Oooh, boy. This is a tough blog post to write. And that coming from one who blogs minimally, at best!
But it's not the time required to write this that's difficult. It's the content.
How to communicate it well, how to convey how the emotion and thought that went into this decision, how to finish it well. That's what's stinkin' hard to do right now. And why I've put it off for so long. But, with the upcoming release of my Spring Canopy collection this week, I knew it was the perfect time to announce that I'm wrapping things up. Making and sending off one final set of canopies (which happens to also be my favorite of all time!) will leave Hemmed In just where I want it: in the everyday lives of hard working, multi-tasking, love-pouring Mamas who could use a little help "simplifying life with baby" wherever they can find it!

The opening quote is the key point: You can do anything; but not everything simultaneously.
While the world around us screams by at lightening pace, and it seems everyone is handling more than ever with picture-perfect ease, the truth is: You can't do everything; despite what your social media feed may have you believe!

As our family and business have grown alongside each other, I've struggled under the weight of knowing that both require all of me, all the time. They're both full-time+ jobs, and cannot both be done well by one lone mama! Even moreso, our family is soon entering the world of Foster Care, and possibly another adoption therein, and our desire is for myself, in particular, to be freed up completely to welcome and care for the children God brings us, along with our own 2 young ones. The balancing act of tending to the daily demands of growing a business solo, while caring for children in need, is a feat that would require more than I'm willing to sacrifice...

...For now. Like my friend and fellow business-owning mentor says, "You can have it all; but not at the same time." The past 4 years has given the time to grow & build Hemmed In. Now, the time is to build into the lives of our children, and any other children who come to call our family 'home.' They deserve my everything, and it's time I "Simplify (my own) life with Baby!"

I'm not sure for how long, or what it would look like to pick up the reins again in the future. I don't know if we'll have many foster children or few; or if we'll adopt one or a few of the children we foster.

I hope that Hemmed In has served you fellow Moms well, and I hope that in some way, my stepping back also serves you. Maybe as a reminder that You're a Good Mom, no matter what daily motherhood looks like for you. Maybe just as an example that it's OK to say no to good things, and stand in the cross current of the cultural norm of constant busyness. I so appreciate you being with me on this journey through small business, adoption and now foster care. Like I've always said, we moms NEED each other! I'm very grateful I've had you all to share this with.

HOWEVER: all that to say, this is not happening today. In a few short months, yes, Hemmed In will shutter its windows. But there's still time for one more round of life-simplifying canopies to get into the hands of Mamas delivering a new batch of babies this spring!
And, I must say, I've saved the best for last:

These 4 canopies are made from the softest, 100% ORGANIC Cotton and are to.die.for!!

They're each just right for an everyday baby accessory that's really for mom: colors that are understated and modern, with trendy patterns that don't topple over into the cheesy baby realm.

This is an extremely Limited Release, with less than 10 canopies available in each style. They'll be available for purchase, and ready to ship, this Saturday, March 18th. If you're not already a Hemmed In VIP, make sure to sign up today to get in on Exclusive Offers on these and the last few Mini Dot or Solid canopies about to be clearanced!

Thank you so much for reading this, and thank you for your purchases in support of Hemmed In! I couldn't do this without you.

Last week, I explained the origin behind this "You're a Good Mom" idea. Today, I'm expanding it's reach, and inviting you to join me. Watch this:

I can't tell you how excited I am to finally bring this project to life. 

​Feeling the need to get offline and develop relationships right around me last year, I challenged myself to write a note a week. Just a little note to someone that'd been on my mind lately. And I sent 'em the good old snail mail way. That's when it hit me to make a way for you to take the conversation deeper also. With the help of very talented ladies, we brought the vision to life and it's better than I even dreamed it could be! 

A handwritten note means so much. It shows that the writer took a few moments in time to stop the busyness of life, quiet her mind, and think only of the one she's writing to. It's deeply personal, it's intentional, and it's so, so simple! Today, these cards are now available in our shop here; stock up, start writing, and see lives changed.

A friend recently asked me how my "you're a good mom" mission with Hemmed In started. I had to think back to this time last year, when I was redesigning our Canopies with all new fabric, packaging and finishing touches:

I knew I wanted something special on the canopy just for the woman using it. Something small, quiet, something you had to kind of search for. Not obvious or in your face. Like a secret message just between us; from me to her. Around that time, I was noticing a continual conversation happening online between women: bloggers, business owners, SAHM's, each one a Mother, each one voicing a similar cry for affirmation. It went something like this: "I didn't get the laundry done. I ignored my kid while I worked today. I got frustrated with the baby who kept me up all night. I fed by child cereal for dinner.......BUT; I love him more than life itself...She's my world and I want her to always know that....I'm doing the best I can. I hope that's enough...."

Sound familiar??
I kept reading posts like those, from the busiest, most successful "working moms" of one, to the homeschooling moms of a small tribe.
​
It was like every woman was aching to know that she wasn't messing everything up.
Pouring out Mom guilt and then self-soothing it with a thin layer of self-acceptance.

I thought to myself; if all these women are feeling this way, having to convince themselves they're an 'ok' Mom, that must mean that they're not hearing that from anyone else. Our needs have a way of making themselves heard, even unbeknownst to ourselves, and I was beginning to think that our community of Moms are being starved of that life-giving affirmation and encouragement.

I wanted to change that, one Mom at a time. I started telling more moms  in my world that they're a great mom, and why; friends or strangers alike. Just think for a moment; how often do our woman-to-woman conversations hover around the goings-ons of our children, and yet, how often do we affirm the very Mom we're talking to?! 

I have a touch point with a lot of Moms every month; through social media, product shows, and canopies being shipped out to customers. I wanted to let each woman know that she's doing a good job. So my tiny secret message was designed, made into woven tags, and has gone on every single canopy since.

The outcome of it I didn't expect: it's become a way for women to encourage one another, that message is no longer just from me to you! So many of Hemmed In's customers are giving our Canopies to friends, and that little tag on the inside is now a message between them. It's one thing for a stranger to tell you "You're a good Mom," but quite another for a woman in your everyday life to affirm you in that personal way.

​Now she can see that message everyday on her carseat canopy, and know it came from a friend who believes in her. I LOVE THAT!! ​

The hashtag #YoureAGoodMom on Instagram has become a way for women to tag a friend that comes to mind, reminding her that she's great at being Mom. But the online world moves at lightening pace. A quick shout-out, an 'atta-girl shot of encouragement only lasts so long in the heart of a weary woman.

I do believe that coming soon, there's going to be a push-back from all of our online-only relating. I know for certain that relationships cannot thrive through text messages, tags or shout-outs in a busy, crowded place like social media. It's the face-to-face moments or handwritten words that will knit hearts together. So I'm taking the conversation offline, and encouraging you to do so with me. I've got a really exciting new product release coming next week that's been months in the making. I so hope it will be a tool for us all to help developing stronger, deeper relationships with each other through the selfless, easy act of saying to another woman "You're a good Mom." Stay tuned, friends! 2017 is going to be life-changing :) 

Anxiously awaiting a new arrival in 2017?  Hoping to streamline life and its stuff in the New Year? Just love getting that perfect gift for a new mom; especially during a really good sale?!

I'm here to make sure every Mama has a way to simplify all the THINGS that life with baby brings, and our canopies do just that. They're so simple, and yet so useful, it's almost like cheating on all the other one-use baby items that are getting replaced ;)

Almost exactly one year after relaunching Hemmed In with an exclusive Infant Carseat Canopy focus, we're completely revamping it. This past year I've heard from our customers, fans and friends loud & clear: You loved the soft touch of our Minky lining, but wanted a lighter weight option suitable for all climates and all 4 seasons.
After months of experimenting with various fabrics, sourcing all new tags, trims and packaging, and polling every mama I know (plus you lovely Instagram followers!), I am so, SO excited to introduce the All New 3-In-1!!!

The fabric comes to you all the way from Japan, and is heavenly soft. In fact, it only gets softer with every wash! 
The double-woven design combines 2 layers of lightweight, breathable fabric that gives it a double-sided look, while also decreasing sheerness. For our Winter Collection, I chose 4 subdued, gender-neutral colorways for a modern, chic  look.
Also new this year, I've given over ALL production to a local Sewing factory here in Colorado. I'm very pleased to be able to help support another local business and assure that you are still getting a handmade-in-the-USA product constructed with top quality craftsmanship.

Probably my very favorite part of the new design is the "secret message" just for Mom on the inside of the side tag:

Because every Mama needs to hear (or read!) those words on a regular basis. 
I CANNOT wait to get these into your hands!! With the same shape and our unique design, these canopies will  still accomplish our mission to help Moms simplify. They still replace 3-4 separate, bulky items with one lightweight, easy-to-use, multi-tasking product that not only does a ton, but looks good too. And they still make the best baby shower gift!

Market season officially started for Hemmed In this weekend, and I'm certain that I've already been to the best one of the year! We were so thrilled to be a small part of the inaugural Proud To Be Beautiful Me Fashion Show event, hosted and dreamed up by the store owner of a darling local maternity & children's consignment store here in Golden, CO.

The Fashion Show was made up of adorable, beautiful kids from all over the Denver area who have various special needs, and the day was devoted completely to them. They got pampered, gussied up and doted on by family, friends and supporters, and it was so. so. so. stinking cute. Denver Tux donated Tuxes for the little Dudes, and Bumps & Bundles donated dressed for the Little Ladies. There were food donations, photography donations, door prize donations, floral donations, and most importantly, financial donations towards several deserving programs in our area that support children & families with special needs. 

The mini models were led across the auditorium stage while the Emcee described their 'loves' (a lot of peanut butter sandwiches, pizza, toys, and even siblings were mentioned in their lists!) and what charity or program their family's ticket sale proceeds were benefitting. The event was probably just as important to the parents as to the kids--seeing their little loves be adored in the spotlight by an auditorium full of onlookers is empowering and affirming.