{rufflicious}

I love to sew in batches and I am going through withdrawals. It's been some time now since I've made a big batch. Most of my time has been spent organizing and producing custom orders. Custom orders are exciting, but in a totally different way :)

I have run out of my Gussy tags {the ones I stamp}, so I made a big batch of those last night. However... still missing my sewing batches. 

Just look at these ruffles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rufflicious! 

***

Lots of exciting things to share. I'll try really hard to be brief this time :)

*I'm a broken record: Custom/personalized orders end Saturday!


*Have you heard? {3 days...} 

*A new issue of my newsletter, {the daily Gus}, is out. Are you signed-up to receive it? Something very special is included in this issue. Visit the top right section of my blog to sign-up, and be sure to check your inbox for a confirmation email.


*I've reached 200+ sales on Etsy! This is FANTASTIC! Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Gussy! 

*Random/Gussy story: Zack rubbed my back in two swipes two nights ago. He said, "that's one swipe for being a nice girl, and another swipe for being a naughty {aka: sassy} girl." 

*I'm ready for a Minnesota winter! Zack surprised me by ordering me a winter coat with a fuzzy hood :) Wooo-hoooo, go Zack :)



Good day. 

{a lesson learned}

Two nights ago Zack and I were talking about how busy our lives are. I was explaining that it's not ideal for me to be this busy. I work two jobs, write a blog post daily, and love every second of the buying, selling, and advertising aspect of Gussy. Can I confess something? I'd really like a few little friends to help me with my day-to-day tasks. Little mice friends, like Cinderella had :)

{P.S. Remember Gus the mouse?!}

When we moved-in, almost two months ago now {gasp}, there was so much on our plates. We had to unpack, start a new job/find a new job, get GUSSY back up and running {I took about a month off from sewing}, and try to remember where we live now that we're in a new city. There are, after all, nearly 400,000 people that live in Minneapolis.

Yikes.

And we are just two of them!!!

Yikes!

Now that we've been here 7-ish weeks, there is {surprisingly} a lot on our plates still. I'm not as finicky as I was before about sewing daily, although there is no getting around doing some type of Gussy/sewing on a regular basis. I'm so excited to see what God has planned for us, specifically with sewing. Right now, given what He had planned for us to-date this year, I can't even imagine what else He has planned...

Can you imagine it? I mean, my goodness! Moving 13 hours away with a weekend's notice? Bahhh. However... with such short notice one good thing came from it: there was only one way to plan the move.

Whew.

Absolutely loved that part.

So like I mentioned above, I'd really like some little helper friends.

First on my to-do list:

Finish decorating the sewing room/office. If it wasn't constantly decorated in ruffles maybe I'd notice this sooner than today...? Just a possibility.

Second, buy another chair. With having only two kitchen chairs {and one is broken}, and two office chairs, we're still short a chair! No, no, there are only two of us. Yes, we do need five chairs in the apartment ;) Maybe I can find one at a second-hand shop?...

Third, hang Christmas lights in the sewing room. How inspiring would that be, to hang something that resembles a glimmer of Hope, when this sewing talent really has become a glimmer of Hope for me. I could most certainly work in an office that looked like this:

{photo found here}

Oh, goodness... I wonder if Zack remembers where we put the Christmas lights...

Another area of our apartment {I believe this is point four} I'd like to decorate is a section of wall that is bare. Naked. Empty. White. Without color. See, there are lots of ways to describe it :) We have a lot of pictures to hang, we are simply missing the right photo frames. I'm really loving the layout of these frames:

{photo found here}

Another topic Zack and I had two nights ago was how some times, just some times, when I stare at my work for too long, for too many days in a row, I start to find flaws with it. That tiny, itty-bitty snip of thread hanging, or the ruffle that went on it's merry way while I was trying to sew it straight, or whatever... I find flaws that don't really exist and I start to wonder if I'm doing the right thing, spending so much time and love on sewing my ruffles. I'd like to think I'm doing the right thing. I'd like God to think I'm doing the right thing.

Do you ever have days where you let the devil in just a crack, only to find that BAMMM! The door gets slammed in his face.

Whoopsy. Shouldn't have let him in.

I had a day like that yesterday.

Want to know who slammed the door?

It was God, and it was amazing. For the last two months I have averaged one sale per day, and to ratio to selling to an unknown buyer vs. a known buyer is growing. People, this is great stuff. This is rockin' news!!! This new normal is something to celebrate. {Well, I hope it stays my normal.} :)

Back to the door slamming. A couple nights ago I was having a wishy-washy moment of, Do I keep going? Do I slow down? Or _____? Then yesterday, out of the kind of humor God has been showing me lately, He gives me four Etsy sales. Four! Remember how I average one? Yesterday I had four!!!!!!!!!!!!!




See, there are four. A lesson learned: don't try to diss what God has planned out.

I have nothing else to write... Gussy is not questioning things any more...

"Never look back unless you plan on going that way." <--- Nope! :)

{30 Day Shred update + more}

Well folks, it's been over one week since I started the 30 Day Shred workout program. Recently, after working out, I feel horrible. My stomach has been the main issue. Initially I thought maybe it was because I ate something bad. However... now I'm starting to wonder if it's because my abs are getting some serious attention??? Maybe??? I hope that is the reason, because I can live with that. And, if that's the case, then my eyes have not been deceivin' me -- things sure are lookin' good :)

Another update is that I have worked out for 8 days straight. I am super proud of myself for that -- because it is a major accomplishment. GO GUS! Ha ha.

A third update would be that after working out we eat dinner... Well, most times. In a perfect world that is what happens. That has caused me to become full pretty fast. By pretty fast I mean half way through my dinner I say, I'm full, and then look at Zack like he should say, Eat three more bites Maggie. But he doesn't. I suppose that is a good thing? Stop when you're full, right?

Right.

I'm really having a hard time figuring out when I should advance to Level 2 on the DVD. Do you have suggestions? Experience on this? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Also... I saw the opening blips {I'm not sure what else to call them} last night and I kind of cringed at a few of the upcoming movements in Levels 2 and 3. They look tough. But then again, so does Jillian :)

Like I mentioned earlier, I have done the Level 1 workout 8 times now. GUSSY IS A PRO. Almost. Sorry... he he. Let me start over. I have done the Level 1 workout 8 times now. Every time I watch it there are a few parts that always make me laugh:

C'mon. Chop, chop, {Jillian is telling the other girls to get up off the floor.}

And the other:
Your neck is not invited to this party.

I'm hoping Zack is getting as much of a kick out of this as I am, because every time she says those funny lines I seriously laugh out loud. And, {of course there is more to say} at the end of the workout Jillian says something like, Great job! That's it for Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred. And every time Gussy says, Thanks! I figure what better time to talk to myself when someone is "talking" to me, right? :)


OK, it's now time for a numeric update.
The part you've been waiting for this entire time, but didn't realize it until now.


In one week this is how my body has changed:

Bust - lost .25"
Waist - lost .5"
Hips - the same {I thought they went down but I guess the tape measure lied. DANG!}
Thigh - the same
Calf - lost .25"
Upper arm - gained .5" {yikes!}

Total inches lost: 1 -- yippee!

I suppose seeing an improvement in 4 of 6 areas is good, right? I'm trying not to expect too much too soon. Jillian has me all excited with this lost 20 lbs. in 30 days thing. I'd just be happy with 20 inches lost combined! Ha! That'd be somethin'!

Gus whats to know: What types of changes have you made this week?

PS. Zack recently told me, Maggs, that jacket is looking big on you. It's not so filled out anymore.

And to correct any possible damage to my self-esteem/hurt feelings he said, But don't worry. It's still full of sass.

Oh good! Whew!

Awww... my man knows me so well ;) ha ha!!! I secretly think Zack prefers the 30%/70% ratio because let's be honest... it makes life more fun. I mean, what other wife can be witty in a flash all the while sporting a cute smile? Not too many people! Maybe that is you? If so, I'm glad you're here. Sooooo glad.

Another thing Zack told me recently was that once the 30 Day Shred was over I could buy 2 new pairs of pants, 2 new shirts, and 1 new dress. That is great, because all I need are two outfits for the week. Just because I work at home and are most often glued to my sewing machine, I do go out in public on a daily basis! He has good intentions though :)

PSS. I didn't really think this post out in advance which is why I keep saying, And, and Also, and Another. Things just keep coming to mind.

Gussy has a lot to say.

Have you been to my Etsy shop recently? Have you seen I am up to 70 sales?! That is so incredible. Although it is late in the day, no appropriate word comes to mind to show off how grateful I am for this recent... umm... recent change in my career? Is career the right word? I suppose I'd say so. I mean, it is paying the bills, and I am so happy, and I am incorporating my two majors into my life ON A DAILY BASIS! :) I remember just a short while back when I was at four sales. Man, that seems like light years ago. OK, fine, it was January 15th.

Who knew back then that Zack's invention of The Sweat Shop would become an appropriate statement?

Clearly my hand is not raised.

Who has time to raise an arm when there is ironing and zipper-sewing to do?

{bye, bye, bye!}

SOLD!

SOLD!

SOLD!

{Twitterbook Etsyerrrrrr}

Hello, hello :)



The internet offers so many opportunities for advertising: Facebook, Twitter, an abundance of blog websites, you get the picture. In hopes to continue advertisements for my Etsy shop, I'm making a few changes around here {like a good Gussy would :)}

First, I'm on Twitter! Did you know that? You can follow me, read my updates {which will focus almost entirely on my Etsy shop}, or just plain ignore that I'm a Twitterer. Whichever option you choose, it's entirely up to you. I like to have options, so I'm giving some to you, too! ;) There is also a link at the top right {the very top!} of my blog where you can click to find my Twitter page. Go ahead and check it out...




Alright.

Another update is that I loooooooove to do custom orders and the last dozen or so of my Etsy orders have been custom orders! It is amazing, awesome, challenging -- so great!!!

Have you checked out my shop lately? If you have, maybe you've noticed that I've been putting little updates in the Shop Announcement section to help viewers see what Gussy has been up to. If you guessed I've been doing custom orders, then you win! :) Ha ha.




I know all this new found excitement might be too much, but... bear with me. I'm trying to draw more attention to my Etsy shop. Therefore, if you friend me on Twitter you can experience some pretty awesome stuff.

Like what?, you ask.

Here's what you do:

• Friend me on Twitter,
• Message me ON ETSY about an item {or items} you want from my Etsy shop,
  
• I will set up the custom listing for you,
• I'll send you any one order with FREE SHIPPING. Just remember to be sure to send me a message through Etsy :)
  

Trust me, I understand if now isn't the right time to purchase from Gussy's Etsy shop. I'll still be super excited if you simply add me as a friend :)

Alright... that's all I have to share. The Sweat Shop resumes ;)

{sale #27 & #28}

I have listed this wallet for sale on Etsy again, and you can find it by clicking here. I thought it would be neat to offer customers the option of choosing how many credit/debit card slots they'd like, just like I did with Mandy. This particular sales brings me to #27. Such a blessings to LOVE this new hobby as much as I do!

custom gray and yellow wallet, ruffles:

here we are at sale #28 ---
green and pumpkin-orange wallet with two red, faceted buttons:

{Etsy sale + donations}

This super sassy TRAVEL jewelry pouch has been sold! Wooo to the hooo :) I love taking my Etsy items to the Post Office.

SOLD!

Speaking of the Post Office, below are a few things I made for an upcoming women's retreat held near Chicago. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the designs and fabric combinations! :)

{it's SALE time}

Who loves a good sale??? Maybe I should ask, Who loves a good GUSSY sale???

If that is YOU then click your mouse over to my Etsy shop and have a looky for yourself :)

This sale is for a limited time {only the good LORD knows the time frame}, so don't hold yourself back.

Go ahead, you know you're interested in the goods.

Ready, set, GO!

PS. Here's a 'lil preview:

By the way, this 'lil pumpkin took sail yesterday.

It was given to my sister-in-law for her 16th birthday :)

{sale # 23}

SOLD!

{custom bridal clutches, and more!}

I'm pretty pumped!!! I am working on a custom bridal clutch order for my friend, M. She's getting married mid-September. We have all sorts of wonderful ideas for the clutches... custom colored ruffles for the bride and bridesmaids; a bird button; 2 cute red ball buttons; a zippered fold-over closure with end snaps, a bold, floral print... ohhhhh, so cute! Here is a little sample of some of the materials:




Have I mentioned that I'M PUMPED???!!!!!

This is the second custom order to-date. My first was for my friend, N., who wanted me to take a tote and add a zipper and inside pockets to it. It went from this:




To this:





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I received my business cards in the mail yesterday. You better believe it when I say I'm going to include one in EVERY Etsy transaction, every place I shop, every person that asks about my GUSSY wallet. Except I have yet to make myself a wallet :( I'm pathetic. So maybe I'll have to get on the wagon and make myself something to show off. Ya know, since I buy so many things daily ;)

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Do you have a custom order idea for me? Send it to Whitley.Maggie@gmail.com
Gussy will work something out for you :)

{see ya!}

Goodbye little MINI wash cloths:

SOLD!

This pretty lady is also outta here:

SOLD!

{altered tote bag}

Wednesday I blogged about a bag that I had sold to a girl named N. Well, I didn't tell you her name, but I did blog about a bag. Any hoo, today I have pictures of the ALTERED bag I just mailed to her today.

FYI: If you want anything altered or custom made, most likely it can happen! :)

I added a zipper and two inside pockets. Check out the final product: