And a year passes...

It's been 2 years since that fateful day that the idea, of the Used Couture challenge, came to me. And a year since I thought I was through with it. I often find myself in awe of how much time has passed. Where did it all go! I don't know! I guess, it would probably be better for my health of I didn't think about it to much. I never realized that this is what it would do to me! Sometimes I hate it, but mostly I'm terribly in love with it.

Some things have changed drastically, others haven't at all.

I still don't like buying "new" clothing. For that matter, I don't even feel comfortable buying clothes from thrift stores, that resemble items one might find at the mall. I don't want to dress like everyone else! I know that it is probably impossible to be the one and only, since there is a ton of people around, but I would prefer to not meet one. Few and far between is the way I like it. If I don't have a unique and individual style, then it would probably be a good idea to find another calling.

So, I've gotten pickier in regards to what I like. And even if I do like some item, if I didn't design/sew it myself, I feel a lot of contempt towards it. (Vintage items are in their own category, and I don't have any qualms against them) Why would I settle for something designed by someone else (in the last 50 years)? Treason, is the word that comes to mind. I don't want to like what other people make! Though these feelings are probably only a symptom of my insecurities. Do all designers feel like that once in awhile, or is it a sign of failure? Okay, well you might have noticed that I have a lot of self doubt. Which is kinda driving me crazy. You might have noticed that too. : P

There is nothing that can describe the feeling that comes with getting a new design idea. "On top of the world" is the best I could come up with. And I suppose that applies to all crafts. Though sometimes I wonder if these "ideas" I get, are actually just variations of things I have seen in the past that are now floating around in my subconscious. People say that there is nothing new under the sun, so I suppose that this is true.

The main thing I've been into lately is handbags. I suppose a big reason is because they seem simpler to me, and that I don't have to deal with fitting. Any size person, can were any size bag. Not that they should, but they could! And the other factor that plays a part, is that when I walk into a store now-a-days, I find myself hard pressed to find anything that is remotely unique.

I guess that is really the key to this whole mess, I'm not satisfied with the apparel and accessories that are available. So what does a girl do in this kinda predicament?! Well, start making lots of experiments, and follow every single bit of inspiration you get, and if that idea starts to dwindle and taper off, then cut you loses and get on to the next idea. Not every idea is a success. And it's okay to have a ton of unfinished projects, I let mine get me into all kinds of mental pickles. I gotta remember sewing used to be fun, and it's only the silly critical things I say to myself that are making it torture.