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.

 

 

 

geeked about web design!

Yep. I guess I'm ligit. I've designed two websites on my own-- (Bryan Alexis at UAFS is a pretty awesome web professor, if I do say so) and I'm pretty proud of the most recent...my portfolio website. This is bare bones coding from the ground up...wow! I've got a couple of issues in Safari browsers gonna troubleshoot that soon as I get a bit of time and I can't wait to add more of my work and tweak it a bit more. I actually never thought web design was something I'd be interested in doing but its really challenging...I love a good challenge. I've learned a lot and hope to keep at over the summer to hone my web skillz.

Hope you'll pop in and check it out. Try out the contact page and send me a note?

 

seriously? REALLY?

 

Have you noticed that those (post title) are the trendy words these days? LOL! It makes me giggle a little - seriously!  So since its been SO long since I blogged, I thought I must come up with a fitting- catchy title! REALLY!

I'm about 2/3 done with my semester of school...finally, I am in a groove.  I think?  Things are going smoothly for now--maybe this is just the calm before the storm?  Oh well, I'm going to enjoy it...for the fleeting moments that it lasts. I really love my classes -- I have an illustrations class, a graphic design class and a grds history class (+ Philosophy and an Art History).  Interesting stuff.  I look at the world a lot differently than I did before.  I love the art history classes...good stuff.  

I was reminded in an article I read this week to "do something creative everyday."  Well, I'm pretty well creative to some extent everyday, but I think I'm going to try to do better.  I haven't really taken a lot of pics in recent months because I'm so busy-- for that I'm really ashamed.  REALLY!  We've got a little assignment going in one of my classes where we utilize photography...so I thought I might better warm up a bit.  So today I thought...I'm going to look at things with my creative eye...just some things around the house- that I love. All taken with my 30D 50mm lens on manual settings-- some slight PS adjustments on each...well, except the lamp...I had to bring it to life!

This is just some cabinets in my dining room...I liked the lines and light situation.  I cropped all these into squares because I have plans for them...  : )   And because I love Instamatic/Instagram prints.

 

Used the Instagram "earlybird" filter on the above.  Can you guess what it is?

I absolutely LOVE doilies.  I think about how someone handcrafted these beautiful pieces of art...to me they are like snowflakes.  No two handmade ones are truly alike.  I buy them a lot and love to just look at them.  It amazes me how inexpensive they are.   Beautiful. 

 

Last but not least...this is a knob from the closet doors in our "powder room."  I admire it often and have meant to photograph it.  I like how this turned out.  Wow. 

Other creative endeavors this week...I typed a letter on this...which was both fun and a workout for my hands and fingers...

 

I made this cute banner for a customer at the store.  Let me know if you need one. 

I ordered this pic in a wrapped canvas...YAY!

(snapped by my little sis at Hendrix campus)

Hope your fall is abundant with blessings.

 

 

3D Design -

Trying to post some of my school work in my graphic design "portfolio" --its not very professional at this point, but I'm just trying to get it all in one collective spot for now.  I also updated my story ;) Thought I'd share the projects from my 3D design class this last semester...these images are from my final portfolio of work.  I did a simple digital pdf booklet and put them on a flashdrive -- I don't have the actual finished project back yet...but its basically an OLD vintage book with a hidy-hole cut in the pages for the flash drive. 

First we create with cardboard...we had to do a word/letterforms.  Lots of cutting, cardboard and mod podged vintage book pages to create the surface technique.

Next was plaster.  Oh man, if I ever thought paper crafting was messy...THIS WAS THE MESSIEST THING EVER!!!  Kinda cool, but the finish did not turn out quite the way I anticipated.  I don't care if I ever see plaster again....ever.

This was the inspiration board for our final project...which was a fashion show.  We had to make everything out of recyclables/trash.  It was a lot like scrapbooking...on a person :)

Here's my dress in progress.

This was the fashion show.

We had to do a collaborative project too...this was it...

 

The LONG and short of it...and SBEtc. love

(just a little paper♥love above)

Well, it's Saturday.  I got up at 7 a.m. and felt like I'd WAY over slept after rising at 5:30 a.m. with the roosters these last two weeks.  Scott took Cash to coffee at the "man hangout" and I'm left in still, quiet bliss.  The windows are open and its cool...it feels like fall is finally here.  It's so wonderful!

I'm sitting here for a few minutes trying to figure out where to start first.  My to do list is long and I even feel like writing this post is a bit of a misappropriation of time but I need to let y'all know where I stand (you, know, YOU, my seven readers :) and sort of come to terms with the thoughts in my head by typing them out.

  (this is me in my class with my 27 inch iMac behind me :)

(-- well, not mine, but the one at my desk at class)

First-- I am LOVING school.  The second day of one of my classes, the teacher laid it out for us.  Graphic design is a very competitive field (knew that).  The economy is not what is used to be (mmm hmmm, yes).  The "freshman" class of 60-80 something graphic design students will be narrowed to 20 after this first year (whoa!!!!).  They only graduated 12 seniors last year (interesting).  My reaction...FAILURE IS NOT an option.  It's just not.  I'm in, it's on and I've got to see this through.  God has put this in play, I am totally faithful that there is a purpose in my doing this and beyond my first priority of FAMILY-- I have to give it 200%.  

With that said...I don't think I will have a ton of time to devote to some of my blog endeavors-- such as the Whimsy Shoppe, 52 week challenge and Free for ALL Fridays.  That doesn't mean that I'm throwing my hands up and quitting...it just means that I will just do what I can.  It may not be that I add a freebie EVERY Friday...but I will continue to add things as I can.  I think I will actually be able to draw a lot of inspiration from the projects in my classes, so I look forward to using my class projects a springboard, possibly, for freebies.  As far as the shoppe, I plan to continue making things as time allows but probably selling locally...I just have so little time to devote outside of school to these things and I have to come to terms...I'm not super woman and can't stop time and get it all done...even though I REALLY wanna do it all. :)

My goal is to do this college thing full force.  Now, you all know (or maybe you don't) that my roots run DEEP in the scrapbook industry.  After nine years of teaching, designing and creating I have been blessed in so many ways, come away with friendships that are priceless, and it was the seed that has sprouted as I have grown into a designer...going to college is my way of validating that, I suppose.  I want to work on a more professional level and see what doors open up.  Hopefully, you will see me again as a product designer both in the paper craft industry as well as beyond!!!

You'll still see my work in Scrapbooks etc. as I get the opportunities to contribute, I'll still post regularly here, I'll still be scrapbooking as time allows and you can rest assured that I will NEVER stop creating...something...always. 

Speaking of Scrapbooks etc...check out the October 2010 issue hitting stands... guess who did the cover ;)  Check out the "behind the scenes" notes by the editors here.

So I just wanted to let y'all know what's up...thanks for visiting me and I'll keep you updated on my ADVENTURES as a COLLEGE MOM.  Now I'm off to finish some jewelry orders. 

Note to self....

The pic is Sara of course, first day of school-- middle school!  She was jotting on her hand notes and I brought my camera along to snap some pics and got this one.  Perfect!

Wow...I'm already 1/10th into this semester!  LOL!  I keep thinking...16 weeks...that's nothing! Right?  Well, so far I think life is just happening so fast that I'm just holding on tight and going with it!  I have five classes and 3 of them are art/design oriented...three hours each twice a week.  Big time investment.    Also, beginning algebra (had to start from scratch since its been so long) and speech.  I'm almost embarrassed to admit this and its subject to change...but I'm kind of liking the math.  Easy so far.  Makes me feel smart :) 

Gosh this was a big decision for me...going back to school.  I can't really express into words how difficult  it was to make this leap.  It was ABSOLUTELY 100% a leap of FAITH.  But so far it feels right.  Life is super duper hectic, I'm just trying to manage and right now my focus is school and the family.  Scott is helping me out more and I'm sure he thinks I don't notice, but of course I do.  The days just come and go so fast, always on the run, and I'm just doing the best I can.  I feel like I've got a grasp on my studies so far as well as keeping everyone happy, fed and clothed at home :) 

It feels so good to be around people again!  Especially people that share my same interests.  I've been a hermit so long ;)  -- church, a few school functions and the kids' activities were my only ventures out of the house for the most part for the last few years.  And truly, I really enjoy just observing people from all walks of life.  

I've never taken an art class and I really don't count high school.  I'm loving it.  So far we've had two projects in drawing...the first being a pre-instruction drawing.  This is where we basically show him what we can do.  I'd never used charcoal before and never heard of a willow stick (another form of charcoal) and well, here's how mine turned out...obviously I have a lot to learn, but this was a very enjoyable experience!

Getting everything ready for the end of the month is third on my list of priorities.  I'm so looking forward to IU but a little frazzled about being away, missing school and getting all my loose ends tied up to go.  I'm so not a traveler anymore :) only my friend Ginger knows how to sweet talk me into trippin' out! LOL!

Well, that's all for now.  I have to get in bed...5:30 comes WAY too quickly :) Night xoxo

Back to school essentials...and blessings

Things I'm loving lately...

Dave Barnes.  Oh my.  Funny thing Abby said the other day..."Mama, you're in LOVE with Dave Barnes!" 

Mama said, "No, Dave Barnes reminds me just how much I'm in LOVE with Daddy."  {heart♥swell}  I think YOU'll LOVE it too.  Check it out.  Rarely do I buy a whole album and I snatched this one after listening to 3 of the songs...I've got my eye on THIS one too...Brother, Bring The Sun

My cute little "back to school"  messenger bag...(free with a Staples Rebate :)-- click on the pic to shop other patterns and styles.  Very roomy, padded laptop sleeve inside and lots of pockets and storage with easy access.  Reminds me of my satchel when I was in grade school :)

Making ice coffee (with leftover perked coffee) in this fancy cup...(that I stole from my Mama) --can't believe how well it keeps cold!!!  With no sweating/condensation!  We're doing a similar version for IU designed by one of our fabulous assistants!  Check it out!  You can buy one here...

Easy peasy iced coffee: half and half + leftover cooled coffee + sweetener of choice (sugar :) + a dash of vanilla!  YUM!

My cute little BYO Rambler... taking my lunch is fun with this little cutie!  I take TWO water bottles and I freeze ONE so that it keeps my perishables (sandwich, chicken salad, fruit---) and the other water chilled!   PERFECT!   I wrap the bottles in a paper towel to prevent condensation from getting things moist.  Today I had a chicken and red pepper hummus with lettuce and pickles sandwich, grapes and a few potato chips.  YUMMY!  You can check these bags out on Amazon or pick up 2 at Sams Club for like $15 (that's where we got ours). 

My classes at UAFS.  Wow.  Very cool classes very cool teachers so far.  I'm lovin' it.  I was so nervous to do this.  And it feels SO right. Been super duper DE-DUPER busy...trying to get in the groove.  Watch out world!!!

Enjoying getting up super early with the chickens (no, we don't really have chickens-yet ;) and starting my day.

Love feeling a sense of purpose again.  

Love my church family.  We are so blessed each time we attend a service.  God is so good.  

Not much time...just wanted to drop in and share these favorites and blessing of late.  Have a wonderful week!

xoxo -jw