Perfect Timing, Lucky Me!!!

Isn't it nice when things fall together in a nice way? When luck gifts you something great in a timely manner?  Last week (in the midst of the 14" snowfall and Polar Vortex freeze), my phone "dinged" and I saw this notification:

Now, the funny thing... I have 2 Twitter accounts, this is my "Math Teacher" one that I use to communicate to students! If you want to follow me there, you'll find me as @KrisBalinski where I follow fashion and sewing and fun stuff, like celebrities. Otherwise, you'll get homework reminders and math problems... :(

Anyway, HOW LUCKY AM I?!?!?!?! $200 credit at Mood Fabrics? It's like the best early birthday gift possible!!!! I never thought I'd utter these words, but seriously, "THANK YOU, MOOD!"
If you have a blog and would like the chance to win such an awesome prize package by entering the "I Sew Mood" badge program, just hop over to Mood Fabrics to see the rules and get the badge you see in the upper right corner of my blog.

What to buy? What to buy?  I've dreamed of creating a wardrobe from Mood Fabrics (although shopping the NYC store in person was part of the dream), but where to start? And then, yesterday, in the most timely way, this challenge appeared in my facebook newsfeed:

With guidance and pacing and Pinterest, I can do this!!! I've started pinning to a board for this, along with a "Mood Board" at the Mood Fabrics website, which is a great way to keep my "fabric thoughts" organized over a longer period of time! Monthly prizes and a Grand Prize, too? I'm probably pushing my luck, but regardless, I *should* end up with a fantastic sewn wardrobe, which is a pretty great thing!  If you'd like to join in the fun, follow this link to the rules at Angela Wolf's page!

So, with my inspiration in mind and challenge in hand... I'm on the lookout for pretty fabrics and patterns that are feminine, soft, and easy to wear. Simple and classic lines in coordinating colors and prints: seafoam green, ivory, hazy blues, sand... garments that would get packed for a weekend away at the beach, with a slight nod to a vintage vibe. 

Slim fit capris, striped top, side zip shorts, a lacy t-shirt, cable knit pullover, long A-line skirt... and a sundress, of course. Something like that?  Check out my board at Pinterest, and see if you catch my drift. I was slow to join, but now that I have... I. Love. Pinterest.  Great links for sewing tips, fashion ideas... and dinner! Can't beat one-stop-shopping, right?

One more challenge floated in this morning via facebook, that I'm going to try to fulfill, too. The EvaDress Pattern Contest. Emma One Sock is a sponsor, and that's how it showed up on my newsfeed. I wasn't familiar with EvaDress Patterns, but it's a pattern shop of "reproductions of patterns dating from the 1860's through the 1950's that are in public domain" with some new patterns inspired by vintage fashions. I immediately fell in love with this 1939 evening dress pattern:

I'd shorten my version to make it more wearable, but isn't it lovely? It fits perfectly into my "storyboard" for the warmer months. You can tell that I'm done with winter at this point, I've got visions of sundresses dancing in my head!

 

p.s. The "Birthday Dress" is very nearly done... I should be able to finish it this weekend. It's turning out so well, and I have to laugh... a sure sign that I've "matured" is my new found ability to hand-stitch with patience! Hoping for good (enough) weather to snap some pictures next week!