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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / lifestyle / giveaway / {Win a $75 gift card to Back40Life}

{Win a $75 gift card to Back40Life}

August 19, 2013 · 39 Comments
Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

corn-fields-gussy-sews

We’ve spent the last week in Michigan, introducing our families and friends to our sweet son. Maxwell, of course, has been the cutest butterball and has absolutely loved all the snuggles and smiles sent his way. Being back home has been such a treat for Zack and I. Multiple times we drove past a corn field and never in my life did I welcome the redundancy as I did this past week. It felt sooo good to see rows and rows and rows of green. We have greatly missed the farm fields, cotton candy sunsets and waking up at our childhood homes… this time with a baby in tow! We may be chasing our own adventure in Los Angeles, but our love for Michigan hasn’t faded one bit :) Today I want to introduce to you Jodi of Back40Life. She and her family have their own adventure-chasing tale to share, paired with a generous giveaway at the end. Gussy Sews is all about sharing life and handmade love, so this is a perfect post for today. Enjoy… xo

+ + +

Hellooooo, Gussy Sews friends! I’m Jodi of Back40Life and we’d love to tell you a little of our story.  Brad + I have been married now for almost twelve years, ten of which we’ve been self-employed.  We have been blessed with three precious children. We live out in the country on 9 acres which we’ve always jokingly referred to as “the back 40”.

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A few years ago amidst the stress and fast fast-pace of a successful construction business we began to realize that our business was taking over our family and we were hardly enjoying life because we were working non-stop, especially my husband.  We wanted to have our own business to be at home and enjoy our children, and while he was there with us a lot physically, his mind was consumed with the business.  We began to seek God’s direction about our work.  We started scaling back our commitments, evaluated every decision more carefully and made changes that would allow us to live a slower, more family-oriented lifestyle.

Thus began the dream of Back40Life, a slower pace that celebrates the simplicity of life and finds enjoyment in the everyday.

I have a couple tips for you, my fellow Makers: if you’re thinking of opening a shop, go for it!  Owning your own business is amazing.  Go into business for yourself debt-free — it’s not what the world around us preaches, but it makes such a difference!  It may require you to start small, but it is so worth it!  As our business has grown, we’re always on the lookout to buy used tools and equipment whenever possible — we love a good deal!  Buying “used” as a rule-of-thumb then allows us to buy an item “new” when it’s important and/or not available on the used market.  Don’t be afraid to grow slowly, your pocketbook & stress level will appreciate it.

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Almost everything about Back40Life has been an adventure. It started out as a way for me to earn a little extra income for our family and exercise my creative juices, then with us transitioning to it supporting our family full-time, with no outside income… definitely an adventure!  Staying debt-free both in our business and home life have truly helped make this business work.  In 2011 and early 2012 we knew we had to make some changes. I was spending more time in the business than we wanted, and not enough time with our children.  My sister and brother-in-law had recently moved to Indianapolis to be part of a church plant, and we were able to bring them in to help with our decal business. They now make and ship the majority of our decals.  Not only has God been so good to allow our business to support our family, but now it is helping to support theirs too!  I am so grateful for His provision!

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I am constantly amazed and humbled when I talk to our customers. We hear so many personal stories of babies they’ve prayed for and then received, family and friends undergoing illness, loved ones who have been lost, young couples coming together in marriage; when we hear those stories and then are told they’re using one of our decals or signs to mark the occasion, wow!  Such a blessing to us that they allow us to be a tiny part of their world.

To enter to win a $75 gift card to Back40Life plus follow the Rafflecopter prompts below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
One winner will be selected on Thursday, August 22nd and will be emailed/announced at the top of this blog post. Want to purchase something from the Back40Life shop? Use code GUSSY15 to save 15% on your entire order, now through Friday, August 23rd.

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39 Comments
Filed Under: giveaway, shop feature

« {Maxwell’s birth announcement, plus a giveaway from Minted!}
Being with family + exploring new adventures »

Comments

  1. Michelle G says

    August 19, 2013 at 3:30 am

    Love Back40Life

    Reply
  2. Southern Gal says

    August 19, 2013 at 3:30 am

    Just want to say we only have four acres and my husband calls our backyard the back 40, too! Dream big, I always say.

    Reply
  3. Michelle G says

    August 19, 2013 at 3:31 am

    Love Back40Life and the Happily Ever After sign

    Reply
  4. Bree C says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:02 am

    Oh I love the wooden monograms. It’s adorable, or maybe the baby is. Gosh they both are!

    Reply
  5. Ashley D says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:09 am

    I love the decals and the name sign with flourish!

    Reply
  6. BriannaAviette says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:23 am

    I love the Premium ruler growth chart, or any of the rulers. One day I will have one.

    Reply
  7. Elaine says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:30 am

    I love the wooden monograms!

    Reply
  8. Diane says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:36 am

    Love all their stuff!

    Reply
  9. Lindsay Hutchins says

    August 19, 2013 at 5:02 am

    love the wooden monograms!

    Reply
  10. Heather w says

    August 19, 2013 at 5:05 am

    I love the ruler growth chart!! We need one for our three kiddos!

    Reply
  11. Georgia says

    August 19, 2013 at 5:27 am

    My favorite item is the American Flag cornhole boards!

    Reply
  12. Rachael Werth says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:04 am

    Family name with flourish sign

    Reply
  13. Sadie B. says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:18 am

    I like the TWO SIDES – Swirly Monogram Mailbox Address Vinyl Decal.

    Reply
  14. Kara Kieran says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:10 am

    umm cornhole?! absolutely!!

    Reply
  15. Katy says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:17 am

    I love the Carved Ruler Growth chart.

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:35 am

    I am loving the “Be still” decal and the “Darling, I love you signs”. Thanks for introducing me to this lovely shop!

    Reply
  17. Andi T. says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:10 am

    Love the wooden monograms!

    Reply
  18. Susan @SugarBeans says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:24 am

    I love wooden signs with last names.
    thanks for the offer…

    Reply
  19. Amanda G. says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Wow! Love lots of things in the Back40Life Etsy Shop! Especially the Large Vines Wooden Monogram, Ampersand Sign, and “Cameron” Whimsical Picture Frame! :)

    Reply
  20. Karen Ann says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:53 am

    I adore the mailbox decal!

    Reply
  21. Renae says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:05 am

    I do love the growth charts!! So great!

    Reply
  22. Lindsey says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:23 am

    I actually ordered a custom “Hello” from them for my front door. I love it and get so many compliments on it. :)

    Reply
  23. K says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Great giveaway!

    Reply
  24. Jenni says

    August 19, 2013 at 11:26 am

    beautiful stuff…..

    Reply
  25. Marissa S says

    August 19, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    I love so much! The bible verse vinyl wall decals, sweet signs, this will be a tough decision for the winner!:) Thanks, Maggie!

    Reply
  26. DeidreSH says

    August 19, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    I love the ampersand sign: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/lose-weight/total-body/partner-workout/?page=1

    Reply
  27. Emily says

    August 19, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    What an inspiring story! She has some great advice.

    Reply
  28. Emily says

    August 19, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    Oops…I forgot to leave my favorite item. “For this child I prayed”

    Reply
  29. tawnya says

    August 19, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    What a great company!

    Reply
  30. Donna says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    I (love) the wide ruler growth chart!!!

    Reply
  31. JessiAnn says

    August 19, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE so much of the stuff at Back40Life!! It’s so ME! :)

    Reply
  32. Karis says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    I love this sign – http://www.etsy.com/listing/58911897/the-fondest-memories-are-made-gathered?ref=shop_home_active

    I have the PERFECT spot for it in my dining room!

    Reply
  33. traci beeson says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    i am officially in love. :D their shop is so so wonderful!!!!
    this would have to be my *very* favorite item:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/108345042/found-the-one-carved-wooden-sign-soloman?ref=col_view
    but if i managed to win i would probably go with either this:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/60675380/give-thanks-rustic-wood-sign?ref=shop_home_active
    or this:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/60899457/love-god-love-others-distressed-wood?ref=shop_home_active
    <3<3<3
    thanks so much for hosting this!!

    Reply
  34. Amity says

    August 19, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/115210940/premium-wide-ruler-growth-chart-the?ref=shop_home_active

    i love this chart!

    Reply
  35. Cindy R says

    August 20, 2013 at 7:18 am

    Thanks for showing us this! LOVE their stuff! :)

    Reply
  36. rjb says

    August 20, 2013 at 8:13 am

    the butterflies!

    Reply
  37. Brittany says

    August 20, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Thanks for sharing the back40life with us. I love all of their work!

    Reply
  38. Cheryl V says

    August 20, 2013 at 3:17 pm

    i love the Always Kiss Me Goodnight CUSTOM Sign – Hang Over Your Bed (S-004c)

    Reply
  39. sarah r. says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    I love the ruler growth chart!

    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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