The dresses I am working on right now are taking longer than I thought. Or at least, I started to realize how silly it was to think I could open up shop before finishing these dresses! Making historical clothing is so much different than modern apparel. There are so many little details. You can't just cut it out and sew everything up with a machine. Lots of hand sewing involved. And I am drafting the patterns from scratch, so it is time consuming. It's been awhile since I've made a historical garment. Probably not since last year! So I'm doing a lot of research at the same time, which I actually do for pretty much every historical dress project I start. That is the reason why these two dresses will be my last historical dresses for a long time. I have not made any public statement or closed down my website (I will probably keep it open for those who use it for reference) yet, but have decided it's time. Time to move on to other things. I already have fabric for my spring/summer clothing and am itching to start work on those. But alas, I have other work to do first. I also have more Henriette dresses in a new blue/cream plaid made out of a lovely silk/linen fabric. And I made the Eugénie dress in a hunter green silk velvet I picked up the other week. It's really a stunning color. Jed helped pick this one out, so if you like it you can thank him for the color selection! :) I am sorry I can't reopen the shop just yet, but hopefully these dresses won't take too much longer!
I also have a lot on my mind regarding some of the things I wrote recently in another post I made about making youtube videos etc. I have been agonizing over whether or not to make videos, even going so far as to make a few sample videos (I know, really lame!) but am not happy with any of them. And have decided, for the time being, that making videos and doing the YouTube "scene" really is not my thing. I've found that as much fun as it sounds to do little videos, most of the time it just makes me feel like I need more "stuff," that I don't have enough "things." That feeling of "needing" more in my life than what I already have is not healthy for me. I do like to watch YT videos, but sometimes it is hard for me not to want to buy whatever product someone is talking about. Thinking it is the instant cure-all for whatever I'm dealing with at that moment. And while I'm not trying to put anyone down for making these videos (I really do enjoy watching many of them!) I just don't think it is right for me. I want to be real and myself, and I have a feeling that if I made videos I would be too worried and would just copy someone else! Perhaps there may be an occasion to make a video for a tutorial or a hairstyle, but you know I kind of prefer photography over video anyway.
So that's that! Hopefully I haven't offended anyone. I am trying to be honest and true to myself. Anyway, blah blah... back to sewing for a little while. Perhaps a cup of tea and then to bed I'll go. I am sorry I wrote a book this time! Thanks to those who were able to sift through my writing. Have a really lovely and beautiful weekend! xoxo
Love the honesty and thoughtfulness in your posts. Whatever your choices, I'm along for the ride and will enjoy the results. Good luck finishing what you're working on, and I'm sure whatever's next will be wonderful as well!
ReplyDeleteYou're beautiful. You'd have to try pretty hard to make a terrible video. I think you should go for it.
ReplyDeleteI just love that you are both so sensitive & sensible !
ReplyDeleteGood luck for the dresses, you do an awesome job .
Always do what your heart is leading you too! Though it was wonderfully written and completely honest.:) I understand the wanting when looking at those videos, indeed! but have a wonderful weekend...and enjoy all the sewing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Katie H
I really appreciate what you said about the videos and that feeling of "wanting something more" in our lives. I think as bloggers and those connected to the internet community, there is a trap one can fall into that feels like you must do it all. I've been mulling over my participation in certain areas of the internet, and whether it makes sense for me and my life--not for what I think I want my life to be. :) Thanks for sharing that, Anna!
ReplyDeleteI love your simple hairstyles. I've found inspiration from you in the past and I think I'll try the top one today.
ReplyDeleteStay true to what your inner self is telling you.
ReplyDeleteYoutube is not for everyone. You are wise to accept this and to embrace this truth.
Have a blessed weekend!
m.
You are beautiful and lovely and talented. follow your heart and insticts - they know what they're talking about!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and your dress venture. I'm sure you will be successful even though there will be tough times. Be of good courage!
ReplyDeletelove the braid! I used to do the exact same thing with my hair when it was longer, even wrapped it from the same side =)
ReplyDeletedo what you like with the youtube stuff; I think you have a lot of devoted readers who will be interested in following whatever you have to say, in whatever format =) I, for one, am excited to see your new pieces - and these historical dresses, too, if you feel like sharing images of your work when you are done! (and good call Jed on the green velvet - I bet it looks positively stunning on you, with your fair skin and red hair! Can't wait to see!)
I love your HAIR in the photo. I'm growing mine out for summer and I want to put it up like that. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteLoving the honesty too - A good reminder for all of us that we carry all we need inside us - Things are just that - things.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your new spring collection and would love to see pics of the gowns you are working on now when they are finished!
Smiles
Hi, I'm new here.
ReplyDeleteI love this post and you wrote "I am trying to be honest and true to myself.". I totally understand what you mean.
Sometimes, I feel that when I use many different media and social network on internet, I kind of loss my real life. I would use my time to do do things with my family, friends, understand my health, relaxing...cook good meal.
I don't know. I stopped using social network for few months, but yes I still write blog because I love take pictures, just pure sharing not demanding anything from it. Now I feel much more happy and relax.
Hope you have a good week:)
I have serious hair envy! Those braids look simple and lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnna, hi!
ReplyDeleteI know it's been for-ever, so I just thought I'd drop you a note to say that you and your braids have inspired me to grow my hair out a bit again... so fun to play around with braining and bobby pins!
~Larissa
Dear Anna - We love your blog not because of all the things you have, or don't have, but because it is YOU and it represents the happy spirit you are. So don't get intimidated by others' videos, in fact, dont even look at them at all. Do a video that is uniquely YOU. The worst you could do is try to copy someone else. Many of us are so inspired by what you do with simplicity & style with very little materials. Most of us have too much clutter in our lives. I look back at your posts sometimes, especially the one from last xmas one with the beautiful little tree with the handmade decorations lighting up the night. Don't ever change and don't be scared of video, it's just a different medium. Aloha from Hawaii!!
ReplyDelete