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Maggie Whitley Designs

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / {a stream of thoughts, fun links & a Question}

{a stream of thoughts, fun links & a Question}

March 15, 2011 · 27 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration

This is one of those random posts where I share silly photos from my phone and offer up links at the end for you to check out. OK, I think I’ve just summarized everything I was wanting to write :]

It’s just past 10am and already the day is filling up with much to do. Jessie is here to work and the ideas are flowing, orders are being packaged {click here to see some cute packaging ideas}, and ruffles are being sewn. YEOW!

This weekend I have a Saturday Craft post scheduled. EEEEEK, it’s so cute and a sneak-peak is in one of these photos. Do you think you can figure it out?

What have my days looked like lately? Buried in fabric ♥. It’s the best feeling and is the quickest way for me to de-stress and focus and keep a positive/encouraging attitude. I love the time I spend online, but some times I just need to get it done, ya know? :]

Poor Bauer, every day he is played with, walked & snuggled. All. day. long. He loves it! *wink* And then he takes a nap on our bed. Hah! And he said if you need a good blog to read while you’re relaxing, here are some good ones.

Lisa Leonard featured our wedding on her blog — and makes me super happy to think about our amazing day!!!

Michelle has a new series on her blog called Love Out Loud and I’m guest posting on OPTIMISM — click here to check it out :]

Be sure and visit the sponsors in my sidebar >>
There are a handful of new shops/blogs being featured, sporting such amazing creativity & prettiness :]
Need a gift for your friend? Shop my sidebar ♥

***

Want to know something oh-sew funny? The reason I’m blogging to this day is because Zack started a Blogspot blog for me back in July 2008 {-ish}. He thinks I tell the best {random} stories and a blog would be the perfect place to share them all [snort]. And… then I taught myself how to sew, so I really had something to talk about. And here we are today! Crazy how one idea can transform into something so magical, yes?

Share with us: Why do you blog?

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27 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration

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Comments

  1. Ashley Pichea says

    March 15, 2011 at 10:35 am

    I blog as an outlet to write. I’ve used my blog to focus my writing and have built an incredible community of friends and readers through it. I hope to use my blog as a platform for speaking and writing!

    Reply
  2. Marilyn says

    March 15, 2011 at 10:43 am

    That’s a good question that I try to ask myself regularly. Right now, I blog to have a creative outlet (I’m learning that you can’t just want to be creative. You have to go out and do it.) and to learn from/with others. So far, so good. :-)

    Reply
  3. Lauren says

    March 15, 2011 at 10:43 am

    Well, I originally started my blog as a way to journal my thoughts during a particularly hard time. I’d been through a lot health-wise and experienced major loss AND we were in the process of turning our lives upside down by quitting jobs, moving 4 hours away to go to seminary/full time ministry. It was CRAZY!! Now here we are 2 years later and wow am I shocked at what my blog has turned into! Since then we sold our house, moved into a new wonderful place, almost 2 years of seminary down, awesome ministry, we decided to adopt from Ethiopia, brought our son home last month, I started my own business, and now I’m able to help other families bring their babies home. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have too much happening NOT to blog! haha

    Reply
  4. Dallas says

    March 15, 2011 at 11:08 am

    YAY workspace pictures!!
    Why do I blog?…hmm good question….I started sewing recently {more like 8 months agoish} and I just wanted to tell the whole world all about it!! And I wanted to connect with other people in the handmade biz, create relationships, ask for advice, give advice, brainstorm, post pretty pictures, sell my beautiful product, and tell the whole world who I am and what I’m doing! I just love the idea of blogging ;) everything about it gets me all bubbly and excited inside. I remember that feeling when I got my first follower, recieved my first comment…and I just can’t wait for the future of Sew Indy!

    Reply
  5. Southern Gal says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    It’s evolved over the years. It started as a journal for myself. Then I started sharing with family…then friends found it. I would say it’s still a personal blog, but I’ve linked to others and have found so many like-hearted friends through the blogging community. Photography is one of my interests so I use my blog as a place to post some favorites to chronicle our lives.

    What? You write a post on OPTIMISM??? Ha! Obviously!

    Reply
  6. Rebecca@This Present Life says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Sounds like you’ve been busy sewing up a storm! That’s awesome! Can’t wait to see your Saturday Craft!

    Reply
  7. Alli-Life on LeRoy says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    Good question! I blog because it’s my way to be creative. I love using bright colors, fun pictures, etc. on my blog so it’s fun for people to read. I LOVE blogging!! It’s an adventure!

    Reply
  8. katy says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    i blog because i want to have documentation about our lives for my children…and our family. my hubby made my first year of blogging into a book and i can’t wait to do that again! also, i just love to write about what the Lord has been teaching me and also just funny, dorky real-life stories.

    here is my question for you: i think you used shakeit for your little polaroid pics but what did you use for the film strip pics? i use the shakeit for any iphone pics i post to my phone, but i’d love more ideas!

    Reply
  9. Blair@HeirtoBlair says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    I started blogging to talk about cervical mucus. True story.

    But then it just became a little piece of me & this community that grew & grew. It’s my safe place to be 100% me.

    Reply
  10. Heather B. says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I started blogging because I had a little nomad moment in life where I kept moving around and couldn’t get enough of meeting new people and seeing new places. This is a way for me to keep up (beyond facebook) with all the amazing people I met by keeping a diary of sorts of what goes in my life. I’m learning how great the blogging community really is!

    Reply
  11. Nish says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    To speak hope. And to remind myself & others that we’re all connected, our stories matter & we’re not alone. It’s a very powerful creative outlet for me.

    Reply
  12. sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails says

    March 15, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I started a blog basically so I could comment on other blogs I found and loved. But its come to be so much more for me. I love the connections Ive made(& continue to make) and cant wait to see what comes of it. My dream is to attend a bloggy meetup/creative get together with other bloggers I love to make those connections even stronger. That face to face connecting is so much more powerful than online connecting. Putting a voice to the person, talking to them for reals, getting to really KNOW them. So powerful!
    XO,
    Sarah

    Reply
  13. Liv Lane @ Choosing Beauty says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    I blog to keep myself accountable ~ I started it to find a bit of beauty in each day. Blogging about those little moments of magic each day reminds me to LOOK for those little moments of magic. Plus, inspiring others inspires me.

    p.s. I love the stream of sunlight across your fabric in the photo above.

    Reply
  14. skye says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    i blog because i love to write and i want to document life. i am terrible at remembering to take pictures or keep a journal on a vacation. i never remember what i did last thursday. so having a blog sort of holds me accountable to remembering and documenting these things! i also have learned to love and nurture the community involved in it. when you blog you become a part of a universe that you would have never known existed had you not taken that tiny step and stuck your toe in the water. and for whatever reason God has pushed me to keep doing it even when i get discouraged or just “meh” about it. he will send a kind reader my way to inspire or remind me that “hey she is a normal girl, just like you, living and breathing the same air” and she is an inspiration to many. i feel like He is guiding me towards that one day but who knows. for now i just want to remember to take pictures and share them with everyone. :)

    Reply
  15. Heather Irene says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    I blog so that I don’t stay inside my head. It can be a dangerous place. I’m trying to get better at really getting my thoughts out there.

    Reply
  16. Mandi says

    March 15, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    I started blogging before it was “blogging” (around 1997-98ish). I used to keep an “online diary” as a freshman in high school (*DORK!*) — just static HTML files that I appended a daily entry to every day and uploaded to my GeoCities account. Then when PyraLabs launched blogger, I moved there, then on to owning a domain and using Greymatter and later WordPress to power my blog. Basically … it’s been a creative outlet for me and just plain a part of my daily life for over a dozen years. (Which is weird to think of!!)

    Reply
  17. teresa says

    March 15, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    I HEART random over here on Gussy Sews!
    And that’s the cutest pin~cushion I ever did see!
    Hugs!
    xo

    Reply
  18. Sincerely,Jenni says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    I blog just for the creative outlet. I like writing, and I don’t even know that very many people read my blog. I’ve been blogging off and on for over five years now, and I just keep plugging away. Sometimes I get a few comments and sometimes i don’t. I just write about whatever is on my mind, I guess.

    Reply
  19. darcie says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Why do I blog? I blog so that my babies (who aren’t babies anymore!) will have a record of their lives, of our lives…so that they will know that I existed if Heaven forbid something should ever happen to me…I lost my own mom shortly before I turned 3…I cherish the couple of pictures I have…I plan to leave behind proof that I existed! ;)

    Reply
  20. Sarah Scott says

    March 15, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    I mostly blog to have a virtual portfolio of our homeschool days… I do love getting on my soap box every once in a while though… or offering encouragement to other moms out there. And I can’t resist sharing some of my newest dolls and other sewn creations form time to time :)

    Reply
  21. Kris says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Hi there. Love your story. I wondered….is your doggin’ part Wheaten Terrier? We have a Wheatie. He sure looks similar. He’s a cutie!

    Reply
  22. Shelly W. says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    Oh you sweet girl. I just love your fun, creative, colorful blog!

    Mine? I was just talking to a bloggy friend about this. I started blogging during a rough time physically because I needed an outlet. Now I blog because I love it. It’s fun for me, and it’s still an outlet.

    Reply
  23. nicole says

    March 15, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    I love the pin cushion and have so much fun reading your blogs in the morning. You’ve inspired a lot of fun and new projects :-)

    Reply
  24. Stacey says

    March 15, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    Ummm… sometimes I think I need to re-evaluate why I blog. I started blogging to share our life with my in-laws who really wanted to keep up with our little guy. Now, we have three kids, and I’m BUSY! But I still like to update every once in a while. I find I spend way more time reading other blogs than actually blogging :) But I learn so much! And I find beautiful souls like yourself, and it makes me want to be a better blogger. I’m happy to have found you and your blog!

    Reply
  25. Bernice says

    March 16, 2011 at 12:24 am

    I blog to preserve memories and to share them with others.

    Reply
  26. allison says

    March 16, 2011 at 7:00 am

    very fun post!! looking forward to saturday craft idea…although i am not a very crafty person, i love seeing what people come up with!

    i started a livejournal way back in 2000 just to write down my thoughts once and a while. recently i just started on blogger to write about the adventures i am having (big and small). with many friends and family far away, its an easy way for me to share a little bit of myself with them…and meet some amazing people in this blog community!

    Reply
  27. Marie R. says

    March 16, 2011 at 9:49 am

    I blog to keep our family who is far away, updated on our lives or mainly the life of their grandson :) And to write down my thoughts, journal and just to keep a record of what is going on in our lives. I love it and it’s now bringing out a crafting side of me. :)

    thelincbetweenus.blogspot.com

    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 metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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TOPICS I WRITE ABOUT

maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
We’re driving home in the dark of the winter nig We’re driving home in the dark of the winter night after a beautiful, hard & intentional couple of days working on a project ✨I’m committed to work on this this year; 2021 is already great. 🤩🤐😘
Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last 3 months. I’ve had more anxiety than ever, and it’s seriously putting me on my knees in prayer —almost daily. My mind and chest aren’t unfamiliar of the attacks, but the grip it’s had on me since September has been so strong. The attacks are painful. But... Worship music has been one of my main healers. 🎶I know God is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), and singing this truth really soothes me. Social media has been a big trigger for anxiety for me. I don’t want to “miss out on my life”, which is why I’ve hugely stepped back in posting and scrolling. 

One song in particular comes to mind:

“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

There IS freedom from the anxiety attacks. For me: music, scripture, eating healthy, vitamins, rest, crying, prayer, honesty — these things help tremendously. Also getting up and MOVING when my anxiety sits on me like a boulder, that helps too. 🖤

Another soothing truth is from the end of Psalm 34:19 — “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him of them all.”

Seriously. Thank you lord. Thank you for music and for rest and for the words in your book. I need them. I need You. I need Your freedom. I trust you’ll deliver me.
Nearing the end of my “20 letters in 20 weeks” Nearing the end of my “20 letters in 20 weeks” challenge. Many stayed in Michigan, but mail was also sent to Colorado, Texas, California, Indiana, and Arizona. I loved this personal exercise! I have just one question: who will be my pen-pal for 2021? ✏️💌
We piled in the car this morning for a nature walk We piled in the car this morning for a nature walk. When I finally walked out and sat down, they shouted, “THE QUEEN! EVERYBODY CHEER FOR THE QUEEN!” (yes, they really call me that...☺️💓☺️)

I brought our basket of mittens and gloves and hats. The older two brought RC cars. Bauer the dog came along; we had a wonderful time on our walk.

The afternoon was harder, but overall the day was sandwiched between two really sweet time slots.

Bedtime tonight was wonderful. We read two chapters from our read aloud and Max lost another baby tooth.

This job I have, it really wears me down AND fills me up. It’s a constant take away AND fill up. Even when the moments feel so fitful, I know the story is rich. 

🕯🌙 Hello, sweet slumber. You’re carrying my babies away to a peaceful land. Goodnight, my children. Goodnight.

#motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodissanctifying #naturewalk #michigan
There’s a woman on Instagram I check on every co There’s a woman on Instagram I check on every couple of weeks because she is so sparkly & cheerful. She shares little pep talks, she wears fuchsia lipstick. She says, “like so, like that” when she’s explaining something. She’s a hoot. I love the joy that bursts from her eyes when she talks. In her own unique ways, her perspectives pull back the fog I often find myself in. I’m a weary mama, and her energy and gentleness feels nurturing, though I haven’t met her... I would love to meet her. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼I’m inspired by the snippets of life she shares online. Thank you, Tabitha for sharing your light. 🕯💓💄🌿@iamtabithabrown
What has kept you and your home busy as of late? F What has kept you and your home busy as of late? For us, it’s this…

The sound of Julia Robert’s calming voice is playing in the background of our playroom. Yesterday we finished another read aloud, Charlotte’s Web, so today my children are watching the movie. Knowing in-detail the lessons they are learning, along with reading books together, definitely adds to the joy of motherhood; the joy of teaching my children and being with them for so many hours each day. We experience so much together. Even when things feel chaotic at home, when I can’t call something by the correct name they still long to be near me and work alongside me. Tired has been a dear companion to me for the last seven years, but my children are gentle with their responses.

💞💬More on my blog! #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s the season of perpetual hope. 🎄✨📖Of It’s the season of perpetual hope. 🎄✨📖Of books that shape our minds, of anticipation, of creative projects that mar our kiddos clothing (but morph our memories into beauty). Oh right! There are cookies cooling on the counter — gotta go! ✌🏻
Keeping my hands busy (making wooden bead garland Keeping my hands busy (making wooden bead garland for our tree; link posted to Stories) and my mind inspired (watching HGTV). I really enjoy the quiet of the evening after a full, rich day. God is so kind to give this to me today. What have you received today? 🎄💫📿
This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergra This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergram from October, from one of our many fall adventures with the kids. We had so many fun day trips, I don’t even remember where this was taken 👏🏻⭐️. I’m gonna guess Cranbrook Gardens.
This morning I sat on the front porch and read my This morning I sat on the front porch and read my book & drank coffee. The birds were with me, nearly a hundred of them. Fluttering from rooftop to treetop to hiding inside the bushes. So beautiful and calm. Mother culture... the path to joy in motherhood & homemaking.
Well kiddos, we had a great summer together! 🥳👏🏻🛴⛱🍦🤸🏼‍♀️🎨🎹🏊🏻‍♂️🧺🎠📚📺🍿🌿🌷☀️🚲

Thanks for coming along with me to the pool, nature trails, the park, hosting friends in our backyard, reading adventures, popcorn & movie night, art, planting flowers, planting a garden, bike rides, neighborhood walks, lake swimming, and supplying the ice cream truck w/ roughly $84 this summer. 

I loved our time together! 🥰🧒🏼👩🏻👧🏼🧒🏻

And the great news is this: we have autumn to enjoy together, too! 👏🏻🌾🍃🍂 so thankful.
Even if you don’t have students learning at home Even if you don’t have students learning at home, these ten “field trip” ideas will give your day a boost. 

When your mind feels foggy, step outside. When your home feels too small or too big, step outside. When the bickering is loud or your internal criticism is high, step outside. 

Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of time these days to craft a letter when I wash dishes, take my kids on a walk, or take care of our garden. All that silence, it makes my internal monologue even louder 🤣. 

Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

We are always in need of community & kind words! 🌷💬

I remember many years ago, when nearly pregnant with another baby and our personal finances were THE PITS, my best friend came over with $500 cash. Just to bless us. She also included a personal note. Of course, I’ve always known how special personal notes are, but this card really meant so much.

And so I’ve decided as the year-end nears: wouldn’t it be nice to send a letter a week for the final 20 weeks we have left in 2020. Me thinks so 🙂. 

Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
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