I still have so much fabric left over from the weekly photos I took of the girls during their first year. Alma and Harriet are outgrowing the dresses I made them last Winter. Valentine’s Day is coming up. So… I made some new dresses for the girls.
I have to admit that I never thought I would be the kind of mom who would dress her daughters in matching dresses. Turns out I am that kind of mom. I am totally that kind of mom. I’ve done it more than I expected, and I love it every single time. So be it. Can you blame me?
I mean, seriously. They are just the two cutest sisters that ever were. Especially when they make the same absurd random expression. Don’t even ask, I have no idea.
Today, Peter Hollens addressed the University of Oregon graduates as the keynote speaker at their commencement ceremony. First of all, how cool is that!?, second of all, he had some amazing things to say.
Just begin. Try. If you don’t try, you will automatically fail. And what’s worse, you will learn nothing. Most people think something to death. Yes, it’s good to dream it, but then do it… I encourage you to experiment and follow your most passionate instincts. Screw that; I demand it. You aren’t here on Earth to just go through the motions. If you love doing something, go after it. And go after it with every part of your being.
Photo from Peter’s Instagram Account (click photo for link)
What sparks joy in my life? What are my most passionate instincts? Where will my dreams lead me?
I love sewing. Creating something out of nothing is exhilarating. Using something I’ve made is exhilarating. Seeing my daughters wear the dresses I’ve made them is exhilarating.
I love writing. I love sitting down, putting music on, and writing. Organizing my thoughts into words and sentences and paragraphs is exhilarating. Sharing those words on this blog is exhilarating. Knowing that people read them is exhilarating.
When I think about the whole end goal of having a super successful brand, it’s paralyzing. So I stop. I get caught up in having a schedule for my blog posts. I get caught up in trying to make things to put on CaroMade. I don’t feel the passion anymore, so I stop.
This is the problem for me. Where do I find the bridge that connects my desire to create, to actually committing to sitting down and creating? I’ve tried planners, I’ve tried setting aside time. I read about how everyone else does it – wake up early, stay up late, use this planner, use that app. “You don’t have to be the best, you just have to work the hardest,” was (and I might not have gotten it exactly right) another thing that Peter said today.
Comparing myself to everyone else won’t help. Looking at other people’s success might inspire, but it won’t help. The only thing that could help would be trying. Learning. Beginning. Doing.
So, instead of constantly writing about it (or reading about others), and feeling bad when I don’t get to the blog for a few days, I’m going to just go do it. I’ll check in here when I can, but I’m going to take the pressure out of the situation, making more room for the passion. And I’ll go after it with every part of my being, like Peter demands.
Another one of my 35 before 35 items was to list a new product each month on Etsy. I get to check this month off early! I made Alma a Belle dress and want to sell them to lots of other little girls. This post will be photo heavy, but I couldn’t help myself. Alma just loves to play in these new dresses I’ve been making for her.
If you’d like to check out the listing in my shop, please follow this link. To see my whole shop, please follow this link.
Of course I had her pose with a book, because Belle. Of course the threw it, because Alma. What a goof. Seriously. A goof.I can’t wait to see what this summer sunshine is going to do to these sweet freckles, and how it will lighten her pretty hair.
Of course I had her pose with a book, because Belle. Of course the threw it, because Alma. What a goof. 
I can’t wait to see what this summer sunshine is going to do to these sweet freckles, and how it will lighten her pretty hair. 