Where did I go wrong?

Of all the rotten things I've done, this is the pits. or is it pitts?

Some years ago DH bought me a new sewing machine, a Bernina artista 165, the love of my life. It was in this millennium but cannot date it exactly (04, maybe 05?).  At the time we also bought the Bernina Embroidery Software, Editor Version 4.0. Why I do not remember but it seemed like the thing to do at the time. Of course the idea of digitizing embroidery designs was so far beyond me I put it on the shelf and never opened it. Until last week. 

Needed to get a machine tune-up at Thimble Pleasures (the best shop ever), if only to get the machine out of the house for a time while cleaning up the office space.  Thing is I thought, why not pull out the software, learn how to use it and by the time we are re-located back into a house, I will be all set.

Not so. The Editor V.4 is no longer supported by Bernina, so Celeste tells me.  Needed a special cable with a USB port for my computer, got that at Intrex. Now home to ask DH (the resident I.T. Department), to help install. The question is: to install on my newer laptop with Windows 7 or on the older work station with Windows XP? So far we proved that it will not work on the laptop. And he's iffy about whether it will install on the older work station and if so what happens when we move into the new place, getting upgraded cable and Internet service and had planned not to take the older computer hard drives (?).  Now I may be screwed, not once but twice.

Why you ask did I even think I needed to do this now?  Not that I have a longing desire to do automatic embroidery (ugh!), but in the intervening years I have become well versed in Photoshop (CS5 version currently), began this blog and also upgraded my skills in Corel Draw (could use newer but not urgent).  With those learning curves behind me I am no longer intimidated by the software, so I thought - why not?

Apparently in this world of rapid evolution of all things Internet and computerized leaving anything for more than two years is a big mistake; maybe even a sin.  DH is bemoaning the effort to find compatibility and the initial cost of the software (peanuts compared to today's prices). Apparently the current software is not the answer as it is not compatible with my 'old' machine. The Bernina artista 730 uses the same embroidery module but not the 4.0 version of editor. Plus what I would really like is Auto Designer and Designer Plus which I find are not included in the 4.0 edition. Where did I go wrong?

For the morning I began working on a new table runner. This is so down-dirty-stupid I am almost ashamed to admit it.  Know those made-in-India shirts that are mega-patches of Madras cotton plaids that you often see?  Found a casual dress at the Goodwill of the patched-Madras with enough fabric yardage in the length of the dress to make a table runner. Not over sized, about 20 inches x 48 inches, plus some pointed-end solution that I have yet to devise.  Love the color combination of golds, umber and ochre plaids, it is mosaic-like in composition and will look perfect for fall. The notion that the plaids are already pieced and just stitching a border and backing makes it so-o-o easy. Actually this may be one of three or four table runner as I am now on a roll.  Stay tuned.

The one up-note for my day is that two new bathing suits from Land's End arrived, have tried them on to ascertain fit and am ready to head to the afternoon Aquacize class with Noriko at 2 pm. I need a cool dip and I need to think about something other than Editor 4.0 or dot-anything. And DH tells me his morning sojourn did not take him to the market. Dinner's on me. bb