Janna Wilson

Writing, rambling and quilts

I'd like to think I'm a decent writer. Don't judge based on my blog stats, or by proper useage/grammar, etc.-- lol... but no matter if folks aren't interested in what I have to say, I really do like writing and reflecting. Speaking from the heart. Its good for my soul and maybe another soul might find a blessing in what I have to say. I think that as a designer that its a benefit to have some decent writing skills so I try to expand my copywriting skills by practicing here and there.

I'm writing some content for a project I'm designing for my Fine Printing and Book Making class at UAFS and its been interesting. I'm basically writing a little bit about how a quilt is a metaphor for life. I think its an interesting concept and I've enjoyed exploring it. 

In considering the design, I've really tried to engage my thoughts--even watched How to Make an American Quilt! I got to thinking about this quilt--used and a little abused, loved by us all...it stays on the couch or somewhere thereabouts ready to warm on a chilly day. Its threadbare in some parts. I don't know exactly how old it is, but its very pretty. Hand quilted, all hand stitched, by Scott's grandmother. Its really a beautiful thing...on many levels. 

Quilting now is a lot different than it used to be. Used to folks had to quilt because they didn't have the money for or access to yards of fabric. Quilting is about taking bits and pieces and processing it into a whole, creating a greater good and useful thing. Isn't that a lot like life? If you've ever sewn, you know that it takes a great deal of consideration and its quite meticulous. Life is definitely a lot like making a quilt-- I can't wait to share this project when I'm finished. Here's a peek...

This has been a process that I've really enjoyed building upon and simplifying. I've edited my thoughts into short bits to relate the ideas. This particular page relates the stitches made in a quilt to a person's works in life...dedication, love and concern make resilient stitches while a sloppy job yields a poor outcome. Just a little glimpse. 

The closest I've actually come to making a quilt is this bag I made last summer...which I love. Its still upstairs hanging where it was when I finished it-- maybe I'll carry it to keep my mind on quilting and trying to design a good life.

 

 

 

Jenny's Baby Shower

What a week this last one was-- it culminated in a wonderful, precious time with many of our extended family. My baby sister Jenny is due in May and only has a few short weeks until we will meet her little bundle! Without Sara and Abby I would have never been able to pull off getting the house ready for the shower. We worked a bit all week, cleaning and prepping and Sara and Abby crafted most of the pretty decor.

I tested recipes on Thursday...and ended up baking five quiche and 3 dozen orange cranberry scones.Quiche was a hit...you seriously can't go wrong with Paula Deen.

We also made Pig'n Blankets (little smokies and crescents), chicken salad sandwiches and had a couple of yummy cheeseballs and fresh pineapple. The shower was a drop in from 10-1 so I wanted to include a brunchy selection.

All of the decorations can be used in the baby's room or for photo props later so Jenny gets to keep all of that. These roses are some of the most beautiful silk roses I've ever seen (from Wal Mart of all places $2 each). Most all of the decor we pulled from things we had with the exception of purchasing the different pink fabrics.

You can check out some in progress pics of the garland on my Instagram.

Parents to be Jenny Beth and Tim

My sister in law made probably the best cupcakes I've ever had and the prettiest pink! So good! We sprayed candle sticks with gold spray paint for the cupcake stands. The scallop tops are a Wilton product that was silver...sprayed gold and glued onto the top of the candle stands. Little holders for forks were from Glade flameless candles...a little spray paint and voila!

The baby's room is light pink and gold...so we went with that. Invitation design by Paper Belle.

 

A quick project to personalize the decor a bit...appliqued an E to linen and framed with something I already had. Needs a little more work but I made it at like 11:00 the night before :)

Sara made this cute little diaper cake for Jenny.

And its back to boringsville. The best tip I can give you is that $5 flat sheets (also WM) make the best tablecloths! We live in a small town so when you need something -- WM is your only option to run to, unfortunately. I happened onto a clearance set of black sheets at Target a while back and was needing a black table cloth for something...worked perfectly.

My hubby has a special sweet spot for Jenny, as he has gotten to see her grow up into a gracious, beautiful, successful woman. And seeing her make this step into Motherhood is pretty wonderful. He made her a rocking chair just like he made me...pretty awesome.

Wanna see more from the shower...check out Jenny's Instagram.

Precious memories...

 

Sew love to #make

Last summer I had a bit of time and I wanted to sew. More than that, a few other people had told me they wanted to sew. It was a blessing of spending some time with some friends, old and new...we sewed into the weeeeee hours at several different classes! One of our projects was this:

...a sweet pleated/ruffled pillow cover. I wanted to show the gals how to sew a simple pillow cover and embellish it at the same time. I love my linen cover with bright contrasting strips of ruffles. Precious! I was so proud of the pillows the ladies turned out.

I thought I'd share this tutorial with you since I had typed it up for the class-goers. I don't have step by step images to go with the instructions but I tried to explain well and include visuals. This is a beginner level project. Hope you enjoy!

Download the instructions here: Easy Pleated Pillow

Here are some of the other pillows the gals made:
Love Linda's Lime!


Sonya's so Bright and fun!


Maggie's rocked! What more is there to say!

1000mph

Where's the off switch? Between my fun little job, the class I'm doing this summer and the kids and a few creative binges--well, there's just not enough time in the day :0 Stayed up late last night filling a couple of Etsy orders and then up at 5:30 to get to the peach orchard :) LOVE going to pick fresh peaches!!! And eating myself silly on peaches for about a week after!

It's super di-duper hot here in Arkansas. Weve been breaking records and have gone nearly a month without rain. Thru it I'm proud to say I've kept up my walking and so excited that I just joined a local fitness place called Core Fitness. I'm gonna try some classes in conjunction with my walking/jogging and try burn through a few pounds. I'll be starting tomorrow ;). Back on walking--Too funny my route of choice is about 3+ miles and takes me down the hill to Scott's shop. Is it wrong if I take his truck and drive myself back? Lol!!

My job is very fun and its a great opportunity to be creative too! My boss and co-workers are all creative and we all seem have a unique gift that lends to the store. I've really enjoyed having a little something to offer-- we've been designing tees and tote bags and this afternoon I've been sewing tote bags!

(Blogging via iPhone so all the pics will be lumped together.) I did a cute shirt to match a hat we have in the store for a little guy's birthday attire. I spent this afternoon/evening perfecting mass production mode of sewing the personalized tote bags we'll be offering soon...so far I have a teacher and owl. Really, who can resist ruffles!?

Must go now! Look for new additions to Etsy this week ;)
--
Janna Wilson
www.jannawilson.com

easy make ahead breakfast idea...

 

My kiddos love McGriddles...yummy sweet pancake sandwiching a sausage patty from McD's.  We get them occasionally.  I love hearty breakfast ideas that are quick and easy to prep in the morning.  I made pancakes for the kids this morning and brought out some sausage patties to go along.  These are from Target (we don't eat a lot of sausage, especially "faux" sausage, but I picked these 30% less fat patties up thinking it would be something in a pinch).   I was cooking a lot of pancakes thinking I was freeze the exess for quick breakfasts...and the obvious idea came to me...homemade McGriddles!!!  I made the pancakes the same size as the patties and put the sandwiches together and froze them.  A minute or so in the microwave and viola!  Easy breakfast!  I just thought I'd share this idea...though I didn't get a pic of the final product!  Ooops!

Sweet flower share....

  

Sweetness...I'll show more later.  Combined THIS tutorial and the rolled rosette = fun baby bag bloom!!!!

Feelin' the FOURTH!!!

Did you notice I added a search widget to the blog?  (upper left sidebar ;)  I was trying it out and thought it might be fun to revisit some past projects:

Stamped shirts for the Fourth:

(click the pic for more info)

A cute star studded scrapbook page for the Fourth!!  (notice the shirt pic :)

BHG Scrapbooks etc. cover I did  from a couple of years ago...

(Photo by Courtney Walsh.)

Another oldie...from a class about 5 years ago...

(still a good springboard for some FOURTH layouts--horrible pic sorry)

Okay so this is SO NOT fourth of July, but very much STAR related...and a fun technique to try (from a cover try I did for Scrapbooks etc. last year)

 

Finds...

Digi swoons... (oh and they are 20% off through today :)

 

Etsy love...

 

(I might have to make my own version of this banner...it so classy)

 

bought this pattern a while back...can't WAIT to make it!! Sew cute!

And EVERYTHING here...(oh my!)

Scrappy goodness...

what fun vacation goods from Bella Blvd.

 

(Bella Blog)

 ...super classy, chic TRAVEL LEDGER collection from Teresa!  Oh MY!  I love.

And another collection...perfect for summer trips and vacations...

 

One of my faves, of course...by Little Yellow Bicycle :) {blog here}

Creative weekend...at home

Wow.  I have been without internet access for about a week, okay...we'll say it's been VERY spotty...and then my phone had a malfunction and let me just tell you...

It was very REFRESHING.  Quite liberating that I didn't have to check email, take calls and had no control to fix it for a period of time.  Sorry if you're waiting to hear from me...I'm dealing with the backlog as I can.

I think I'm up and running now-- and my phone is behaving though I'm really hoping it will just die then I wouldn't have to justify wanting THIS!  I think it's time...I really do...for me to have one.  We'll see?

My little sister came on Friday and we had the best time.  FUN FUN FUN!  We sewed...(she quilted)

I had meant to get this done before Abby's birthday (making a dress and matching doll dress) but I didn't...however, when I spied this vintage sheet for a buck at a yard sale last Thursday...I was inspired.  I thought the color would look gorgeous on Abby.   My version of the pillow case dress, I guess...sheet dress!  Used a super easy pattern for Abby's-- because I wasn't sure on cutting the armholes.

I made a dress for Sara too...need to get a pic of that one!  So adorable!

 

Cash got new pjs.  No pattern for the pants-- just used a pair of shorts to trace off the shape.  And stitched one of the images onto a tee shirt for a fun set.  HE LOVES them.  Made him a Lightin' McQueen pair too!

 

Scott and the kids dug up the potatoes --we got a wagonful!  Cash SO LOVES the tiny ones...

 

My zinnias are blooming...I may have mentioned these...I've nurtured them from seed and now that are coming along!  LOVE this color!!!

 

I have a couple of squash plants in this bed too...and some tomatoes coming from seed!  I even found a basil seedling when I was weeding yesterday!  It's so fun to discover things like this.

 

I couldn't resist...had to pick a few :)

 

Flower Love at Oopsey Daisy & Erin B's flower video

Just wanted to share this CUTE blog--- (where coincidentally she shared a tute of mine :) where there are DOZENS of ideas on making FLOWERS!!!  Three dozen to be exact.  Y'all know I love me some flowers (bad grammar yes :)!!!  Hop over there and check it out!  Blooming goodness I tell ya!

Oh and then there's this cool video that Erin did with a technique I taught at Inspiration Unlimited last year...gorgeous, girl!  Go directly to Erin's blog to check out the video tute she shared recently!

(lifted photo above from Erin's blog)

I swear I got high making 150 of these last year for this page we did in class...LOL!!!