During the last week of January I saw a really cute idea for a Valentine's wreath from http://www.theidearoom.net/2010/01/felt-heart-wreath.html. (Sorry, for some reason my html link thingy isn't working so you'll have to cut & paste).
I thought it looked like a cute and simple project I could work on one night while watching a chic flick. I was actually excited because I haven't done anything crafty in awhile. I like to sew and quilt, but I often don't have time to work on a big project. I liked the idea of taking a few hours and completing a project that I could put on our front door and add to the joy of the lovey dovey holiday. All I needed to buy was a styrofoam heart wreath form and 3/4 yard of felt. Back in January I went to Joann's and bought some pretty fuschia felt and then searched the store for a heart wreath form. Ummmm, they were nowhere to be found. Apparently I'm not the only one in Orem, Utah with the heart wreath idea. So, I special ordered one and it was supposed to arrive a few days later. Fast forward to today...March 2nd...I still don't have a heart wreath form. I gave up on the idea when Valentine's Day came and went. I was disappointed, but I got over it...until today and the experience I had when I tried to get my money back.
So, I get to Joann's with my 6 year old son who just had two cavities filled at the dentist and our 2 yr old daughter who is already having a melt down for no apparent reason. I should have walked out the door right then, but I'm stubborn and I was already there, so I kept going. A return shouldn't take very long right? WRONG!!!!
I waited in line and I returned the nonexistent heart wreath form that yes, I had already paid for. Luckily I had saved the receipt in my big, fat George-like wallet (from Seinfeld, remember?) The problem came when I wanted to return the fabric. I had to get out of the return line and go wait in the endless line at the fabric cutting station to have my fabric measured and my receipt stamped before I could get my money back.
So I walked over to the cutting area, while carrying my crying 25 lb daughter, her care bear, and my heavy winter coat because I was breaking out in a sweat (it's 50 degrees out so I have no idea why I was wearing it). I grabbed number 26 and noticed that the number ticker thingy was already on number 18. So I only had to wait for 7 numbers before my own. That shouldn't take long, right? WRONG!!!! It took 40 minutes!!!! With a crying baby throwing a fit, that felt like an eternity!!!! There were only two workers measuring and cutting fabric, which isn't a big deal unless there is a mother-daughter pair hogging one of the workers and having 20 bolts of fabric measured and cut and making decisions and being wishy washy!!! Seriously! They were still there when my turn finally came and went.
And guess what... Joann's usually doesn't accept returns unless it is more than a yard. Ummm, excuse me? Couldn't the first cashier have told me that before I waited 40 minutes to have my 3/4 yard of felt measured? In my sassy old age, I am not accepting that and walking away, especially after waiting 6 weeks for a heart wreath form that never arrived, thanks to Joann's. You better bet I'm going to get my little receipt stamped. And I did. And I got my money back, all $5.78 of it!
I just don't think all of that hassle was worth it. And I realize...THAT'S WHY I DON'T DO CRAFTS!!!!!! I remember that it is a hassle almost every time I want to make something. I can't find what I am looking for or I have to wait forever to have fabric or ribbon cut. Does anyone else have this problem? Is this just a Utah problem or are fabric stores in the rest of the coutry as crowded? The mono-culture here kills me sometimes.
That being said, Brian and I are going to participate in the mono-culture tonight. We have tickets to the BYU men's basketball game! Go Jimmer!!! Maybe I can get some of my aggression out while I am screaming my head off in the Marriott Center...while wearing my glasses!!!!
