Singer ZigZag Chainstitch Toy Sewing Machine Review... Why I Took This Back to the Store!

We bought my daughter Teela a Singer ZigZag Chainstitch Toy Sewing Machine Model A2207 (the new model for 2014) for Christmas this year. This gift was intended to be an pleasant experience for her to begin to learn to sew. Instead it was an utter disappointment. I guess I should have known since it was a "toy", but I was expecting something a lot better from Singer.

Teela posing with the toy sewing machine she received for Christmas before the headache began.

Problems we had:

• The machine runs on 4 x 1.5V LR6 "AA" batteries that are not included.
• On/Off switch is hard to push into position.
• The machine is very loud while running.
• The tension is difficult to get right and the tension dial comes off completely if dialed too much.
• Thread breaks easily while sewing with the machine.
• There is no bobbin, so no under/bottom threading to lock top threading to fabric.
• Both the zigzag and chainstitch comes out/unravels too easily.
• Can only "sew" light fabrics and paper crafts.
• It is nearly impossible to re-thread or change the needle. You need to unscrew the guard/protective cover every time you need to re-thread the needle or change the needle. This is very time consuming and requires a small screw driver the sewing machine doesn't come with.
• Spool compartment and storage compartment is hard to open and close.

Things we liked:

• It has cute alluring designs and packaging.
• It is lightweight.
• It has a carrying handle.
• Safety guard over the needle doesn't let little fingers be sewn.
• Pressure foot can be lifted up and down with a lever on the back like a real sewing machine.
• It comes with project materials (2 pieces of fabric that are already sized correctly for the project, 1 ribbon, 1 flower applique, 1 butterfly applique) and instructions to make your own bookmark.
• It comes with operators manual.
• The spool compartment holds 3 spools of thread that are included.
• Has a small storage compartment that holds a measuring tape, needle threader, and plastic needle that also comes with the machine.
• Foot pedal is sized for little feet.

We were both very frustrated and annoyed with the Singer ZigZag Chainstitch Toy Sewing Machine. We couldn't even finish the bookmark project because the stitches kept coming out. Then the thread came completely out of the needle and I had to try to re-thread it. After trying for about an hour to do so, I gave up. We ended up taking the toy sewing machine back to Walmart and getting our money back. I do not recommend this toy sewing machine to anyone!

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: I did not receive any compensation for this post. I purchased this product myself and wanted to post this information to advise my readers of my thoughts about it so that they wouldn't go through the same headache as I did.

Rod Stewart Time CD Review

I received this music for free to facilitate this review. This post has affiliate links.

Time by Rod Stewart is his first album of new material in nearly 20 years that was released May 7th. It was while writing his autobiography that the music just came to him. Rod says, "I've written all those hits in the past then just couldn't do it. But my book was a little ray of sunshine. All those memories and talking about loved ones started me thinking."

This album is a very personal one for Rod. It really sounds like it could be a soundtrack to his autobiography. I love his signature raspy voice. This is a great album.

Rod Stewart with Guitar.

Track Listing and My Thoughts:

1. She Makes Me Happy is an upbeat song that is a tribute to Rod's newest wife Penny. It is a wonderful love song about how she made him a better man. I love the mix of guitars, mandolin and dulcimer in this with the percussion.
2. Can’t Stop Me Now is about Rod's career in music and about how thankful he is for his talent. It has a great up beat rock beat. This song is inspired by Rod's dad, Robert, who passed away in 1990.
3. It’s Over is a lament about the break-ups Rod has had. In particular it is about his divorce from second wife Rachel Hunter, which broke his heart when she left. It is a great soulful ballad.
4. Brighton Beach is a tender ballad about Rod's first love. It was the song that kick-started Rod Stewart's Time album.
5. Beautiful Morning recounts a trip to a beach in San Francisco with one of his loves. It is a great song about how good life is.
6. Live The Life is a song about growing up doing what you love and loving the life you live. I love the harmonica in this one.
7. Finest Woman has some really rockin' guitars and some nice horns. This is also inspired by Rod's latest wife Penny.
8. Time is about Rod's past loves. It has some really nice vocals.
9. Picture In A Frame is the only cover on this album. It is originally by Tom Waits. It is a slow dance song that is kind of melancholy.
10. Sexual Religion is an upbeat song with some keyboards, guitars, and sax. It also has some background female vocals that I love. I absolutely dig the saxophone! This is also inspired by Rod's wife Penny.
11. Make Love To Me Tonight is a country number that has a Celtic feel. I love the beat and violin.
12. Pure Love is a slow sad, moving song. I love the strings and piano in this one. The orchestra solo in the middle is really pretty too.

BUY IT
Purchase Rod Stewart Time through iTunes or Amazon.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to One2One Network, the women's word of mouth marketing network, for providing me with this opportunity and free copy of the album in advance to review as part of a campaign to spread the word. All information about the products I received from the official press release, email from One2One Network, the Rod Stewart website. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. This post has affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog!

Michael Bublé To Be Loved CD Review

I received this music for free to facilitate this review. This post has affiliate links.

To Be Loved by Michael Bublé is his newest and 8th studio album that just was released April 23rd. This heart melting Grammy winner from Canada covers songs by Frank Sinatra, The Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Van Morrison, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and more; as well as singing with Reese Witherspoon, Bryan Adams, Naturally 7 and The Puppini Sisters. This CD has 10 golden standard cover songs and 4 original songs co-written by Bublé. To Be Loved is a reflection of Bublé's bliss at home with his wife and he is about to become a new father. Bublé states, "I want to take you on a wonderful journey about love—all different kinds of love," Bublé says. "The album swings big time: it rocks, it’s soulful, it’s happy, sometimes a little sad. It’s romantic, it’s yummy, and it’s heartfelt."

This album is one of the artist's most diverse albums yet. It truly shows Bublé's range and perfection of his voice. I love the diversity of it. This crooner has an amazing voice and is a great performer as well, just watch his YouTube videos and you will see that. I love how Bublé has branched out and also created some of his own songs as well for the album. I also think that my favorite track on this CD is Close Your Eyes.

Track Listing and My Thoughts:

1. You Make Me Feel So Young has a great big band in the background that really gets the song going. You just want to snap your fingers to the music and sing along to this cover that was also sung by notable musicians like: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Perry Como. 
2. It's a Beautiful Day is a great original by Bublé. It has a wonderful upbeat tune and a great music video complete with a unicorn shaped cloud, rainbow and animated bird that lands on Bublé's hand. 
3. To Love Somebody is a soulful version of the Bee Gees cover song and has a music video showing an all girl band in the background that are dressed as 60's Go Go Girls complete with white Go Go Boots and black and white patterned dresses. 
4. Who's Lovin' You starts out and ends with the crooner soulfully belting his voice out in this Motown classic. This great song was originally performed by notable singers such as: The Miracles, The Temptations, The Supremes and The Jackson 5.
5. Somethin' Stupid is a song most notably sung by Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy. Bublé sings a duet with Reese Witherspoon in his rendition. 
6. Come Dance With Me is a great jazzy song with big band sound that has been also sung by Frank Sinatra and Barry Manilow. I definitely love dancing to this one. It has a great cha cha beat.
7. Close Your Eyes is a anthem to women everywhere and it a gorgeous song. Bublé says, "I wrote Close Your Eyes about my wife and about the power of all the women in my life—my sisters, my mom, my grandma and all women in general. Let’s face it, where would we be without them?"
8. After All starts out with the bright sound of horns. It is sung with a melding of Bublé's voice and Bryan Adams'. I love the great harmony.
9. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? is usually sung country, but Elvis Presley also did a version of this song too. This version has feels a little like elevator music to me. Naturally 7 backs up Bublé with their aaahs, Have I Told You Latelys, It's No Good With Out Yous, Oh My Darlings and Oooooohs.
10. To Be Loved is a song written by Motown Record's founder Berry Gordy, JR and put in the The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown Album in 1995. Bublé's version sounds like it came right out of an old R&B record in a jukebox. I love it!
11. You've Got A Friend In Me is a song written and sung by Randy Newman on Disney's Toy Story. I dislike Newman's voice. Bublé definately sings this song better!!
12. Nevertheless (I'm in Love with You) is a soft rock song that has been sung by other notable singers like: Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Bing Crosby, Olivia-Newton John, Rod Stewart and The Andrews Sisters. Bublé does a very nice version with the The Puppini Sisters.
13. I Got It Easy is a song by Bublé that is about counting his blessings and serves as a reminder to him and everyone to appreciate all the good parts of life. Bublé says, "I'm a very lucky guy and I never want to forget it."
14. Young At Heart is a ballad originally sung by Frank Sinatra. Bublé's version is just as swoon worthy.

Bublé Looking Dapper in his Suit, Rockin' the Bowtie...because Bowties are Cool ;)

BUY IT
You can purchase To Be Loved by Michael Bublé at Amazon.com for $11.99.

DISCLOSURE/DISCLAIMER: Thanks to One2One Network, the women's word of mouth marketing network, for providing me with this opportunity and a instant digital download of the album in advance to review as part of a campaign to spread the word. All information about the products I received from the official press release, email from One2One Network, the Michael Bublé website. By posting, I am eligible for incentives. My thoughts are mine and my family's own opinion and have not been altered by anyone else. I did not receive any other compensation for doing this review. This post has affiliate links. Thanks for supporting my blog!