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Inspiration is all around you.

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A few simple changes for Spring, plus a front door wreath idea!

A few simple changes for Spring, plus a front door wreath idea!

April 19, 2018 · 5 Comments

Dearest darling Spring… where are you?! (Do you need some encouragement, too? Keep reading!) We are back to having chilly weather which is so hard on all of us, especially mama! On Sunday, as we were sipping our coffee and having a slow morning with visiting family, we heard a large crack and then watched… [Read More]

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April 19, 2018 · Filed Under: home, mamahood · 5 Comments

Thirteen thoughts in April…

Thirteen thoughts in April…

April 9, 2018 · 5 Comments

Feeling like I have a watermelon in my stomach. I am so thankful my children help me as much as they do. Picking up toys, making meals, bringing plates to the dinner table… they are wonderful helpers. Come evening time my entire midsection hurts and feels so hard, hello lots of Braxton Hicks at 30… [Read More]

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April 9, 2018 · Filed Under: for fun, inspiration · 5 Comments

Resting in the little, happy moments.

Resting in the little, happy moments.

April 6, 2018 · Leave a Comment

What excites me about motherhood? Certainly not the sleepless nights. Certainly not the toy-dumping rampages. Certainly not the urgent morning baths or the tantrums or the sink full of dirty dishes. Or, could they? Possibly? How do we wake up cheerful, happy, ready to see our people and serve them regardless of the situation? How… [Read More]

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April 6, 2018 · Filed Under: family, inspiration, mamahood · Leave a Comment

a MEGA! Gussy Sews sale…

a MEGA! Gussy Sews sale…

February 27, 2018 · 2 Comments

The birds are already singing when I pour my morning coffee, and the sunshine is warming our faces as we play outside with chalk and bikes. This soon-approaching season of Spring is reminding me of the growth our family is going to have in June with baby #4. Celebrate this next season of motherhood with… [Read More]

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February 27, 2018 · Filed Under: Gussy · 2 Comments

A little pep talk for your heart.

A little pep talk for your heart.

February 21, 2018 · 6 Comments

If you’re having a hard time with comparison ~ constantly looking to the left and to the right and then measuring what you see against your beautiful self, you’re doing it all wrong. Look within and see YOUR gifts and beauty and talents. Go back to your world and make it small again. When we… [Read More]

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February 21, 2018 · Filed Under: inspiration · 6 Comments

DETROIT friends: let’s hang on Saturday, February 3rd

DETROIT friends: let’s hang on Saturday, February 3rd

January 31, 2018 · 2 Comments

One of the best things I’ve done for myself as a creator and mother is sell my handmade product line, Gussy Sews, at local events. I used to strictly sell online in my shop. For years, that was the best fit for my business. But now that I have a tribe of little people who… [Read More]

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January 31, 2018 · Filed Under: blog/craft events, Detroit, Gussy · 2 Comments

5 Valentine’s Day projects you must try!

5 Valentine’s Day projects you must try!

January 29, 2018 · 2 Comments

This year, I wanted to create a Valentine’s Day decoration for our home, so I gathered some leftover fabric and pink pompom yarn, and got to work making a heart garland for the living room. I love that I can use it in other areas of our home throughout the year, which aligns perfectly with… [Read More]

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January 29, 2018 · Filed Under: creativity, holidays, home · 2 Comments

NEW IN THE SHOP: fabric heart garland

NEW IN THE SHOP: fabric heart garland

January 26, 2018 · Leave a Comment

I’ve been making some new things to stretch myself creatively, one being this fabric heart garland for our home. It was super fun to make and a great way to prepare for Valentine’s Day ~ although it’s also a great piece to have in your home year round. Hang it in your foyer, in your… [Read More]

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January 26, 2018 · Filed Under: holidays, home, new product · Leave a Comment

7 books you should read next!

7 books you should read next!

January 24, 2018 · 18 Comments

The last few months, as the weather has changed to winter in Michigan, I’ve been able to compile a list of books I’ve read. Wondering what to read next? ;) This is a post you’ll want to bookmark ~ here are 7 books you’ll want to read next! I often read during the kids afternoon… [Read More]

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January 24, 2018 · Filed Under: books · 18 Comments

On care-taking!

On care-taking!

January 17, 2018 · 7 Comments

What is this life if we don’t take what we’ve learned, or hope to learn, and move forward with confidence and peace? I don’t want to just settle. I don’t want to live in unachievable hope. I don’t want to live in the what-ifs or the if-onlys or the maybe-one-days. I want to get “it”…. [Read More]

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January 17, 2018 · Filed Under: Faith, family, inspiration · 7 Comments

How we paid off over $42,000 in debt in just 2 years!

How we paid off over $42,000 in debt in just 2 years!

January 10, 2018 · 31 Comments

Alright friends, this post is something I’ve wanted to write for a LONG time. Many of you know my family is on a serious mission to become debt-free this year. Let’s settle down together in my living room and talk about exactly HOW we paid off over $42,000 in debt in 2016 and 2017 combined,… [Read More]

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January 10, 2018 · Filed Under: debt, family, inspiration · 31 Comments

How to give inspiration an opportunity.

How to give inspiration an opportunity.

January 8, 2018 · 5 Comments

“Write every day. Not every other day. Not tomorrow. Not after the party. But before. The more you write, the more comes out of you. If you don’t give inspiration an opportunity, it will never arrive.” – Ethan Hawke Interestingly, I find this can be applied to a lovely variety of goals and personal interests. Perhaps… [Read More]

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January 8, 2018 · Filed Under: inspiration · 5 Comments

Weaving new threads…

Weaving new threads…

January 5, 2018 · Leave a Comment

A very special memory of Natalie “wishing me luck” before I left the house to set up for a Gussy market. It’s been very sweet to have the kids ask me about what I’m making, ask me to use my sewing machine to fix a hole in their favorite pajama pants or blanket, seeing one… [Read More]

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January 5, 2018 · Filed Under: creativity, inspiration, Natalie · Leave a Comment

How often do you make a change?

How often do you make a change?

January 2, 2018 · 9 Comments

What are your thoughts on change within your family’s routine? Do you hesitate to make them? Do you jump at the opportunity to switch things up? Are you somewhere in between? Excuse me while I cut to the front of the line and say, I don’t often think to make changes within our family routine. However,… [Read More]

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January 2, 2018 · Filed Under: family, home, simple living · 9 Comments

Embroidery Inspiration: part I

Embroidery Inspiration: part I

December 29, 2017 · 2 Comments

The dissonance that occurs when I have too many plates spinning, when I’m overly over-tired, when I feel like I can’t think past the RIGHTNOW of life is strong. Like triple shot strong (coffee joke?). However, earlier this month I found enough mental cooperation to pull myself away from the spinning plates and into that… [Read More]

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December 29, 2017 · Filed Under: craft project, inspiration · 2 Comments

Gussy Wonderland :: a shop update

Gussy Wonderland :: a shop update

December 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment

In between the moments of banana pancake-making, encouraging creative play, outfitting children for 20 minutes of Winter play (lol, that’s all they last some days!), and cleaning up spills, I have found pockets of time to work on Gussy Sews. I’ve been able to order fabric, cut out patterns, and run individual pieces under my… [Read More]

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December 14, 2017 · Filed Under: creativity, Gussy · Leave a Comment

YEOW! We’re expecting baby #4!!!

YEOW! We’re expecting baby #4!!!

December 7, 2017 · 12 Comments

HELLO after nearly five months of stepping back from this very dear to me space! :) What a gift that time away was to me and my family, and will continue to be. During that time we celebrated much and praised God for much, worked through some hard things and sat still in the quietness… [Read More]

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December 7, 2017 · Filed Under: baby #4, Detroit, family · 12 Comments

Pause.

Pause.

July 12, 2017 · 4 Comments

Dear community of readers, Leading up to today, I’ve felt something I can only describe as “a calling to be quiet” across social media so I can be more fully engaged with my family, children, and my faith in God. At first I thought, “I can’t possibly step away from the Internet! If I do,… [Read More]

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July 12, 2017 · Filed Under: Detroit, Faith, family · 4 Comments

SUMMER SALE: save 15% on Gussy Sews!

SUMMER SALE: save 15% on Gussy Sews!

July 5, 2017 · 1 Comment

Have you seen? There are some new products inside my Gussy Sews handmade shop, and just in time for our biannual sale. Now through Friday, July 7th you can save 15% on your entire order with code SUMMER15 at checkout! Click here to shop Gussy Sews — tell me, which item is your favorite? I have loved… [Read More]

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July 5, 2017 · Filed Under: Gussy · 1 Comment

June favorites.

June favorites.

June 15, 2017 · 7 Comments

Hello mid-June. You’re moving right along, aren’t you? Because celebrating the little things that make our lives extra good is important, here are a few things I’m happy to call “a favorite” right now: – backyard pools. The small, plastic, round ones that your kiddos love to play in , but let’s not forget about… [Read More]

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June 15, 2017 · Filed Under: family, favorites · 7 Comments

Selling at a handmade market…

Selling at a handmade market…

June 12, 2017 · 6 Comments

A couple weekends ago I said YES to something that I knew would stretch me, but I also knew it would be super fulfilling for me creatively. I said yes to participating in a local handmade market, something I haven’t done for years now! At first the idea felt daunting (what did I just commit… [Read More]

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June 12, 2017 · Filed Under: blog/craft events, Detroit, Gussy · 6 Comments

5 things our family relies on / thrives on!

5 things our family relies on / thrives on!

June 7, 2017 · 2 Comments

I’m not sure what came first, noticing one of our children having sensitive skin or wanting to be more conscious of the things we are putting on our skin and into our bodies? Either way, both are an excellent reason to do a little research and make some changes. While I was pregnant with Marigold… [Read More]

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June 7, 2017 · Filed Under: family, favorites · 2 Comments

COMING SOON: Gussy Sews pop-up shop!

COMING SOON: Gussy Sews pop-up shop!

May 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment

It’s been a bit quiet here on my blog, and for good reason: I’ve been sewing up a storm, getting new Gussy Sews products ready for an upcoming pop-up shop. If you are local to the Detroit area, or if you’re up for a Saturday morning road trip, PLEASE come to Birmingham, MI on June… [Read More]

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May 26, 2017 · Filed Under: blog/craft events, Detroit, Gussy · Leave a Comment

Do you have a favorite magazine?

Do you have a favorite magazine?

May 11, 2017 · 7 Comments

For years (YEARS, I tell you), I have loved Real Simple magazine. If I wanted to splurge on a small gift to myself, I would often bought this magazine. If Zack asked me for “something special”, there’s been a time or two when I requested a subscription. I never thought about why I love the… [Read More]

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May 11, 2017 · Filed Under: favorites · 7 Comments

Gift ideas for mama dear…

Gift ideas for mama dear…

May 5, 2017 · 4 Comments

Rather abruptly, just like a gust of wind blowing through an open window, I became an “early to bed” person. Perhaps it’s the I-birthed-three-babies-in-three-years (and no one’s sleeping through the night) that did it? Perhaps it’s because pajamas + evening tea + a quiet house for reading = sleepy mama? Perhaps it’s just because this… [Read More]

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May 5, 2017 · Filed Under: favorites, mamahood · 4 Comments

Would you eat this?

Would you eat this?

May 3, 2017 · 3 Comments

Do Wednesdays scare you? If we don’t have something fun planned, they can be hard for me. I like to get a little ahead of myself / the crazy and make this salad the moment our children start pulling out blankets for a living room fort ;) I find it’s best to just walk into… [Read More]

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May 3, 2017 · Filed Under: recipe · 3 Comments

Can you ask yourself this question?

Can you ask yourself this question?

May 1, 2017 · 10 Comments

While visiting a friend’s house the other morning, she offered make two cups of coffee. (Of course I said yes.) In between sips and checking in our our many children, we talked about writing (how is it going?) and getting up early to read (what are you studying?). And then she asked me why I… [Read More]

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May 1, 2017 · Filed Under: inspiration · 10 Comments

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Since 2008, I've been writing to inspire myself
(and others) to keep chasing the adventure of life. Whether that be through my faith in God, simple living, motherhood, handmade business, or friendship, there is much joy to be found!
My husband and I live in the Detroit area with
our THREE young children. We are adventure seekers, passion chasers, and believe inspiration is all around you. READ MORE...
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