Janna Wilson

Day5- #making

Only just a few precious days until my life is back in the {super} fast lane. Not as fast as last year (semester) but nonetheless, a load of classes and juggling the regular other stuff of life. I'm looking forward to it, but then I'm not.

Did you miss me yesterday? I didn't blog did I? Well, instead of the usual daily creative hiatus I've had this week-- I took some time to go visit my Mother and Dad. Definitely needed to do that. How often is it that you can just spend a few hours visiting with no interuptions. And my Dad fixed me some fish and hashbrowns for lunch. Delish. It was such a nice day.

Here's a cute pic of him on his birthday last week-

Today, I had to work at the store. A fun day with some of my favorite gals getting the store into shape after the holiday madness. We have a fun bridal/wedding party coming up and I've been thinking about our brides and what they might like in the way of keepsake prints, art prints, photo memories. And I'm working on some ideas...as you've seen in recent  days ;)

I had a wild idea earlier and I think it just might have worked...here's a peek. I told you I'm addicted to my Instagram. I'm just not sure if this is kind of weird or pretty cool?

I'm loving this print I designed this evening. Been wanting to play with some vintage maps and took a little time earlier to do just that. I absolute love the colors of this...lots of Photoshoppery, but the result is this fun, vintage design with a modern edge...and the lyrics to an 90's song we all know and love! LOVE! Takes me back to high school!

Hey don't give up on me-- I'm gonna dig out a fun printable/downloadable or two this week, so come back! Tomorrow I scheduled a fun little post ;) Don't miss it!

Ok- must get to bed. Just wanted to blog my creativity from today. So happy creating! Hugs all!

 

Day 3- still #making it!

Inspired doesn't even touch the creative frenzy I've been in! LOL! Got paper, got ink...been designing and printing pretties. Some just samples, some for reals. I'm definitely running out of wall space! Gonna have to uncover my desk before starting again in the a.m.

If you follow me on Instagram- you know I love to take IG photies. I love IG because it takes me back to those little Instamatic cameras with the bulb flash when I was a kid. The smell of those flash bulbs popping off! Square photos with the awful exposures. Ahh..gotta love it. I love square pics, what can I say!?  I print them, I've digi scrapped them. Love em. Anyway, I have some ideas...and this Instagram collage design was a start. This is an 11 x 14 print I made out of my Canon 9000 and I absolutely adore! I see many more of these in my future with quotes, personalization, etc.

I printed one of these for an 11 x 17 sample. Love how it turned out! Great for a bride, anniversary-- all those special dates. Need more frames! oops!

Always look forward to picking up my sweet boy after school. So excited to see him and squeeze him again. 

Productive day on the creative front ;) Until tomorrow!

Day 2- #making

Okie dokie- here I am again! Kids back to school today, me home. Its kind of neat. I went and did my morning 5k after dropping the kids off. Improving my time on that front except I'm pretty disheartened that my knee started hurting today...bad. Praying for healing. Guess I gotta take it easy for a few days.

That didn't stop me from getting upstairs and playing in paint though!

You know how I love my blue :) This particular color is "Cloudless" by Apple Barrel craft acrylic with a grey border. Love it. I popped the finished product on an old window in my kitchen. I did our wedding date and initials...planning on offering these as a custom order very soon. Great wedding or anniversary gift...or something special for your Valentine! Guys!!! (do I even have ANY guy readers...lol, nope, methinks not) anyway, if I did, your girl would flip for this as a Valentine gift.

I've been listening to an audio book that was pretty great. I am SO productive when listening. I've got to find another one now that I am done with One Second After. Any suggestions. These silly things are so expensive though! It was definitely not a feel good book, but if you are in the mood to be humbled-- read it. You'll feel so blessed that you feel guilty.

Well, I'm stuck on this date thing. I'm just kind of proliferating ideas right now...so here's another little design I worked up that was a spin off of the painting. In case someone wants a less expensive option than a hand painted canvas, these mod prints are very fun.

Again, perfect for a gift, wedding display, anniversary gift, or just a meaningful art print for your home. Dates could be: when we met, first date, first kiss, she said yes, wedding day, etc... OR list kiddos birthdates or any other special dates.

Thanks for the comments yesterday! Love y'all-- appreciate you coming to visit.

Tomorrow I think I'll try to whip up some printable goodness! Don't forget I have lots of printables already for the printing...

Here's one (an oldie but a goodie) you can use for some sweet Valentine's!

I almost forgot about this one:

Stay tuned for MORE cutting and creating!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven days of making...starting now.

I'm alive! My last semester of school was probably the hardest yet...long story short I overextended myself. Why haven't I learned yet that I am NOT superwoman??? (I still managed a 4.0 :) Whew...I've been off for break since the 9th and I have one more week of "freedom". I'm getting ancy now :) I'm dreaming. BIG. I finally have had time to get making.

I told Sara today, I've got to take action. I'm tired of standing on the sidelines and letting people around me have all the fun and make my dreams their reality. I had to write a paper this past week reviewing my semester (for a scholarship I have) and it really got me to thinking about where I came from, where I am and which path I'm going to take from here. I said I wanted to go back to school to enable me to be independent as a designer, a creative, a maker. I wanted to be taken seriously. I wanted to get serious. Somewhere along the way I lost that thought. I just figured I'd have to get a "real" job. Get more experience. I have just 10 classes left till I graduate and honestly, there's not a great big job market for me locally. I'm not totally discounting that options but why not stay the course...continue my original plan of action. I know that the Good Lord is guiding my way. I will not worry. But I must keep trucking. I'm not going to be paralyzed in fear or worry any longer.

I'm also going to CREATE!!! The past six months were rough. I literally had NO time to do anything beyond family, school, work and an internship I did for the semester. It was a wild ride. My schedule is back to some sort of normalcy and I'm so excited about having a bit of time to squeeze in creating and exercising again. Creating --not just for self...but creating and making my original plans happen- who knows what might unfold! Creating is what I do. It makes me happy. It makes everything better and wonderful! Look, I'm a dreamer...and I believe anything is possible. I'm a living example that dreams do come true and the Lord can bless us with MORE than we ever expect. So I'm just gonna work like everything I want can and will happen. No biggie, right! Just a little FAITH.

Starting today...I'm going to bring a project or idea to fruition for seven glorious days! YAY!!!

This was a project inspired by a Pinterest trend...here.  Looks a little blah here but it is stunning IRL. I wanted to gussy it up more with some flowers, crocheted lace maybe,  but I really like the simplicity of it. My print is on canvas mounted on a 16 x 20 fabric (b&w dot) matboard. I'm going to be offering these for sale soon. I'm excited. What a precious gift for Valentines or Mother's Day.

Come to think of it...I've been creating all week! From my biscuit baking day...

...then there was much doodling and sketching ideas in my sketchbook...(potential baby girl name for my sister's bun in oven)

Saturday, I made this fun design at work with vinyl. And yes, I LOVE Instagram! Follow me! janna_wilson I'm totally addicted. I don't FB or tweet...but love my IG.

So much to do and so little time! I took my vitamins way late and I cannot sleep. Whew!

One more thing I want to mention.  I want to get back to blogging regularly. I also want to start designing some fun printables. Any special requests? Check back with me...I'll try to share something this week! Freebies! YAY!

Y'all have a great Monday!

ttfn!

 

Makers...

I like the term "maker." Friend and fellow creative (and actress :) , Rachael Carlson mentioned that awhile back in a question I posed in Facebook query.  Living now in Portland- in the midst of a unique mix of indie crafters and "makers" - she said that is how they refer to themselves. I think thats a pretty good word for me. I'm definitely a MAKER.

What about you?

Sometimes I wonder to myself if I can REALLY sit at a job, at a desk, confined to a cubicle, clicking away on a computer for 5 days a week after I graduate? That scares me a little. I'll admit it. I love designing and making. I love creating. Brainstorming. Craftsmanship. But I also love touching what I've made. Seeing it materialize out of a printer. Holding it in my hands. Framing it. Mailing it (okay maybe not :) Its the tactile experience that is most rewarding for me. I've been wayyyy overdue for a visit with Jenny and creative downtime. Making...for no reason in particular.

(don't look at my hair it was a ponytail kind of day :)

Had a great time this past weekend at her house. It was like a mini vacay for me. I've had so little time in the past few months to invest in my creative mojo. We had a hankerin' to paint and paint is what we did. This photo does NOT do our little projects justice. We tracked down some Annie Sloan paints and waxes to create these boards that have a super distressed look and vintage patina. Wow. That stuff rocks my world! I have some fun plans for my board :) Stay tuned!

We picked up our paint at a fun store in Little Rock, The White Goat -Chateau and Farm. Charming with European flair...lovely! Just awesome.  Can't wait to go back! Used the Annie Sloan Provence and a vintage white with the dark wax. Wow. But truthfully, I think I liked Jenny's better! We had so much fun. Also Jenny took us to see Casting Crowns in Little Rock. Very blessed experience. The Crowns are rocking my world now. A new favorite of mine is The Well.

Also just finished a little project for local photographer that was very fun. She wanted a logo/watermark to drop on her photos to display online/for clients. We came up with this for her...

Yes, very whimsical, cute and girly.  You know I love it. A special handlettered monogram and artsy fartsy cute camera...fun! You can see a little of the sketches/process here...these were some other options.

Love projects like these...so if you need something similar, holler. I'm super busy for now so turnaround time isn't tomorrow, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank the Good Lord :)

Only TEN, yes I said 10 classes remaining after this semester. Five of which I will pick up next semester then just two more very light semesters. Unfortunately can't do it any quicker because of scheduling but hopefully I can start working more as might school load lightens.

Sewing and craft classes!

Hi friends!
I guess my heart always leads me back to crafting and sharing my passions with others! My return to school has been a huge blessing, however it has put a serious damper on my creative spirit and hands-on crafting time. My heart is always happiest when I can "sew" my creative seeds in the hearts of others too!!! 

I've always dreamed of opening a studio where all of my creative loves can be woven together, enjoyed by all who visit and where the atmosphere encourages creativity, self confidence and well general warm fuzzy feelings/giddiness. I know I must work towards my goals, I feel confident the Lord is directing my path. So with that said- I'm taking small steps toward my dream! I'm inviting you my home workshop where I'm starting with sewing classes and we'll just see what else happens! Creating is therapy, art makes my soul sing!

(I'm sporting a Hog Red Striped headband Sara made from class)

Here's what's available for June:

SEWING BASICS: Pocket Tissue Holder, Headband and No Sew Pin Cushion $20
Get comfortable with the sewing machine, practice sewing basic seams and create 3 simple projects that will get you excited about sewing!
June 21 Thursday NIGHT 6:30
Bring to class: small scissors (for clipping thread) and a mason jar

SEW ALONG: Ruffle Tote Bag (basic sewing knowledge needed) $25
Learn how to make basic gathered ruffles to gussy up a canvas tote that we'll construct in class. 

June 28 Thursday DAY 1-4pm
Bring to class: small scissors, rotary cutter (if you have one)

SEW ALONG: Chevron Patchwork Tote (basic sewing knowledge needed) $25
This is a sassy project that uses a common quilt pattern called "flying geese" to create the popular chevron pattern we all love.
June 28 Thursday EVENING 6-9
Bring to class: small scissors

Details:

• Classes are limited to four students.
• You may bring your own machine, however, there are four machines available in the workshop. 
• If these fill up I will open up Tuesdays also! I will repeat these classes in July too. 
• Materials are provided in class and most pieces are pre-cut to save precious time and frustration for those not experienced with rotary cutting. 
• I will post photos of project samples as they are ready.

Please forward to a friend that you think might be interested! Feel free to email me with questions!

Hope to see you sewing soon!

 

A little bit of digi magic- ooh La La!

Ooh la la! Vintage Carina - by Carina Gardner...new products arriving in the JS store soon! I did these layouts with the Paris & Co. papers and elements. Not my usual color palette but very refreshing! Love these cute pics of Abby and Ellie.

 

 

Like what you see...you can go NOW and pick up several of the items I used:

Paris & Co. Ala Mode Paper Pack

Paris Market Stamps 

Essentials Stitches V.1

Sew Crafty Stitches by Splendid Fiins

Keep a watch in Carina's shop at JS to see MORE Vintage Carina: French Paper Pack 2, Ribbon Stash and Lil Travel Journal Strips-- will pop in very soon!
 

Free Class - PS Top 5!!!

Summer school...YES!!!

You'll definitely want to check this out:

Kindergarten...seriously!?!?

Cash is still trying to wrap his head around the actually date/moment/time/morning he will get up and go to kindergarten. {giggle}  I can usually get through to him by saying you have to wake up "X" mornings but somehow I don't think telling him he has to wake up 100ish mornings would work this time. For now, I just say after summer...because he does understand that the sisters will get out of school and we all have more time at home for a while then they (and he) will go back to school. Whew!

The big day of registration was pretty monumental...getting to go to the school, tour, have milk and cookies and experience the classrooms and teachers. (click the image to find out all the products I used from JS)

I'm so bad, I just don't mess with my big camera so I catch it all with the iPhone...and Instagram :) Love it. I could totally live without the phone part...gotta have the camera. You can see how eager Cash was and how much fun he had the day we visited the school. Course I had to scrap it ;) I'm pretty much obsessed with all things Echo Park. oops! Would love to design for them someday?

And for those of you that I've scrapped with/around for years...how impressed are you that I can do boy pages! I didn't think I could! Its so fun!

Did I mention...that I got straight A's this semester. :) Just had to throw that in! I'm so excited! YAY!

 

Appreciate your teachers! FREE printable note card

It's that time of year again, time to do something sweet for your child's teacher. We do lots of personalized goodies at the store, stationery, acrylic cups, totes and so many fun things.  So here's a little card you can add to your gift.  I used these a couple of years ago and make packs of 10 or 20 personalized with Abby's teacher's names on them. Teachers always need fun stationery, right?

These print two to a sheet and you can add your teacher's name or put "THANK YOU" on it...personalize it however you like. The pdf is blank...no name included. If you're not savvy with Word or PS you can handwrite, stamp or add stickers to it.

Download the file here:  Teacher Note Card

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.  You can print on plain or textured cardstock but these look FANTASTIC printed on bright white presentation paper like this Epson brand.

Hope you enjoy! 

 

PLEASE carefully read the Terms of Use when using my printable designs :) You are free to make these and give these as gifts but not for sale. Thank you!