Janna Wilson

A kiss...

I got a little kiss this morning from Abby as she left out of the car for school.  You know, those lippy, smushy, not old enough to be embarassed to kiss my mom, goodbye kisses.  Kinda wet...then they dry and you feel a bit of a dryness in that spot.  I really want to remember that...these little kisses.  I totally need to scrap that!!   Speaking of...she totally had a fashion moment this morning.  She put on jeans with a pink long sleeved tee and her brown tennies.  Normal enough, right?  Well, for some reason, she thought this gauzy summer skirt looked so cool over the top of her jeans.  Hmmm?  I just went with it.  A little self expression never hurts, right?  Oh and she had to wear her hair a particular way to finish off this look...not down, no ponytail--pulled back in a barrette on one side.  Happy girl!

In other news...I got a fun tag from friend Stephanie and Stephenie too!  They say its high priority...so I must oblige! 

*****************************************************************************************************************

so I will now...give you the rules and the facts...Link to your tagger and post these 3 rules on your blog.

• Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
• Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
• Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. When I was in high school I was voted Ms. Congeniality my senior year 

2. I am a perfectionist in some ways and a total slob in others...Scott "loves" this about me :) NOT. 

3. I have always wasted too much brain power on knowing makes & models of cars...from when I was very young.

4.  One of my favorite dishes is Eggplant Parmigian or any other eggplant dish

5. I guess I'm a pretty good cook...but I DO NOT like cooking the same thing a lot-- I'm all about variety!

6. I can't stand monotony...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  I could never work in a factory and do the same thing over and over...I would die. (no really, I'm not that spoiled...I could if I needed to)

7.  I'm totally laid back go with the flow no schedule required jump and run free spirit a little fickle fun loving...but every few months I get totally overstimulated and have to step back and just....BREATHE.

okay, so now...I must tag 7 people...with a blog:

Becky O, Ginger R, Rachael C, Jenny, Debbie, Kim (bugsy :) and Stacey K.-- YOUR TURN!!! 

Have a great rest of the week!!! hugs :)jw

THANK YOU!

Thanks to all of you that took a few moments to vote for friend Kay and her pursuit of a Fiskateer for NSD!!  Hopefully lots of you joined the Fiskateer movement too!  Its really a great program and fun community to be apart of.

Thanks to too many late nights (I think :0)-- the SICKIES took hold of me last Friday and didn't let go till yesterday.  I was literally in bed for four days.  Awful.  Terrible.  Pain. Everywhere.  Today is my first day of normal.  Thank the LORD.  I was so miserable...but Nurse Angie has me on the road to recovery now! Whew! 

Now I'm behind and only two days to hammer out lots of projects!  But thats okay cause I'm just so thankful I am better that it doesn't even matter!  My guy and girls sure took great care of me during the whole ordeal.  But I think the girls were just about done with Scott's one course "man meals".  He is doing better these days at coming up with his culinary concoctions... always interesting FOR SURE! 

Gotta point you all to the JOURNALING JUNKIE...its a fun challenge blog all about journaling challenges.  I did a challenge for those guys, so if you have time, check it out!  I don't think its up yet...but soon! 

Also gotta shout out to the Creative Scrap Shack gals!!  HOWDY!!!   I'm the guest designer for March!  YAY!!  So fun to work with their springy March kit!  I'll be chatting over there on the 13th at 7pm...so join in if you can!

Well, I must get back to work...enough playing for now.  Oh except I gotta show you this...just a weird, fun, neat shot I got--

Show some Fiskateer *LOVE*

Okay gals...help me out here!  There's a Fiskars contest and my SWEET friend Kay Brown entered her crop group (and many of my fun friends) into over on the Fiskateer Blog. 

PLEASE! :)
PLEASE! :):)
PLEASE! :):):)

This is a shameless :) PLEA for votes.  Kay is so good to her croppers and works hard at this hobby!  All you have to do email May and say you would like to vote for KAY BROWN in Charleston, ARKANSAS to win the NSD visit from a Fiskateer and list your Fiskateer#!  How easy!! 

YOU DO HAVE TO BE A FISKATEER to vote.  So easy to sign up...just visit this LINK. You will get a FREE pair of Fiskateer Scissors when you join!  And they periodically send other gifts out too.

You can email May HERE.

Please vote if you have a minute!

Lots of love--jw

Oh MY! Thanks so much!

My heart is so warmed with all the supportive comments on my last post.  A sincere THANK YOU to all of you lovely ladies.  :)  I'm so excited.  And yes, the photo down there (the heart) is a sneak of one of the fun projects!  YAY!!

Second...I have to share my birthday present from my Mom.  She usually gives me some cash to do with as I see fit... and this is what I spent it on...

This is a Betz White original!!!  Its like a Picasso in my book...an orginal piece of art created by Betz--wow...and its mine!  I can't wait to see it in person!  [I hope I'm not in trouble...I lifted this photo from Betz's Etsy after I bought it.]  Just look at the whipped cream on top!!  If you're not familiar with this amazing artist...you need to check her stuff out.  I'm thrilled to own a little piece of her felted treasure.  This little Cup O Joe pin cushion was made from recycled wool sweaters!!  Isn't that just so cool!!  THANKS MOMMA and Betz!

Well, I gotta run...basketball games tonight, a party, a coffee date with Jenny...lots to do. 

You heard it here, folks!

Well, you know I'm a procrastinator...I work better under pressure, as many creative types do, I suppose.  Give me a deadline--and yes, of course, I start like 24 hours before that deadline LOL!  I'm learning to accept these truths about myself and even work ahead a bit in busy times.  Because I am this way...many times I do what HAS to be done and never get a ROUND-TUIT for the things that I really want to do.  The things that really inspire me.  The things that I can and want to share with the world.  Classes are one of these things.  I really love the WHOLE process of planning projects and workshops!  Anymore, though, with three kids I opt not to travel and share my scrapbooking gospel LOL!  Its just too hard to leave the family right now.  But I really miss connecting with all of you through sharing and teaching.  I want that back.  I have to make it happen.

So...I'm putting it out here. 

In writing...

Coming soon:

a crafty adventure...with janna

I've got the plans in motion and things have slowed down a bit.  I have so many things I want to share.  I'm going to offer my little creative journey in the form of an online class.  I love the fact that you can add images, videos and audio to this format.  FUN!!  As I work I'll try to share more tid bits, but for now the workshop start date is set for March 15.  It will be two weeks of crafty goodness which you can access anytime at your convenience!  ooohhh!  I just can't wait.

Love to all of you who've supported me and asked me when I would be teaching again.  I really look forward to this and your encouragement means so much. 

be crafty -jw

A real post!

Goodness, CHA was such a fun time and I'm so glad I decided to make the trip.  It was nice to just peruse the show and see and hear and meet some folks.  There's so many, if I'd try to name everybody, I'm sure I would miss someone, so--I won't.  I was really looking forward to meeting new friends Donna and Stephanie in person and of course I did--they are both just precious!!  ...and then there were so many more new friends I made and got to spend time with.  I got to spend the first day with my dear sweet friend Tammy (who now lives in Cali).  Friend Ginger made me feel welcome to hang with her and we enjoyed some good desserts together!  I was so happy to get to be there for Teresa's big debut and get to hang with those girls too (Bek & Jamie).  I uploaded all my pictures in an album...there's really not that many and I missed getting some pictures I really wished I had've.  Like the fun girls I roomed with-- Mary Kay & Houston.  Darn it!  Those girls were such a hoot.  Thanks to them (& Vivian & Heather), I had my first In & Out experience!  LOL!!  I met new people all the way from Dallas the day I left (a sweet girl from Arkansas that is the sister to the owner of BO BUNNY) to the Santa Anna airport waiting to return home (Marla & Staci from Texas :).  Good times. 

After last year...I'm still trying to figure out just exactly what to do with myself.  I hoped this trip would help me do that and it has in a lot of ways.  There are so many possibilities...I just want to make good choices, for the long term.  Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging...and I'm so grateful for that.  For now, I'm just going to continue to pray for direction and know that it will come.  I'm enjoying my work with Fiskars so much, that I really shouldn't want for more-- so I will be patient and have faith.

This week...actually is looking pretty sparse with things to do.  I know I'm probably just forgetting something.  Just a couple assignments on my agenda and I've got a class to plan for Scrap A Faire, but I feel like I can breath easy right now.  Maybe I can get a step ahead and get some of my random ideas organized.  Get the old scraproom whipped back into shape.  Perhaps get the housework back under control...oh, who am I kidding, it really never has been under control!! LOL!! 

I'll have to share some photos tomorrow--of the project I created for Fiskars tv...I taped a little segment when I was in Cali and things were going fine till my phone started ringing right in the middle of the taping.  Suzanne was so nice--they acted like it was no biggie--but I was so embarassed after that I just got all hot & bothered--not in a good way ;) LOL!!  Oh well, hopefully they can de-sweat me through the miracles of camera magic??  Probably not!

Better go for now!  Here's to a great week ahead!  Blessings...jw

more to post...later! 

Just a quickie

three words...

Teresa

Collins

Designs...

here's my little sneak peek:

Bella Girl by Teresa Collins

Boardwalk by Teresa Collins 

see it all here: www.teresacollinsdesigns.com

Crunch time...

  And I don't mean excercise!  I'm leaving Saturday morning for sunny CA.  So many good things on my agenda--first, I get to see one of my best girlfriends--Tammy.  Tammy & Linda opened the first lss in my area about 6 1/2 years ago (they sold out when Tammy had to move to CA)...part of what got me so involved in the industry--it was at that store that I memorized brand names and worked a day here and there and got to play with all that lovely sb product!!  I taught classes and made samples for the store.  I designed and hand made titles with individual hand cut letters for sale in the store.  That was back in the days of the dawning of Doodlebug and Chatterbox and eyelets GALORE!!  When Becky's purple book changed my life and I piled glass beads, glitter and meandmyBIGidea's kids on my pages!  And I held a position on my first design team and dabbled in product design for Gracefulbee.com (Hi Cathy!!)  Things have come quite a ways even in six short years, haven't they?  And some things never change (I'm back on that glitter kick :).  I still get just as excited about the whole thing as I ever did.  I made friends for a lifetime, which has always been one of my favorite parts of this whole thing. 

A lot of people have played a part in the little successes I have enjoyed in this hobby/obsession/job.  From my first break teaching at a lss 2001 (thanks Darla!!) to the opportunity to work with BHG Scrapbooks etc.  magazine--something I'd always dreamed of...I'm so very thankful for all the opportunities along the way in which I have been given.  I really and truly count every experience as a blessing, a learning experience and I'm so grateful.  I'm still "ridin' the wave" and lovin' every minute of it.  I take it for what it is...paper and glue and a dream come true! 

So, you see, I'm thrilled to get to take this trip to California-- to see many of the people that have helped me along the way, inspired me to do what I love, encouraged and supported me in my journey. Its really something special.  I'm also excited to meet new friends for the first time in person and experience the awe of seeing the tradeshow at my leisure, sort of ;)  I say sort of because I have a little job that I was invited to help out with--and absolutely thrilled to do so!!!  Keep an eye on Leah's blog this weekend (Sun-Tues, actually)---I'll be reporting/filming mini interviews from the show floor with Donna all of the coolio stuff we find!!  If you wanna win a prize go visit Donna's blog and read her post from today! 

Well, I hope I haven't bored you to tears with my rambling---how bout a picture?

This heart hanging--features STAMPS from a brand new designer/brand with Fiskars: KIMBERLY POLOSON.  She's got a really cool look, different, fresh, very chic/vintage.  You'll LOVE it.

Another new name with Fiskars: TRICIA SANTRY  So far, I've only seen the stamps that I used on this layout--but her style is so cute and whimsical! 

If you're wondering about all the black, white and red...well---I had several assignments that required the use of that color scheme...which of course, is one of my own personal faves!!  Fiskars has a display at the show that will feature all of the black/white/red projects.

Okay-- I'll quit blabbing now!  See you soon! jw

    

   

Greetings to you!!

Oh happy day!  I got up a little late, but the girls are so good--they were totally ready and we had no fashion catastrophes or hair mishaps!  We got off without a hitch.  I was sure to commend them on a job well done lately...I may have to reward them for good behavior this afternoon with ice cream or something. 

Did you notice anything different "in here?"  Well, I created my new business card design for taking to the tradeshow...and thought it might be a nice inspiration for a blog header.  So I started playing!  Can't go wrong with pink and black, right?  I changed my picture too (photography by Sara on my bday)-- I totally doctored it on PS--but unfortunately couldn't get rid of those darn bags under my eyes.  I was successful in cropping out the gray hair and softening my wrinkles a bit!  LOL!! 

Thought I would share a picture from my birthday--

Do you know this was the first 3D movie I've ever seen?  Yep (not counting the shows at Disney, anyway).  It was pretty cool--the girls had such a great time.  Aren't they funny all ready to go with their 3D glasses and popcorn! 

After the movie, we went to eat at Olive Garden (one of my favorites) and had a great meal with Angie and Sophie (HI SOPHIE :)  It was a fun birthday...and spending it with my girls & Soph & Ang was just the best.  Although I kinda missed Scott & Cash and wished they were a part of it too. 

Gotta share a couple of pages...

let me just tell you, if you LOVE scalloped edges-- you're gonna be in heaven.  Fiskars has several new border punches and guess what one of them is: A SCALLOPED BORDER (its called THREADING WATER)-- now, I didn't get that one yet, but I did get LACY DAYS OF SUMMER (which is one of my new favorite things) and used it to make this:

Speaking of border punches, another favorite of mine is the Eyelet Lace Embossing Border Punch.  I used it on my Lil Davis "GIRLS" layout (last post -the white strip) and used it here too:

Okay how bout one more.  Did I ever tell you how much I love the Fiskars Ultra ShapeXpress?  So true.  It even cuts fabric--check this out (picture doesn't do the dimension justice):

I had fun making this...love butterflies and this is one from the templates for the shape cutter.  All three butterflies are easily cut from fabric!  I'll be sharing more about this on Fiskars TV soon!! 

Well, computer time is over.  Mr. Cash is napping and its time to get something done before he's up&at'em  again!  Have a blessed day!! jw