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Last night’s upcycled bonnet drop was a wonderfully unexpected success - and as I sat this morning reflecting on it all while sending Lily off to her very first morning of Head Start, something inside me clicked.
I will never go back to the volume of bonnets we used to produce in the “golden days” of Sweet As April - and you know what? That realization doesn’t sting anymore. It feels freeing.
I’m not the same person I was back then. I now have three beautiful children, two of whom are homeschooled, and one - our sweet Lily - just took her first big step into preschool today. It’s kind of ironic that such a stressful (and exciting) bonnet drop happened the night before such an emotional and important morning for our family. But in a way, it was also the perfect reflection of where my life is right now - full of purpose, layered with priorities, and always a balancing act.
Last night, I didn’t sit at the computer refreshing stats or managing every detail. I hit “post” - and walked away. I was too busy packing Lily’s backpack, labeling her gear, and making sure her morning would go smoothly. And that, right there, is the shift. My priorities are different now. I shouldn’t have to apologize - to myself or anyone else - for putting my kids first. That’s why I started this business in the first place.
But just because I didn’t hover over the launch doesn’t mean I didn’t pour my heart into it. I did. I’ve been slowly and intentionally working toward this drop for weeks - not just in the sewing room, but in my personal life, too. This past month, I’ve made my mental and physical health a priority, and I can already see how that’s rippling into my creative work. You truly can’t pour from an empty cup, and while that phrase gets thrown around a lot, I’m really learning what it means firsthand.
Even with the whirlwind of getting Lily’s spot confirmed (after thinking it wasn’t going to happen!), rushing through meetings and paperwork, and transitioning her into this new routine - I still managed to meet the goals I set for this drop. That in itself feels like a huge win.
I’ve realized that preparing for bonnet drops - having that creative vision with a clear deadline - actually helps me mentally. It gives me focus, it gives me something to look forward to, and it reminds me that I can do hard things, even when life is full.
So going forward, I think this is the rhythm that works best for me and for Sweet As April. A blend of made-to-order pieces and those ready-to-ship, one-of-a-kind gems you’ve come to love. I’m already working on a cozy fleece pixie collection and a new quilted release, and of course, I’ll be returning to designing new prints for our exclusive line.
Now that our homeschool routine is flowing and Lily is adjusting to her half-day program, I feel like I can carve out more time to dedicate to this business. That’s something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time - and it’s finally starting to feel possible.
And maybe best of all, I finally feel like I can break the cycle I’ve found myself in - the one where I announce exciting new things and then have to backtrack when life throws a curveball. I’m starting to trust myself more. Trust that I will get things done. Trust that they don’t have to happen all at once to still be meaningful. And trust that I can honor both my role as a mother and my identity as an artist - in a way that feels balanced, rooted, and whole.
I can’t wait to share what’s next.
Thank you, truly, for being here.
With love,
Carrie
