I've been up to something..

Instagram! This was one trend I never saw myself jumping on board with. It would take me a world of time just to get around to taking pictures of my sewing creations let alone daily snaps of my life! But lo and behold, I signed up and I am not ashamed to admit that I am totally addicted!

Here's a sneak peek at what I have been up to...

Feel free to follow me. My username is @Molly88.

You may even see some sewing projects in the works!

Mx

Molly's "Musings"

I've  been a little at odds with blogging recently. It always comes in ebbs and flows for me; I most certainly don't fancy myself much of a dedicated blogger. None the less my wee little blog has always been very important to me. I've managed to stick with it now for 2 years; and that somewhat of a feat for me!

By the end of 2012 I had lost much of my sewing inspiration. I moved houses and said goodbye to my enormous sewing space. My fabric got packed up in boxes and put out of arms reach, my machine was put in one room, while my sewing box, patterns and haberdashery in another. It all just became too hard. That wasn't the only thing that changed. I'm just going to say it folks, I got bored. Bored with my blog, bored with its look and yes, a little bored with vintage.

I honestly don't even remember the last time I wore my petticoat (Gasp!)

So I sat back and had a good hard think about what I wanted to do with my sewing, and with myself in 2013 and nothing came.

Call it Serendipity but just then, I stumbled upon Fleur's Post over at Diary of a Vintage girl. Did you read it?

Fleur's words resonated with me, so I left a comment. Initially intended as a few supportive words; Instead my feelings towards my own blog just started pouring out.

This is what I said -

Thanks so much for sharing Fleur, I always enjoy your musings. I have been feeling much the same; though I've just sat back and watched as my own blogging becomes sparser and sparser. Christmas time almost saw me give it up for ever! But then 2013 came, and like you I felt a little bit of new hope. I often feel that a blog brands us with an identity, one that we have created for ourselves, but when we want to steer away from that Identity we feel as if we're betraying our readers; for you I can imagine this is even more so. In the end though, we blog about our lives for ourselves, as an outlet - so we can write, photograph, communicate and entertain. Do what makes you happy; and if that means word heavy posts and less dresses, so be it, even if it means temporarily "re-branding". I will read them, and happily so. After all, we all grow and change, both in our lives and in our interests and styles; its only natural that our blogs should reflect this.

Much Love and support,
Molly x

I had realized that the reason I was bored with my blog and with vintage was because that it had become unchallenging to me.

Now keep in mind, this is ME talking, and everything I say must be taken with a grain of salt. I love vintage, I always will. Its the glamour and the femininity that will never lose my favour; but when it comes to sewing vintage, my interest has wandered. I want to branch out, to go a little wacky, to try bold, tailored modern, gypsy bohemian - Who knows. I DO know certain vintage silhouettes will always influence me - but I just don't think I want to dedicate my life to them anymore.

I have always been afraid of being pigeonholed. I almost stopped wearing vintage when everyone around me started calling it "my style". While I was pleased that my style was noticeable, I was so afraid that I had become predictable. This behaviour may have a bit to do with why I find it so hard to choose a career path.

In the end I think its time for a little change. Change is good; exciting. I'm not entirely sure what that entails just yet. But I can smell it on the horizon. Its January 2013 now. I have very high hopes for this year. Not just for this blog, but for my career and for the creative challenges I plan to set myself.

Do you have any plans for change this year? I would love to hear about them!

Mx

The Year That Was...

Well, what an odd little year that was. I'll be the first to admit that it most certainly wasn't the year of productive blogging! With a mere 30 posts over a whole year, one could say I was a little distracted...

It was the year that saw me design and sample up a range of  "deluxe lined hoodies" for an innovation company - and consequently become the master of the welt pocket.

It saw me as a reviewer for the Sydney Fringe Festival (you can read my reviews here and here if you like).

and move houses.

It was only 2 blocks away, but it meant saying goodbye to all my beloved sewing space.

It was the year I cat sat - 

Miss Nelly

Crazy Kiki

Partied Underwater - 

and started 2 new fashion internships on top of my full time job.

It was the year I entered the Tessuti Awards competition.

Rode the Zig Zag Railway

and made Gnocchi from scratch for the first time

It was the year that I saw my own dress in a REAL BOOK in my local Bookstore

(the pale blue dress and the bottom)

Sewed and shipped 7 skirts and 8 collars to be sold in a darling boutique in Zurich, Switzerland

 Dotti's Boutique - Isn't it just beautiful!? 

And become a Cat, A princess and an Evil Witch.

It saw times in the City - 

And times by the Sea - 

It was the year of merriment with family,

and the embracing of the New Year with Friends - 

And yet after all that I feel like it was my most unproductive year so far. With that said, its been a year of change, a year of transition and most importantly a year of inspiration. It has set me up for 2013, hopefully a year of productivity, success and happiness and I'm thoroughly excited to get started with it.

I sincerely hope that this is not only "my year" but yours too. I look forward to sharing the adventure!

Mx