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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / blog/craft events / {I’m back from The Creative Connection…}

{I’m back from The Creative Connection…}

September 17, 2011 · 13 Comments
Filed Under: blog/craft events

L to R: Jen, Wendy, Shelley, Laurie, me
{photo credit}

…and I am feeling SO inspired!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, TCC has been an incredible weekend of planning, growth and lots of laughing — definitely one of the best investments I’ve made for my business to-date. I’m ready to start working on the ideas that were born these last few days :] If you have a handmade/creative biz, go now and put The Creative Connection on your calendar for September 2012.

Wednesday night I had dinner in St. Paul, MN with Carol of Burda Style, her girl Gertie, my supah smart friend Stephanie, and the girls from Etsy {Elizabeth, Nicci & Michelle}. We had an amazing time talking shop, DIY wedding planning, how Etsy is launching a German site {crazy!} — this dinner was the perfect prelude as to how the rest of TCC would be. Thank you Carol + Burda Style for hosting dinner!

One of the conferences panelists was Tara Gentile, have you heard of her? ~ this girl knows her stuff! I’ve been reading through her blog which sent me to a link to her vlogs, and while snooping around {tee hehe} I found this particular vlog on 3 tips for finding more time, which was fabulous. Here’s what I took away from it:

+ strip out extraneous entertainment
+ lighten up about things we think we have to do/focus on what we’re passionate about
+ don’t be afraid to get burnt out

Aren’t those great tips? I mean, really… The second point on lightening up really spoke to me. If you work from home like me, Please tell me you too wonder how you’re supposed to be soaring at your biz if you’re constantly focused on the neatness of your home? I constantly have that problem. {Zack is probably cheering silently as I type this, hah!} ;] He’s been telling me this for months but honestly, it’s still hard for me to apply it.

There’s so much magic that has been infused in me from attending TCC. I’m really, seriously excited to get started on a few new things!

Be back later with more…
xo!

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13 Comments
Filed Under: blog/craft events

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{I’m so inspired by The Creative Connection!} »

Comments

  1. Angela@cuckooface says

    September 17, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    I so have that problem! I tell myself that I can’t be creative if everything in my house doesn’t look perfect – before I know it it’s 2:00 in the afternoon and I haven’t sewn a thing. I have a stack of things to list on Etsy, and I still haven’t done it! Thank you for sharing this info – I need all the advice I can get! :)

    Reply
  2. Mindy Harris says

    September 18, 2011 at 1:05 am

    blogsugar, creative connection, creative estates…i want to go to them all!! welcome back. thanks for sharing some of what you learned. love the group pic where everyone’s wearing their gussy bags. i’m bringing mine to L.A.. :-)

    Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    September 18, 2011 at 11:33 am

    sounds amazing…I had to look twice for you in that photo…forgot you changed your hair! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 18, 2011 at 1:27 pm

      tee hehe, it’s like “Where’s Gussy?” ;)

      Reply
  4. Marilyn says

    September 18, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    I’m also really working on trying not to take myself (and my passions) overly seriously. I’m a work in progress. :-) Truly though, each time I practice doing it (ie – I’m going to be satisfied with just tidying up the kitchen rather than mourning the rest of my messy house), the next time is ever-so-slightly easier.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 18, 2011 at 1:35 pm

      some times i feel like our home doesn’t feel like OUR home… we tend to move each year but this year we renewed our lease for another year. having our home be a little messy reminds me that we live in it daily/that it’s OURS, and honestly that’s such a nice feeling. it feels good to see our little messes. {even if i have to force myself to remember that ;) }

      Reply
  5. moriah says

    September 18, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    So nice getting to see you for a bit at the market, Gus! I had never met Laurie until she popped into the Whippy Cake booth and was singing the silliest song about whipping her hair back and forth. That girl is hilarious.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 18, 2011 at 2:31 pm

      oh i loved seeing you! :] any chance you’ll be coming to my October 2nd meet-up?!

      Laurie — yes, isn’t she awesome?????? haha, that sounds just like her!
      xo

      Reply
  6. moriah says

    September 18, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    That meet-up sounds like so much fun, but I’ll be out of town for a wedding. So bummed. I’ve always wanted to make one of those terrariums!

    Reply
  7. Sarah-Anne says

    September 19, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    i’m SO happy for you, friend! also? loving <3 the new hair color; you look so gorgeous!

    Reply
  8. LoveFeast Table says

    September 19, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    That sounds like you had a great time ~ can’t wait to hear more!! We are constantly juggling too much, dropping things…and then, well laughing ……if you can’t enjoy your journey, even your biz journey ~ what’s the point!!
    We have grown to find out sometimes our late starts and even sometimes our mishaps work out for the best in the end anyway! ~Chris Ann

    Reply
  9. joee grant says

    September 19, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    Thank you for sharing….I see that even those who are successful such as yourself also have to be reminded to live our lives through our passions not the stuff that bogs us down!!
    Thank you Gussy, your posts always make me smile!

    Reply
  10. Kristin Bommer says

    September 20, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    look at all those ladies carrying gussy bags :) too cute :)

    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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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
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
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. 📖✨🤍
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