{sew adorable}

Look at 'lil 14-month-old Maggie, she loooves her mama's Gussy wallet!

***

Do you have a photo of your Gussy item being used?
Send me a pic and I'll post it on my blog.

{everyday uses...}

The many uses for your Gussy:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

1. Organization:

• for your purse, diaper bag, car
• store coupons, cash, accessories
• carry makeup, personal products, medicine
  

2. Multiple Orders:

• custom bridal party gifts
• baby/bridal shower game prizes
• mommy/daughter matching sets
  

3. For work:

• laptop case
• briefcase for notes, file folders
• tote magazines and books

4. To Share:

• thank you notes
• gift tags
• I miss you...
• I love you...

5. To Protect:

• Smart Phone
  
• iTouch
• iPod
• camera {analog or digital}
  

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

PS. Have you entered the BIG Gussy giveaway, posted below?

{a BIG, fun Gussy giveaway}

this giveaway is now closed!

a {sort of} surprise Gussy giveaway!
yeow!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER there will be 3 prizes:

1 - $35 shop credit winner
1 - $25 shop credit winner
1 - $15 shop credit winner


to enter, please visit my shop and share your favorite Gussy item.

please be sure your email addy is on your blog or blog profile.
giveaway ends when I say so :)

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{please note, shop credit cannot be used towards baby blankets or custom orders.}

{discussing analytics}

If you have a blog that brings you income {or if you blog to build your business} it's soooo important that you are tracking your visits. Why? Because you need to know what has become a good investment and, alternately, what has not. Just ask the professionals -- they are all doing it.

It's also key to remember that advertising takes 1-2 months for it to become a good investment. Paying for one month won't change your life {well, it could...} but what is really key is repetition, continuity, etc. The more often you are seen in the blogosphere the better off you are.

Personally, I've had to put myself in the shoes of a buyer more often than the shoes of a seller. If I was buying, what would I pay? If I was buying, what would I want? If I was buying, how many times would it take to actually buy?

Most blogs offer multiple month discounts if you become a sponsor. Take advantage of those discounts, advertise on multiple blogs, and then sit down once a week to analyze your analytics.

Ohhhh, sounds sexy. Or confusing.
Actually, it's neither! :)


I use Google Analytics and SiteMeter. It's easy to tell who comes from where, what they typed to find your site {this can be really funny some times :) }, and what percentage of change your blog experiences.

I really look forward to looking at my stats. It's fun to see where and how people find my blog, especially when I advertise on other blogs and that investment proves to be a good one! It's a great pat-on-the-back when a decision I make proves to be a great decision! Yeow! Don't you just love when you're right? :)

Another AMAZING analytic feature is knowing how how many visits your website receives a day, week or month. Want to know if your blog is growing? Track your anaytics! I mean, look at all this wonderful goodness:



This is where I'm at to-date with my stats. And I bet you have wonderful goodness going on with your blog, too. The question is: Are you using all available tools?


Here are the top 7 sites that give me the most traffic {thank you, thank you}:

1. The Nester
2. (in)courage
3. Where Women Create
4. Ashley Ann Photography
5. Made By Girl
6. Jessica Turner - The Mom Creative
7. The Pleated Poppy



For some more fun, a shout-out to some of my blog sponsors ♥

Kara Rosenberry Co. -- clever cards & what-nots

b's {blog} boutique -- darling blog designing

Sweet Baby Creations -- unique handmade baby items

My Favorite Things -- garnering inspiration from everyday people, places & things



Do you think you'll set up blog analytics? If not, what is holding you back?

{a date to the fabric store}

Two nights ago I realized I just couldn't do it all, nor could I get it all done on my own. And I hated admitting that, but what I didn't hate at alllll was Zack's immediate response to help me out. Not that that surprised me... It was just so reassuring and helpful.

You see, I just can't get enough sewing in. It's never, ever enough. Two nights ago I realized we were out of groceries. And, I didn't have any time to get them because I needed to sew, hah! Nor did I want to send Zack to get them {nor did Zack want to go}. We agreed I'd order groceries that night online and have them delivered to our apartment the following evening.

{Yes, living in the city is fantastic. But it also means really, really, really organized trips out.}

{And while I love to be organized, it just takes a lot of time.}

{This is the last sentence in brackets.}


As soon as Zack walked in the door from work we kissed and I took off. It's funny -- it was like a date to the fabric store ;)

Zack stuck around to greet the grocery delivery man and put the groceries away. Shortly afterward I was back home, but that hour I was gone was. pure. bliss.

It's been awhile since I haven't felt rushed at the fabric store...

Yeah, I forgot a few things yesterday, but Zack read them to me over the phone and so nothing was forgotten. While there, I picked out THE CUTEST shades of pink, red and orange. Some yellow -- this amazing shade of yellow with a tiny hint of green! All for my ruffles.

And... this might just be the best part: I found some GREAT fabrics for laptop bags. Take a look:

Ummm, are you drooling yet?! I love them so much I told the gal to cut me a few extra yards. MUAH! I know they are a little winter-y but with a Gussy ruffle in pink or red they'll be hot!!! I can see them now... :)

Yep, hott.

Once I was back home I sat down to sew, something I haven't done for an entire week. Me and my radio player, hanging out with lots of fabric, ruffles and my sewing machine.

A perfectly successful evening.

What did you do yesterday that made your day perfect?

{my Gussy baby}

[photo credit]

To me, sewing is my baby. I love it more than any other girl loves their Gussy.

I made Gussy, therefore I love Gussy the most.

And I'm about to burst from all this/your love, excitement, inspiration and encouragement.

Thank you for sharing this ride of sewing love with me.
Now hop on, we're going places.

{hmm...}

...another sneaky photo :)


Any idea what this project is for?
I'll reveal the answer Friday!
♥

I'll be back later this afternoon with my first sewing tutorial.

{love}

:: 5 things i love ::


Thread. All colors. All shades. An entire rack of beautiful, sassy thread makes me happy.

This yellow purse. My friend, Megan, has it and I wish I had one, too. I love the color, and the size. Sigh...

Pink and orange nail polish. I heart nail polish. Right now my nails are a happy shade of yellow. I am certain purple is up next...

Coffee. Coffeeeeeeeeeee. Yum! How can coffee, especially in this hot pink mug, not make your day like 3% better? :)

It's likely this photo is from my childhood. Who cares that I really found it online. When I was like 3, and every year until now, I had an obsession for chapstick.
Right Mom and Dad? :) They will tell you the truth.

See that gap?
Two chapsticks are missing. Must. Buy. More.

What makes you happy?
Do share :)

{i just need a few more days!}

...new Gussy items coming soon!
like, 27 new items.
sewn from Heather Bailey fabric.
drool-worthy.

OK, I need to go gawk at them in the Sweat Shop.

see ya!
xo

{Paul Frank watches}

Paul Frank has the most darling watches. I recently browsed through the collection and had a super hard time just picking a few I love. I have loved Paul Frank products for a few years now, maybe 6 or 7? I saw recently that Target now carries a Paul Frank line. I was of course devastated to find it's only for kids. Boo! Well wait. Target carries PF in junior's sleepwear. So semi-boo.

Y'all know Gussy loves color. Is it any surprise these are my most-favorite watches? There are even more I love {not listed}, but I had to call it quits before it got too out-of-hand.

Better stop while you're ahead, Gus!

I asked for some Paul Frank gear for Christmas this year. We'll see if Santa found anything Gussy-worthy ;)

***

What is your most-favorite watch brand?