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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / blog/craft events / {Blissdom 2011 recap}

{Blissdom 2011 recap}

February 1, 2011 · 38 Comments
Filed Under: blog/craft events

Yeow! ~ I’m back from Blissdom and it was a blast! I also went last year, and before Blissdom ’10 was over I was excited for Blissdom ’11 {it’s just that great of a blogging conference.} A lot of bloggers I follow/am friends with attend, so it was a great mix of hanging out + learning, all rolled into one.

Wednesday morning, Anna and I skipped *wink* throughout the airport and onto the plane. We flew Southwest and were able to sit next to each other on both connecting flights. Before we boarded we each bought a few magazines. For someone that gets sweaty hands when she fly’s, and ummm, feels a little whoo-hooooo, I say it was a necessary expense {ahem, sorry about the $13 Zack}.

I met Angie Smith at Relevant {October ’10}, which was a real treat because I’ve been reading her blog for 3 years now. She invited me to stay at her house Wednesday night, so she picked me up from the airport and we had ice-cream, dinner with Jess & Emily, and then talked & laughed in front of a fire. It was, like, the best date ever. Angie is a true blessing :]

Thursday morning, Angie and I headed to Opryland and the whirling of happiness began its flight around me. Thursday & Friday were both AMAZING ~ lots of welcomed hugs, laughs, dessert {thanks Ruthanne!}, brainstorming and giving thanks. So much has happened in the past 2 years, and even more has happened in the last year.

Doesn’t the Opryland have great carpet? I need this in fabric.
[photo credit]

I {heart} my Ruthanne of Eclectic Whatnot. And her snorts.
[photo credit]

Bloggy friends ~ new & old: April, Jess, Ruthanne.
[photo credit]

You know I love a good chat — and don’t you love our [unintentional] color-coordinated outfits?!
L to R, top to bottom: Melissa, Allison, me, Nester, Lorie, Miss Mustard Seed, Lindsey + Laurie
[photo credit]

You have to watch Ruthanne in these photos — she’s the one holding a coffee cup.
Look at my face, I’m all, “Nooooo… No!! Really?!”
This is 79% why I come to blog conferences… for the late-night laughs. I love my girl time!

[photo credit]

So much Gussy love ♥
Angie — me & Lindsay {thank you Linds for being my *friend*} — Nester & Jess

Know what else I love? Meeting new friends: Neely and me | Lisa Leonard, Marcy and me


The Opryland hotel — Guess how many square feet it is? 27,000. Mmmm hmm.

Look at how fun lunch was // do you SEE that whip cream in my coffee? Yum!

The (in)courage team always puts on a fun party with YUMMMY snacks.
And I just love Stephanie. We met at Blissdom ’10 after she asked me to sew bags for all the (in)courage writers.

Two great women that mentor me — Jess and Nester
♥

There you have it — Blissdom ’11 is over and I was {too} soon on a plane back to Minneapolis. My heart is just so full of love & friendship; my brain is full of ideas & affirmation.
This is a fabulous way to start out the year.

Saturday night snuggles — Sunday morning coffee ~

See you next year, at Blissdom!


xxoo

PS. I have some tips to share from the different sessions/tracks, but I’ll save those for another post!
PPS. Remember to scroll down for the Allora Handmade feature + giveaway.

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38 Comments
Filed Under: blog/craft events

« {capturing Blissdom ’11 ~ a vlog}
{welcome new sponsors & group giveaway winner} »

Comments

  1. Neely says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    Meeting you was definitely one of the biggest highlights of my trip! I cant wait to go next year. What an inspiring few days :)

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      February 1, 2011 at 10:55 pm

      i can definitely say the same about you, girl! xxoo

      Reply
  2. Ashleigh Baker (Heart and Home) says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    I miss you already. <3 <3 <3

    It was MAGIC.

    Reply
  3. Ashley | Domestic Fashionista says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    what a lovely trip! I must say you are quite adorable…I have loved your items for a VERY long time but I do not comment much. but I just won Kasey Buick’s giveaway so I thought I should shape up a bit and show my face around here! So the Nester just confirmed by her photo that I most definitely need to splurge on the BIG yellow market tote! So much more WOW in a big bag! You are a very talented chica and I am a big fan! So excited for you and the businees you have made for yourself!

    xxoo
    Ashley

    Reply
  4. melissa stover says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    so glad i got to meet angie. she’s a cutie.

    Reply
  5. Sandy a la Mode says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    awwwwwwwww i’d LOVE to attend blissdom one year and meet all you lovely ladies!!!

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      February 1, 2011 at 10:56 pm

      yessssss — come! come! :]
      i need to meet miss a la mode!

      Reply
  6. lisa leonard says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    it was so fun! love all your pics!! xoxo

    Reply
  7. Jennifer Bradshaw says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    I ordered a couple of Gussy items today – can’t wait to get them in and start busting them out!!! Southeast Missouri has no idea what’s coming!

    Thanks!
    @jennbshaw

    Reply
  8. racheldenbow says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    Oh, it looks like it was so much fun! Glad it was such a refreshing and educational trip!

    Reply
  9. Ruthanne says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Ya know what’s *really* funny about that 4 photo collage?

    Photo 1: You’re like “Hmm. Whatchya’ll lookin’ at?”

    Photo 2: You’re like “Hmm. I need a closer look at that!”

    Photo 3: You’re like “Duuuude. Nu-uh!!!”

    Photo 4: You’re like “I’m backin’ away. Too much. That’s just too much y’all!”

    Reply
  10. Megan Lane says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    these photos were so much fun to look at! great recap maggie! you look soooo purty in all your pics!

    Reply
  11. nicole says

    February 1, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    i decided if i ever win the lottery, i will own one piece of everything in your shop:) so happy you had a great time there. i’m sure all you lovely ladies had such a blast.

    Reply
  12. Heidi says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Looks like everyone had a blast! Perhaps someday I, too, will be able to attend. But thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!

    Reply
  13. Alli Worthington says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    I want to throw BlissDom again so I can hang out w y’all.

    So fun!

    xoxo

    Reply
  14. lindsey - the pleated poppy says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    i love me some gusgus!

    Reply
  15. Anna says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    I’ve read about Blissdom for two years…I think I HAVE to go next year now!

    Reply
  16. april kennedy says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    Ummm…did you say whipped cream in your post?! I love whipped cream. Sometimes just have a bowl of whipped cream. Striaght from the can too. On ice-cream, fruit and in hot chocolate. Actually I have hot chocolate with my whipped cream. We buy two large cans a week!

    It was so fun meeting you. I was in awe of your gorgeousness. And, your eyelashes!!

    Reply
  17. melissa @ the inspired room says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    Yay Gus!!! Thanks for slipping in the house photos for me. I don’t really care about your pictures with the girls, I just want to see the house. :-) It looks lovely, cozy and inviting. Just what I’d expect. Great seeing you again!!!! Um, where is the picture of ME with my Gus??

    Reply
  18. Angela says

    February 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Soooo need to go next year! Especially since it is in my own town, actually I’m in the burbs…but what a great event! And isn’t the Opryland Hotel fantastic??
    Love your blog, pics, biz tips, love it all! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Ashley says

    February 2, 2011 at 12:11 am

    Gussy you are so pretty. I am jealous of your hair:] and Gosh that looks like so much fun.. maybe one day I’ll feel important enough and have enough efriends to do something like a blogger conference.

    Reply
  20. Kristi @ Creative Kristi says

    February 2, 2011 at 7:25 am

    It was so great to meet you at lunch that last day- I only wish I could’ve stayed to chat longer. You seem so sweet & put up with me being all “can I please get a picture?!” geek on ya ;) I would love to do what you do & be able to supplement my family’s income- you are an inspiration! :)
    Hope to see you next year!
    -Kristi

    Reply
  21. Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia} says

    February 2, 2011 at 7:43 am

    Looks like a fabulous time was had by all! I’d love to go to Blissdom someday, and be able to meet all you lovely ladies! I’m super shy, though…guess i’d have to get over that. ;)

    Reply
  22. Virginia says

    February 2, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Next year I’m going! (hopefully) I went to college down there a decade ago and have some friends to bunk with. I should’ve just hopped in the car and went this year =) Hope you’re staying warm with all of the weather! I’m across the lake getting pounded with snow!

    Reply
  23. Lauren says

    February 2, 2011 at 8:22 am

    looooove it!!! Oh man… when is the sign up for Blissdom ’12??? I need to be there! :)

    Reply
  24. katy reitz (lil' alice) says

    February 2, 2011 at 9:52 am

    what a whole lot of fun!

    Reply
  25. Kimberly says

    February 2, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Looks like it was tons of fun! Thanks for sharing all the pictures and stories! :)

    Reply
  26. QuatroMama says

    February 2, 2011 at 10:59 am

    L.O.V.E. This recap! So much fun! Wish we could have hung out MORE, however! Next time?

    Reply
  27. To Think Is To Create says

    February 2, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    It was so good to see you again, tho I wish we had more time to just hang and chat and be quiet together. Next time I see you I promise not to ask if you’re overwhelmed. ;-)

    Adore you. <3

    Reply
  28. April Foss says

    February 2, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Great pictures!! Hope to be there with you ladies some day. I need to crawl out of my box first:/

    Reply
  29. patty says

    February 2, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    wish i’d had the opportunity to meet you at blissdom… i stayed w the writing track folks, but so fell in love with your work and the work of some of your colleagues! love what you do. i think next year i will hang with the craft & home bloggers… plus i love ruthanne, too.

    Reply
  30. Cassie says

    February 3, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    It truly sounds like a wonderful conference. I hope to get the chance to go one year!

    Reply
  31. Marcy says

    February 3, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    It was SO nice to finally meet you in person! You are an inspiration to me (and I know to many others too!) Maybe one day our paths will cross again and we can spend a little more time chatting. :)

    Reply
  32. Cloves says

    March 19, 2014 at 4:53 am

    So cool you got to meet Amber Mac! Your Blissdom Canada hangover is sothmeing I’m feeling too. Next year, I’m going to approach the conference differently and really seek out people I want to connect with. Like you! We only chatted briefly and that’s just not enough.

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention {Blissdom 2011 recap} -- Topsy.com says:
    February 1, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jen and Maggie Whitley, Maggie Whitley. Maggie Whitley said: ahem: @eclecticwhatnot @thenester @theinspiredroom @allorahandmade @thepleatedpoppy @lisaleonard @aprilkennedy http://tinyurl.com/64u2rle […]

    Reply
  2. Google Reader Stars « says:
    February 4, 2011 at 8:01 am

    […] Blissdom 2011 Recap by Gussy Sews–she has lots of links in her recap of the blogging conference she went to and I want to check them out. […]

    Reply
  3. {Eclectic Whatnot by Gussy Sews ~ she’s passing me the torch} says:
    September 7, 2011 at 6:02 am

    […] now? Well, the point is we’ve been online pals for quite some time, but earlier this year we met face-to-face at Blissdom. I thought I loved Ruthanne even though we had only chatted on the phone, but meeting […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
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