Third Time Really Is A Charm

 Finally ... a real day off where I had absolutely nothing to do.  Of course that didn't last long after watching the second of many Christmas love stories where the guy always gets the gal, or vice versa.

 I was so excited to get back to embroidering since my machine was now repaired.  Here I sit.  I can't remember a single thing about how to embroider.  Sewing ... yes.  Just hit the button.  Embroidery is another animal altogether.

First you need a pattern, of which I have many.  Wasn't I surprised when I discovered all the patterns are on CD's and my new computer doesn't have a CD reader built in.  I have not one, but TWO readers I can plug in.  Too bad they are both in Arizona.  

As I looked around longingly, I spotted my oldest laptop.  I have to give it up for Apple's MacBook machines.  Every time I plug in the charger, they work like a charm.  This one has both a CD reader AND a USB port to copy all those 8,978 patterns to a thumb drive.  YAHOO, I'm back in business!!

With the USB finally plugged in to the embroidery machine, I'm at a loss to figure out just how it works.  I'm pushing buttons and getting error messages right and left.  I began with what I thought was the beginning, the flower.

Turns out that was the END.  Scrap that one since they have to be done in order.  At last I was on my way, only to discover the bobbin thread ran out.  I remember the lady saying to use those pre-wound ones.  Hmmmmm this doesn't look good.  Not good at all!!

These designs will pucker a little bit, but this is really bad.  Big sigh!!  Looks like its going to take round THREE before I figure it out.  Then I remembered ..... for whatever reason, the machine pulls the bobbin thread up through to the top.  Therefore ...... no pre-wound thread for me.

And so began round three as I contemplated all that wasted expensive thread.  As you can tell, the end result is quite different.  And so, the third time was a charm, except now I'm pretty sure I will run out of material required to make this Birds Of The 50 States quilt.  It looks like it will be Birds Of The 48 States instead.

It literally took all day to get two finished products.  At this rate it's going to take some time to finish this one since this is only Alabama and Alaska.

By the way, I Googled intermittent cruise control problems and came up with a million of the same question, with not many answers other than it could be twelve different things, all requiring a trip to the repair shop.  That means $$$$$$$$.  I think I'll just wait until it decides to come back on.  Worst case, I'll drive my Jeep.

In other upcoming events, are you ready to turn the time back??