My dear friend, Katie Calvert, has been responding to Psalm 126 through art for a couple of years. She boldly walked in obedience to the Holy Spirit’s nudging in pioneering an artistic response series at our church. When she introduced the idea to our worship leaders, they RAN with it beautifully, bringing great detail and intentionality to each artist’s story and piece. The vision of this series has become so much greater than any of us imagined and has introduced a great partnership between our pastors and artists within the church. It is a stunning collaboration and visual of Jesus at work. There was a total of ten featured artists partnering with a pastor this summer, each one responding to a different Psalm. I’m beyond grateful to be a part of a church that is working hard to welcome opportunities to work together with everyone’s various giftings within the Body! See below for my response to Psalm 139 along with my artist statement:
Read MoreAdoption Art Piece // Floral Watercolor
This print holds a very special place in my heart. It was inspired by our friends, Matt and Monique, and their adoption journey. I remember standing in our dining room talking about the little love they had been praying for and awaiting. I began painting one day and their family was instantly laid on my heart.
Read More2018 Agenda Update!
Oh, friends. I just ate an entire Espresso Ritter Sport chocolate bar while trying to type a blog post for this. We won't be selling 2018 Agendas this year. We've had so much going on between traveling and our house renovations, the Agendas got lost in the shuffle of it all. I've dreaded this announcement. I love using our Agenda and I love seeing others enjoy it so much!! The organization of it all, the largeness of it, the scripture written within it. It brings my heart so much joy. But I've prayed about it. I've spoken (probably on too many occasions) with JD and friends about it, and it just seems like that's what we need to do this year.
Read More50 Day Art Challenge Featuring Each State // It's Complete!
The 50 Day Challenge is finally complete!! To those of you who kept with me the whole time - thank you! Your encouragement kept me going. And to those of you who found Jitney's because of the challenge, thanks for joining us! We're so excited about you!
Fifty days. Fifty states. Fifty art pieces. The challenge took a little longer than 50 days but I had so much fun! The challenge has certainly molded my skills but also pushed me to try new techniques. I hope I represented your state well! To get a closer look at the pieces, you can find them on our Instagram feed. We've also posted a few of them up in our Etsy shop for purchase.
Read More50 Day Design Challenge // State-themed Gouache Paintings
Happy December!! This year has flown by. We've had quite a few transitions in our family in 2015 between changing our focus from 'craft-based' to 'art and design-based' with Jitney's, and, of course, the exciting addition of our little Mia Kai arriving next year in April. Yay!!
This October, I decided to challenge myself with a 50 Day Design Challenge.
Read More
2016 Agenda & Daily Planner // Floral Watercolor
...and we couldn't be more excited!!! Now introducing: the bolder, larger, lovelier Jitney's Journeys Agenda for 2016!! Thanks to last year's clients that took our 2015 Agenda survey and the amazing new printing company we've been working with (Quality Quick Printing), we've revamped everything about the Agenda and created something we know you'll love! Keep scrolling for detailed summaries and photos of the 2016 Agenda!!! (Then be sure to comment at the bottom with which part is your favorite addition!)
**If you can't wait any longer, click here or click on the above image to pre-order your 2016 Agenda!
***If you live in Huntsville and would like to pick up your agenda rather than pay shipping fees, please enter code HSVFREESHIP at checkout. Please note that you cannot use more than one coupon code. If you've received another coupon code, please use that and your shipping fee will be refunded when you pick it up.
DETAILS
Plan each day beautifully and thoroughly with the 171-page planner (86 front and back), bound with metal wire-O binding and featuring a list of nationally recognized holidays, weekly layouts, monthly layouts, an annual layout, scripture memory, goal planning and a section for brainstorming and notes in the back. Measuring 9" x 11", this agenda will fit perfectly in a large purse or will look real pretty sitting on top of your desk.
DWELL RICHLY
Last year's Dwell Richly scripture memory resource was a huge hit! God used His word in amazing ways to transform hearts and minds (including my own!!). It was such a joy to hear all about the ways our Father timed certain verses perfectly to fit with what was going on in your lives. We believe He will continue to do great things through the Dwell Richly verses. This year, we wanted to include more women in the preparation of the resource for this year. With a team of 23 women and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we have compiled the 2016 Dwell Richly verses and included them into every weekly and monthly layout. We will also offer the resource in a PDF format like we did last year. Thank you to the amazing 23 women who partnered with us to make it happen!!
tabs!!
You asked for them and you got them! This year's agenda features large, lovely tabs setting apart each month. Not only that, but we added a seasonal watercolor floral bouquet coupled with a clean monthly calendar on each main tab page. Are you drooling yet?
The opposite page is a primarily blank page just waiting for you to fill it with notes, journaling, brainstorming, and all kinds of awesomeness! You can use this page to begin the next month or use it to finalize the previous month. I plan on filling this page with lots of ideas (no matter how great or not-so-great they are), doodles and beauty. What will you fill the page with?
goal planning // scripture memory // all-things organized
List out your top goals for the month (personal, spiritual, relational, physical, you name it!), exciting things happening this month (big and small - any and every reason to celebrate!), and glimpses of grace (one of my favorite and much-needed sections). Use the etc. space for any brainstorming, illustrating or note-taking.
The second page of this spread includes the month's Dwell Richly verses for you to memorize (each week is also written on the weekly layouts); a place to list out projects around the house that need to be done, deep cleaned or bought (think curtains, pillows, new fixtures, etc.); a checklist entitled get it done for all of those tasks that need attention; and finally a section for special occasions (this is a great place to list out occasions such as birthdays, weddings, showers, etc. and write what needs to be done for those events such as planning it or purchasing a gift for the event).
the large monthly layout
Swoon. This is surprisingly one of my favorite parts of this agenda. I LOVE this large layout so that I can quickly glance at our family schedule when trying to plan weekend and weeklong events. The size of it leaves ample space for planning and lots of washi tape!! If you haven't experienced the combination of washi tape and planners - get ready to have your mind blown and your agenda beautified. My favorite sources for washi tape are Michaels and Hobby Lobby (gotta take full advantage of those coupons).
the strategic weekly layout
We tried to include everything you asked for this year in the weekly layout! Each day is listed vertically (without hours) featuring a box for you to write in your top goal for the day at the top and checkboxes for exercise and water intake at the bottom of each day. Fill in your top goals for the week at the top of the right side of the page. The bottom of the left page includes the meal planner for Monday through Sunday. You'll notice the letters S, W, and N as a place for you to circle your families' preferences on how dinner tasted: (S)taple, (W)inner, (N)ever again... because we all know that some Pinterest recipes win while others may not end up as victorious. On the opposite page, you'll find a two-column checklist for things to buy (you can use this as your grocery list, shopping list, whatever works best for you!) and a one-column checklist for must-do action items. Next to that, you'll see the month's calendar with the current week highlighted as well as the Dwell Richly verse for the week.
the cover
Could you ever get enough of this beauty? I don't think so. The gorgeous floral and feather illustrations were designed by the oh-so-talented Graphic Box. The front cover is adorned with breathtaking watercolor florals and paired with "2016 agenda" written in a sans serif font and hot pink brush script across the front. The bouquets flow onto the back cover to complete the design. The inside of the covers boast beautifully wild mint green brushed lines (see second photo of post).
Disclaimer: You asked for a hard cover in the survey but unfortunately, we are not able to offer that at the time. However, we worked with a different printing company this year (we love you Quality Quick Printing!!) and they worked with us to create a 110#, 16pt laminate cover. In other words, the covers are much more durable and thicker than last year. On the bright side, they're a lot lighter than a hard cover and just as beautiful. ;)
share the love!
That about covers it, friends! Let us know which part of the new agenda is your favorite in the comment box below. Feel free to share the love with your friends via Facebook, Instagram and email.
pre-order
Are you ready to order your 2016 Agenda? Even though we're only currently accepting pre-orders, don't fret! We will send out all pre-orders during the first week of October! You can pre-order your 2016 Agenda here.
mailing list & discounts!!!
If you are already on the list to receive email updates and notifications, you should have already received a 10% discount code to use on your first Agenda purchase. Be sure to use it! If you didn't receive the email or the discount code, contact us here and we'll get it taken care of ASAP! Not on the email list yet? Subscribe in the box below! **Only those who subscribed to the email list before September 4th will receive the 10% discount. Not to worry, we'll be sending other offers and discounts in the future!
Watercolor Wednesday // Early Quiet Mornings
Aside from the fact I used watercolor as a medium (green triangle and a white-wash on the mug), I wouldn't quite consider this painting a "watercolor". It's really just a fun, quick sketch with lovely accents.
The quote, on the other hand, I'm loving.
I've been waking up super early the past few mornings (which is rare for me). Most mornings, JD lovingly drags me out of bed and I feel anxiously rushed to get the day going.
As I was slowly breathing in the fresh air this morning, these words hit me like a rock:
Quiet, early mornings are rich for the soul.
There's something undeniably comforting about waking up with the sun and the birds, soaking in God's Word and drinking a warm cup of coffee in solitude. The rush of the day has yet to begin.
Maybe you love the painting or maybe you just love the words. Maybe you hate it altogether. It's okay if you do [just don't tell me]. Either way, the print is available for digital download on our Etsy site! [click this link]
Watercolor Wednesday // Your Path is Beautiful and Crooked
It's official. You can buy your first Jitney's Journeys original watercolor print here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/204701274/original-watercolor-print-5-x-7-vintage
But before you purchase, read the story behind this print below. Hint: You may find a little surprise waiting for you at the bottom of the post.
In all honesty, many of my days feel chaotic. My mind is a jumbled mess and my path seems completely at a standstill, blocked by trees (at least the view is nice!).
During JD's most recent trip, I decided to take a watercolor class. This class was amongst many, many things I did during his absence to keep my mind preoccupied and my hands busy (so that I wouldn't bite my fingernails - a dreadful habit I never noticed until my brother pointed it out a couple of months ago).
While searching for inspiration, I fell in love with a quirky yet charming photo of pigeon-toed vintage brogue shoes. I immediately began sketching and painting.
Most days, I'm super quirky. But not on purpose. It just happens that way. My feet turn inwards and my face turns a sweet shade of pink when conversations navigate towards me.
Some days I feel completely confident in what I'm doing in life. Then I snap back to reality and realize I have no. I. dea. And that's okay.
"Your path is beautiful & crooked & just as it should be."
Just being honest here... it would be nice to have thousands of "likes" on FB or Instagram on all of the things I post but that's certainly not the case. This watercolor, however, had the most "likes" - by far - of anything I posted.
That tells me that you're with me. Not only do I need to be reminded that my path is beautiful & crooked & just as it should be, but YOURs is too!
So let's walk these paths together.
Our beautiful, crooked, just as they should be, paths.
Side note: In honor of our first "Watercolor Wednesday", we're offering free shipping on your purchase of this watercolor print.
Use code YOURPATH at checkout. Offer expires Sunday, September 28!!
