ADVICE NEEDED...

So,  pondering if I should get a replacement Husqvarna, or a Brother VQ3000?

Who has a Brother sewing machine?  What do you think of them?

I have a 'baby' Brother machine, which has never given me a moments problem.  But I'm unsure about getting the much bigger, more advanced model (VQ3000).

The options are the Husqvarna or the Brother.  I have to get what the shop can supply me, what they stock.

 ABOVE:  The Brother VQ3000.

So... while you can tell me what you think during the day, I'm going out to test drive the Brother... if I can find a shop that sells it near here.  If not, I will go to Onehunga Sewing Machine World.  Pretty sure they will have it.
Maybe I will let my fingers do the 'walking' first eh?  Track one down first.
Yeah, that's a good idea.

Now I have a few more photos of little Paisley, she got her first groom:

ABOVE:  adorable Paisley.  She was the little puppy who snuffled and snorted a bit, and I was a bit concerned for her, but Denise assures me she is 100% OK now that her nostrils have grown a bit.   She's still so little!   I think her Labrador sibling is giving her a sniff cos she's been to the groomers and smells different.  Cute.

Right, I'm going... got to do me homework before committing to a new machine.  I don't want to get it wrong.  Or get another lemon!

Also... not sure how Dante was overnight... must ask Bex.  I know he was still unwell last night, poor wee man.

ONWARD...

Well.. I found a shop that had a Brother VQ3000 demo model... so I hot footed it over to Sewing World in Onehunga and asked to be given a demo.
I'M IN LOVE.  The machine is amazing.  It has 531 different stitches, compared to Husqvarna's 175, and while it's not got a couple of the features the Husqvarna has, I think it's probably going to be my next machine.  

I hope I am making the right choice!

Bloody hell... Bex is in the kitchen making a hooah of a noise! What is she doing???

Oh... OK, she's making lollie cake for their Playcenter.  They are selling cakes etc in Manurewa tomorrow.  It's Playcenter Awareness Week apparently. 

I just spoke to Carol at the New Lynn shop, she rang Richard, the importer of Husqvarna's into NZ, and he is going to FIX the bloody machine AGAIN!
My heart sank.  It sounded like I was going to be forced to take Lemony back!

But no.  Carol assures me I don't have to take him back, I can and will be getting the Brand New Brother.  I may have to stump up with a little cash to bridge the difference, but I don't mind.   She is going to let me know the outcome as soon as the shop owner is back... (27th March).

Funny how things can change in just a few minutes.
I just got a phone call from Carol... and she must have spoken to the owner of their shop (Steve N.) and ... and... and... she is ORDERING my brand new Brother VQ3000 TODAY, and it will be ready for me to pick up next week!!!

AND... I can go over there and get a free lesson on how to use it too.  I am beyond happy.  

BJN:  The Lemon cover will be gifted to the new owner of Lemony.  There is NO WAY I am going to jinx my new machine with a Lemon Cover!

I am going to wait and see what sort of cover the Brother Dreamweaver comes with, and maybe make it a new cover if it's not a pretty one.  It's bound to be a hardcover, standard white.

I am now busy gathering all the bits 'n' pieces that belong to Lemony, so I can return EVERYTHING to the shop next week.

After that I am going to be sewing the label on the back of Rena's Ballerina, then it will be finally finished.  I don't know why it's taken me so long to get it finished.   I think I was just being fussy on how it looked.  I don't like to send anything out without being at least 99% happy with it.

What is lollie cake/slice?

Crushed up Malt Biscuits, chopped up Eskimo sweets, Condensed milk and hot butter all mixed together, rolled into a sausage shape, rolled over coconut and put in the fridge to set.  Sliced up into wedges.  Very sweet, very addictive, very evil.  But oh so yum.
I've not made any in a couple of years, cos I love it!

DANTE: is a bit better.  Still not 100%.  He does a fart... then his face looks really puzzled, cos they are liquid farts!  I'm so glad he's Bex's baby!
He isn't eating normally yet either... just bits and pieces, no full meal yet.
I'm sure he will come right over the next few days.

CHRISTINE!  You must live near Denise if you are getting morning cuddles with Paisley!  You lucky thing. 

End of Day:  the best day in ages in relation to my sewing machine from hell.  Lemony is never coming home again!  He is no longer my problem.  I just hope if he gets sold the new owner doesn't have too many problems with him... but something tells me they will.
nite nite

It's going to be a long night.

Griffin has been vomiting for about 5 hours.

OH HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY.

WONDER who will be next?