Janna Wilson

828 Logo

Well, as we all know- there is not enough time in the day.  It does do my heart good to blog a bit and share a bit...its good therapy, isn't it.

I have this idea...which is on hold like many of my fabulous ideas :) LOL!  It got me thinking I needed to create a new logo- sort of brand myself.  Something that will probably come in the next semester of school, but with a few projects I have in mind, I needed it sooner than later ;) 

As with everything I create- there had to be special meaning and purpose to the design...it had to incorporate a bit of my signature blue (and colors be interchangeable), and I wanted a clean look that I would n'arry tire of.

Romans 8:28 is sort of my life bread.  It keeps me going.  Its a promise to me.  I don't question it. I wanted to incorporate 8:28 into the design even if it wasn't evident to anyone else (which is really isn't) - but it would serve as a reminder for me- in my life, in my career, in my adventures...and that's what matters.  Its about branding me...right?  Here's my logo...

Hmmm...What do ya think?

My favorite font: Century Gothic

My favorite color: turquoise blue

My favorite number 3 (the three circles) is represented-- three kids

My verse descreetly woven into the design

I think its me. 

 

stitches of my heart

I love doilies- and I found this one at the flea market and LOVED it.  Maybe paid two bucks for it, but have added to my collection with pride. And God knew it had a purpose for me when I found it. Its funny and wonderful how the Lord works.  How he ministers to our hearts as long as we are listening and seeking and his blessings are all around...are you looking?

You see, with an old friend passing last week, my heart was hurting- hurting mostly for that precious family because I know that Micah Joy Hogan is leading God's choir in beautiful sweet music.  A family she steeped in God's love and service and anyone could see it...as her Daddy said, "she lit up the room." 

Imagine that my heart is much like this crocheted heart.  It takes a lot of stitches- big and small, easy and complicated to make this heart.  Sometimes, we even miss a stitch and there may be a imperfection in the design. You start in the middle with a little flower that blossoms into an intricate design, every stitch relying on the former, ever growing and the threads are symbolic of growing as a person, growing in the Lord and becoming what you should be.  I met Micah 17 years ago and she is part of those beginning stitches, the threads of my inner heart. So many beautiful perfect stitches. In my mind, every person I meet, path I cross is part of my threads of my story, my heart, part of me, part of me determining what I should be, that was Micah. 

I think Micah's heart was complete.  I think God stitched that big, beautiful, intricate, loving heart till the thread was spent and I know that it was His will that her short 36 years be the end of her time with us.  I created this little heart art for Micah...its simple, its special but it ministers to me, I will frame it and it will always remind me of that beautiful, special girl and the stitches she added to my heart.

If you are part of my heart, just know that I love you...no matter how far away you are.

 

(calendar winners posted)

Well, I got off track- I've been a little too emotional over the past few days to think/worry any more about my own personal goals for 2012...though I intended on recording them here for my own accountability more than anything else. So that is coming later...however--

I do need to choose a winner to receive a calendar from this post...where I was going to send the random name one of these...

But what the heck...I'll just give all five posters one!  YAY!  Calendars all around!  So if you are one of the five commenters on this post --email me your mailing address and I'll send you one of these cute things :) Except you, Becky :) I'll get yours to ya!  These 8 x 10 wipeable calendars make fun gifts and they're very reasonably priced...if you're interested in purchasing - they're just $10 and come with a pen.  Think hostess gifts, bunco group gifts, bridesmaids- I do school colors too! You can email or check my etsy for more info :)

Ciao for now ;) jw

 

 

 

stop.

Spinning spinning...spinning, the world is spinning, everybody around is spinning...busy, running, on the go, in overdrive, to and fro...

Then it will...

STOP.

in an instant.

And it turns upside down, shakes like an earthquake and the aftermath is almost unfathomable, unimaginable-- can't be real?

The last three days have been filled with grief, for which I've kept mostly to myself, thats okay.  I've have somberly and prayerfully carried on.  Feeling a gaping hole for the loss of a dear friend of mine.  A friend that is part of the wonderful, crazy, woven tapestry of my life.  I can't hardly feel sorry for her, for I know she has passed through the glorious gates of Heaven...mostly feeling- grieving for her precious family- their loss. Feeling grateful for the precious gift of having the pleasure of knowing, working with, laughing with, having some most memorable experiences of my life with and crossing paths with Micah Hogan for the last 17 years.  Feels like...my heart has been rubbed against a cheese grater.  Feels shredded and wounded.  I don't even want to imagine what it feels like for her husband, parents and children.

The world lost one of the most beautiful girls on Friday.  

A mama to two young kids.  

A wife.  

A young, beautiful, shining light for God.  

As I've said many times- it's God's plan, not for us to understand or question.  For we know everything has its season and all of those experiences (good and bad) are meant for us to grow in His Word and in our faith.  Still doesn't lessen the pain of a loss, the realization and reminder of how short, sweet and fragile life is.

Stop.

Realize. Treasure. Remember. Say. Do. Don't wait. Cherish. 

For there is no promise of tomorrow.

 

What will you do?

...the quote I put on this printable really made an impact on my thinking.  I found it on Pinterest and I'm not sure if there is credit due - I can't find an "author" persay. 

As I've considered the new year and what I can accomplish in the next 360-ish days...I've thought prayerfully, I've thought about how I need to improve and change.  The one thing I need the most...discipline.  Many of you know me, my artsy fartsy personality and unless I'm moved and motivated to do something --its sometimes hard to light a fire under us creative types.  I need a good dose of discipline in every aspect of my life...I know it would make everything go smoother.  I know that the Lord is not the God of confusion and He wants me to be disciplined and keep things simple. 

I can do this.

How?

I've got to make a plan, take action and I need accountability. Period.

What am I going to do?

Break it up into small chunks and really focus on chipping away at these bits. I think keeping a journal will help trememdously as well.  I need constant reminders.

A few goals for me this year- I'll post today about my financial goals and later about family and personal goals.  (Remember breaking it up in to pieces ;). 

Financial

1. Get a handle on my budget- meaning I need to implement the budget I've devised.  Starting today--I'm going to the envelope system for monthly expenses (groceries, gas, kids lunch, etc...) and putting away the debit card for good.  I know I would spend a ton less unecessary money if I didn't use the debit card and use cash only. My husband is a testament to this already.  We don't use credit cards though we do have one (interest free) balance (see number two) due to an unexpected major purchase a couple of years ago.

2. Pay off two nagging debts (small loan and credit card balance) - Number 1 coupled with another surplus in my budget as of June ($340 preschool cost savings after the school semester and Cash will start big school in the fall) should allow me to pay off two debts that would save us over $250 a month.  

3. Tithing our full 10% every month.  We are so blessed to have a church in which we have a wonderful support system and family.  We are also blessed to both have a job and finally be in a financial place to afford to give what we can and should.  Though we give weekly, we have been guilty of not keeping up with tithes, coming short and the Lord has put this on my heart to correct this.

...the borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)

My pastor quotes this passage often.  In the past I've felt overwhelmed and defeated at even the thought of really trying to be debt free...but all of a sudden I'm sure the Lord is showing me the way.  And guess what-- all it takes is a little discipline.  I stayed up way too late last night figuring this out, but I'm pretty sure I can pay off all my debts except for our mortgage within the next three years.  What?!@#$  

Hello!!!  

Of course, things change, things happen and you know I'm not one for making plans-- I let the Good Lord chart my course and I roll with it.  But if I'm disciplined, faithful and prayerful about this-- I really have NO doubt that God will help me accomplish these goals. 

Some of the tools I'm implementing to accomplish my goals--

• A couple of composition books: one for budgeting (I like to handwrite my budget and it's pretty simple-) and one for discipline journal.
• I may give this free software a try too-- I've heard a lot of wonderful things about Mvelopes.
• I'll probably make my envelope system cute like this one or possible design a system for my needs
• I'm going to read these books- I've been following Crystal Paine (THE moneysavingmom) for a few years and she is one smart lady. I've already started this one...(a freebie when you buy her new book at Amazon). 

• I'll have to start couponing pretty hard again in order to stay within the grocery budget I've set.  It will also be important to start meal planning and being more organized in order to do this effectively.  I use Passion for Savings and Money Saving Mom as helpers for couponing.  I've also learned how to shop pretty effectively without coupons by knowing my local stores.

I'm excited to start this journey.  I really feel that God is going to help me accomplish these goals as I show him I can be more disciplined in this area.  This will definitely make me proud in one year!

I'd be interested if you have any tips on the envelopes system-- or working toward a better budget.  I'll post more on my goals for 2012 tomorrow or another day.

 

Can you tell I'm out of school...

Oh how I've loved a small taste of freedom the last few days.  The kids were back to school Monday and I've yet a few more precious days till my college mama grind starts anew.  I'm excited for a new set of classes and yet enjoying just creating for the sake of creating.  Working on some "wanna do" projects- calendars, chore charts and fun stuff.  Thats a fun perk of my job at Inscriptions-- I get to do some pretty creative stuff, these started out as calendars that were going to be printed on paper, but I laminated a couple for me and well...they are 8 x 10 personalized dry erase calendars now!

I love calendars.  Long time "wanna do" was to create a binder type planner that you could print, add to, customize.  I actually started that with these calendars a while ago and hopefully time will come when I can finish. 

Made this fun thing for Cash yesterday...

He had fun checking his list and getting a reward for a job well done!  I just realized I forgot "pick up toys!" LOL!

One final share...have you made any goals for 2012?  Resolutions?  I always think about what I want to accomplish in the year ahead...you can pick up this printable freebie I created for www.passionforsavings.com.  This is a website I frequent and have LOVED for a few years now.  Check it out, leave a comment here and I'll choose a random winner/commenter.  I'll make the lucky winner a personalized dry erase weekly planner! 

 

 

Writing in 2012, vintage letters, and kickin' it old style

Hello 2012 and all of my friends out there!

I've been thinking a lot of letters and writing lately.  Some of my friends are convinced I'm a nut for paying $14 and change for a lot on eBay of 120 old letters.  Not nosey, just love letters.  Alphabet letters, cards, notebook paper, handwriting...bits of scrap and greeting cards- especially from early in the 20th century.  My art history classes have fostered a growing love for paper, printing, lettering, engravings and especially those things from late 1800-early 1900s.  Things were so different then.  I've so enjoyed skimming through these letters, some typed, some handwritten in pencil or dip pens.  The subject matter takes you time traveling.

So I've thought that I would write in 2012...letters.  Good old fashioned, handwritten, mailed with a stamp, fun paper and sweet envelopes...letters. Yup.  Maybe to people I know...maybe some to people I don't know.  Seriously...who doesn't love to get letters in the mail.  I remember my Aunt Linda would write to me occasionally when I was a kid and it was SO FUN to find a letter addressed just to me!  She would use some pretty stationery and slip in a stick of gum for me and one for each of my siblings too :)  It is truly a memory I cherish.  I treasure those few recipe cards that I have from my Grandma and Scott's mom each in their own unique, special handwriting.  These are priceless to me.  

As much as I love technology- I fear that books, letters and all things printed are endangered to a point. So I intend on spreading a little paper love into 2012?

Wonder who I should write first?  Pen pals anyone?  LOL!

What about you?  How long has it been since you've gotten a letter or sent one? 

House of # Artwork-->REPOST

Hi - if you are visiting to pick up my House of {insert your number here} artwork from this post-- for framing or home decor, I'm reposting it in this post because there are some issues with the download. I've tried fixing but there is some strange glitch within that post. These are pdf files and they are pretty large at that - so it might take a minute or two to download the page.