update: a super big CONGRATS to Aimee of Someone’s Gotta Pay for winning the Little Alouette/Gussy Sews giveaway. [xo]
Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? I sure hope you’ll tell me about it in the comment section :].
The sun was shining here all day Saturday ~ it was so gorgeous out and the perfect day to play with charcoal, dirt and some succulents in my “how to make a Terrarium” class [sneak peak pic above]! I can’t wait to share pics from the class — it was sooooo much fun. I need to make like, 8 more terrariums *wink*. On Sunday we spent the morning outside on our back patio, we called our mamas and wished them a happy day. I cleaned up my studio, Zack helped me re-arrange my computers [I moved one into my studio] and we watched a movie. But I fell asleep, shhh! We had a really great weekend :]
I’ve made my to-do list for the week and can’t wait to get started on it. I always love Mondays for the fresh start they bring to my calendar. Hah.
Also? Many, many thanks to everyone who grabbed a new Gussy clutch for their spring collection. {smooch} I think they’re super cute, too!
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Here are some pics taken with my phone over the past week. I love the Instagram app ~ it’s such a fun way to document little snippets of my day, especially when I’m able to step out and head downtown for a bit. I’ve realized taking more photos of my day-to-day helps me to celebrate even the small things in life.
Proof that the sun does shine in Minneapolis, AND spring is coming. Plus, a few pen pal letters I’ve written:
My beloved, and my new Terrarium:
Bauer. He didn’t really like being in all those mail bins. Couldja tell? [Hah!!!]:
Pretty purple polish + date night with Zack ♥:
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A few emails were sent my way about my studio post last week, asking if I keep it that clean always, and the answer is YES! Well, one day might be left messy but 90% of the time it’s super duper clean. There are a few of us working in there at all times and since there are only 2 work tables, that means space is shared. Neat works best [for us]. It has definitely taken some time + trial and error to figure this out, though. I will say that :]
AND! Possibly the best news everrrrr:
OH yes, you’re reading that correctly. In one week I’m having a huge celebration in awe of my 1-year anniversary working on Gussy Sews full-time, AND I have over $1,100 in prizes to give away!!! Seriously, this is the largest giveaway I’ve ever hosted. If you love to be creative/sew/ruffles, be sure and stop by!
♥ May 16th – May 20th, I’ve got oodles of amazing STUFF to hand out.
The fact that one year has almost passed is just insane. It’s so exciting for Zack and I, and a huge accomplishment!!! A gift, a blessing, new opportunities & friends — this business means so much to me. I’m still writing “my story” — the super long & detailed version, but I hope to be finished soon. Soon! :]
OK, that’s all for now!
xoxo
We had a great weekend too! Trip to the ocean and chocolate covered strawberries…I was one happy momma. :)
ONE YEAR!!! Congrats, that’s amazing!
I had a great weekend it was my first Mommys Day. But I have a question for ya how did you get pen pals? I think that is so neat and wish I could start one :) if you could let me know that would be great :) o
hey vanessa, i blogged a few months ago that if someone wrote me i’d write them back! it has been crazy since… really i can only write back 1 time. but it’s still so much fun!!! xoxo
Soooo excited to be celebrating your one year with you!
While I will definitely be celebrating Gussy’s one year anniversary it will be very bittersweet for me. On May 17, 2010, I lost my mother. It was very unexpected and really hard for me. But! When I was reading your about page and saw that May 17, 2010 was the day you started Gussy Sews full time it reminded me that even in my sadness there was something happy, something GOOD and something LIFE CHANGING going on somewhere else that I could smile about. So while I will be sad on that day, I am so glad that I found Gussy Sews and that you will be giving me a reason to smile that day too. Dreams do come true and you are the best example of that! Congrats Maggie! :)
hi skye ~
oh my, what a tragedy amidst beauty. i am so sorry to hear about your story. life is so very unexpected. one of my favorite quotes, “inspiration is all around you” ~ i think that quote was written for you ♥.
[hugs]
That is the quote you wrote in my recent pen pal card! :) My mom’s favorite quote was “Consistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” which is so so true! It is so important to constantly be searching for inspiration, all around you. Thanks for your kind words! :) They mean a lot!
{hugs in return}
We had such a super weekend :) lunch out after church, shoe shopping, ice cream, and a nap- all with my husband and 12 month old son <3 then dinner was made FOR ME (incredible). Congratulations to one year with gussy sews full time! It's been a zippy last year for me too- 1 year ago I had a newborn in the house, I suppose we were both starting new lives with "our babies" ;-) and for reals- the terrarium looks snazzy.
you said snazzy!! oh, i heart you :]
Oh- everyday ;-)
I love that terrarium, I’ll have to look for something like that in my area. Sounds like a fun class! I had the perfect weekend…time spent with my beautiful family, finally being able to play outside with the little one, a mama’s night out with my very best friend to the movies, and a wonderfully delicious brunch to celebrate Mother’s Day made for me, my mother, and mother in law by my sweet hubs. Can’t wait to celebrate with you next week!!!
My weekend was strange.
On one hand, it was awful because I had to work a total of five shifts in three days. Eek.
On the other, it was amazing because we’re housesitting and getting to play married life like I imagined it would be. With a big house and kids to play with (okay, we’re babysitting a 17&13 year old, so not really kids) and dogs to let out into the yard and pet all the time. And two cars, so we don’t have to schedule EVERY SECOND with each other and drive back and forth, to and fro. It’s been amazing.
So, strange, but good and bad in ways. I don’t know. But today’s my day off, so I’m trying real hard to enjoy it by watching movies like The Proposal and August Rush on television and blogging and crocheting :D
i loved August Rush — soooo good. mmm. so very good.
Gussy, I can hardly believe it’s been almost a WHOLE YEAR!! You are such an inspiration, friend. :) Love }
It sounds like you had a fabulous weekend:) Bauer is so stinkin cute, I swear!
xo,
Sarah
You have a lot of pen-pals! Congrats on your anniversary, that is very exciting. My weekend was also fabulous with lots of sunshine, some shopping, time with Mom, almost killed each of my kids, and breakfast made for me on Mother’s Day.
I tried to do the instagram thing. For some reason it left me confused. If you would like more to giveaway send me an e-mail:) Still waiting on the last response you busy lady:)))
will you re-send me your email? i can’t find it…
What a fun weekend, I’m loving the terarrium & I can’t wait to read your story! I’ve been trying hard to revamp my business & you’re such a great source of inspiration for me.
Congrats on the upcoming 1-yr anniversary! Your story continues to inspire me, as I hope to be able to leave my cubicle job behind by the end of this year, if not sooner.
Speaking of which, I spent the weekend prepping for my first craft fair booth.
You busy, busy girl!
I had a great weekend, enjoyed my husband and kids and even snuck a little nap with one of my littles yesterday afternoon!
I had a great weekend, shopping and supper with my mommy! Drinks and the hockey game, oh oh and 2 plates of Chinese food! GAH! So yummy!
Happy Monday!! I love the “fresh start” of Mondays too! I just finished making my to-do list for the week and I love to check off the things I’ve accomplished along the way! ;) Glad the sun was out for you & Zack to enjoy this weekend. Pretty polish! Though it doesn’t look as purple as I imagined…{kinda like the turquoise, *wink*} What is the name of the color/brand? I emailed you on Saturday a totally random “me” email. ;) Have a great day!!
xox
Elizabeth :)
hey you! the polish is Sally Hansen “insta dri” — color is intense iris. it looks more pink-y because of the filter on the instagram pic ♥!
Bauer looks so very sad in those postal crates; poor baby! Tell him Grama loves him and would never make him sit in a crate like that…..!
xoxo Mama Gus
ha ha ha! i am the Jack in life {naughty} and you are the Collin {rule follower} ;)
I am so happy for you! You are so encouraging and inspirational!
Awe I want a pen pal!!! Does anyone wanna be my pen pal??? :)
yaaaay!! so proud of you, my wonderful web friend <3
Spring always comes to Minnesota eventually, it just takes a little while :)
Hi! I loved your terrarium. It’s super cute. And then I saw this today and thought of you. http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/05/sewing-101-sew-a-terrarium.html
Oh Lordy, that picture of Bauer in the mail bins is the cutest – totally frameworthy! I love your fun terrarium! Our weekend was good…I was in San Diego on Saturday for the Queen Bee Market, then a low-key (but wonderful) Mother’s Day on Sunday with my little family. :)
PS – Leila was SO excited about getting a little note from you! She has it in her “special drawer” You totally made her day! XO!