The Great Flood(s) of 2013

I haven't been sewing lately and with good reason....
In all the years that I've lived in Atlanta (and, I've been here for 7 years), I've never known it to rain so much!  Needless to say, although it hasn't been flooding in the streets of my neighborhood, my dining room / sewing studio is a different story.

Every time it rains (every few days), I've been moving everything out of the dining room and into the living room.  I know, it seems like I should leave everything in the living room, but there's just not enough space to walk through to the bedroom / bathroom.  Hopefully, the maintenance team can finally fix this leak (for good) and I can get back to sewing. 

In the meantime, I have spent some time knitting - I'll post pictures soon!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Here's a look at everything that I received for Christmas....  (everything purchased was previously budgeted for - and, all purchases were made with Cash Money).  See Black Friday & MTMMO

All of my Christmas Gifts revolved around Sewing - well, this is SEW ReInvented Audrey!  Really, one thing led to another:

1. New Sewing Machine (And, yes - I love it!): Brother CE8080PRW (purchased on Black Friday, but it was a roll back special at Wal-Mart)
2. 9 New to Me (Out of Print) Vogue Patterns (Black Friday - great deal)
3. New Look 6130 - There are so many reviews of this shirt on PR, I really wanted this pattern
4. FABRIC! and Thread from Fabric.com (Black Friday)
5. Pinking Shears - how did I ever live without these?  My projects are starting to look as nice on the inside as they do on the outside.  So winning!

I still have $25 in the Christmas budget, and I'm trying to decide on what to get.  In retrospect this is so funny, I would spend $25 without blinking.... Now, I've been trying to decide since Black Friday.  There are several sewing related books on my Amazon wish list.  Or, there are some dress maker shears.... Or, the possibilities are endless.

 
Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Black Friday & New (to me) Vogue Patterns

Of course, once I decided that I would purchase a new sewing machine on Black Friday..... That, really meant two things:
#1 - I would need to purchase some fabric (more on that later); and #2 - I would need to purchase some patterns.  Ha-ha!  Any excuse will do.

On Vogue Patterns Website - there's a fantastic $.99 sale on Out of Print Patterns (hence, they are new to me!).  The best part about OOP - there are reviews on Pattern Review (I love that website) and it helps me make a more informed decision on whether or not I should try a pattern.

V8631

I already ordered some yellow broadcloth to make this exact dress.  I would love to rock this on my b-day!

V1166

 

V8644

 

V8706



I purchased a few other patterns, but these highlight the newest arrivals in my collection.  I'm sew excited.  And, yes, I was up at 6 a.m. setting up the sewing machine.  As soon as I finish my coffee, I'll be making automatic button holes!  I'm gonna try all 8 of them out.  I can't believe I went from straight / zigzag stitch to 80 stitches overnight.  OMG!  **Insert insanely happy, happy dance!**

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Black Friday & My New Sewing Machine!

I bought a new sewing machine!

I've only had my previous sewing machine for a year (I bought it last year on Black Friday), but, when I purchased it I bought the most basic $50 machine.... I hadn't sewn anything in years (more, like decades).  And, I wasn't sure I would actually use it - BUT, I have.

 

It was hard trying to decide what would be the right machine for me.  I mean, I didn't want to purchase another machine that I would outgrow in a year or so, but I also didn't want to make a major purchase. 

 

Really, I thought I made a decision - but, Wal-mart announced a last minute roll back.  I didn't see the update until late Wednesday night, so I knew - I would be headed out to the stores first thing on Black Friday morning.

 

I ended up with a Brother CE8080PRW (the pictures above are from Brother's website). 

And, I got it for $134.97!  80 built in stitches --> with a total of 8 different automatic button holes.  OMG!  Automatic button holes!

 

All day, I've been planning to get home, so that I could start playing with my new machine.... But, I'm way, way too tired.  Of course, between trying to get the 50% off thread from Fabric.com at 1 this morning (and, they had already sold out of the white Gutterman), and getting to Wal-mart at 6:45, then going to work.... I'm just too tired.  Really, what was I thinking?

 

I did open the box, but I still need to take everything out. 

Once, I get it set up - I'll be sure to post more pictures! 

P.S.  I haven't given him a name yet, but I'm sure I will!  Right now, he's MMII (Magic Maker #2)!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey
 

Audrey's Sewing Studio (well, it was a dining room) is official!

I haven't been able to sew for the last few weeks.

At first, I thought it was just the change in the seasons.  Then, I thought maybe I need to increase my vitamin intake.  But, finally, I realized:

I. NEED. A. SEWING. SPACE.

Previously, I kept fabric in a box in an empty spot in the living room. 
I had miscellaneous items (patterns / notions / fabric scraps) in a shopping bag in a corner of the dining room.
The sewing machine has been on the nightstand of my bedroom.
The ironing board somewhere between the hall closet, the living room or my bedroom - just depending. 
And, everytime I want to sew something - I end up wandering from room to room to room.  Trying to assemble everything I need.  I won't even mention the number of times, I end up getting distracted as I walk from one room to the next.

Well, not any more.

I totally love my dining room.  And, I especially love coming home and seeing the table nicely decorated, but for the immediate future - at least until, I find that it's time for me to move somewhere more spacious.  The Dining Room will Officially serve as Audrey's SEWING Studio.

I added a wheeled 3 drawer cart for fabric / pattern / notion storage.  I have some crocheting items stored in a DSW brown bag (until, I find the right storage solution). I have enough space to stand up the ironing board.  I can easily set the sewing machine up on the dining room table.  And, more importantly - I'm able to have everything in one centralized location.

I feel so much better.  I feel like pressure has been lifted from my brain.  I love knowing that everything is organized.  I love having a dedicated space.  And, I'm so much more relaxed that I'm ready to get back to creating. 

I'm keeping everything on wheels - in the event that I need to use my studio as a dining room.  Then, I'll be able to push everything into my bedroom or closet.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey