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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / {so much to celebrate!}

{so much to celebrate!}

May 9, 2011 · 32 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, the pup

update: a super big CONGRATS to Aimee of Someone’s Gotta Pay for winning the Little Alouette/Gussy Sews giveaway. [xo]

Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? I sure hope you’ll tell me about it in the comment section :].

The sun was shining here all day Saturday ~ it was so gorgeous out and the perfect day to play with charcoal, dirt and some succulents in my “how to make a Terrarium” class [sneak peak pic above]! I can’t wait to share pics from the class — it was sooooo much fun. I need to make like, 8 more terrariums *wink*. On Sunday we spent the morning outside on our back patio, we called our mamas and wished them a happy day. I cleaned up my studio, Zack helped me re-arrange my computers [I moved one into my studio] and we watched a movie. But I fell asleep, shhh! We had a really great weekend :]

I’ve made my to-do list for the week and can’t wait to get started on it. I always love Mondays for the fresh start they bring to my calendar. Hah.

Also? Many, many thanks to everyone who grabbed a new Gussy clutch for their spring collection. {smooch} I think they’re super cute, too!

*

Here are some pics taken with my phone over the past week. I love the Instagram app ~ it’s such a fun way to document little snippets of my day, especially when I’m able to step out and head downtown for a bit. I’ve realized taking more photos of my day-to-day helps me to celebrate even the small things in life.

Proof that the sun does shine in Minneapolis, AND spring is coming. Plus, a few pen pal letters I’ve written:

My beloved, and my new Terrarium:

Bauer. He didn’t really like being in all those mail bins. Couldja tell? [Hah!!!]:

Pretty purple polish + date night with Zack ♥:

*

A few emails were sent my way about my studio post last week, asking if I keep it that clean always, and the answer is YES! Well, one day might be left messy but 90% of the time it’s super duper clean. There are a few of us working in there at all times and since there are only 2 work tables, that means space is shared. Neat works best [for us]. It has definitely taken some time + trial and error to figure this out, though. I will say that :]

AND! Possibly the best news everrrrr:

OH yes, you’re reading that correctly. In one week I’m having a huge celebration in awe of my 1-year anniversary working on Gussy Sews full-time, AND I have over $1,100 in prizes to give away!!! Seriously, this is the largest giveaway I’ve ever hosted. If you love to be creative/sew/ruffles, be sure and stop by!

♥ May 16th – May 20th, I’ve got oodles of amazing STUFF to hand out.

The fact that one year has almost passed is just insane. It’s so exciting for Zack and I, and a huge accomplishment!!! A gift, a blessing, new opportunities & friends — this business means so much to me. I’m still writing “my story” — the super long & detailed version, but I hope to be finished soon. Soon! :]

OK, that’s all for now!
xoxo

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32 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, the pup

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{the Daniella ~ back in the shop!} »

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    May 9, 2011 at 6:11 am

    We had a great weekend too! Trip to the ocean and chocolate covered strawberries…I was one happy momma. :)
    ONE YEAR!!! Congrats, that’s amazing!

    Reply
  2. Vanessa says

    May 9, 2011 at 6:31 am

    I had a great weekend it was my first Mommys Day. But I have a question for ya how did you get pen pals? I think that is so neat and wish I could start one :) if you could let me know that would be great :) o

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:20 pm

      hey vanessa, i blogged a few months ago that if someone wrote me i’d write them back! it has been crazy since… really i can only write back 1 time. but it’s still so much fun!!! xoxo

      Reply
  3. Bernice says

    May 9, 2011 at 6:35 am

    Soooo excited to be celebrating your one year with you!

    Reply
  4. skye says

    May 9, 2011 at 6:44 am

    While I will definitely be celebrating Gussy’s one year anniversary it will be very bittersweet for me. On May 17, 2010, I lost my mother. It was very unexpected and really hard for me. But! When I was reading your about page and saw that May 17, 2010 was the day you started Gussy Sews full time it reminded me that even in my sadness there was something happy, something GOOD and something LIFE CHANGING going on somewhere else that I could smile about. So while I will be sad on that day, I am so glad that I found Gussy Sews and that you will be giving me a reason to smile that day too. Dreams do come true and you are the best example of that! Congrats Maggie! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:22 pm

      hi skye ~

      oh my, what a tragedy amidst beauty. i am so sorry to hear about your story. life is so very unexpected. one of my favorite quotes, “inspiration is all around you” ~ i think that quote was written for you ♥.

      [hugs]

      Reply
      • skye says

        May 9, 2011 at 3:15 pm

        That is the quote you wrote in my recent pen pal card! :) My mom’s favorite quote was “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” which is so so true! It is so important to constantly be searching for inspiration, all around you. Thanks for your kind words! :) They mean a lot!

        {hugs in return}

        Reply
  5. Frances says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:12 am

    We had such a super weekend :) lunch out after church, shoe shopping, ice cream, and a nap- all with my husband and 12 month old son <3 then dinner was made FOR ME (incredible). Congratulations to one year with gussy sews full time! It's been a zippy last year for me too- 1 year ago I had a newborn in the house, I suppose we were both starting new lives with "our babies" ;-) and for reals- the terrarium looks snazzy.

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:22 pm

      you said snazzy!! oh, i heart you :]

      Reply
      • Frances says

        May 9, 2011 at 3:18 pm

        Oh- everyday ;-)

        Reply
  6. Julie says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:34 am

    I love that terrarium, I’ll have to look for something like that in my area. Sounds like a fun class! I had the perfect weekend…time spent with my beautiful family, finally being able to play outside with the little one, a mama’s night out with my very best friend to the movies, and a wonderfully delicious brunch to celebrate Mother’s Day made for me, my mother, and mother in law by my sweet hubs. Can’t wait to celebrate with you next week!!!

    Reply
  7. leslie zimmerman says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:42 am

    My weekend was strange.
    On one hand, it was awful because I had to work a total of five shifts in three days. Eek.
    On the other, it was amazing because we’re housesitting and getting to play married life like I imagined it would be. With a big house and kids to play with (okay, we’re babysitting a 17&13 year old, so not really kids) and dogs to let out into the yard and pet all the time. And two cars, so we don’t have to schedule EVERY SECOND with each other and drive back and forth, to and fro. It’s been amazing.

    So, strange, but good and bad in ways. I don’t know. But today’s my day off, so I’m trying real hard to enjoy it by watching movies like The Proposal and August Rush on television and blogging and crocheting :D

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:23 pm

      i loved August Rush — soooo good. mmm. so very good.

      Reply
  8. Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia} says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:44 am

    Gussy, I can hardly believe it’s been almost a WHOLE YEAR!! You are such an inspiration, friend. :) Love }

    Reply
  9. sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:54 am

    It sounds like you had a fabulous weekend:) Bauer is so stinkin cute, I swear!
    xo,
    Sarah

    Reply
  10. Krista says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:54 am

    You have a lot of pen-pals! Congrats on your anniversary, that is very exciting. My weekend was also fabulous with lots of sunshine, some shopping, time with Mom, almost killed each of my kids, and breakfast made for me on Mother’s Day.

    Reply
  11. April Foss says

    May 9, 2011 at 8:03 am

    I tried to do the instagram thing. For some reason it left me confused. If you would like more to giveaway send me an e-mail:) Still waiting on the last response you busy lady:)))

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:23 pm

      will you re-send me your email? i can’t find it…

      Reply
  12. Nadir@StitchSense says

    May 9, 2011 at 8:32 am

    What a fun weekend, I’m loving the terarrium & I can’t wait to read your story! I’ve been trying hard to revamp my business & you’re such a great source of inspiration for me.

    Reply
  13. Jane @ The Borrowed Abode says

    May 9, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Congrats on the upcoming 1-yr anniversary! Your story continues to inspire me, as I hope to be able to leave my cubicle job behind by the end of this year, if not sooner.
    Speaking of which, I spent the weekend prepping for my first craft fair booth.

    Reply
  14. Rachel @evienlizzie says

    May 9, 2011 at 8:42 am

    You busy, busy girl!
    I had a great weekend, enjoyed my husband and kids and even snuck a little nap with one of my littles yesterday afternoon!

    Reply
  15. Dallas says

    May 9, 2011 at 10:34 am

    I had a great weekend, shopping and supper with my mommy! Drinks and the hockey game, oh oh and 2 plates of Chinese food! GAH! So yummy!

    Reply
  16. Elizabeth says

    May 9, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Happy Monday!! I love the “fresh start” of Mondays too! I just finished making my to-do list for the week and I love to check off the things I’ve accomplished along the way! ;) Glad the sun was out for you & Zack to enjoy this weekend. Pretty polish! Though it doesn’t look as purple as I imagined…{kinda like the turquoise, *wink*} What is the name of the color/brand? I emailed you on Saturday a totally random “me” email. ;) Have a great day!!
    xox
    Elizabeth :)

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:26 pm

      hey you! the polish is Sally Hansen “insta dri” — color is intense iris. it looks more pink-y because of the filter on the instagram pic ♥!

      Reply
  17. Mama Gus says

    May 9, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Bauer looks so very sad in those postal crates; poor baby! Tell him Grama loves him and would never make him sit in a crate like that…..!

    xoxo Mama Gus

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      May 9, 2011 at 2:25 pm

      ha ha ha! i am the Jack in life {naughty} and you are the Collin {rule follower} ;)

      Reply
  18. Ebony says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    I am so happy for you! You are so encouraging and inspirational!

    Reply
  19. Vanessa says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Awe I want a pen pal!!! Does anyone wanna be my pen pal??? :)

    Reply
  20. Kristin Bommer says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    yaaaay!! so proud of you, my wonderful web friend <3

    Reply
  21. Britta says

    May 10, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Spring always comes to Minnesota eventually, it just takes a little while :)

    Reply
  22. Veronica says

    May 11, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    Hi! I loved your terrarium. It’s super cute. And then I saw this today and thought of you. http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/05/sewing-101-sew-a-terrarium.html

    Reply
  23. Heather G. says

    May 12, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    Oh Lordy, that picture of Bauer in the mail bins is the cutest – totally frameworthy! I love your fun terrarium! Our weekend was good…I was in San Diego on Saturday for the Queen Bee Market, then a low-key (but wonderful) Mother’s Day on Sunday with my little family. :)

    PS – Leila was SO excited about getting a little note from you! She has it in her “special drawer” You totally made her day! XO!

    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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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
“We are preparing to wind down for the school ye “We are preparing to wind down for the school year with just a few more weeks of intentional table lessons. We will then transition to a lighter learning schedule during the summer months. Today I am grateful for the books and resources I’ve read that have helped keep me in my own lane. (Visit my blog to see a personal favorite.)

Even now, three years in, I appreciate the reminder to stay on the path that was designed with intentional thought just for me.”

✨ see #maggiewhitleydotcom for the full post ✨
I took off my “comparison / contemplation” gla I took off my “comparison / contemplation” glasses last month and it’s been soooooo good. See also: sooooo hard (because life is never and/or). I’ve been writing more, reading more, spending more time outside. Talking to friends faces and smelling their detergent. My heart feels lighter. I’m sharing a few updates on my blog if you’d like to read? 🌾🤓blog reading & writing is a much better pace for me. You too? Link in profile.
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
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
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