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.

 

 

 

Looking forward

Sometimes I worry [I know] that I spend more time looking ahead than living in the moment and focusing on making a difference right now.

I'm at home with Abby this morning---she wasn't feeling well so we missed church. I love being at home...because honestly, I don't get to spend that much time here these days. What a 180 from life three years ago when I was home always!  I captured this image out the front door this morning...just one of those little blessings to my heart. Spring is beckoning. Abby being sick, maybe its a little blessing in disguise too...we had coffee, I made her breakfast and we had some time...just her and I. Something else that doesn't happen very often.

The t.v. was on the Sunday morning show with Bob Scheiffer- revisiting the shooting at Newtown, detailing the tragedy in Boston and it is just heartbreaking, gutwrenching. I think we've all just grieved tremdously over these terrible losses. It just verifies to me how fragile life is and going back to my first thought--- if I spend all of my time focusing on how everything will be better a year from now, two, five...well, then I'm missing the whole point of it all, aren't I? These events are a reminder to me that I really need to live in the moment. Enjoy each minute, each hour each day...because there is no promise of tomorrow. The reason I am "looking forward" is just that I'm so burned out with the busy-ness of my life. There's a saying...if the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy. I know there are many that spend more hours than me working, schooling, etc...but I don't want this busy life. I don't like this confusion so I guess I am just hopeful that life will slow down and I can return to some normalcy after I get finished with school. I found some scripture in Ecclesiates chapter 2 that addresses busyness if you share my dilemma and care to read. Yes, I search the scriptures...

And Jesus said in Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

 {Note: sometimes these blogs are just me talking to me...and if I feel like I'm having a conversation with you, then maybe I can sort my thoughts out a bit easier...right? Writing is my little therapy session.}

I've spent a good deal of time over the last few months with some bitterness in my heart. Here, I've had this great blessing of a dream being realized-- getting to go back to school, but I'm concerned it is much more of a burden on my family than I thought it would be. This is why I spend too much time focusing on the future...of course, I feel that it will all be better come next May when I get done with school. So I am just sort of living in this confusion...and I just need to stop and smell the roses. The ones that are blooming right now. Take my own advice and live day by day. Roll with it. Enjoy it. 

I had planned on spending the entire day Saturday playing catch up on homework. But, did I? 

Nope.

I just decided to enjoy my day...to smell those roses, to listen, to enjoy the day with the family and spend some time getting my hands dirty and marking some things off of my to do list at home.

Scott's expanded his garden and if we can keep the deer out we'll have a bounty of produce!

I worked in my flower beds, I try to stick with perennials and things that are easy to care for and I don't have to spend the entire summer watering. Our backyard is completely shaded with a canopy of huge oaks...let's just say I haven't figured out how to grow grass yet! 

I planted seed in milk jugs to start and this has proven successful! Will be transplanting these soon.

Yes, I spent the entire day playing in the dirt. Working in the yard, my herb garden, moving plants...we did take a break to go down to the Spinach Festival and eat some funnel cake. I accomplished one project that has been on my to do list for about five years! It felt pretty good.

 At the end of the day Scott built a fire and we roasted hot dogs and made smores. It was so nice to sit by the fire, the cool air carrying the sounds of the kids playing around the front. Sounds I haven't "listened" to lately since I spend much of my time in busy confusion these days. 

My prayer this week is that I can find a balance. That I can manage what has to be done and what needs to be done with what should be done. A balance I've been seeking for years, I suppose.

And with that I'm praying that I can still get everything done that I need to!!! (for school/finals) ...let's see, I have to print, letterpress and bind an edition of 5 books for my Fine Printing and Bookbinding Class; design a board game, box and all the components + finish a Japanese package design for my Packaging Design Class; design a collage and self portrait for Production Techniques class and write a recommendation report about buying running shoes and write a final analysis for my Writing for the Workplace class...whew...in addition to my regularly scheduled life. :) LOL!

I'll leave you with this thought:

 

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...

 

Where are you going this week?

I'll tell you, I've had a really bad attitude this last week. And I'm feeling guilty about it. It seems like my life isn't my own. This dumb homework. The bad thing is I really wish that I could take more time to actually enjoy what I'm doing but I'm just living in this whirlwind right now and I can't seem to get a handle on it. I'm so close yet so far away from finishing school. I can almost see that light at the end of the tunnel...but its a tunnel in west Texas...its so flat you can see for hundreds of miles and the light is still VERY far away. Okay, only a year. And a year passes like a flash, right? I know that this opportunity to go back to school is so valuable. I've been blessed with scholarships that have made it financially bearable. A supportive family. As far as I can tell it is completely God's will for me. But I'm not sure he wants to reveal just where this path will lead me. Because I think I feel more unsure than ever about what in the world I'm doing. I just have to lean on Him.

People ask...what are you going to do with this degree? Of course, I'm already working and enjoy my job. But when I finish school and have more time, honestly, I just want to design things that put a smile on folks' faces. Things that touch hearts and comfort people in some way. I want to encourage. I want to make things possible, or seem possible...because I'm the living proof that you can chase down your dreams. And then do it all over again. That's just the truth. And I want to design things that are the truth.

I think a lot about our paths. Mine, yours, which one to take- where it might lead...and this thought came to my mind the other day and I wrote it down. So true. I think each and every person that crosses our path is part of His plan. Sometimes its no more than a glance at the grocery store or perhaps its an effort made to befriend and be kind to a lost soul. But every person in your path is there for a reason, however great or small. Giving us a chance to serve in whatever way we are gifted to do so.

I just challenge you to pay attention to where you are going this week. You never know who you might meet along the way.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6

 

 

Letterpress adventures and an early morning

I was up at the crack of dawn...okay, before the crack about 4 a.m.-- and before Hershel (our little rooster) started crowing. Now that's early! I love rising early even though I do LOVE to sleep :) One of the few times when Scott and I have time for a real conversation over a cup of coffee. Today even though we planned on going separate ways for the day, we made time to get up early together. Darn it the busy-ness of life just stifles me so. But I try to really appreciate the morning glory on my way to where ever it is I'm headed to each day.

I like the early morning...the day is so full of possibilities. I'm a dreamer, you know. Love seeing how the sun comes up each day...in a new, unique and beautiful way--reminding me that God's hand is on me, guiding me. Even though I don't know what this day might hold, He does. And I'm good with that.

For the last couple of years I have been romancing the thought of letterpress. I got a taste a couple of years back in a typography class. UAFS has a letterpress workshop and its pretty sweet. Small, but a treasure on our campus. One of my current class assignments was to design an invitation for the Senior Portfolio Review-- the Senior class chose my design as the one that would be produced for the event! I was surprised and thrilled. Its pretty awesome to see something like this come to life on an old school press. These photos simply do not do the letterpress character justice...its pretty scrumptious.

This is a Chandler and Price press...probably close to 100 year old. My fave!

 

The card is a 5 x 7 with a blind emboss (all designery words) and a black wrap/band. The back has a map and logo of the school press/shop. There was an insert for professionals (the small card) as well. I need to photograph to capture the beauty...but iPhone pic for now ;)

This is a Vandercook press...probably around 60 year old I think? Just look at that gold ink...to die for! Pretty cool, huh! Its a very meticulous and rewarding process. I just love. Anyone else out these have experience pressing?

I really hope to purchase a press soon-- and start producing some of my work/lettering/books in editions as well as offering custom invitations, etc. I certainly have a LOT to learn, but would love to continue my little romance on my own after my school/class is done. Letterpress is truly a beautiful art form...and coincides with my love of paper, printing and design. So charming!

Hope you have a blessed weekend! xoxo

 

 

Encourage...spring stuff

Gosh, I am just SO ancy right now...for some reason, and this may sound morbid...I just feel that I have a short time to do a lot of things that I want to do. Weird? I know. I think its just probably that I have so many interests and so VERY LITTLE time. So busy doing what I have to do...dreaming of the things I want to do, making small bits of time to get stuff done, and trying to savor fleeting moments as time flies by.

I've been thinking a lot lately, reflecting lately. I can't make sense of most of it...because of time constraints --but it feels important, need to be said...and shared. If you follow my Instagram, that seems to be my social media of choice. I like it because its more positive and doable than other choices...so you can kind of see my thought processes...like this one.

I've been thinking about "encourage" lately. My kids tend to pick at each other and we all get into this vicious cycle of poking fun, and picking. Even me...it's all perfectly innocent, out of fun love, but I was thinking it really needs to stop. Choosing to encourage instead of discourage...and well, dis. Remembering what a blessing you give and receive when you make the choice...to simply encourage someone. Its so easy. Such a simple gift we all have for the giving. Its all about seeing the good...and yeah, sometimes you have to look hard for it.

I'm not sure I've posted since I started working part time...so far so good! Really enjoying it. Working with Pradco Outdoor Brands and its all about fishing all the time! Makes me want to go fishing! Or at least eat some fish...mmm, crappie are biting. Wish I had some!

Only about 5 weeks of class left in the semester. Hallelujah!!! I am so looking forward to pursuing some of my creative thoughts this summer...and well, I am ready for warm weather. Still pretty nippy here in NWArkansas.These little jewels are longing to be outside in their new garden spot.

How was your Easter. We really enjoyed ours. Snapped this before we headed to Sunday morning services :)

Hope your spring is lovely.