Wordless Wednesday My Sewing Thread Collection

We purchased all this sewing thread and the holder it all fits into for $25 at a local antique shop.

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.

Lil Miss Dolls & Friends Review

I happened upon this very charming website the other day because they added me on twitter and I have to share with all of you! Katrina Marie is exceptionally talented! She makes these very cute mod looking stylish dolls and has been selling them and their patterns on Etsy and Artfire. Now she has just opened the doors to a new website about the dolls. She and her associates will be developing the website and adding more to it soon so stay tuned. Coming soon to the collection of seven girl dolls will be patterns and pre-made: clothing, Lil Sis dolls (which are smaller 18" dolls), Lil Pets (15" cloth toys), Friends (model friends and guy friends). You can even buy a kit so you won't have to spend your whole week looking for supplies to make the dolls or you could purchase a cottage license to sew and sell your own dolls. These dolls are safe for babies or children and are totally customizable to look like your child!! How cool is that!?

Anyway, for all you bloggers out there you can download a free pattern in PDF format for her Lil Miss MISSY Doll! Just make sure to spread the good word on your blogs about them. They also have the instructions on how to make the dolls on their tutorial webpage also as a free PDF download. So enjoy these freebies while you can!!

A Welcome Home and a Visit to Tatiana

My husband came home last night from a long stay in Orlando, Florida because of a family emergency (I will not be going into that...so, don't ask). Anyway, I was glad he was home. I missed him so much while he was away!! He had me order Red Lobster and he picked it up on his way home from the airport. It was delicious! We settled in for the night and watched episodes of Lost and Heroes that we had missed.

Today he treated all of us (minus one, Tatiana) to a breakfast at the Pancake House. Double yum!! Then he drove us to Portland to see Tatiana. She has been staying at the Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children since April 6, 2009. I couldn't believe it when I walked in to see her. She had gotten a very cute haircut since the last time I saw her and lost two of her bottom baby teeth. I gave her lots of loves, kisses, and hugs and after about two hours visiting we had to leave. I was sad to go without her again. I will be so glad when she is stable enough to come back home. I miss her terribly and I have missed a month roughly of her growing up. She has also missed stuff at home: Easter 2009, Teela's first Birthday, etc. I wish I could be there with her like I was almost every hospital stay she had, but then I would be missing the same stuff with my other kids and this is supposed to be for my respite. It breaks my heart that I had to leave her, but I know she is in good hands! Hopefully she can come home soon.