Janna Wilson

Free Class - PS Top 5!!!

Summer school...YES!!!

You'll definitely want to check this out:

puzzled...

(papers from Echo Park Note2Self at Jessica Sprague, note paper a freebie kit by Erica Zane, stitches by Carina Gardner)

Well, since I have been working on my craft/scrapbook website, I have been so rejuvenated by all my old projects...its really made me want to create...something, anything. I never really embraced digital scrapbooking-- I love the whole tactile aspect of paper, textures, etc. --plus I just didn't have time before. But given my experience as a designer, my limited time and the face that I REALLY have needed a creative release...well, here I am! Digital Scrappin'! LOL!  No, its really fun, and the best part is that there is absolutely NO mess! If you don't count the external hard drives, flash drives, cords and sketchbook!  LOVE getting these Instagrams on these pages.

You know me...I'm always dreaming of something, looking forward to a new adventure even though I really don't ever go anywhere at all LOL!!! I've had a lot of things going through my head. I love to learn new things and be challenged. I'm experimenting with some things right now, learning some new things (outside of school), and we'll see what happens.

I mentioned my craft website...want to visit? I may never get done because I have so much content but I thought it would be a good chance to practice my web skills.  Go peek at this...

Remember its a HUGE work in progress...but I'm excited to share-- Happy Sunday!

 

Butterfly Valentines {FREE PRINTABLE!}

I've had the wonderful opportunity to team up with Heather that writes and publishes the awesome site-- PASSION FOR SAVINGS --to and create some fun printables to share with her readers! This past week she shared my Valentine freebie from last year, which I still LOVE :) but there's something new for this year! I'm so excited about this...I wish I had time to just crank out fun freebies all day- I enjoy it so much! Heather made the suggestion that we share a Valentine treat printable and this is what I came up with--

Head on over to www.passionforsavings.com or click below the image to pick up this free printable Valentine and you can make these for your sweeties :) Who knows- you might just find a deal on some lollipops to go with your printable Valentines for a fabulous, frugal holiday treat!

Click here to download the pdf file: butterfly valentine

College Mama blogs twice in a two day period!

Just finished designing a school project with a "bag of crap" based on a book title/author.  Interesting, yes!  I found myself snubbing most of the treasures in the "bag" and sticking to paper (the paper bag itself) and pen...imagine that!  OOps! We had to photograph our composition of said "crap" and that would be the finished designed --only cropping and slight adjustments in PS.  No major Photoshoppery allowed.  The goal was to familiarize yourself with photography.  CHECK!

I'm not ecstatic with my result...I wish I'd been a little more flexible with the idea- I got too determined I think?  But at this point, I'm calling it done.  Done.

Lets just say I had more fun doing this...which took like 2 1/2 minutes, maybe.

I wanted to create that depth with my "bag of crap" school project as I did here with the doilies.  But I don't think it translated as well.  I'm really crushin' on doilies--so precious.  So this was a little experiemental doily "tag" I did a few weeks ago.  Can't wait to play with this idea some more.  All in good time, right...

I added a few of these to my flea market booth today...fun stuff.  I love making and decorating with these fun things!  I added big tulle poms to the ends and its super cute!  Do you BELIEVE?!?!  These banners feature a precious vintage Santa I got over at the Graphics Fairy!  LOVE her. love. Thank you Graphics Fairy!

I'm so ready for the Holidays!  I guess working at the fun store is getting me in the "mood" earlier this year.  We must have a dozen scrumptious trees!  I've contemplated decorating a bit early this year...hmmm...I've already started wrapping presents!  I've not actually "made a list" but that hasn't stopped me from checking it twice!  I know whose naughty and nice...yes I do!  Something I've purposed to do this year is purchase vintage items for my family/kids.  So far I've gotten some real treasures at the "flea." (our fun little flea market here in town called Angel's Crossing).

Tomorrow's Friday!  Wonder what exciting and happy things tomorrow could bring?  Hmmm...

I'll leave you with this - a favorite of late because I love my little sister too much!  She's absolutely beautiful and I'm SO proud of her!

 

Crafty fun to share...

 

Loved this gorgeous photo of my paper cones I created for a recent issue of Scrapbooks etc. magazine...back inside cover :)  They mentioned them for use as May Day baskets!  So sweet!  They created an awesome tutorial and printable design from my creation!  So fun!  How could they NOT be -- all that lovely Bella Blvd. paper!!!  PRETTY!!  You can use these fun cones for so many different uses:

1- Party decor- think 3-D banner!!!

2- Gift basket

3- Party favors

4- Treat containers

5- Hostess gift

 

(photo from www.scrapbooksetc.com)

Download printable pattern and instructions

 

Fun with printables!

I've been planning to make Cash a cute shirt using my little Hip Hop Froggy -- when I sat down earlier to do it, he said we should put a mustache on him!!! LOL!  Of course I had to comply! Turned out too funny!

We cut Cash's mustache from my FREE FATHER'S DAY PRINTABLE. 

Look for a printable shirt design coming soon!

Birthday ideas to share...

 
You know I'm a DIY kind of gal, right?!  This year I really tried to create a fun birthday party for my kids.  For each one, I really went all out decorating and making it unique.  I usually make their cakes too.  One, its less expensive (sometimes) and two, I feel like that is something special they will remember.  Now, I'm no cake decorating expert, mind you, but I do my best.  This time...I decided to go very simple.   Abby had a pool party with a few friends from her class and rather than cake getting smeared all over the place, I thought cookie cake and cake pops might be a better idea?

Thursday I mentioned this idea...upcycling cake packaging to create a cute display!

 

So here's what I did!  I made cake balls or cake pops...easy peasy. 

1. Bake a boxed cake mix (I doubled the recipe) and crumble the cake in a bowl.
2. Mix in a tub of frosting.  Mix up your favorite flavors...I did strawberry for pink cake filling.
3. Shape the mixture into balls (use a cookie scoop!!!) and FREEZE!
4. Dip into almond bark or candy coating...use sticks if you like.  
5. Drizzle icing or dip in sprinkles before completely dry.

Tape the cake boxes together to secure. And choose a fun scrapbooking paper to wrap the boxes in.  I used this cute paper by Bella Blvd.  The paper probably won't cover all the way to the bottom, but I just added a pretty ribbon to cover that.



Punch holes for the cake pop sticks...use something sharp because you have to go through the second cake mix box.  Add the ribbon and a cute sign.  I designed a complete birthday kit that I will share soon.  Don't miss this freebie!

Can you can see below how I used the frosting can?  I'll share more later!

 

Wanna put together a party like we did...check out my Happy Girl printables!!!

 

Free for all....Thursday :)

Nope, it's not Friday.  But I've been up late working on the details for my little Abby's birthday party.  Even if its just for us, I have really purposed to make the kids' birthdays really special.  Not going to a lot of expense, just making things really fun and cute for them.  I'll have to share some my favorite frugal ideas in another post.  But until then...I thought I'd share a fun little mini-birthday banner printable--->

Download the file here: Printable Mini-Banner

I've been seeing some simple birthday cakes with fun mini banners perched on top between two stripey straws...love this idea.  See some awesome ideas for buntings here at TomKat Studio.  Be prepared to stay awhile ;)

My banner is not super small...the larger pieces measure just over 2" in height-- here you can see how I used it...

I placed it upon a decorated cookie cake.  I have several pieces that coordinate with this set...a large banner, party signs, cupcake picks, and more.  See a fun DIY here and more pics of my party design.  Someday soon, hope to get these things on the site too!

NOTE:  You may have to set your printer settings to "BORDERLESS" in order to print this as is on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet.  These look FANTASTIC printed on bright white presentation paper like this Epson brand.

PLEASE carefully read the Terms of Use when using my printable designs :)

Hope you enjoy! Happy Freebie!

 

 

 

Oh happy day...

Today was a happy HAPPY day.  I asked for His guidance and the Lord blessed my path... thinking something wonderful is in store.  Thank you Lord!!! 

Good news on the college front...I'm getting to transfer to independent study on my Algebra class which is a wonderful bit of news!!!  This equates to about a $500 tuition savings in the long run and me with three extra hours a week that I'm not sitting in a class both this semester and NEXT...praise the Lord again! 

Projects for school have been pretty good so far...slow and steady (surprisingly).  Here's a recent one...

 
As usual..this project (FOCUS) has a deeper meaning...I like how it turned out.  I love the vintage dictionary print.  The letters are constructed from cardboard/chipboard.  This was for my 3D Design class. 

Here's another...this is from my Typography class...where we had to create an illustrated capital.  Fun project! 

I know its been gone for a week now...but Valentine's Day was fun.  I like to make it a special day for everyone in the family.  So I made special treats for the kids that were waiting on them when they got home from school...

 

I broke out the crystal and red chargers...put paper doilies on and then white dishes for a festive table and we had spaghetti for dinner in the dining room!  Very fun.  We also had a special treat for dessert...raspberries and strawberries on angel food cake!  YUMMY!   

 

I designed some fun Valentines...and wrapped BIG candy bars with paper and the Valentines I made. Abby had a special Valentine...look what she got!

 

So gorgeous!!!!  (the roses too ;)

 

Made this banner for someone local...super long HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! 

Out for now...did you notice I added a new tab...Graphic Design!  Coolio!

 

 

 

 

cleaning some cobwebs

Gosh. :)

This is just embarassing.  All this dust and these cobwebs that have collected around here!  I popped in for just a minute while I'm loading some software to finish a project due tomorrow.  Well, I've got Valentine's Day on the brain.  I want soooooo bad to find some time this week to put up a couple of printables...I did a lot of sweet art last year and kind of just sat on it.  It will make some cute CUTE Valentine goods!  So I will try to do a FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY this week.  I hope! 

Soon, I want to share more about these too...you know how wild I am about fabric flowers.  Did this with a fun zebra print fabric...

 

I'm loving Pinterest.  I don't have much time to piddle on the computer these days but I've allowed myself just a few minutes every few days (or when I have dead time at school or on the run) to be inspired by the goodness there...check it out if you haven't already.  SO FUN!  Its kinda like Facebook for the artsy-crafty-design community!  LOVE!

So many things running rampant in my mind.  Was so seriously thinking of doing a semester of kids art classes but trying to get a feel for my new semester at school before I jumped.  My school load is the same but I thought I might have more time.  No...I don't think so :(  I LOVE school, but it affords me so little time to work or play.  But still thinking of having some painting/art nights so I'll have to dream about that some more. 

In the meantime I have several commissioned paintings --ha ha!  Doesn't that sound so legit!  LOL!  Nah, it's really just a little (BIG) blessing!  So happy some peeps have found their way to me and asked me to do a special little work for them.  Looking forward to playing in paint this week and making a fun Valentine banner something like this...(this was PEACE from my Christmas creations)

 

Better go...that homework isn't doing itself :(  and it's almost 11.  Time flies when you're procrastinating. oops :)