Janna Wilson

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!

a day off? nahhhh...

I've been lying to myself and pretending I had a real day off today. Well, maybe not to do whatever I wanted but no school/work and I haven't done housework yet either :) oops!

Abby had her track meet and that was fun...she was a little discouraged with 6th place in her first race but I reminded her to do her best on her next event and she was thrilled with 2nd! And she felt satisfied that she did her best.

I got a couple of pics...and this is why I love Photoshop-->

You can still see the selection around where the girl was. Just lasso'd the little girl and deleted with content-aware...I didn't mess with it anymore...even though I wanted to.  It left the track lines a bit wavy in the background but girl gone...mission accomplished :) Abby is the super star now!

Abby got second in the hundred meter dash :) Cash was cheering her on--->

And I went to Staples and took advantage of this awesome deal!!! And I came straight home and printed this for my laundry room - I love it!

This was a part of my final in Adv. Typography...oh you can see more here.  It was a fun project, I think I'm going to offer some of the prints in my Etsy shoppe! Fun!!!

Well, I'm on the run again-- happy Thursday!

 

 

puzzled...

(papers from Echo Park Note2Self at Jessica Sprague, note paper a freebie kit by Erica Zane, stitches by Carina Gardner)

Well, since I have been working on my craft/scrapbook website, I have been so rejuvenated by all my old projects...its really made me want to create...something, anything. I never really embraced digital scrapbooking-- I love the whole tactile aspect of paper, textures, etc. --plus I just didn't have time before. But given my experience as a designer, my limited time and the face that I REALLY have needed a creative release...well, here I am! Digital Scrappin'! LOL!  No, its really fun, and the best part is that there is absolutely NO mess! If you don't count the external hard drives, flash drives, cords and sketchbook!  LOVE getting these Instagrams on these pages.

You know me...I'm always dreaming of something, looking forward to a new adventure even though I really don't ever go anywhere at all LOL!!! I've had a lot of things going through my head. I love to learn new things and be challenged. I'm experimenting with some things right now, learning some new things (outside of school), and we'll see what happens.

I mentioned my craft website...want to visit? I may never get done because I have so much content but I thought it would be a good chance to practice my web skills.  Go peek at this...

Remember its a HUGE work in progress...but I'm excited to share-- Happy Sunday!

 

IMCBM

what's with the title you ask?

Don't you agree?

Well, I'm high on a 5hr energy drink and I am just finishing up this project for school that is due tomorrow.  I procrastinated a bit and the weather blindsided me...because, well, I don't really look at the weather :) So I had to shoot (most of) these indoors with no natural light.

It was pretty eventful, this project (for my Advanced Typography class) -

I was frustrated and short on time...so I actually hot glued the INSPIRED on my office wall and guess what...I LOVE IT!!!

I had to dig out the Christmas lights and the Scrabble tiles for #2 but I think its my favorite.  May have to try that with a different word?

CREATE -- well, I'm still hobbling around like an old woman after that experience!  So sore!!! (so out of shape, I know) Thats about 25 ft of sidewalk chalk art that I did Wednesday afternoon. Each letter took a whole piece of chalk. It was washed away without a trace as of this morning (rain).  Oh well. Its my least favorite photo :(  Looks some much better portrait...but we had to do landscape.

Stitched BEAUTIFUL by hand and propped with my sweet old Singer :)  Now that is beautiful.

MESSES...had fun with that.  For weeks I have been itching to make a mess, do some mixed media projects and I CANNOT wait till Spring Break...I'm SO DOING IT.

Here's my first project from this class...

I thought it was pretty stinkin' cool...however I got a B. :( insert sad face ):  And thats all I have to say about that. The objective was to create a design with letters and showcase the forms and counterforms while using a pleasing color harmony and utilizing the letters in a particular quote of your choosing.

And another...a magazine spread...I like this one. Grungy.

5:30 comes way too soon...ciao for now.

 

 

 

College Mama blogs twice in a two day period!

Just finished designing a school project with a "bag of crap" based on a book title/author.  Interesting, yes!  I found myself snubbing most of the treasures in the "bag" and sticking to paper (the paper bag itself) and pen...imagine that!  OOps! We had to photograph our composition of said "crap" and that would be the finished designed --only cropping and slight adjustments in PS.  No major Photoshoppery allowed.  The goal was to familiarize yourself with photography.  CHECK!

I'm not ecstatic with my result...I wish I'd been a little more flexible with the idea- I got too determined I think?  But at this point, I'm calling it done.  Done.

Lets just say I had more fun doing this...which took like 2 1/2 minutes, maybe.

I wanted to create that depth with my "bag of crap" school project as I did here with the doilies.  But I don't think it translated as well.  I'm really crushin' on doilies--so precious.  So this was a little experiemental doily "tag" I did a few weeks ago.  Can't wait to play with this idea some more.  All in good time, right...

I added a few of these to my flea market booth today...fun stuff.  I love making and decorating with these fun things!  I added big tulle poms to the ends and its super cute!  Do you BELIEVE?!?!  These banners feature a precious vintage Santa I got over at the Graphics Fairy!  LOVE her. love. Thank you Graphics Fairy!

I'm so ready for the Holidays!  I guess working at the fun store is getting me in the "mood" earlier this year.  We must have a dozen scrumptious trees!  I've contemplated decorating a bit early this year...hmmm...I've already started wrapping presents!  I've not actually "made a list" but that hasn't stopped me from checking it twice!  I know whose naughty and nice...yes I do!  Something I've purposed to do this year is purchase vintage items for my family/kids.  So far I've gotten some real treasures at the "flea." (our fun little flea market here in town called Angel's Crossing).

Tomorrow's Friday!  Wonder what exciting and happy things tomorrow could bring?  Hmmm...

I'll leave you with this - a favorite of late because I love my little sister too much!  She's absolutely beautiful and I'm SO proud of her!

 

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.

 

 

Life in fast forward------>>>>

 

Thank goodness for cameras...to capture things like these fun times OR the first time your little BIG girl wears makeup to a party. 

 

And speaking of cameras...I really hate to spout off about getting something new....but I just have squeal about my "new" camera.  I've had my Canon 10D for nearly 9 years now...wow!!!  For the last few years I've just gotten used to the shutter lag---theres a delay when you depress the shutter button and sometimes it takes and sometimes it doesn't...I've just gotten used to it and hardly even notice anymore.  Still takes great pics...just that one little issue.  So, a friend's hubby upgraded cameras and they sold me their 30D for just a little more than it would've probably cost me to get my shutter fixed!!!  YAY!!!!  I'm thrilled!  Pulled my 50 mm lens out and I've been having fun with this new toy (Santa brought early ;).  I'll keep my 10D forever...incidentally, all these pics were taken with the 10D...except Sara's pic above.  Best money I ever spent...good times, good times....such as these...

 

Shot these a few weeks ago after we got home from school one day.  It cracks me up to watch Cash on that pink scooter...he assures me that even though its pink boys can ride it too because scooters are for boys.  I cringe every time he speeds down the hill around the driveway.  ;(  Scary!!!

 

 

The kids love to rollerblade...though they are quickly outgrowing the pairs we have!  Santa, are you listening?

 

 

Abby is a total camera hog...rightly so, she certainly is photogenic!

 

Santa brought this silly little scooter a few years ago for Cash and everybody LOVES it!!!  FUN!

Well, today was the last day of class for a few days.  A little break from life in the fast lane is so welcome.  However,  I've vowed to myself that I MUST get a lot of school work done.  I have a ton of stuff to do to ready my portfolios for finals in my art classes.  Whew!  I got a backlog of Algebra homework done tonight...so I will paint tomorrow...and draw...and cut and paste...I have about 50 pages of notebook work to complete in addition to current assignments.  Oh my! 

I'll leave you with some sunsets of late...so pretty...

 

 

   

Week 31: 52 week scrapbook challenge

This layout is absolutely a favorite!  So simple...quick to make TOTALLY a 30 minute page! 100% Bella Blvd. goodness...absolutely love it all!   Just some fun, patterned accent strips pulls it all together...

My challenge for you this week:

Scrap with STRIPS!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Thanks to Bella Blvd. for all the awesome goodies.  Check out their Bella blog here.

************************************************

  If you want to play along link up your page on your blog...you can scraplift my layout or do your own thing! 

Be sure and add your page to the Flickr photo pool and tag it with week 31 so everyone can enjoy YOUR inspiration too!

Happy Scrapbooking!

Today...in pictures

So, I've purposed that I will take more pictures...and maybe I'll start a little category...today in pictures...hmm?  It makes me happy, oh-so-happy to see these little snips and snaps of the kids and daily stuff...

No professional photography here...mostly just unedited, reality...home.

Love.

...here's how most days begin and end...doing dishes, unloading, reloading...)

 

...coming from the mailbox...just found out who Abby got for her 4th grade teacher....

 

...a REAL, geniune, perfect Abby smile...she got Mrs. Ingold/Mrs. Griffith--thrilled :)

 

...lunch yesterday, okay, I had more than this one.  We LOVE bruschetta...with homegrown tomatoes and my fresh basil-- YUMMY!

 

...wishing, hoping, pleading to take my old sax out of the case...nope!  (for sale to a good home :)

 

I love this view...from the kitchen to the dining room (my old scrap space).  I love that it is clean, clear of clutter, bright, and features some treasures that are dear to my heart...china that my Mother in Law bought Scott when he was a teenager, crystal that she bought me when we got married, the table that Scott crafted from tree to table, the wood floor we put in...the first update we did in this house, those charming glass doors...just so much about this room I enjoy.  Though I'm going to work on taking a better photo...

what is it with boys and lining their cars up?  LOL!

...playing favorites!

...my Dollar General haul...a whopping $9.66 after $7.55 coupon savings...LOVE clipping coupons!

Post it Notes & Flags: $1 minus $1 coupon here

Dawn $.85 minus coupon from last Sunday paper

Chef Boyardee $.75 minus $1.50 off 4 here

Scott paper towels $6 minus coupon from last Sunday paper

Dr. Pepper $1.25: .55 cent coupon on bottler

Today...in pictures

...I picked up the mail and I found my TWO brand new batteries for my OLD camera (that I love).  Can I mention that these TWO brand new batteries cost $12.95...shipped!  Gotta love eBay :)

...and of course, I had to charge 'em up right away and challenged myself to capture the day with my camera...today!  So first I caught this little guy...looking adorable, of course :)   I played with this one-- some PS actions.

 

This was the look he shot me as I was trying to convince him to eat his egg sandwich (which he didn't eat :).

The kids were so happy they all survived the "snake in the pool" incident this morning!!!

I had this beautiful visitor in and amongst my zinnias this morning...so gorgeous! 

 

  The party moved inside where we all took up residence in the craft space...Cash likes to watch his "shows" (iTunes ;) on the puter while we create!

 

Sara made cards for some folks at church...I love this one!  She HAD to use this cute Bella Blvd. birdy!  Speaking of...a little birdy told me that YOURS TRULY will be the guest blogger on the Bella Studio Blog on Thursday!!  So be sure and check it out! 

And to end the day...Mr. Sleepy gave it up just before dinner...
(took this one with my phone and tweaked with Camera Bag app)