5.07.2009

little dresses.

I just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the interest and emails about my dresses. It's so rewarding to take an image that's occupying space in your brain and make it into real life, but to get such great feedback on what you've created is especially nice. Your compliments are very appreciated; a welcome validation. Many of you have asked about a shop or patterns. So here's the skinny: I would love to do both, and I have plans to...eventually. I still have a lot to learn.
My kids are still little. I don't want to miss their now because I'm flirting too much with big ideas. I can get easily distracted by possibilities if I'm not focused on the little. It's that small stuff I sometimes hush that brings me back to their now: the broken applesauce jar, the bandaids across their faces, the tiny underwear, the cheerios up their noses, the "hold yous". If I'm not focused, I forget to enjoy the dirty little handprints on my flat paint. Which I'm admittedly kinda sad to paint over.

I'll continue to take orders when I can, and hopefully work on a shop early next year, but it's not the right time for big things. I love making. It settles me. My mind gets so saturated with ideas and images it's impossilbe to keep them contained. They take over and it's hard to concentrate. I think it's important that our kids see some of this and learn to think creatively, but the trick (and the hard part) is balance and moderation. They need to know that CandyLand is more important than the ruffle, and I'm thinking more about them than my zipper foot. They need to feel that now, not later.

I won't always have little. But I'll always have later.


I love being their mom. Right now.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are a wise woman.

~adelle said...

very well said.

Sharstin said...

I love it~and so true :) thanks for this post

ShEiLa said...

As many ideas as you make reality... your head should be empty. But its not. You creative genius you.

ToOdLeS.ShEiLa

ShEiLa said...

If you have not already seen these ideas... check them out Cally.

http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/05/diyp-43-dollar-store-mothers-day-pin.html

ToOdLeS.ShEiLa

Crystal Copeland said...

So sweet. I wish I had that type of reality check more often. Thank you.

mer said...

but how do you get that zipper foot out of your head? I try and try but it never goes away...but I do so love those cheerios...

Natalie said...

Awwww, that dress is darling. I don't know how you find that balance. I do believe you may be Superwoman... (you can tell me, I can keep a secret).

Donna said...

I don't need a dress, just a ruffle tutorial. I'll pay you in glorious buttons from The City Quilter.

cally said...

Mer, the zipper foot never goes away. And if you ignore it completely it gets all mad and neglected feeling and fights for attention in the worst way. So you appease it. Give it a little love, then sit it in front of the tv for a bit until you can spend some quality time together.

A little flirting is good for the soul. It's the exclusive relationship I'm careful with.

Anonymous said...

I don't know you personally, but I may have to borrow that quote sometime: "I won't always have little. But I'll always have later." And for now, just seeing your gorgeous creations on your blog will keep me inspired, so thanks!

Nana/Mom said...

here, here, enjoy them, it flies by so quick, but you know that.

maybe THAT should go on you next stitch pic.

I won't always have little. But I'll always have later."

P

andrea said...

this one is darling!

corrie said...

love ya

AMBER said...

Cally I luv you and appreciate you in all your creativity and wisdom. You are great insirpation to many!!!

Elizabeth said...

I love you! And I love how you put into words the exact feelings I have. Well, maybe not EXACT (I don't ever have pleasant thoughts about my zipper foot). But about my babies. I love being a mom!

Cherstin said...

I am in awe of your wisdom. I want little forever:) Later can wait.

Wonder Woman said...

Cally, you are my idol.

And not just because you sew the best stuff ever.

I'm gonna go play with my kids right now.

Child Family said...

mmm. such truth.

...but i still want a dress.

blue moss said...

this dress is fabulous....if it fit me, i would wear it every day.

you are super smart to enjoy your kids now. i just realized the other day that only my youngest still holds my hand....

Andi Kate, Children's Author said...

I love this dress. And I feel the same, but for me it's writing. Ok, right now I am feeling guilty about blogging instead of hide-and-seeking...thankyou?

Shannon said...

What great perspective you have, when you could be making big bucks with such talent. Let them be little and enjoy it while they are...thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Alice Faye said...

In 30 years you will not regret your decision that you were home with the "little."

beazer1812@comcast.net said...

I think I already said this ---so dang cute!!

Emma said...

your so right I often find myself day dreaming about going back to work and then I look at my girls and I know why I'm home and I'm lucky to be their!

Bonnie White said...

Cally
I wish I had known and felt what you articulated in this old blog note I found while looking for your address again. I admire your perspective and ability to keep the big ideas at bay until another time. You won't ever regret that. I like the colors and the combination for the handbag you selected. Don't much like ruffles. My daughter Mercedes announced on Monday that she will marry this Friday in Boston so I have been scrambling for something to wear, airline tickets, hotels, etc. My husband and I also leave for three weeks to Europe next week. Way too stressful. Let's take care of the pay pal right now because I suspect when I get back from Europe I won't be having too much moolah to spend on food let alone a cute bag. What I want to use this bag for is taking my scriptures to church - going to book club with my knitting.

2dayisgood said...

a wise woman you are!! you are so creative. i have been sewing lately and loving every minute of it---well maybe not when i'm using the seam ripper!! i adore your little dresses. my favorite is the zoee, but i was wondering if you could give me any tips on how to do the white edging on the little pink dress. is it hard to do?? help, please :)