The Optical Illusion Renfrew

Friends, I am just now learning how incredibly difficult it is to sew garments when half of your sewing instruments are packed ... somewhere.  (Really must learn to label boxes.  Already misplaced my alarm clock.)  In spite of all this, I managed to finish a Renfrew top!  

I bought this fabric on my last fabric excursion of 2012 (with the marvelous Michelle, of course).  It's a thick poly knit, and since I only had about a yard to work with, I decided a Renfrew was in order.  I came across some problems with the waistband and sleeve cuffs, as I was nearly out of fabric at that point.  I can still flex like a boss, even if the sleeves are a bit tighter than I would like.

I call this my Optical Illusion Renfrew because I feel like my chest completely disappears in this print.  I looked in the mirror and said, "WHOA.  This shirt is a minimizer."

Even if my chest looks significantly smaller, I still like this top.  Now to just find a box/suitcase to throw it into...

Friends, do you love the Renfrew pattern as much as I do?  I think this might be my fifth one - with many more to come, I'm sure!

Thanks for bearing with me as I pack up my goods here.  I'm in that awkward stage between "crap, I've run out of boxes" and "is it time to book the movers yet?"

Much love to you all!!

XOXO,

Meg

I made it 22 days!

Whee!  I made it a full 22 days without breaking my resolution.  I think that's a new record.

I bought fabric today.  I will not feel guilty about it, not even a little, I swear.  

I bought 12 yards of this delicious cotton blend broadcloth from Fabric.com for $2.98/yard.  

Final total: $35.76 and free shipping.  SHABAM!

Now, why would I need 12 yards of this amazing peach/orange fabric?

I am making a duvet cover (using this tutorial) for my new bed that I don't yet have.  What I do have (and what sealed the deal on the apartment for me) are the gorgeously painted walls in the bedroom:

Found here

The color Mermaid is the closest, I believe.

So the final effect of the duvet cover next to the walls will be something like this:

Just looking at the color combination in this photo makes me so.damn.happy.

So yes, I broke my resolution, but I will be making a duvet cover for a duvet I already have, in the color I want, and all it cost me was $36 and some time.  If I have enough fabric left over, I am going to make some seriously sweet pillows.

In the meantime, I am looking at art prints of (my favorite artist) Alphonse Mucha's work because he has some stunning paintings of redheads with turquoise backgrounds.  Totally fitting, am I right?

Friends, let me know in the comments what your favorite color combinations are!  I currently have a dining room with soft yellow walls, and a front room with sky blue walls.  I would love to hear your thoughts!

XOXO,
Meg

PS.  Stay warm! 

Taking a Moment

My friends, I just wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate all of your wonderful comments on my last post.  I fretted over posting it for these past two weeks, and to have such resounding support was completely overwhelming.  I am not ashamed to admit that I totally cried with joy for having you lovelies in my life.  

I love you all dearly, and thank you so much for being a part of this sewist's world.

XOXO,

Meg

The Piles Are Transforming...

Friends, it's been quite awhile since I have visited with you!  Let me begin by saying that I've missed you all and I am working on catching up on all of your lovely posts in my Google Reader.  Thank you so much for all of your kind words on my last post regarding my stash busting, and for your fabulous and supportive emails that you've been sending to me privately.  They've helped me get through these stressful weeks since we last chatted.

Well!  Since my last post, my moving date changed from March 1 to February 1, then back to March 1 definitely but sooner if the opportunity arises.  I was hunting for apartments when a friend of a friend said I could come check out her soon to be available home.

OMG.  I walked in and I was sick to my stomach at the thought of this place passing me by.  I knew, in my heart of hearts, that it was meant to be mine.  Since then, I've signed a lease for my new place, which is definitely mine on March 1, but if she moves out sooner, I can move in right then.  

*insert joyous happy dance here*

The past few weeks have not been easy, though.  I was worried over getting the apartment, and also panicked about packing if I was indeed moving February 1. 

I've also had some weird financial things pop up (read your credit reports thoroughly, everyone!) and had to focus a great deal of energy in getting those matters resolved.  

I should probably also mention at this point that I am moving into this new apartment by myself.  

While Rob and I are staying together, we both agreed it would be better (and I would be happier) if I had my own space to be creative and colorful to my heart's content.

These past two weeks have been filled with tears and laughing, serious anxiety and overwhelming excitement ... and lots of packing!

As you can see, my piles are transforming slowly ... into slightly more organized piles of boxes.  

XOXO to all of you,

Meg