Janna Wilson

Free For All Friday -- with a Cherry on Top!

I've had this little goodie in my treasure box for a while. I just have to share because it makes my heart happy! 

I love cherries. Love. And these are my sweet, special cherries. 

Download Cherries Weekly Calendar

So this is an 8 1/2 x 11 inch page that you can personalize with a FAMILY name or YOUR name and use for your weekly enjoyment...I mean appointments ;) Cherries just make me giddy.

This is a high quality PDF file you can download and print a stack up for organizing your week. There is a place to click into when you open the file to type the wording to personalize the calendar. The colors are scrumptious, the design is adorable (if I do say so myself :) and well, its useful! Yay! 

What else can you do with this sweet thang?

• Frame it and use a dry erase marker to write in your appointments (on the picture frame's glass surface).

• Make a nice print then take it to a print shop (save your ink) during a sale and make gifts for friends! (Christmas gift, housewarming gift, birthday gift) --52 copies would be a year's worth right?
• Laminate your printed calendar and put it on the fridge for easy access. 

I would love to create some coordinating pieces to go with this so I will put that on my ever growing "to do" list. Maybe I should use this calendar to organize the next few weeks of my crazy life!?

Tips for printables:

• Print with your printer's "borderless" setting to get a true to size print.
• If you want to frame this, use the "shrink to page" setting-- the actual size will be reduced and it will fit in an 8 x 10 frame. I added some cute trim at the top and bottom because the proportions are off slightly since this wasn't designed at 8 x 10.
• Use matte photo paper- I love Epson's Ultra Premium Presentation Paper (5 stars on package)...it makes beautiful prints on the "matte photo paper" setting.

And please remember, I am asking for no monetary payment for this item, I expect that anyone that downloads this agrees to play nice (no selling, sharing, taking credit for my work--gifting is fine).  

 

 

 

 

Free Printable: Weekly Menu

Yeah, I know these things are out there- lots of cute ones, but I wanted something specific. A menu that I could plan for three meals for seven days PLUS jot down my grocery list right along side and THEN tear/cut it off-- leaving my menu to stand alone. (that was a long sentence :)

Download Weekly Menu

Maybe I'm picky :) Oh well, its a win win-- I get a menu, you get a menu! I really like this one and it will work well for what I wanted. Share it with a friend. Print to your hearts desire. Plan, organize, make menus for every week for the rest of the year! Yes! Being organized feels SO GOOD! 

I hope you enjoy it. 

 

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...

 

What will you do?

...the quote I put on this printable really made an impact on my thinking.  I found it on Pinterest and I'm not sure if there is credit due - I can't find an "author" persay. 

As I've considered the new year and what I can accomplish in the next 360-ish days...I've thought prayerfully, I've thought about how I need to improve and change.  The one thing I need the most...discipline.  Many of you know me, my artsy fartsy personality and unless I'm moved and motivated to do something --its sometimes hard to light a fire under us creative types.  I need a good dose of discipline in every aspect of my life...I know it would make everything go smoother.  I know that the Lord is not the God of confusion and He wants me to be disciplined and keep things simple. 

I can do this.

How?

I've got to make a plan, take action and I need accountability. Period.

What am I going to do?

Break it up into small chunks and really focus on chipping away at these bits. I think keeping a journal will help trememdously as well.  I need constant reminders.

A few goals for me this year- I'll post today about my financial goals and later about family and personal goals.  (Remember breaking it up in to pieces ;). 

Financial

1. Get a handle on my budget- meaning I need to implement the budget I've devised.  Starting today--I'm going to the envelope system for monthly expenses (groceries, gas, kids lunch, etc...) and putting away the debit card for good.  I know I would spend a ton less unecessary money if I didn't use the debit card and use cash only. My husband is a testament to this already.  We don't use credit cards though we do have one (interest free) balance (see number two) due to an unexpected major purchase a couple of years ago.

2. Pay off two nagging debts (small loan and credit card balance) - Number 1 coupled with another surplus in my budget as of June ($340 preschool cost savings after the school semester and Cash will start big school in the fall) should allow me to pay off two debts that would save us over $250 a month.  

3. Tithing our full 10% every month.  We are so blessed to have a church in which we have a wonderful support system and family.  We are also blessed to both have a job and finally be in a financial place to afford to give what we can and should.  Though we give weekly, we have been guilty of not keeping up with tithes, coming short and the Lord has put this on my heart to correct this.

...the borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)

My pastor quotes this passage often.  In the past I've felt overwhelmed and defeated at even the thought of really trying to be debt free...but all of a sudden I'm sure the Lord is showing me the way.  And guess what-- all it takes is a little discipline.  I stayed up way too late last night figuring this out, but I'm pretty sure I can pay off all my debts except for our mortgage within the next three years.  What?!@#$  

Hello!!!  

Of course, things change, things happen and you know I'm not one for making plans-- I let the Good Lord chart my course and I roll with it.  But if I'm disciplined, faithful and prayerful about this-- I really have NO doubt that God will help me accomplish these goals. 

Some of the tools I'm implementing to accomplish my goals--

• A couple of composition books: one for budgeting (I like to handwrite my budget and it's pretty simple-) and one for discipline journal.
• I may give this free software a try too-- I've heard a lot of wonderful things about Mvelopes.
• I'll probably make my envelope system cute like this one or possible design a system for my needs
• I'm going to read these books- I've been following Crystal Paine (THE moneysavingmom) for a few years and she is one smart lady. I've already started this one...(a freebie when you buy her new book at Amazon). 

• I'll have to start couponing pretty hard again in order to stay within the grocery budget I've set.  It will also be important to start meal planning and being more organized in order to do this effectively.  I use Passion for Savings and Money Saving Mom as helpers for couponing.  I've also learned how to shop pretty effectively without coupons by knowing my local stores.

I'm excited to start this journey.  I really feel that God is going to help me accomplish these goals as I show him I can be more disciplined in this area.  This will definitely make me proud in one year!

I'd be interested if you have any tips on the envelopes system-- or working toward a better budget.  I'll post more on my goals for 2012 tomorrow or another day.

 

House of # Artwork-->REPOST

Hi - if you are visiting to pick up my House of {insert your number here} artwork from this post-- for framing or home decor, I'm reposting it in this post because there are some issues with the download. I've tried fixing but there is some strange glitch within that post. These are pdf files and they are pretty large at that - so it might take a minute or two to download the page.

Download House of 2

Download House of 3

Download House of 4

 Download House of 5

Download House of 6

Download House of 7

These are the only files/numbers I have available right now. Thanks for visiting my blog to download this freebie...it really is a classy project that makes a great gift this Holiday Season! 

Please remember, my printable freebies are for personal use only.

 

Inspiration, pickles and other randomness

Well, first of all today is my baby sister's 27th birthday.  My...what happened! She grew up!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY my dear sweet little sister...you've grown into a woman I admire so much.  I love you!!!

So Jenny's sweet little birthday has inspired me to make all kinds of pretty things.  I posted some pics yesterday I think of new cards that have been a result.  FUN!!!  I'm hitting on all the birthdays in July with these!  Having fun myself writing notes to folks.  It does a person good to get a handwritten note these days...its like whoa!!!  A real letter!!!  In MY mailbox?  My Aunt was just telling me the other day when she got her mail that she almost dismissed the card I sent her for one of those direct mail companies that try to trick you by using "real" looking handwriting...of course, upon closer inspection she realized it was from me :)  hee hee!

Scott has been pickling like a crazy man!  Between our garden and my Dad's bounty of cukes -he has quite a stash of the mouth puckering dill pickles.  Yum!  I think he needs a cute label for the top of these, don't you?  See...more inspiration!!!

Isn't his garden so cute? :)  And speaking of cute...little farm helpers :)

Its only 7:19 a.m., I got up with the rooster (Scott) and had my coffee, watered my flowers and felt like blogging...or writing.  Isn't blogging wild?  I've enjoyed seeing friends and acquaintences find much success by simply blogging like crazy!  Of course-- they definitely have a gift, talent to share.  I never intended to find success as a blogger, but it certainly interests me in the way that it all works.  I always thought it as a forum to share...not that folks want to know that much about me particularly...but when I get fun ideas I've always loved to share those ideas.  Let other people feel my joy and maybe it can bring them some joy too!  In years past, it was mostly in the arena of scrapbooking, of course.  Nowadays...I don't have the motivation to scrapbook much...I'm not really sure what category my blog falls into now.  Just your average randomness, I guess!  LOL!  But seriously,  I just feel like I'm in this in between stage...transitioning.  I feel impatient.  Going to school is awesome...but sometimes frustrating...because there are so many possible outcomes and I just have to be patient and faithful.

I do feel very fortunate that my schedule is not packed so tightly this summer-- just working a few days a week at Inscriptions and doing one class.  So I have had time to think about the direction I'm going in with my online adventures...the truth is most entrepreneurers and businesses almost HAVE to have an online presence in some way to grow. 

Well, I must get out and get my walk in before the temp gets cooking!  Hopefully I'll have pickle jar labels to share 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!!!

 

December...winding up the year

I've been going through my pictures from the last month...fun fun FUN!!!  Lots of good ones...wish I could magically print all the ones I want and had time scrapbook them!  But I'm enjoying them all the same!  Here's a recap...

I slept only about four hours for a span of 3 days (during finals week) the first part of December...finishing up all my portfolio stuff for my art classes was a booger!  But I managed to get everything complete and praise the Lord got all A's in my classes!  Here's an IN PROGRESS pic of my final drawing project.  I still can't believe I got an A in that class.  I probably ended up with 10-12 hours in this drawing alone...

 
 

Jenny (my baby sister) graduated with her Bachelor Degree and we went down to UCA for her graduation!  I'm so SO SO proud...I could barely hold tears in during the ceremony...I was bursting with pride! Plus, I kept thinking...in just three more years I could be holding my OWN degree with my sister by my side!

 

I made burlap banners for gifts for family this year-- I put mine here on the mantle.  Finally got the house decorated the week prior to Christmas because we had both families here for the holiday!  Yesterday...we took it all down.  Sad and glad to see it go.  I'll have to share a pic of my tree later...

 

As usual I gathered the troops for the annual Christmas card picture...though anymore...I can't seem to send a Christmas card...the picture is as far as I get and I usually distribute to family at our gatherings.  Here's a couple of shots I liked...

 

I know...they are SO BIG!!! 

 

Our Christmas Eve tradition started when I was pregnant with Cash and we've done it every year since...the kids really look forward to it.  And I imagine one day, we'll all still get together on Christmas Eve with their families (hopefully :) and carry it on. 

I'm usually doing a lot baking, we bake cookies for Santa and I'm prepping for family gatherings and stuff so cooking an actual meal is the farthest from my mind.  The only restaurant in town open on Christmas Eve after 6:00 is the little Chinese place (we learned this on that Christmas Eve in 2007 when we were starving and I was prego and went out in search of some fast food!).  So we get take out and make it easy!  Plus...Chinese food right in the middle of the usual holiday fare is a nice change of pace. 

Then, after we eat...the kids open one gift from us.  And, of course, they know that it is NEW pj's.  Every year.  But it's still fun!  The last few years they have enjoyed buying gifts for one another too...so we let them open the gifts for each other as well. 
 

Santa does not bring a sleigh full of presents to our house--usually not more than three things...we've respectfully asked him to give modestly because we really don't need a lot.  This year each kiddo got a new bike from Santa and just a few surprises from us!  They all LOVE their new bikes!!! 

 


 

We might have a new tradition...because it was SO fun!!!  I planned a Princess for a day (I'll have to tell more about that later) birthday for Sara...and one of our surprises for her was ice skating.  The kids LOVE to go skating and apparently...Scott does too!!!  He caught on fast!

 

We ended the year with a surprise slumber party for Sara and invited a couple of her friends! 

 

The girls partied and painted all night!  I finally called it a night (morning) at 4:30!!! 

 

So that pretty much sums up the last month.  Whew!  I still have a precious week before I start a new semester at school...so I'm going to savor the days!  We have another birthday coming soon so I am going to enjoy planning another party for Cash!!!  Number FOUR! 

 

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!

I cut some paper today....

a lot of paper...and then some more...

LOL! 

Here's something interesting...

I'm working on a mosaic of Abe Lincoln for my 2-Design class and I had to cut 832 (yes, EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO) 1/2 inch squares to complete the mosaic, which by the way is still NOT complete and I really want to burn it.  Mr. Teacher suggests that it is un-artsy to use anything other than rubber cement.  Although I do love said teacher because he also encourages us to use our "creative license" and our "resources" and possibly even "cheat" but not in a dishonest way.  Like using a paper trimmer rather than an exacto knife.  That kind of "cheating."  LOL!!  I call it work smarter not harder ;)  You know what I say to rubber cement...YUCK!!!!  I hate it!  Don't these educated people know about fancy schmancy paper trimmers and tape runners!?!  I'll have to teach them a thing or two ;)

What self respecting scrapbooker uses rubber cement?  Come on!!! 

Let me tell you...it hurts.  Bad. (and it stinks too!)

So I after my day...and after supper, clean up, returning from Sara's bb practice...I got home and cut some more paper.  Pretty paper.  Bella Blvd. and Teresa Collins paper (for a BHG assignment :). 

Ahhhhh. 

Now that

feels

good.

I also accomplished two additional tasks today...I cleaned my kitchen window and one of the ovens!!!  Around here, trust me, these days that is a BIG DEAL...talk about brownie points with the hubby!!!  He came in smiling big when he saw that shiny window and my clean oven!  LOL! Maybe I'll get the other one done before the year is out :)

Okay...moving on to the next project....Tammy, your business cards are coming right up!  xoxo