{the daily Gus}

Are you signed-up to receive my newsletter? If not, please do so! This one includes something special, something I've never done before :)

To sign-up please look to the right of this post. It says NEWSLETTER Join the Mailing List. It's located below my Etsy shop, right here on my blog.

PS. Be sure you confirm your account. Once you sign-up you'll receive an email that requires confirmation...

Here is a preview:

{I didn't realized I had this much to say.}

Hello.

  

Meet my friend's son, Charlie. He is approximately 9-months-old. He's super cute, loves to eat things, and {of course} is examining his mommy's Gussy wallet.

Only babies can put Gussy products in their mouths. Sorry.

 

Charlie wants to open his mommy's wallet and show her the inside. He thinks Gussy is so rad. He told me.

 

Speaking of Charlie's mommy, look what Lindsay painted for me:

 

 

 

 

My very own personalized GUSSY artwork. It's for my sewing room. LINDSAY IS THE COOLEST! This piece was painted with color suggestions only. And a bird. But that is it! She totally surprised me, totally made me fall in love with it at one glance.

Ahhh... I want to bring it everywhere I go. I love it. 

Lindsay Girl -- you rock!

{read Lindsay's blog!}

  *

Almost a month ago I emailed someone special and together we worked out a groovy deal. More details to come ;)

I had her pick some of my fabrics...

 

And then I sewed them into this gorgeous, GORGEOUS laptop bag:

 

 

 I totally want it for myself. I LOVE IT! I've been super mega blessed to not have to fight with myself to give away my Gussy products. I think of the 200+ items I've made I've kept 3 things? Maybe 5? Five is the max! I love them all so much, and in order to "keep" them I just  make more :)

*

OK! Gussy intercession. Some of you know I've been working out. This is week #2 for me. I've kicked up the length and intensity of my workouts and so far, so good :) 

However, {sigh...} this morning I was a little crabby. I think using the word "grumpy" while writing a blog post the night before made me be Mrs. Grumpy in the morning.

Yes, that is my excuse.

I reallllllly didn't want to get up to work out at 6:15 am, and so I stomped and huffed and puffed around our apartment. See? Gussy is a real person. Lindsay says it helped me to burn more calories. I think Hubbs has different opinion ;)

*

Time for more photos!!! 

Here is a another custom order I finished recently. A diaper bag + travel diaper/wipe case for a mom-to-be:

 

 

 

*

 OK, last story ;)

Yesterday I used some vacation hours and walked myself to the bus stop earlier than usual. I came home, opened all the windows, turned on some music, and scribbled off the following items from my to-do list:

-photograph diaper bag/wipe case custom order

-photograph Lindsay's painting

-sew M's laptop bag

-photograph M's laptop bag

-sew a Shady Gus case

 

-repeat previous item

-work on a custom order for B

-oil my sewing machine

-go to the fabric store and purchase more materials for more custom orders {they end Nov. 14 -- this Saturday!!!}

-package up 7 orders and bring to the Mailman.

*

 YEOW! I love super productive days. 

:) They make Gussy happy.

*

Good day.

 

{It's Mooooonday}

I bet some of you don't like me right now. It's Monday and you want to be grumpy and frumpy -- not happy and excited, and certainly not a day you want to look forward to. But with all the giveaways and fun weekend updates here on Gussy has a lot to say, how can you be anything but these things? ;)

Alright, let's just get down to business. I'll try to please those that want something to drool over, as well as those that want their info.

OK -- first on my agenda is the winner of the {Featured Artist: EnglishMuffinShop}.

That would be Miss Trish. She commented about her obsession, I mean love, for white lights over the holiday season. So Trish, send me an e-mail and I'll connect you with Bess. 

Maybe Trish would be interested in asking us what WE want on our printable custom holiday gift tags and card set? That way we can all share... Sound good? :)

MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

You could say I hooked up with The Sweat Shop over the weekend. Finished up two custom orders; they'll be on their way shortly! 

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

  Thanks Andrea and Erin!

 ***

 Over the weekend I also photographed these two little zipped accessory pouches. They are 6" x 3" and are now listed in my shop.

 

 

 {sew cute!}

***

::REMEMBER::

• Have you heard? {5 days...}
  

• Custom Orders end Saturday, November 14

•  Interested in being featured on my blog? Shoot me a message

•  Want insider info on Gussy? Sign up for my newsletter {found at the top of my blog, right-hand column}
  

{two new items}

now listed:

 

{oh my wreath}

With Christmas coming 'round the corner how can I not think about all the pretty wreaths out there?! ;) Below are some of my favs. Do you like to hang a wreath? Is yours handmade or store-bought? I will miss having an outside front door this Christmas season. Hubbs and I will just have to deck out the inside of our Minneapolis apartment!

{fabric wreath}




{green apple}

{brown wreath}



{cranberries}

{Featured Artist: englishmuffinshop}

this giveaway is now CLOSED!

Here at Gussy has a lot to say we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful photographs, beautiful art by amazing artists, beautiful stories about family life.

This Friday starts the beginning of many featured artist posts in hopes to introduce some new eye-candy and give back some thanks! to all those who've welcomed Gussy into their blog. Most features include a giveaway -- not all of them do, but all are amazing. Please join me in welcoming Bess at English Muffin Shop.

***

What inspires you? I am inspired by bright colors, clean lines and simple shapes, and by the wonder and imagination of children.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally? I am currently living in Vienna, Austria with my fiancé and our dog. We moved here a couple of years ago and are thoroughly enjoying the European lifestyle. Originally I am from Toronto, Canada, and we hope to end up there again someday soon.

Name something unique to where you live. I would say Austrian food is very unique as well as the traditional dress. It's not unheard of to see men and women out around the city in their dirndl and lederhosen. My favorite local delicacy would have to be Marillenknödel, here's a great recipe if you'd like to give them a try! http://www.deliciousdays.com/archives/2009/06/30/seasonal-dumplings-marillenknodel/


Share an interesting fact about yourself. I've never seen Star Wars. I don't think it's such a big deal but every person who finds this out about me thinks it is.

What made you decide to open up shop? I decided to open my Etsy shop after we moved to Vienna as a way to stay engaged in the design world and keep myself inspired. I'm so glad I did because English Muffin has really started to take off.


Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time? I do have a day job. I teach English to Kindergarten and Elementary school kids here in Vienna a couple days a week. The rest of my time is devoted to English Muffin.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes. I love going to the markets, walking around the city, and taking photos. The best part about living in a new city is that you get to play tourist all the time. There's always something new to see or do, and when we can pry ourselves away from our work, my fiancé and I love to travel.


Read any good books lately? I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudiced and I highly recommend it. I don't know why it took my so long to pick it up!

What is your most prized possession? My engagement ring!!! It's designed by architect Frank Gehry for the collection he did for Tiffany's. I adore it!


What are three of your favorite foods? Popcorn, Dark Chocolate, Cheese.

What would you like to learn to do? Speak Italian.


What are you listening to right now? This is dorky but, Journey. Since that first episode of Glee, "Don't stop believing" has become my new {old} favorite song. Otherwise, lots of CBC, NPR and PRI podcasts while I'm working.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why. I'd love to visit Morocco so I can experience an exotic and completely different environment from what I'm used to. They also have some beautiful hotels!

***

Bess has offered to give away a
Printable Custom Holiday Gift Tags and Cards Set.

How does that work?

Simply tell Bess what design {Santa, snowman, dog or mittens} and text you want on your tags and cards. Bess will then email you a PDF so you can make unlimited prints. Hooray!

***

To enter, leave a comment {just one, please} with your favorite winter home-decor item. The giveaway will close Sunday, November 8, and the winner will be announced the following day :)

Please check back Friday, November 13 for yet another feature artist post!

{nylons vs. tights}

A few weeks ago Zack and I were at a party together. There were so many cute girls wearing cute ruffly dresses with cute tights on. {And cute boots.} I loved their outfits. I told Zack I wanted a pair of cute tights, too.



Before I knew it we were talking about nylons and tights. At a work party. Me and him. He said something like, Then what are nylons?



I know, I know, I should be thankful he doesn't know, right? ;)



I tried my very best to explain what nylons are. Ummm, sheer pantyhose? They are usually worn by older women? Ummm. Pantyhose is another word for nylons. Well, nylons are thin. Kind of sheer. Tights have texture to them, and they are usually thicker. Kind of like a sock would be textured and thick.



Then Zack said, OH! So tights are like socks, except they go up to your waist?!



Yes, darling, that is the perfect explanation.



I love my hubbs :)


PS. {9 days...} + a one-word hint: many

{Imogen Heap}

I've been totally digging Imogen Heap's album Ellipse, released in August. Now that see how cute she is, please listen to some of her music. I picked three of my favorite songs and they are here for you to listen to and to love and to smile when you're done listening to them because you love them :)

***

So... tell me, has anyone started Christmas shopping? If so, have you found any great items or websites? Aside from Etsy. {Etsy is default for "awesome website"... hah.} If you have found some great sites you should totally share them with us all. Then maybe tomorrow everyone will come back and read your suggestions? Or I can put them in an easy-to-read post for Thursday morning.

Yes, I'll do that.

OK, great. Great for Gussy talking to herself on the blog.


***

OK, going to bed now. I wrote this last night. Gym in the AM.
GO GUSSY, GO!

love.love.love.

{jibber, jabber}

If I had this telephone I'm afraid I'd never hang it up ;)




***

our Minneapolis apartment. i love it so much :)

PS. The big event, scheduled for Nov. 14, is coming along very nicely.
Thanks so much for asking ;)

{a whole lotta info!}

I know it's Monday morning, and I know you all are waiting ever-so-patiently to see who won this pouch:




I'll be a nice Gussy and tell you that it was Sara Broers at All in an Iowa Mom's Day! Hooray :) Big cheers to Sara! Contact me, you lucky woman, with your mailing address!

***

Also on today's agenda: {12 days...} I'd like to rub in your face that many items arrived over the weekend... all relating to the big {12 day} countdown. That's all I can say!

Oh, and that I'm NOT pregnant. Sorry if any of you were really thinking that. Trust me, there is no BabyGussy news here. Nope!

***

Finished up some custom orders yesterday. Yippe-yi-yo. Or however/whatever the phrase is ;) Here are some teaser pictures of what you could be ordering. REMEMBER: Custom orders also end November 14 -- which is coincidentally in 12 days. But just assure that is not the same as this {12 days...} ;)

***

***

I also added this item to my etsy shop:

***

And finally, I've got one last thing to share. Please enjoy this "conversation" via Twitter regarding the Gussy giveaway. Absolute hilarious-ness... Absolutely why I love being Gussy :)

I tweeted this, not expecting any responses:


Then I received this:


Then Julie wrote this:


And Heather responded with:


So tee-he-he'd and wrote this back:

***

Ohhhh, and also this weekend I made Hubby a b/w houndstooth pouch for his MacBook cords. He is in love with it. I'm pretty sure he's going to sleep with it. Just kidding. Anyways, hehe, look at how cute it is with the Shady Gus accessory pouches:



Maybe your man wants a zipped pouch for his manly man man things?!

***

HAPPY MONDAY, friends!

{an Italian recipe}

Easily Italian Meatloaf
{that is soooo super scrumptious!}

***

1 lb. meatloaf mixture {or 3 equal parts ground beef, pork and veal}
1 T. ketchup
3 cloves garlic
1 t. olive oil
1 egg
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
salt + pepper



Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, minus the olive oil.

Spray glass dish with cooking spray. Take said mixture and form into loaf in a glass dish {I use a 5" x 7" dish, but an 8" x 8" would do, too}. Drizzle with olive oil and bake covered for 1 hour at 350* F. Remove foil and bake at 375* F for 15 minutes.




Meanwhile, prepare potatoes. Cut up 1/2 sweet onion and place in mixing bowl {I heart mixing bowls, see?}



Then add a few cloves garlic and diced red skin potatoes to your mixing bowl. Add some olive oil, salt + pepper. Mix. Add to another glass dish.



Bake for 1 hour. Remove dishes from oven and enjoy!

{we count to 10}

1. Free shipping has ended on all Gussy products. You will now find small shipping fees attached to each item, however to add a second item on is now a super low price. Woo-hoo!

2. The giveaway in which you can win this pouch ends today! Be sure to enter by clicking here. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning. {Nothing like spicing up a Monday morning, right?! ;) }


PS. I almost ran out of Blogspot space with Google, but thankfully I upgraded my storage space so there should be NO WORRIES whatsoever that you won't see any more Ruffle-luscious ruffles from me. NO WORRIES. Problem fixed :)

3. I should be rockin' out some of these custom orders soon, which means you'll get to see lots of pictures of such items. Hip, hip, hooray. Also, working on a special pouch for the Hubbs. I'll show that, too.

4. Have you heard? {13 days...}

5. Each Friday, starting this week, I'll showcase an amazing Etsy artist. And, this is the really exciting part, most of them are offering giveaways with the feature article. WOOT! In addition, if you're an Etsy seller and would like a 'lil shout out on here, let me know. Gussy loves to have a lot to say.

6. I had a slight panic attack yesterday when I realized plane tickets back to Michigan for Christmas were going to be roughly $2,000. Yes, you read that right. But while I was out running errands Zack saved the day and brought that number waaaaay down by calling the airlines direct. Ohh, happy day! Some of you on Twitter responded to my tweet --- I was so upset. But I'm not anymore. But I really was upset at the time...

7. For those of you that watch The Office, some man dressed his daughter as Dwight for Halloween. {Absolute adorableness}. Take a peeky for yourself:


8. Zack and I watched Home Alone last Sunday. What fun holiday movies do you love to watch?

9. I'm hoping to hit-up Target for some super-clearanced Halloween candy. I hope I score big! ;)

10. A LITTLE RECAP: One more day until I announce the winner of the pouch + 13 more days until something GREAT {I've received half of the thing I'm announcing, that is all I can say} + free shipping has ended but will have lots of custom order pictures to show in the upcoming days + weeeee it's Sunday :) + I heart great movies such as Home Alone + going home to Michigan for Christmas + Dwight.

PSS. Happy November 1.

The end.

love.love.love
Gussy

{happy friday}

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!


In celebration of the harvest season,
cooler air,
red, yellow and orange leaves


Let's have a GUSSY giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive this pouch, shown below.

***

To enter, please leave one comment with your plans for the weekend.

I'll start {except I'm excluded from the prize!}: Zack and I are going on a Saturday-night date of dinner and a movie! I'm a happy Gus :)

Please only enter once, and please do enjoy your weekend. I'll announce the winner Monday morning.

PS. If your blog account is set to private, please leave me your email address so I can easily contact the winner. Thanks and good luck!

***

***

Happy Friday ♥
{15 days...}

{little whales + inspiration}

Handmade toys are so adorable. I love these little whales, along with the light blue and gray fabrics used to make them:

***

Ishmael's Whale Group, by florenceforrest

When it's time for me to have a little Gussy baby I can only imagine all the wonderful toys and decorations that will be available to drool over. There are so many quilts, and blankets, and little shoes that I just adore. Also, just as a heads up, you're going to see a lot of ruffles being sewn if it's a girl. But why am I even talking about babies?! We aren't having kids. Today.

***

Texture

Something super great about sewing is all the textures, materials and colors I get to work with. Or look at in the store and hope to work with! {tee he he}. Wooden buttons, linens, satiny ruffles. YUM! I love them all. Oh me, oh my I'm sewing up a handful of items right now. Diaper bags, laptop bags, zipped pouches, ruffle totes -- amazing and such a blessing! I'm working on a zipped pouch for Hubbs and asked him last night if he wanted a GUSSY tag. {Pretty sure he doesn't want a ruffle. Darn!}

He told me, and this is a direct quote, "Psshhhyeah! Only if I'm lucky enough to have one!"

Umm, of course you are dear Zacky. Because you allow me to refer to The Office as The Sewing Room. And you don't even correct me anymore when I call it just that. Did you know that? Shoot, now you do :)

Anyways, here are some beautiful textures and fabrics. And an image of a beautifully-sewn zipper {I just want to touch it when I look at it!}. Great pieces of inspiration, friends...

{photo credit here}



{photo credit here}




{photo credit here}




{photo credit here}




{photo credit here}


***

PS. BIG NEWS!!! Check out my contributing post {in the kitchen} on Everything Etsy, run by my blog friend Kim. That's right, Gussy's got a lot to share ;)

PPS. Did you hear? {16 days...}

{custom order for B}

I completed another custom order
{for a repeat customer, woot!}

***

Ruffle wallet with 10 credit/debit card slots, two pockets,
and a zipper coin pocket on the back.

Are you thinking of a custom order with Gussy?
Please, please consider the upcoming holiday and that I've already got my little notebook
just full {!!!} of orders. If you'd like something, get in touch with me! :)

Custom orders for this year end November 14.

***

PS. There was another Twitter contest yesterday with another winner!
Are you following me yet?!
;)

***

{17 days...}