If it looks too good, it probably is too good. In this age of internet shopping, we can become victim to all kinds of fraud. I have come across some ads on social media lately for products that just seem to be priced way too low. So I did some investigating and you know what? I was right. These usually fall into one of the following categories.

Knockoffs:

This is when someone copies another person’s/company’s product. Can be a sewing notion, pattern, picture, etc. This often ends up in a legal mess, but the damage may already have been done. Dealing with international copyright and patent laws is best left up to the lawyers. But guess what? As soon as ABC company is caught, they reappear as Company XYZ. Same people; new name.

The scary thing is they look legit with addresses in your country of residence. They have stores that take credit cards, just like the stores you use on a regular basis. Chances are if you actually receive the product, the quality will be far inferior to what was described. Continue reading “Too Good To Be True!” →

My house was hit by lightning.

An important reminder that we often take modern conveniences for granted. Electricity, hot and cold running water, access to the internet, and communicating by telephone are a few that pop into my head. Then there’s indoor cooking; with the holidays approaching, I have cooking on my mind.

I am lucky. There was no fire; it hit a metal chimney and then ran havoc thru my home trying to ground itself. Which it did, in multiple places. One being the hot water heater where it toasted the gas connection and yes that caused a gas leak. Again lucky, as I came home within a few hours and immediately smelled gas. The clues kept coming over the next 24 hours; kitchen appliances, HVAC, ceiling fans, Audio/Visual equipment, phone lines, internet, outdoor timers and circuit boards. Some of these items are hard-wired so “unplugging” isn’t an option; others had surge protectors and some did not.

My die-hard habit of unplugging my sewing equipment when not in use most likely saved me from not only thousands of dollars more in insurance claims but also the heartbreak of not being able to use them during this stressful time. Even a few minutes at a machine is helpful.

How can you prepare for an electrical event?

. Continue reading “Ways to protect your sewing equipment from an electrical event.” →

Yes, this is actually my sewing studio. My daughter lovingly refers to this space as “Mom’s Pretentious Sewing Room.” Most days, it looks like this. On rare occasions, it doesn’t. Not exactly ready for the TV crew.  This morning I was looking for my Westalee Spacing Gauge. If you’ve ever done ruler work, you know how valuable this little tool can be, I own 3 of them. I could not put my hands on one of them, and then I looked around and saw myself in the middle of an I SPY book.  Great activity if you want to distract a child.

My first thought was that I should be embarrassed; most quilters would never admit to this mess, let alone take a picture. Then it hit me. I can not be alone. I am willing to bet that there are many other sewing spaces that look just like this. Be honest, what does your space look like?

I spy with my little eye……numerous coffee mugs, a pill bottle, an owl, flamingos, a snowman…

Oh Look! Fabric!