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{Featured Artist: Monogram Mama}

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This giveaway is now closed!

Here at Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful decorations, beautiful seasonal “toys”, beautiful stories about family life.

Today marks week #18 of my series on featured artists. I hope you’ve enjoyed the featured drool-worthy eye-candy shops. Don’t worry, I have many more, so please stay with me :] You can read all back Featured Artist posts by clicking here.

Please join me in welcoming CarolAnn at Monogram Mama.

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What inspires you?

Old fashioned hand stitched embroidery with the added modern twist of digitizing and technology.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?

We live in Fayetteville, NC. Originally a Florida girl! :]

Name something unique to where you live.

Fayetteville is the home place to Fort Bragg Army’s airborne and special ops.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

I am a military wife, who has moved all over – but while all my friends were looking at pottery, or furniture I was scouting out fabric stores or sifting through vintage fabrics.

How did you come up with your shop name?

It’s the nickname my children gave me!

Share a little bit about yourself.

I am a mid 40-year-old Army wife who enjoys being in front of the embroidery machine. It’s my passion, and I get a huge fulfillment doing projects for people.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?

Smiley!

What made you decide to open up shop?

The truth was I wanted to upgrade my machine and I had to make some money to do that! (I was very timid about making the big step.)

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.

Its something different – not something found on aisle 964 of the super store. I like putting things together, this fabric for this person, this trim, these colors…

Do you have a day job or sell full-time?

I still teach preschool, but I am toying with the idea of cutting those security strings and really going full time with Monogram Mama.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.

Alarm goes off at 5:30 – I am supposed to exercise – I hit the snooze instead. Normal morning routine – get breakfast made, all children up and dressed, and lunches packed, collect my school bag and we are out the door by 7:35.

I do the drop off at schools and get to my work – after school, do that in reverse and get home. Do snacks and help with homework and then I escape to the “sew shack” (a finished bonus room I have taken over) until I need to get dinner prepped. I cook dinner, clean up, night time routine (baths, teeth, stories, and prayers) once everyone else is in bed I go back to the Sew Shack for more sewing or digitazing work for a new pattern/project. At eleven I get on the computer – check email, look at facebook, send out a tweet and go to bed! Toss extracurricular activities for the children on top – plus anything hubby’s job adds to our schedule and there you have it. I teach Sunday school, belong to a cooking club, dinner club, Bunko group, and wives club. That just about rounds it all out!

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.

Snow balls — beautiful wool snow balls I used them to decorate my entry way table and have NEVER gotten so many compliments!I have my eye on this magnolia neck wrap. It’s going to be my next special purchase!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.

Home decorating, gardening, traveling, cooking, being at the beach, and just relaxing with family.

Read any good books lately?

They kicked me out of the book club because I couldn’t get the books read – I read preschool new releases and love the cookie mystery books (and the recipes in them are top notch!).

What is your most prized possession?

My family.

What are three of your favorite foods?

A great steak, my husband’s coffee, and seafood!

What would you like to learn to do?

I would love to design my own fabrics.

What are you listening to right now?

The children playing and my machine running :]

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.

Currently in the number one spot — Monogram, NC! I’ve got to visit!!!

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Now for something fabulous!

One lucky reader will win a darling monogrammed Market Tote {solid or damask}:

To enter:

Leave a comment sharing where you would take your Market Tote.

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RULES:
  • The giveaway will close Sunday, March 28 at 10 pm CST and the winner will be announced the following day
  • An email address must be listed on your blog/blog profile or in the comment you leave

Please check back Friday, April 2 for another featured artist post!


Comments

  1. Jenn B says

    Yay! Looks awesome! She has an etsy site too… TheMonogramMama
    Thanks Gussy for the feature!

  3. Laura Lovie says

    I would take the little beauty everywhere BUT I’m already planning on taking it as a picnic basket in the summer time, when I win it, of course :)

  4. Amy says

    I’ve always wanted one of those nifty totes! If I had one I would use it to carry my wares to and from my little shop. Right now I’m using one of those giant plastic ziploc bags! Yikes!

  5. Lindsay says

    Good morning dear Gussy!

    I would take Mr.Wonderful on a romantic weekend where we would enjoy a dinner picnic in the Atl Botanical Gardens while listening to a great concert. The next day we would sleep in. I SAID SLEEP IN and eat our breakfast in bed out of this lovely tote. THEN we would go to an afternoon Braves game, taking our tote of course, filled with yummy goodies.

    Don’t you see how much I need this?

  6. Christy says

    ooh la la Love the Market tote. I would use mine for trips to the local farmers market or
    to put in my car to store books & toys for long trips. So awesome!

  7. 50centlove says

    I think I would use that Market Tote for a number of things, like carrying stuff to and from the car, back and forth to work, farmers market. Stuff like that. Very CUTE!!

    I am DYING to know what this “number” secret you are doing is!!!

  8. Imperfect says

    A fellow Carolina girl! Woohoo! And I absolutely love monograms. That tote would definitely find itself being dragged along on our weekend trips to the beach and mountains this spring, summer and fall. Hubby and I love any excuse to get outside!

  9. Meg says

    Those are so pretty! Well, I will be visiting South Carolina this summer and I think this would be perfect to take along to the beach, plus this will be my first time seeing the ocean, I am so excited about it!!!
    xoxo~Meg

  10. Staci-Jill says

    I have purchased items from Monogram Mama and love them! The craftsmanship is excellent and the items are fun and sassy- just like Monogram Mama herself :) If you’re looking for something unique for you or something that makes a great gift for anyone, I highly suggest something from the Monogram Mama collection.

  11. Gina says

    I just LOVE all of Monogram Mama’s items! She has FUN items~ And, her monogram looks FABULOUS~ And, that black and white damask tote is just darling! I would use it to ‘tote” my daily items around : ) It would be with me daily in my car. “Catching” all of those misc. items that we as busy Moms have to gather ~

  12. Jessica says

    Oooooh, I <3 <3 <3 the market tote! I would love it in damask. I frequent the farmer's markets and always bring my reuseable totes to the grocery store/commissary (I'm an Army wife as well!). Most of my totes stay in the car so I always have them, but these look super sturdy and I could use it for storage in the back of my car.

  13. Jessica says

    Love it – would want it in damask. Always go to the Farmer’s Market and am trying to do a big garden this year so it would be perfect to carry all my veggies and great stuff. Plus, my girlies would love to have a special picnic with Mama and use this I’m certain.

    So excited about your big reveal – will keep on watchin’ that number grow. Good for you, I just know it will be fabulous!

  16. MG says

    Our farmer’s market is starting up in a few weeks, and this would be perfect for bringing home vegetables!

  18. Blair@HeirtoBlair says

    I LOVE those totes! You know how I feel about damask!

    & monograms! So Southern.

    That screams picnic in the park to me. We have this amazing little park near our house where we take Harrison & Tuck almost every weekend. I can totally see us filling it up with snacks & books & spreading out a blanket for the afternoon.

  20. Katie H says

    I have wanted one of those market totes for the longest time! I’d make my husband take me on lots of picnics this summer at the park this summer!!

  21. Karen Davis says

    I would take my market tote to the “4” and “9” market here in S. Korea. It’s only open on days that have a “4” or a “9” in it (ya, I just figured put two and two together recently, big DUH for me), but I love this market… full of fresh vegetables and seasonings/spices and of course, who could resist the street vendor food!

  24. Beth S says

    I would take my tote on one of my lunch break walks and do some light grocery shopping! So cute!

  25. Melinda says

    I have always wanted a tote like this! I would leave it in my car and use it all the time, especially for trips to the farmers market.

  27. Jingle says

    Oh, my goodness!!! I love these! I would take it everywhere!!! Okay…maybe not EVERY where, but you get the idea! I would use it at Walmart so I could feel cute even though I am shopping there! LOL!

  28. Stephanie says

    SUPER cute stuff!!! You too, Gussy!
    I would take my tote to the farmer’s market! The husband and I go every Saturday morning!!

  29. Celina says

    I would definitely take that lovely market tote out to my local market to buy wonderful locally grown food to make a great lunch. Then I’d take that lunch & use the market tote to take to the beach for a picnic with my family! (:

  30. Alisha in Ohio says

    That. Is. Awesome!

    I’d alternate between using it for my knitting and toting back and forth to the shop and taking it to the grocery for small trips and to the farmers market this summer for fresh fruits and veggies!

  33. Ashley says

    Where would I not take it is more like it. First, it would be to all the t-ball games and then to the beach during the summer.
    Thanks for the giveaway!!

  39. Heather Thomas says

    If I were to be so lucky to win one, I would take my market tote with me when I grocery shopped. It would be a great way to add more “green” to my life!

  43. Kelaine says

    I would take the tote to the St. Paul farmer’s market!! I am so excited for it to start :) I could also use it as a knitting bag….another knitting bag, I should say. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  44. Corrie says

    I would take my market tote to WalMart & the fabric store & be the most stylin’ Momma in that store! These are so cool!

  45. Taryn says

    I had never seen one of these market totes until the other day while going through home and garden magazine and i couldn’t stop thinking of what a great idea/product it is! I think it would be super cute for a picnic (as some others have mention) or shopping or for anything really! I love it! **fingers crossed**

  48. Erica Cohen says

    hey! this is my first time visiting your blog…you have the best fabrics and color combinations. truly beautiful!

  50. Lynne says

    What a beautiful way to be eco friendly! I would love to use it for spring time picnics or a quick trip to the farmers market! The damsk is right up my alley!

  51. Skye says

    Hi! This is my first time visiting your blog! I really enjoyed the artist interview. Her market tote is so cute. I love that she lives in Fayetteville! We lived there for nine years and we are still missing it.
    I visited your shop too Gussy! I love all the ruffles. So pretty!

    • Skye says

      I forgot to write where I would take my tote! I would stick it in my bike basket and take it everywhere. It would come in so handy!

  53. Sarah M says

    Hello! Found your blog via the Freckled Nest giveaway post!…THough I’ve also seen your beautiful ruffled items on Smile & Wave, too! I love your market tote and reading through your ‘survey/interview’. I can think of two places, of the top of my head, where your tote would be great: the Farmers Market and a picnic!
    Sarah M

  54. Angie H. says

    I would take my basket to the Farmer’s Market, of couse. No really, we like many other cities in the US, have some great markets and I am very lucky to be able to go to them.

  55. Savanna* says

    I clicked over from Freckled Nest today and just wanted to let you know your blog and wares are really cute. Those baskets are pretty sweet. My mom has a similar one and I must say I do have a bad case of basket envy. If I had one of my own I would have the urge to take it on picnics.

  56. Michelle Myers says

    I would love to fill this with all the little things I seem to always need when heading to MOPS, Bible Study or a playdate w/my munchkins! Just love the damsk!!!!!!!!
    kids4gymbo at yahoo dot com

  57. Beverly Pennington says

    I would take that market tote everywhere! The park, the beach, the market, to do clean up in the toy room…so gorgeous!

  58. Maggie says

    I think that gorgeous tote would go everywhere with me! It would certainly brighten up my errands and help me cut down on those plastic bags.

  59. .Lost In Reverie. says

    I would fill it with my SLR camera, watercolors and a snack, and then take it to the zoo! I love going there and painting the animals, talking to families, and soaking up some sunshine!!! :)

  61. Michelle says

    I LOVE THE Damask in Black or Turquoise or Pink! I wouldn’t know which one to choose! I would take it everywhere and anywhere. It would be my catch all tote to take to the beach, soccer games, dance lessons with toys in it for my little boy, my jewelry supplies when I take them on the road, some cheese and crackers and carry it around when I visit wineries in the area, to the park with snacks, to farmers markets to pick out fresh produce in fact my daugher would love carrying one around as well. It would be pretty just sitting on the table and filling it up with snacks at a birthday party. It has endless uses and possibilities! It would be the everything and everywhere accessory!

  62. JoAnna Sperling says

    Love.. Love.. Love… the tote. I am also a military wife and live on an island, so recycling and using my own re-usable bags is a must. I would love to add such a beautiful piece to my bland collection of run down re-usable totes. From grocery store to flea markets and then to the beach and pool, this is a great and very usable piece..

  63. Brooke says

    Love! Though i love me a good tote, this would be a perfect gift for my mom on her birthday coming up. She is in need of a new tote to carry her library books in every week! It’s far better than plastic and as the daughter, it’s my job to help her stay in style. :) (boffthewall@gmail.com)

  64. Sarah Taylor says

    Um.. hello! Where has this adorableness been all my life?

    I want one of everything! Seriously
    I would be honored to carry such a cute bag! What a great way for me to add some spring color to my otherwise mainly black wardrobe! I need to keep these in mind for gift ideas too!

    Cheers!!!
    Sarah

  65. Lou Ma says

    Hi Gussy, My first visit to your site. Great web page; fun, informative and sooo pretty. I would love the basket and as anyone who knows me would testify to…it would be filled with beads and jewelry. Right now I carry my custom jewelry around in a bag but this would be so much better and easier to see the contents. Lou

  66. susan r says

    I’d take the tote packed with goodies for a family picnic!
    susanerios at hotmail.com

  69. Chris Mullins says

    I would carry my tote everywhere our RV goes and that would be a lot of people seeing one of the many really great crafts that are out there from a lot of really talented ladies .
    Congratulations Carol Ann on your feature at Gussy’s

  70. Amy Davis says

    Wow, I can’t think of where I wouldn’t take it! Seriously, with summer time just around the corner, there are so many places I imagine using this. The Farmer’s Market is the first place that comes to mind. Oh, and since I’m a homeschooling mom, I can just imagine us toting some books and snacks along with us on one of our outings. We would certainly be the most fashionable folks reading at the park! It would be great to hold some flip-flops and a towel on Splash Pad days! Fashionable, Fun, and Functionality! I love it!

  71. Brunette says

    oh, I’d take my tote and my husband to the park and enjoy an afternoon of reading and frisbee and a nice supper!

    so so fun!

  72. Leeann H says

    These market totes are adorable. I would use it inside my house to help me lug things from room to room and then when I’m done organizing I would pack a picnic in it and take it to the park (looking oh so chic). Thanks for the chance to win.

  75. Katie Howard says

    That adorable market tote would go with me EVERY WHERE! It would hold my coffee thermos and lunch on a school day; lug my fresh veggies from the market back home; conceal a magnificent meal for a romantic picnic in the neighborhood park; and finally veil the homemade cinnamon rolls that I take to my Tiger when he’s at work.

  76. Heather says

    That would make a great picnic basket, or a nice basket for library books, or just carrying all that extra stuff it seems I have every single time I go somewhere!

  78. tara says

    Thanks for posting about your ‘typical day’. I’m loving all the creative people I’m bumping into online but it’s nice to see how someone with kids juggles it all! Gives me hope I’ll find a groove too.

  79. Nicole says

    Yay military mamas and NC!!

    These are so cute! I would take it to the farmers’ market, the library, the beach, pretty much everywhere. I have a ten-month-old and sit for my friend’s seven-month-old, so anywhere we go, we have a TON of stuff.

  81. Amanda says

    Pretty sure I would take it to the grocery store, the farmers market, and on a picnic with my husband among other trips! Her products are adorable, thanks!!

  82. Kristin says

    I LOVE these collapsible little baskets! I’d take mine shopping for sure -grocery, clothes, knick-knack shopping, whatever! It also screams “take me on a picnic” to me, so I’d probably do that too :-) It looks like it would be handy for toting knitting projects…great for the pool. Oh, and I go to lots of stamping meetings, and it looks like it would fit my loot for them just perfectly.- We’d be attached at the hip LOL! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  84. juliette crane says

    loving your featured artist fridays and can’t wait to read more. this one is super lovely! and just makes me want to take a picnic. thanks for sharing!

    stopped by freckled nest…saying hello!
    xoxo, juliette

  86. Mandy Dake says

    Ohhhhhh to soccer games, the beach, everywhere! These are lovely and so is your shop! Hugs, Mandy

  87. Emma Hertel says

    um… I don’t know how to do that big giveaway thing but I’m putting this on everyone’s! haha thanks :) AND I love em all!giveaways.. that is…

  88. julieann says

    I would use this to carry items to and from school or in my classroom for my books and other every day supplies! As a preschool teacher I love totes of all kinds, but espeially ones that are this cute!!

  90. clarissa says

    If I had that beautiful market tote I would be so proud to take it to the fabric store to put my little things for check out in. I would also take it to the library. I just might take it to church.
    It is so cute, my grandchildren would probably want it.

  94. Aimee says

    I love those totes! Would be perfect to take with me when I go to the thrift store searching for used books. I usually end up with an arm full!

  95. Paige says

    I would take my tote packed with snacks and games to my nephew’s t-ball games this year! That would be perfect to use. Thanks for the chance!

  96. Jaimie says

    Cute! I’ve seen these everywhere and would love to have one to take to the Farmer’s Market! I could use it for my purchases or a picnic if we decide to eat lunch on the Capital lawn.

  99. Meredith says

    OH how I LOVE those market totes!!! I would take it to the library to gather children’s books. I would take it to the farmer’s market. I would take it in the car to collect and contain all the scattered toys, books, and other odds and ends!