Bernina over the weekend. And I'm happy to say it's running well! And for those of you who know the place I used for service, they stood behind the machine and did the repairs at no charge! Yay! I'm so happy to have it back.

That's my Supernova getting quilted. I don't have much else to show since I've been helping a friend out with a project that can't be shown. But I do have a little PSA. Don't cut binding when you are tired! We were having some seriously early mornings last week due to a child who can't tell time. I decided to do continuously cut bias binding while I was a little sleepy and made a mistake when lining up my drawn lines. Instead of one strip or a bunch of loops, I wound up with double wide binding!

It was easy enough to fix. I just had to cut it in half and sewed the two strips together, but it was funny all the same.

Another sewing hiatus?

The verdict is in. I took the machine to the repair place and they've kept it to make adjustments. I'm seriously annoyed. I have a Bernina and it wasn't cheap. Meanwhile I've had it in I think 4 times in the last year and 2 months that I've owned it. That's way too much right?  I'm thinking they shouldn't be charging me for this latest repair. Especially since it was just in for repair in January after having been tuned in November. Am I right or am I just angry?

The other thing I'm aggravated about is the service. They tell me the sewing machine man will be in on Friday. But oh wait, since it's a holiday, he may be in a different day. But - they don't know. And all the rentals are gone, so call to see if they come back and if the repair man has come in.
Really? Do they not know I'm going through withdrawal without my machine? I think my future career should be sewing machine repair. First so I can take care of my junk machine and second because it seems like a pretty flexible job no?

sigh.

I've let them know I'm not happy with it. I think when I go back I'm going to ask about any buy back or trade in programs they may have. The problem is all they sell is Bernina and Brother and I don't think I want either of those.


At any rate. My type A tendencies are going a little crazy during naptime without a sewing machine. I always have to have a project. I've been cleaning my closet and pulling out my spring and summer clothing. I also did some more fabric organizing.

And I think this project is next on my list. Warning - bad photos ahead!

 This is my main floor powder room, you know, the one guests get to see? It's where country floral went to die. There is not only a border on the top of the room...

There's one on the bottom too! And that pinky red color? That's a striped wallpaper too.

My favorite? The balloon valance and lacey cafe curtain. It's hard to see, but it's fabulous. And really, this is a first floor bathroom - how about some privacy?

Thankfully the previous owners did update the sink and toilet so they are nice. All this really needs is wallpaper stripped and painted and replace the window treatments. I'm nervous about peeling the wallpaper though because the walls are plaster. Hubby has scared me by saying it might not come off smooth and then we'll have to wallpaper over it! Have you removed paper from plaster? Any tips??

Also I haven't decided on what color to paint this room. For reference, the room that leads to this is our laundry room and it's that burgundy/red that was pretty popular a few years ago. And the tile on the floor is kind of a mottled pink. The rest of the downstairs is either white or a neutral peachy/orange. The bathroom is really tiny so I'm afraid to go dark. What do you think? I was kind of thinking light gray since I've been on a gray kick. Have you done a gray that you love? I'd love ideas.

Saturday Sewing Day

On Saturday I went to my first Philly MQG Sewing day. It was a dreary rainy day so it was perfect for staying inside and sewing. And so much fun to hang out with the fun PMQG members. If you've been thinking of joining, you absolutely should, everyone is very friendly and fun.

Here's part of the group going about their business. Yes, we have a foozball table and a pool table at our location. And amazingly, no one played! Everyone was way too busy sewing, chatting and getting a sugar buzz.

I was working on my Postage Stamp quilt. This was the perfect place for me to do the quilting. Quilting is my least favorite part of the whole process. It just gets so monotonous and I hate fighting the weight and bulk of a quilt. So I loved being able to stop and walk around and chat when I needed a break from it. And I got input on what I was doing too.

I'm happy to say I got the quilting finished during sewing day and I'm now binding it. Hope to have finished photos soon.

Here's my table. Both Anna and I were working on Central Park projects. Actually, I believe there were 4 of us there working on Central Park - it's what all the cool kids are doing.
Speaking of cool kids, the most exciting part of the day for me was finding out that the coolest kid of all, Miss Tula Pink herself, had posted about me on Facebook. My inner sewing nerd went berserk! She posted about my Cameo Hoop. I am so excited that she saw it. And even more excited that she thought it was worthy of posting!
And the mystery of the day....

Candi was sewing and her thread popped out of the needle without breaking!! Crazy. Anyone ever see that before?
So everyone keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm taking my sewing machine to the local dealer/service store today to have them take a look at it. I'm sure they are going to tell me nothing is wrong with it. But it is seriously frustrating me. My thread breaks on the top and I'm constantly cleaning it and changing the needles. After discussions with everyone over the weekend. I KNOW this isn't normal so hopefully I know enough to convince the service shop. But at the same time - I hope they don't have to keep it!

Commisioned quilt?

First of all, I have to thank the lovely Susanne of Susanne Loves for awarding me the Stylish blogger award again. This is despite my last post which included probably the most UNstylish photos of me ever!  Instead of boring you with another 7 facts about me (mostly because I really struggled with the first 7), I will encourage you to go visit Susanne. She's pretty hysterical, makes fantastic quilts and takes beautiful photos of them! And she can make a mean potholder (I should know, these live at my house!)

I'm also writing to share pictures of the beautiful fabric that arrived at my house yesterday....

I'm super excited. My mom wants me to make her a quilt and picked out Aviary 2 from Joel Dewberry. She's got good taste!
So is it a commissioned quilt when it's your mom? She is paying for it, but you know... it's my mom! I'm thinking that doesn't count.
She's decided on the Birdbath pattern from Elizabeth Hartman's The Practical Guide to Patchwork. But she wants me to make it King size.

Now we just need to decide on her solid for the backgrounds. She wants white because she lives in FL, I'm worried it will be a bit too stark against these fabrics. What do you think? I have to send these to her for her input. Not sure how much contrast she wants. Here's the batch with Kona Snow..

 And here it is with white...

I still have to order the solids for this one. Time to sit down with my Kona card.  I'm definitely excited to work on this one.

However, my Bernina seems to be giving me grief again. It's running like a freaking train. It's so loud. I'm having commuter flashbacks as I sew. Seriously, I'm not happy about it. Anyone have this happen to them? I know I run it hard, but I just had it serviced before the holidays. I've changed the needle and cleaned out the bobbin area several times. It runs quiet for about 5 minutes and then starts up again. I'm so aggravated. I need to limp it through this weekends PMQG sewing day. I'm afraid I'm going to have to forgo EQ7 to get myself a back up sewing machine with the way this thing keeps needing service. Any ideas?

Argh! My machine

Okay I need to vent to people who understand!! My sewing machine is giving me problems again. I just had it in for service over Thanksgiving. It's now running very loud and my top thread keeps breaking. Aurefil again.

I've got to take it back in for service again. This machine is only a year old. What gives? Am I using it too much?! It's a Bernina 230. What kind of machine do you have? Do you like it, have you had problems? I can't get another machine already. Please tell me this is a blip and my machine will be fine. I'm already having withdrawal and I just put it away 15 minutes ago.