The Royalist asked me to set the next Creative Writing Competition. I haven’t – because I’ve been very caught up with dealing with the problems of this little ‘beauty‘ or should I say, beastie!
For the last four months it has been in for repair longer than it has been in use. I finally flipped this week (not a pretty sight!), and asked for a total refund… not only for the machine itself, but also for all the not-very-cheap ‘accessories that I have bought for it.
Fortunately, Consumer Affairs here are fantastic – not only do the laws expect such an expensive item to be ‘fit for purpose’ for considerably longer than warranties provide, but they will also deal with offending retailers and companies. The very loud bark of a Government Department carries a great deal more weight than the little yap of a single consumer. Thus, I’m getting a full refund – and have spent the last week trying to work out which machine I will get to replace it… Back to the Drawing Board!
It occurred to me, today, that this might be a good ‘theme’ for the next competition. The three words / phrases to include are:
1. Grinding
2. Burnt out
3. Success
Closing date midnight GMT 28th March.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Boadicea, what a pain!
(Don’t know why, but the links to the competitions don’t seem to be working on the right hand side bar….)
So that beast grinds and cooks as well? Amazing. 🙂
dear Boa, while you’re on the line, could you ask Ursus Major to insert the dates for the current comps? I think the Pomes ar due now! 🙂
Poems are due by 11th March, Janus.
Thanks for this, Boadicea, but what a shame that you have had such problems with your new machine.
I was beginning to think there had been an untimely demise in the Antipodes! Not suspecting that it was a mechanical demise!
If I might suggest. My sister is a professional in the field of machine embroidery, it might be worth taking her advice, she has ‘n’ machines and is always trying out new ones. She has earned her living at it for the last 20 years.
Her name is Marilyn Hornby and she can be reached at her web site patchfloradesigns.co.uk. Tell her you are an acquaintance of mine and I suggested you contact her. I shall not offer personal intercession as I am not au fait with machine embroidery and have no idea how to interpret your needs. She should be able to whittle down the list somewhat.
Janus – Two motors burnt out, the memory board failed and the embroidery unit squealed and grinded until it came to a dead stop!
Thanks for the advice Christina I have contacted your sister.