I worked this weekend, but managed to squeeze in a bit of sewing time. I sewed my blocks together for the Central Park baby quilt, and am so pleased with the happy, light-hearted results. I left out the pink/purple colorway, but saved the blocks and scraps to make a baby girl themed quilt (if that need ever arises!).
As I mentioned previously, the pattern is Elsie and Paige, Sisters Forever by Carlene Westberg. If you click on the link, you will see her original larger sized quilt using the full line of Central Park fabrics. Central Park is a design by Kate Spain for Moda, and if you can, do get yourself some. Such a great collection. I will be sending this quilt out for quilting in the next week or so.
What I did do this weekend was get myself into a bit of car related trouble. Of course my husband was out of town. I was on my way to work on Saturday morning, when I stopped off at Jamba Juice for my Orange Dream Machine with Immunity Boost (which I think has kept me healthy all winter long). After getting my drink, I put my key in the ignition to start the car, and the key snapped right off. Actually, it sort of exploded, leaving the metal shaft in the ignition.
Inside the key, there are brains that make the car do all sorts of things. You can lock the car, pop the trunk, set off a panic alarm, and most importantly, start the car. This is no ordinary key, so if yours explodes like mine did, do not be thinking you can just go to a locksmith to have a new one made. Oh no.
My key broke off leaving the metal part still in the ignition. I could sort of turn it, but the car wouldn't start. Turns out the brains of the key need to be right there next to the metal part by the ignition for things to work properly. And my key's brains were in three or four pieces on the floor of my car. Too far away to be effective.
My son was planning to go out of town that day as well, to meet with his thesis advisor down in San Luis Obispo, but I managed to catch him just before he headed out. He rescued me, and managed to put the key back together kinda sorta. Enough to start the car and drive it to the dealership. Otherwise, I would have had to pay to have it towed.
To make a long story short, only your Honda dealer can make a new key for you and program the electronics so that it works just with your car. And they can charge anything they want for this service, because they are the only ones who can provide the service. My dealer charged $185, which I think is OUTRAGEOUS for a key. Even a key with brains. They could charge $2000 and we would have to pay it.
Can you tell I am annoyed about that?
Whew. Glad I got that off my chest. Look for happier quilt related posts the rest of the week! And I will try my best to stay out of trouble.
42 responses to “Central Park Baby Quilt”
Yeah, those new fangled keys are rather costly. At least yours broke off in the ignition…I actually cleaned off a cabinet a couple years back and put one of mine in the trash, never to be found again. I think then it was about $150 to replace that one…I treat them like 24kt gold now!
Yeah, those new fangled keys are rather costly. At least yours broke off in the ignition…I actually cleaned off a cabinet a couple years back and put one of mine in the trash, never to be found again. I think then it was about $150 to replace that one…I treat them like 24kt gold now!
Wow, Nicole, that is a lot of money! My brainy Lexus key broke a few years ago and my local locksmith got me a new one less expensively than the Lexus dealer was going to charge. Too bad Honda isn’t as easy . . . .
Wow, Nicole, that is a lot of money! My brainy Lexus key broke a few years ago and my local locksmith got me a new one less expensively than the Lexus dealer was going to charge. Too bad Honda isn’t as easy . . . .
It is in the air (stars?). My family has been taking turns with auto problems too. It is outrageous that only the dealers can have exclusives on these fixes too! Love the fabrics for the happy quilt. My youngest daughter is due the end of the month and has recieved many beautiful homemade things for our next grandson. Personalized hand made things are so special. Can’t wait to hear the gender of yours…….Best wishes G.
It is in the air (stars?). My family has been taking turns with auto problems too. It is outrageous that only the dealers can have exclusives on these fixes too! Love the fabrics for the happy quilt. My youngest daughter is due the end of the month and has recieved many beautiful homemade things for our next grandson. Personalized hand made things are so special. Can’t wait to hear the gender of yours…….Best wishes G.
The baby quilt turned out really pretty! I like that you left out the purple fabrics.
Thanks so much for sharing your key-brain trouble. I have a Honda, too, and your PSA will remind me to be VERY careful with my key. 🙂
The baby quilt turned out really pretty! I like that you left out the purple fabrics.
Thanks so much for sharing your key-brain trouble. I have a Honda, too, and your PSA will remind me to be VERY careful with my key. 🙂
Love the Central Park baby quilt and it is delightfully lighthearted! The speed piecer has done it again!
Bummer about the car key. That Honda dealer (or Honda) is committing robbery. I have a 16 year old Honda with a normal stupid key!
Hugs!
Love the Central Park baby quilt and it is delightfully lighthearted! The speed piecer has done it again!
Bummer about the car key. That Honda dealer (or Honda) is committing robbery. I have a 16 year old Honda with a normal stupid key!
Hugs!
How do you manage to turn out such beauties every time with so little time to work on them?
Too bad about the key – that money could have been better spent on fabric (lol).
How do you manage to turn out such beauties every time with so little time to work on them?
Too bad about the key – that money could have been better spent on fabric (lol).
Now that’s a key problem I haven’t heard of before. You always do things so creatively. 🙂
Love the quilt! Bright and cheery.
Now that’s a key problem I haven’t heard of before. You always do things so creatively. 🙂
Love the quilt! Bright and cheery.
Adorable quilt! I have some Central Park 2.5″ charms and a baby quilt would be a great use of them.
Dealers are notorious for overcharging but this is a pretty amazing amount of $$$. Sheesh!
Adorable quilt! I have some Central Park 2.5″ charms and a baby quilt would be a great use of them.
Dealers are notorious for overcharging but this is a pretty amazing amount of $$$. Sheesh!
Beautiful quilt…..I love Central Park! Car troubles always happen to me when my DH is out of town! I’m glad you able to get it fixed, but sorry about the ridiculous price.
Beautiful quilt…..I love Central Park! Car troubles always happen to me when my DH is out of town! I’m glad you able to get it fixed, but sorry about the ridiculous price.
Note that in the situation where there are multiple (smart) keys for a modern Honda, you need to reprogram them all together. The reprogramming step doesn’t need tools, and you can do it yourself; it’s a matter of turning it to a certain position in the ignition, listening for clicks, and pressing the buttons in the right order. (I think it’s a Honda secret, but the right google search will find it.)
(I bought an extra ‘full’ key with my minivan, and went through a long song and dance with the dealer… basically, if any one of the three doesn’t work, I need to bring in all three keys for the dealer to fix it… if the system gets reprogrammed with a key left at home, then that key stops working.)
Note that in the situation where there are multiple (smart) keys for a modern Honda, you need to reprogram them all together. The reprogramming step doesn’t need tools, and you can do it yourself; it’s a matter of turning it to a certain position in the ignition, listening for clicks, and pressing the buttons in the right order. (I think it’s a Honda secret, but the right google search will find it.)
(I bought an extra ‘full’ key with my minivan, and went through a long song and dance with the dealer… basically, if any one of the three doesn’t work, I need to bring in all three keys for the dealer to fix it… if the system gets reprogrammed with a key left at home, then that key stops working.)
Good heavenly days!!!! I hope my Dodge van never does that. Just the word “explode” sends chills down my spine!!
Absolutely love thte quilt!
Good heavenly days!!!! I hope my Dodge van never does that. Just the word “explode” sends chills down my spine!!
Absolutely love thte quilt!
See what I mean? GENIUS with color. GENIUS. It looks so pretty! …And sorry about the key. I lost my whole key chain several weeks back and had to replace my car key. Luckily I drive a 2001 Crap-ola, so it was “only” $40.
See what I mean? GENIUS with color. GENIUS. It looks so pretty! …And sorry about the key. I lost my whole key chain several weeks back and had to replace my car key. Luckily I drive a 2001 Crap-ola, so it was “only” $40.
It isn’t just a ‘Honda’ thing. All car keys are smart keys for at least the last 5 to 10 yrs. We’re all in the same boat!
However, I have never heard of the key breaking off in the ignition. 🙁 THAT’S a real bummer! I’m surprised they didn’t blackmail you for a fee to remove the key from ignition.
Technology can suck at times.
It isn’t just a ‘Honda’ thing. All car keys are smart keys for at least the last 5 to 10 yrs. We’re all in the same boat!
However, I have never heard of the key breaking off in the ignition. 🙁 THAT’S a real bummer! I’m surprised they didn’t blackmail you for a fee to remove the key from ignition.
Technology can suck at times.
I adore Kate’s new line and recently made a 2-sided quilt from it, but it’s a secret for a bit longer ;>) I love how you left the purple out of this one – it’s like looking at a gorgeous garden in bloom!
Been there – done that with our Honda keys to the tune of $1,000! You’re right – they can charge whatever they want- we feel your pain, Nicole!
Cheers!
I adore Kate’s new line and recently made a 2-sided quilt from it, but it’s a secret for a bit longer ;>) I love how you left the purple out of this one – it’s like looking at a gorgeous garden in bloom!
Been there – done that with our Honda keys to the tune of $1,000! You’re right – they can charge whatever they want- we feel your pain, Nicole!
Cheers!
Love the baby quilt! Wow, do I ever!! It’s so happy looking!! Now you’ve made two baby quilts so far…are these both for your baby?? 🙂
Yes the whole key thing is such a pain!! Had a similar situation and the new keys are so expensive to replace. You know that it cost a fraction to make it??? Just like cellphones, but that’s another topic totally!! LOL!
Love the baby quilt! Wow, do I ever!! It’s so happy looking!! Now you’ve made two baby quilts so far…are these both for your baby?? 🙂
Yes the whole key thing is such a pain!! Had a similar situation and the new keys are so expensive to replace. You know that it cost a fraction to make it??? Just like cellphones, but that’s another topic totally!! LOL!
Love the baby quilt very pretty Your key was A bit expensive just think of all the material you could have bought with that money never mind you need A car to get around or you would be stuck at home.
Hugs Mary.
Love the baby quilt very pretty Your key was A bit expensive just think of all the material you could have bought with that money never mind you need A car to get around or you would be stuck at home.
Hugs Mary.
Just be glad you arent in Australia; we pay $300-400 for car keys.
Just be glad you arent in Australia; we pay $300-400 for car keys.
We cahrge 300-400 for the key- and 165 to program it to your car. we need a clear copy of your drivers license and a copy of the title (with matching names..including spelling)
crazy huh!
Glad you were able to rig it and take it to a dealer!
We cahrge 300-400 for the key- and 165 to program it to your car. we need a clear copy of your drivers license and a copy of the title (with matching names..including spelling)
crazy huh!
Glad you were able to rig it and take it to a dealer!
Oh no…sorry to hear your key story. Those things are just so annoying – first you have all the inconvenience and then to add insult to injury the dealership merrily rip you off on the replacement. I’m glad you at least had Central Park to brighten your day – it’s lovely! I have the same fabric and am currently auditioning patterns…..
Oh no…sorry to hear your key story. Those things are just so annoying – first you have all the inconvenience and then to add insult to injury the dealership merrily rip you off on the replacement. I’m glad you at least had Central Park to brighten your day – it’s lovely! I have the same fabric and am currently auditioning patterns…..
I would say that the key was a malfunction on the manufacturer. The key should not break!! cheap metals LOVE the quilt!
I would say that the key was a malfunction on the manufacturer. The key should not break!! cheap metals LOVE the quilt!
With my car, the key stays in my pocket and talks to the car without me doing anything. I haven’t seen that this was a good thing before now but after reading about your problem, I think I really like my key. Oh, and, I really like your quilt.
With my car, the key stays in my pocket and talks to the car without me doing anything. I haven’t seen that this was a good thing before now but after reading about your problem, I think I really like my key. Oh, and, I really like your quilt.