Maggie Whitley Designs

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{featured artist :: vol.25}

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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 items that reflect childhood, love, and a joyful spirit; beautiful items that we can share with others.

Today is week #29 of my series on Featured Artists, which is a bi-monthly event showcasing fun and sassy handmade shops! I love searching for new wares to show the Gussy community. You can read all back Featured Artist posts by clicking here.

Please help me to welcome Jessica from Vol.25…

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What inspires you?

So many different things, but it seems that I am most inspired by quotes! :] A single quote can inspire an entire print. I also gain inspiration from interior design blogs, seeing beautifully decorated rooms — definitely gets my creative juices flowing! :]

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

Prosser, Washington will always seem like home to me. I was born here, and have lived within a 30 mile radius for as long as I can remember!

Name something unique to where you live.

We have 30+ wineries surrounding our small town of about 5,00 people! :] Prosser is definitely wine country, and in September when the evenings start cooling off, you can smell the grapes from the nearby vineyards. I LOVE that. {ummm, yum!}

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

Hmm… me, interesting? It may be interesting that I find that funny! :] Really though… I guess it may be interesting that I married my husband 3 months and 3 weeks after having only met him. We both agreed that when we both felt we had found our soul mate, why wait? We’ve been married for almost 7 years now. :]

How did you come up with your shop name?

I really struggled with choosing a name! But in the end I decided on Vol.25 because in January of 2008 when I opened the doors to my little shop (via etsy.com) I was 25 years old, and vol.25 was like opening a new volume in my life, which in turn has created several new chapters for me.

Share a little bit about yourself.

I enjoy cooking, gardening, and decorating! I love ford Mustangs, and have owned both an ’88 LX 5.0 Convertible, as well as a ’91 GT Convertible… I worked at a Chevrolet dealership as a receptionist for 3 years before meeting and marrying my husband. :] One day I would love to own a ’69 Fastback. I am also mommy to a 5 year old and a 2 year old. :] They keep me on my toes!

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

Hmm… I would like to say “considerate” would best describe me… But unfortunately, I think I need to work on that a little more.

What made you decide to open up shop?

The need to create, and the thought of making a little extra money while still staying home with my girls. Never would I have thought that things would take off so quickly with my shop!

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.

Feeling like I can stand behind my product, and the fact that I send a little piece of me out with every package. :]

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

Being a mommy is my day job, but I manage to work in my etsy time. :]

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

Well, really I’m currently trying to work back into a normal routine day. My oldest just started kindergarten a couple days ago, and our day is super unorganized. Me and my youngest are having withdrawals! Generally, I wake at 6:30 with my husband, I pack his lunch and put together a quick breakfast, I fix his coffee and get him out the door. After that we get my daughter ready for school. Around 8:00 I start checking and responding to e-mails, I’m usually off and on the computer throughout the morning. Around 12:00 I fix lunch and my 2 year old settles down for a nap. During this time I try to make important phone calls, and get in the bulk of my computer time, or if it is an order day, I print and package orders. Around 2:00 she wakes and I usually do laundry or pick up toys from the morning. Around 4:30 I start thinking about making dinner. :]

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.

I LOVE Warm Sugar. Shannon makes the cutest handmade dolls, and she is as sweet as can be. We’ve collaborated quite a few times over the past 3 years. Although we’ve never met, I think we would get along really good if we ever did! :]

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.

Cuddling with my girls, gardening when the weather is just right, snuggled on the couch with my husband, and shopping at Ikea. :] Our closest one is 3 hours away…. *sigh*

Read any good books lately?

Well, not really! I don’t get in much reading lately… I’m afraid to start a book for fear I wont want to put it down! :]

What is your most prized possession?

My most recent favorite possession is the start of a quilt my late great grandmother started 25+ years ago. The story goes that it was made using pieces from clothes my grandma and her siblings outgrew. :] She never finished it, but I love it just the same. I used it as a backdrop in this picture below:

What are three of your favorite foods?

I love barbecued Hamburgers, Olive Garden’s Steak Gargonzolla, and stuffed crust pizza! :]

What would you like to learn to do?

I would love to one day learn how to sew!!

What are you listening to right now?

Peace and quiet. ;]

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

I would LOVE to one day visit Ireland. I’m not sure why, I guess I just love the scenery…

***

The Giveaway Goods:

Vol.25 is giving away 2 uncustomized 8×10 prints from their shop ~ in the winners choice of colors!

To enter:

Leave a comment sharing something positive about your day.

For extra entries {leave a comment for each}:
  • Tweet about this: I {heart} handmade items! Enter to win two prints by @vol25 via @GussySews’s blog: http://bit.ly/cvCfOw
  • Blog about it {please share permalink with us}

EXTRA INFO:
  • The giveaway will close Sunday, September 12 at 10 pm CST, and the winner will be announced the following day
  • An email address must be listed on your blog profile or in the comment you leave
  • Follow Vol.25 on Twitter
  • Follow their blog
  • Facebook Fan Page: Vol.25

Come on back Friday, September 24 for another Featured Artist post!



Comments

  1. Amanda says

    First I have to say I LOVE Vol. 25! Hubby bought be the robots in love set for my birthday this year and they are prominently displayed in our bedroom! The robots are GORGEOUS and printed on canvas which is just uber cool!

    Happy thoughts for today? It’s Friday! Sadly hubby will be home late BUT that leave a whole day devoted to just mommy and Maddie!

    amanda.bryant84@gmail.com

  3. Angela says

    It’s Friday and the weather is beautiful! And I just know the day is going to get even better from here:)

  4. Becca says

    Amazing prints! I LOVE them :-)

    And i’m super excited about my day today because we’re going to sign a contract on a house!!! :-) wohoo! We are moving into the ‘hood to do ministry and have been looking for the right house for months :-) yay!

  5. Lori says

    I’ve never heard of her shop before. I love that “I measure my life in coffee spoons” print. I’m decorating my kitchen with a coffee theme! coffee keeps me warm and gets me going in the morning.

  6. Alissa Circle says

    Wow! I’m really loving Vol. 25, I’ve never seen her shop before. Her portraits are too cute!!! My families on the east coast this week helping my Papa celebrate his 90th birthday year!!

  7. Sarah M says

    Something positive about our day is that it’s the perfect end to a busy, yet productive week. Our family is going on a “Farm Walk” tonight, which is an annual get-together of farmers & eaters :) from our CSA group and eating local homemade food, playing games, entering raffles, and just enjoying the farm!
    I can’t wait!

    Sarah M

  8. April in CT says

    I absolutely love her prints! My husband is in the military and we move often, so the “Wherever we are together, that is home” print really touches me.

    A good thing about my day, believe it or not, is that my mother and sister in law are coming for a visit!! AND I slept the whole night through, which rarely ever happens.

  10. Christy says

    Woke up this a.m. on the right side of the bed. Birds are singing. Good hair. Couldn’t be a better to start to my day.

    I am a huge fan of Vol. 25 just came across her blog this week. I love,love her prints!! And photo overlays

  12. Meg says

    Her prints are great, love them! Well, my day just started, but it’s always positive when I wake up next to the man I love, go downstairs to wake up my amazing children and then I am blessed enough to be able to be a stay at home mom, which is pretty awesome!! Thanks for the chance Maggie!!
    xoxo~Meg

  14. jenn says

    My favorite postive thing of the day is that it is Friday and the two older kids left for school in a good mood and I am spending the morning with a happy baby ~ even if I don’t get to finish one of the (four hundred eighty seven) projects I have to work on today, it’s a good day!

  17. Ashley C says

    My son told his daddy that “Mommy is in charge!” and flapped his hands at his side with a little ‘tude. I LOVED IT!

    ashley.m.cochran @ gmail.com

  18. Kristen says

    My day started out by watching my almost-two-year-old daughter sleeping soundly. Precious!
    Thanks for the great giveaway! (kristen_ng04@yahoo.com)

  20. Lauren says

    Those are absolutely awesome prints, I love them! The positive in my day is that it’s Friday and I don’t have much to do for the weekend! Me time!

  22. Katie @ Making This Home says

    Jessica is one of my all-time favorite artists! Something I love about Friday is my long walk down to the mailboxes. It’s about 2 miles – so not super long, but an awfully long trip just to check mail. I love it.
    Thanks for the beautiful interview, Jessica.
    Katie

  23. Amy says

    Something positive about my day…even though I’m fighting a sinus cold, the sun in shining, I have a job and God has blessed me with another day. :)

  27. Sydney S says

    Wow, beautiful work! I’m completely in love with the 1234 print. So glad to be introduced to vol.25

    We’re off on a little weekend family getaway that my husband desperately needs, I can’t wait til the work bell rings & we can start our weekend :)

  29. Cristy says

    My husband has a xc meet this afternoon so I get to pick up our daughter from school today… which means 1)leaving work early and 2)getting to hear all of the after school chit chat! Yay!

  32. Heather S. says

    Positive thing about my day? Well, to start, there’s coffee brewing. And my little guy, my main squeeze, and [one of] my nephews is here with me, hanging out, playing, and laughing together. And it’s Friday. And it’s fall. ok. i’m getting carried away….

  33. Beth says

    I get to go to Beaver’s Bend (look it up…it’s beautiful) with my sweet husband and baby boy (who is two months old today!) and spend the weekend with them, my parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, and three nieces! Can. Not. Wait!

  34. Valerie says

    The positive thing about my day is I got to snuggle with my 4 year old son before we got up this morning. It was heavenly :)

  35. Tara says

    My sweet energetic 2 year old son asked me to hold him this morning, and he held my hand too. He is often on the move, so these precious moments are few and far between!

  38. katie trott says

    I am new to your blog and I am really enjoying myself! Another great thing about my day is that I am off to visit a friends’ backyard sale. She always has lots of junk that I can’t live without!

  39. Heather Thomas says

    Well, so far today I’ve been able to sleep in! I’m also about to indulge in a hot cup of fresh brewed coffee. Her shop is adorable!! I love the “I measure my life in coffee spoons” print.

  42. Jessica says

    Thanks for the intro to Vol25, adorable images!

    My positive for the day: It’s Friday, and tonight begins my fall vacation!!!

    (jessical50 at hotmail dot com)

  43. Stacey says

    What a cute shop! Thanks for exposing us to her! My positive for the day is that I woke up to beautiful Midwest morning and the weather is just perfect today! (And it’s Friday! Woohoo!)

  44. Kristina says

    I have always loved this shop.
    If I could, I would buy every single print.
    We moved into a new apartment a few months back and the walls are only half filled.
    I am SO sure I would find the space for all the prints.

    :)

    Something positive today…
    The sun is shining.
    My 19 months old son gave me a hug & kiss as soon as he woke up.
    Hubby told me he was taking me on a date after work.
    Laundry & Groceries were done yesterday, no need to do it on the weekend.

    What else can I ask for?

    K

  45. Sharon says

    Thanks for turning me onto this shop – her work is so fun and cuddly! The best part about today is that it’s a beautiful day for baseball! Especially with a slight nip in the air – yay for fall coming!

  49. Christi Traster says

    Yay! I <3 this shop!!!! Her style is right up my alley. I just checked out her blog – holy smooookes!

    1) I tweeted – http://twitter.com/SnickerdoodlesP/status/24117966155

    2) Following her blog via google reader

    3) I'm a new Vol25 FB fan

    4) Following her on twitter

    5) My something positive – I have MANY, but the first that popped into my mind is that I'm drinking coffee from my fave mug. It says "good" on one side and "morning" on the other :)

  53. EFY says

    Wow! A positive for today??? I have finished canning sweet pickles! I have a darling man who loves me, who is faithful to me, who works when others would quit. He’s married to me for the long haul. :0)

  54. Jingle says

    Today my work is INTERESTING! It has been a rough week and I am excited to have a good day with just enough work that is really interesting to do today! And then…I get to go home and CREATE!!!! That is pretty much a happy day!

  58. Pam Keener says

    I attended an orientation earlier today to become a volunteer usher at The Hershey Theater. What an inspiring seminar as we took a tour of the Theater and learned and saw things I wouldn’t have ever seen otherwise. IMMD
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam

  62. Ann says

    Oh how I love her work! I have been eyeing her pieces for awhile!

    Something positive? My hubby and I are spending the evening with some of our closest friends! Yay!

  63. jen says

    something positive…I got up early and am making progress settling into our new home! One of these days, I will likely “break down” and actually buy one of Jessica’s prints…if I don’t win one this time around. her work is so fresh and fun!

  64. Vickie Hartman says

    First of all, this is my first peek at vol25’s creations (thanks to @amykpaul’s fb link). All of her items are so super cute! … Happy thought for today? No problem coming up with that one. My mom had stage 3 colon cancer last year, battled through it, and got her chemotherapy port out this morning!!! The end of that journey! So thankful that God healed my mother!

  66. Ksenia says

    It’s only morning, so the most positive thing of the day was to wake up beside my whole family and find them all in good health and smiling, finding that my pains are gone and having breakfast together. Lovely start of the day, don’t you think?

  67. Kristin says

    I love the prints! And I think the most positive thing about today is that it’s Friday – and tonight we’re having homemade pizza and movie night. :)

  68. Kristi says

    Love the shoes – my 13 year old is always in converse!

    It’s Friday and have nothing on the calendar. Plan to stay home & relax!!

  69. Beth P says

    I love her shop! A positive about my day – I know tomorrow I can go on a weekend getaway with my hubby!

  71. Rebecca G says

    something positive:)–i took my twin boys to the children’s village in our town and they loved it. we had a great time there this morning!

  73. Jennifer says

    Today I was contacted by a potential employer to schedule an interview with me. I am being laid off from my present job and need to get to a new one quick so I believe that was a very positive thing today!

  75. Angie M says

    I made my kids day…..Both got to invite friends over after school and sleepover! They think I am the best mom ever!! I hope they always think that:) I am now listening to screaming, laughing children. What could be better?

  79. Delaney says

    I have been a fan of her shop since FOREVER! Her stuff is the cutest!

    Somethng positive about my day? Getting to meet a bloggy friend at Starbucks! :)

    thanks for the amazing giveaway!

  81. Shalyn McFaul says

    Today I found out that we can paint and redecorate the wee little box of a Box Office that I work in! This is wonderful news as right now the box is drab and only adds to a sense of confinement when in there for long shifts. I’m so excited to make it a more pleasant place to be.

    c{dot}shalyn{at}gmail{dot}com

  84. Maggie says

    I came home in kind of a bad mood to an e-mail from my brother-in-law wanting to know what I think about this season of Project Runway. He was so earnest and sweet about it, and I’m still smiling. :)

  85. Ashley says

    We’re in the middle of potty training and I got to get out of the house and shop all. by. myself. today!! I was so excited after being at home all week. :)

  86. Kelly says

    My brother, who lives in New York and I usually see once, maybe twice a year, is coming to visit this coming week! His long term girlfriend from Poland is coming too! They arrive this afternoon. Can’t wait to meet her and see him. He is extra excited to spend time with his niece. We are all very excited! :)

  87. Shandell says

    I tried a new muffin recipe this afternoon and had to fudge it a bit for lack of eggs and it turned out WONDERFULLY! mmm, blueberry-applesauce muffins.

  93. Magen says

    Hmmm…lets see. I have had a cold all week and TODAY I’m feeling a little better. Love Vol.25 shop and love her blog! Hope I win :)

  96. alison says

    I love this shop! Especially the one that said, “I measure my life in coffee spoons”. SO CUTE!
    I got to spend this evening laughing and talking and cooking with three of my best friends while preparing for one of the girls baby shower’s tomorrow. There is nothing better than good, good friends!

  98. Tonya says

    Such a great interview. As a mom that works with my husband and six children at home creating I so enjoy reading about other artists’ days.
    Right now I am loving this beautiful day catching up at home with just my youngest. Thank you for sharing.

  99. Haley says

    Today I get to hang out with my best friend and go see one of her favorite bands who rarely tours – truly a special day. :) I’d love to get her the birdcage one for her birthday!

  103. Abbie says

    Best part of today was being outside at the farmer’s market all morning with my kids – and watching them play with friends young and old! What wonderful pictures/paintings/drawings and their sentiments!

    abbiemknaub at yahoo dot com

  105. Jolie says

    What gorgeous prints – and what a lovely giveaway, thanks!
    We got to visit my husband’s 101 (and a half!) year old grandmother today, and watching her with her 8th great granddaughter and only great grandson (my twins) absolutely made my day!

  106. nancie says

    love LOVE these prints!!
    something positive for today..sunday…….
    my girls come back home today after being at their dad’s (my ex) for his weekend visitation with them..!! can’t wait to see them!!

  111. Lubaska says

    Today was lovely sunny day (following 2 rainy days) and my migraine dissapeared.:-) Thats a feeling!!!

  113. Laura says

    I’ve been wanting to order some prints from Vol25 for awhile now! Winning a couple would be even better!

    Today’s weather is gorgeous and my husband and I are hanging out with his brother and his wife tonight! :)

  115. Lubaska says

    And finally:
    I follow Vol.25 on Twitter (Lubaska)
    I follow their blog
    I am a facebook Fan Page: Vol.25 (Lubka K.)
    thanks

  116. Andrea says

    This morning I got to see my daughter sing in front of church. It was such a proud moment to realize how grown up she’s becoming. I love these prints and hope I am the winner! :)

  118. Jill English says

    I’ve had a wonderful weekend spending time with my best friend from childhood. She flew to Houston from St. Louis to visit with my family and to meet my 3 week old petite princess. We had an amazing time catching up, shopping, and enjoying an evening out (thanks to my amazing husband). Just took her to the airport and I’m thankful for my cherished friend.

  119. Kacie says

    I had a great weekend with family, and then this afternoon my husband and I were able to spend some quality time together as a wonderful breeze blew through our house. So relaxing!

    kacie32884@aol.com

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