• mamahood
    • homeschool
    • Maxwell
    • Natalie
    • Marigold
    • Landon
    • baby things
  • faith
    • 23 identities PDF
    • Tanzania + Compassion
  • inspiration
    • our home
    • books
    • lifestyle
    • marriage
    • homeschool
    • simple living
    • we’re debt free!
    • book recommendations
  • homeschool
  • devotionals
    • (in)courage Devotional Bible
    • 31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer & Doer
  • new? start here

Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / On admitting something really embarrassing.

On admitting something really embarrassing.

December 13, 2013 · 13 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, sewing

sewing-book-gussy-sews

new-bag-gussy-sews

It’s been an embarrassingly long time since I last made something for myself, and an even more embarrassingly long time since I last sewed something for myself. Our Christmas tree skirt this year? I wrapped a bath towel around the base of the tree and then draped 2.25 yards of fabric over top. (And you know what? It looks gorgeous and voluminous and I saved myself about 45 minutes of designing, cutting and sewing a custom tree skirt :) Hey, works for me!)

But I’ve definitely missed sewing something for myself. One night (last week? who can keep track of time anymore when you have a nearly-crawling infant) Zack was working late so I used the excuse of a quiet house with all the space I wanted to spread out and sew. And sew I did! I grabbed this sewing book, a couple cuts of fabric, my pins, a bunch of strap material and a fancy gold zipper. It felt amazing to create something just for fun. My free time right now is super limited, so it made me appreciate this evening of creativity all the more. I’m sure you feel the same way, right?

What have you made for yourself recently that totally fueled you?

Do you want to see more photos of this bag? Perfect, because I am really, realllllly excited to share them soon :)

Happy Friday!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn


13 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, sewing

Join over 4,400 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

« Look what Santa put back inside the Gussy shop…
We’re giving away handmade Christmas ornaments! »

Comments

  1. Heather says

    December 13, 2013 at 6:34 am

    I crochet… a lot! I finally made myself a pair of fingerless gloves. So fun to design and create something with myself in mind {although I admit, I love to make things with other people in mind… imagining what they’ll look like in it, what color would look best, etc}

    Good job taking time for yourself! :)

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      December 13, 2013 at 9:20 am

      @Heather, why is it so hard for us to treat ourselves? :)

      Reply
  2. Erin R says

    December 13, 2013 at 6:37 am

    I can REALLY relate to this! I love having a handmade biz but kind of miss the times when I was able to sew only for myself and family :(

    Reply
  3. Becca @ One Girl says

    December 13, 2013 at 7:20 am

    I love the look of this bag! So beautiful Maggie! What a great reminder to take time for yourself & do something you love.

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      December 13, 2013 at 9:20 am

      @Becca @ One Girl, XO — thank you

      Reply
  4. Meg says

    December 13, 2013 at 8:01 am

    with two little kiddos, I definitely understand the lack of free time! It can be so theraputic to do something for ourselves, something we love doing :)

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      December 13, 2013 at 9:21 am

      @Meg, oh man, if it’s not the baby getting into something it’s the dog… and vice versa! ;D

      Reply
  5. Meg says

    December 13, 2013 at 8:01 am

    P.S. The bag is super cute!

    Reply
  6. Teresa says

    December 13, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Last month I participated in NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month), a month-long challenge to write a 50,000 word novel. Terrified but with no pressure other than my own satisfaction, I did it!!! I knew I had it in me, and it feel so good to say I did it all on my own gumption (with support from friends and sweet husband, of course). Super cute bag, btw. :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      December 13, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      @Teresa, oh my GOODNESS — that is amazing!!!!!! Go Teresa, go! :) So, what is your novel about?

      Reply
      • Teresa says

        December 13, 2013 at 2:46 pm

        @Gussy Sews, Thanks, Maggie! Here’s the short synopsis….thanks for asking!! After Christmas, it’s time for a first edit!!

        Olivia “Livy” Johnson finds herself at a crossroads. Her ambitions to be a thriving artist in New York City have proved disappointing, leaving her with a broken heart and uninspired future. At her darkest moment, she discovers the quaint home of her beloved (long since deceased) grandmother deep in the heart of a small North Carolina mountain town is up for sale — and left in a state of disrepair. In an uncharacteristic move, she buys the home and returns to the town that holds so many dear memories, vowing to pour her efforts into restoring the home to its original charm and beauty. But as Livy meets hired handyman Jack Bowden, she begins to wonder if she’s back in Laurel Cove for another reason entirely.

        Reply
  7. mrskesh says

    December 16, 2013 at 7:47 am

    This is such a cute bag…and such a great little hint at making sure we pay attention to ourselves. Strap that little one to you and keep it movin ;-) I enjoy your blogs! Keep having sew, sew, much fun!

    Kesha

    Reply
  8. mrskesh says

    December 16, 2013 at 7:48 am

    Tutorial…with step by step ;-)?????

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.
READ MORE >>
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Join over 4,400 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

instagram

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.
.
.
.
.
.
#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. 📖✨🤍
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.