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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / blog/craft events / {on speaking at Blog Sugar — yeow!}

{on speaking at Blog Sugar — yeow!}

October 10, 2011 · 24 Comments
Filed Under: blog/craft events, friends

here are some photos from my quicky trip to California, which was a couple weeks ago already!

hanging with my pals in Long Beach — Ruthanne, Lindsey, Jeannett, Mique, Jess

breakfast at Long Beach Cafe with Jeannett and Lindsey

visiting Seal Beach ♥

me + rachel, at lunch in Seal Beach // photo from rachel

visiting Seal Beach // photo from danielle

lunch with new friends — nancy, kristy, heather, me, rachel, danielle, janna // photo from danielle

Blog Sugar swag bags // photo from ruthanne photo

one of the many sessions {see how they were mini? perfecto!} // photo from ruthanne photo

speaker sneak peaks ;] nish, me, lindsey // photo from ruthanne photo

me + casey // photo from casey

andrea, rachel, jen — the 3 ladies behind Blog Sugar // photo from ruthanne photo

lovely flowers // photo from ruthanne photo

YUMMIES // photo from ruthanne photo

laura {on the left} // photo from ruthanne photo

It’s been about 2 weeks since I got home from Blog Sugar. One of the things that amazed me the most about visiting Long Beach, CA was the way the city smelled. To me, everything smelled like fresh air. WHICH WAS AWESOME! I loved that outside could be brought inside by keeping the windows open 24/7. California was such a fun adventure, I can’t wait to go back and bring my man!

So about Blog Sugar… —wink! It was my first time speaking {have I mentioned that yet?}, and although I was pretttty nervous, let’s be honest, I thought it was a really great first-time experience. Everyone in my 3 sessions was so sweet and encouraging. I loved the 1-on-1 conversations, the questions & answers, the photos, meeting so many bloggy friends in-person. It was also amazing to see nearly 200 women in attendance at a Christian conference. Warmed my ♥ right up, that’s for sure!

A FEW THINGS I SHARED DURING MY SESSIONS:
* when others think: wow, her life is perfect! — NOT true! I have perfected balance & home life

* every interaction needs to have a purpose ~ this is a smart business practice!

* how does one get a steady following with twitter & Facebook, without asking for it? be yourself, update “regularly”, share little snippets of your life; invite your readers & customers into it

* I needed to decide how I spend my time. if I spend 100% of my time on twitter then I won’t have time for something else. and I don’t want that, I want to engage in many different ways. I want to meet my customers where they are, and they aren’t all with one Social Media site {so important to know!}

* how do I balance my time? some times I use social media for just 15 minutes, others for an hour {it all depends on what I need to accomplish that day}; every day I make an achievable list of what I need to accomplish ~ and I stick to it! if I don’t, I don’t feel productive (blah!); set fun goals to motivate myself, like a half day off!

* how do I find the time to sew, blog, post on facebook, tweet, use pinterest ~ without losing my marbles? I *NEED* to prioritize my time and tasks, and I need to remember I can’t do it all (realizing this has been so important and has allowed me to grow my business)!

Before the conference, which was on Sunday, I was lucky to squeeze in an entire 24 hours with some friends that I don’t see nearly as often as I’d like to: Ruthanne, Lindsey, Jeannett, Mique, Jess. We met up Friday afternoon and chatted // giggled // snorted // laughed ’til we cried. Then we shared a meal together, and then all 6 of us crashed at a hotel and again, chatted // giggled // snorted // laughed ’til we cried. These girls are such dear friends. They’re such lovely people and I love that we’re able to share weekend adventures a couple times a year.

Blog Sugar 2011 from jakfoto productions on Vimeo.

Blogging events are really special to me. They have allowed me to meet new friends, chase dreams, face fears, travel the country, brainstorm new ideas…

What kind of “events” are special to you? What’s your favorite way to travel?
xoxo

PS. there’s a new Gussy Sews giveaway out there ~ click here to enter!

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24 Comments
Filed Under: blog/craft events, friends

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Comments

  1. Kristina Clemens says

    October 10, 2011 at 7:13 am

    This was such an inspiring post! I have wanted to attend a Blog Event, but there are so many I haven’t been able to decide which ones. Blog Sugar looks so fun and friendly! Too cool!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 10, 2011 at 9:56 am

      I usually go to Blissdom, The Creative Connection & Relevant each year, but this year I also went to Blog Sugar. Are there any specific conferences you have questions on? Maybe I can help? :}

      Reply
  2. Nancy says

    October 10, 2011 at 7:44 am

    So fun seeing all of those pics. Seal Beach was a dreamy day. :) Blog Sugar was amazing and was so much more than blogging. God did some amazing things there. Happy day to you.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 10, 2011 at 9:56 am

      …wasn’t it??? ahh :)

      Reply
  3. Kassie says

    October 10, 2011 at 9:05 am

    This looks like it was so much fun!
    I’d love to go sometime (in my life)!

    Reply
  4. Franchesca says

    October 10, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Oh my word, I would have LOVED to hear you speak!! :) Blog sugar sounds amazing!!! Thanks for sharing all the pics, looks like you girls had SO much fun!!!

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    October 10, 2011 at 9:51 am

    I was in your second session and it was so obvious that while you are warm and accessible you are a VERY savvy business woman. I loved how you talked about how everything you do has a purpose and how you experiment using social media to see what gives you the most bang for your buck – even down to the time of day. While I haven’t yet opened up shop – I took a great deal away for when I do. Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 10, 2011 at 10:39 am

      hi kate! oh my, you’re so sweet!!!! thank you so much for the feedback on my session, it seriously means so much!!! :)

      xoxo

      Reply
  6. Tara says

    October 10, 2011 at 10:16 am

    blog sugar sounds awesome! I would have loved to gone!! I am looking for that balance in my life right now. :)

    Reply
  7. Carrie @ Caroline G says

    October 10, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    I LOVED that in your session and in talking to you one-on-one that you were every bit the same person that you are on your blog!! That speaks volumes about your character, your realness, and your authenticity. :)

    Reply
  8. Virginia says

    October 10, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    Looks like an amazing time! A little too far for me from MI, but maybe someday there will be a blog sugar in Chicago!? =) Thanks for sharing your fun photos! Glad it went well!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 10, 2011 at 3:12 pm

      wouldn’t that be fun???? :)

      Reply
  9. Sarah-Anne says

    October 10, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    oh goodness, i NEED to go to a blog conference. but i’m content with reading all the great & inspiring recap posts.

    Reply
  10. Karly @ Three in Three says

    October 10, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    Hi! I just spent like an hour browsing your blog and I love everything about it and about you! Plus you live in Minneapolis and I’m a born and raised Minnesota girl myself…soooo I’m a new follower, yay!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 10, 2011 at 5:54 pm

      hi karly!!! yay! :)

      so you aren’t in MN anymore?!

      Reply
      • Karly @ Three in Three says

        October 10, 2011 at 6:11 pm

        No, we moved to Phoenix, AZ, to help out my grandparents (my g-pa has dementia), but we’re moving back in late ’12 or early ’13 to buy my dad’s house when he’s ready to make his move to Duluth! I cannoy wait, I hate this endless heat and sun!

        Reply
  11. Lindsay says

    October 10, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    LOVED your talk at blog sugar. It made my day to meet you in real life. You are the cutest thing ever!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      October 10, 2011 at 5:55 pm

      ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you’re making me blush! xo

      Reply
  12. krystina / lollipops says

    October 10, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    I really enjoyed meeting you in real life and your session was so helpful. Thanks Gussy!

    Reply
  13. Ashley says

    October 10, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    The pic of you speaking is adorable:)
    Absolutely loving your hair brown with pixie bangs… so sassy!!! Do you feel like you can do your eye makeup differently? I went from blonde to brunette in college and loved trying out different eye makeup looks!
    So thankful for you friend and your encouragement:) xoxo!

    Reply
  14. Heather G. says

    October 10, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    Friend, I loved your session! I’ve been trying to update more regularly on FB and twitter (but am kind of failing….) anyways, I love that you are yourself on all aspects of social media. That’s why you have so many fans – because you’re a wonderful person inside and out and it just shines!

    Reply
  15. Ada says

    October 10, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    Looks like a great time! I’m so curious about blogging events, but have never attended one.

    Reply
  16. Heather says

    October 11, 2011 at 1:11 am

    love the pic of you & casey :)

    you two ladies are awesome. so glad blog sugar went well! i was praying for you & your plane ride :)

    God is so darn cool. xo

    Reply
  17. Le Petite Hoot says

    October 11, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Reading about your experience at Blog Sugar and watching that Vimeo video…WOW! That’s something that I want to be a part of some day. Thank you so much for sharing! Also, I had no idea that Blog Sugar was a Christian conference. That, alone, is truly amazing!

    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 🧺🌿💓✨

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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.

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Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
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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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