We've Been Minted!! // Boat & Buoy Print Up for Sale now

If you're following along with the Scripture Memory / Dwell Richly printable, here's the verse for week 23: 

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:8b (NIV)

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Y'all. Earlier this year, I entered a few designs into the Three Cheers! Minted x West Elm's 3rd Art Challenge. It was my first time submitting any work into Minted but my good friend, Ashley Ottinger, suggested I take the leap and submit a few things. I entered a couple of art pieces, a few handlettered designs and a number of photographs from our travels. 

By the time the deadline hit, there were 5,220 submissions. [Read that number again if you must.] My immediate thought: Well, there goes that. At least I tried. 'A' for effort and 'A' for putting myself out there. Self-doubt, at its finest, my friends. 

A couple of months went by and the email popped up in my inbox. "Challenge Winners."

[Panic Attack]

I started scrolling down then just took the non-anxious way out and hit "ctrl > F > Whitney" (i.e. I searched for my name so that I didn't have to tax myself with not being able to find each entry). And there it was. TWICE!!! 

You have no. idea. how stinkin' excited I was when I saw that TWO of my entries won Minted Editors' Picks. Out of 5,220 submissions!!!! [insert dancing around the house, a mixture of full-blown belly laughter and screaming at the top of my lungs and sore arms from 'raising the roof' way too hard.]  

Full disclosure: I obviously cannot take full credit for these awards. These are absolutely considered Jitney photos. They were both taken during our travels, during adventures that JD and I were able to share. He probably took the same photos on his iPhone but from a different angle. ;) We seriously need to get that man a camera. He'd win all of the challenges. 

One of the entries "Boat & Buoy" was officially launched last night. The other entry "Tidal Pools & Crashing Waves" will launch later this fall. You can purchase the Boat & Buoy print with a frame (take your pick from the lovely ones offered) or unframed from a size of 5" x 7" to 44" x 60". 

Story behind the print: JD and I were driving through the Swiss Alps on an autumn evening in 2012. The sun had set and the rain subsided, only the fog remained. We saw this lone sailboat with a buoy bobbing attached to it and couldn't resist stopping along the road to capture the serenity and mystery of this truly picturesque scene. It's a special piece from our 'Jitney World Exploration Collection', one that is close to our hearts and will forever be engrained in our memory.

P.S. Please know that it took a lot of coercion for me to post about these awards. Thank you to all of my friends who remind me that posting news like this is all about celebrating and that we shouldn't hide the exciting things that God is doing through us and our business! In the words of John F. Kennedy (and echoed to me by Lauren McCaul), "Rising tides lift all boats." 

Jitney Jams // Year Five

Have no idea what we're talking about with the Jitney Jams? Read the history behind the Jitney CD here!

Last year we worked incredibly hard on preparing the playlist for the Jitney Album / Year Four. So hard, in fact, that we couldn't decide on which cover design or which songs to shuck from the playlist. Instead, we decided to wait until Christmas. "Let's just do a Christmas edition!! That'll be fun!" So we went to Japan. I took a class on handlettering. I designed a cover that JD is obsessed with... (I tell you this not to brag on myself, but to inform you that he seriously brings it up in conversation anytime we talk about the CD - he speaks to my heart when he affirms my creativity. He speaks my language, people. It's just another way that he loves me well. It may end up being on our Christmas card this year so I can't ruin the surprise.) but once again, we couldn't narrow down the playlist, address all of the envelopes, travel back to America, and see all of our family in time before Christmas. It just wasn't going to happen. 

So, as my friend Julie says, Year Four just didn't happen. Kidding. Obviously, our fourth year of marriage did happen and it was sheer bliss. But the album didn't happen. 

We [hopefully] made up for it this year though! We sent out the envelopes and albums to our wedding party early last week. Only a couple of people have told us they received it [or shared us some social media love (thanks Chase!)] but according to USPS, they arrived in time for our anniversary! This is a first in five years (sans our actual wedding day). 

Behind the Cover Design: 
We wanted to keep it simple. White, dark gray and red. We wanted it to have a theme of travel, foreign languages and love. JD actually visualized the design, I just made it happen. #teamwork

We translated the word 'love' for every country we've visited (by we translated, I mean 'Google translated') then created the shape of the English word 'love' using those translations. Flip over the cover and you'll see Jitney's Journeys spelled out in red as the song list goes down (also JD's ingenuity). It's minimalist, but I'd say it's my favorite from the past five years. 

Behind the Playlist: 
Per the usual, all of the songs are songs we love. They either explicitly sing the word love, talk about great love stories, are related to TV shows that we love, represent our love for travel, worship the Ultimate Love or are simply bands that we love. Normally we would like to write specifics about every song but they're all pretty self-explanatory and awesome. However, we do feel like we need to explain one of the songs.

Disclaimer for Run & Go: This (see Mickey to the left) is what we think of and who / what JD imitates when the song starts playing. Many of you will probably never see this super cute side of JD (which I'm okay with, because I love wrapping these moments up, all for myself) but he really knows how to throw his shoulders back, rear back his head and start whistling a happy tune with fists swaying side to side. His favorite song to whistle is the Robin Hood theme song. Please note that neither of us have killed a man or are on the run and go. 

[P.S. Thank you KidsPlayColor.com for this wonderful image of Mickey whistling.]

Notes about the rest of the playlist: You'll hear the words "Ain't cuttin' my hair till the good Lord comes" when the playlist starts (because JD's hair is that perfect and I never want him to cut his hair short again - unless Jesus tells him to, of course.) and you'll hear a few song cameos from our favorite TV shows that went off air this year (if only we had a song from The Mindy Project on there). You'll hear slow songs, fast songs, songs that will bring you to tears (either from reminiscing or because you're laughing so hard) and songs that will make you want to walk around the house whistling.  

Are you hooked and curious? Never fear! We've made most of the playlist public on Spotify. Also, this is probably a good note to tell you that we'll be doing Spotify playlists for the next few years (maybe we'll send out a tangible 10th edition; and we've even considered a cassette tape version for our 50th. You know, true vintage 'mixed tape' and all).

Five Years of the Journey

Five. Years. It blows my mind even thinking about it. When I would hear couples say they've been married for five years, I would think, "That's a long time." I know it's nowhere near twenty-five or fifty, or really even that close to ten, but five years is kind of like that time where it seems like life as a married couple is finally getting settled in. It's that mark where you realize you know each other's habits on a deeper level, you can sit in silence and still be totally comfortable, you have "the looks" and "the signals" when you're out in public, and you've developed a bit of a secret language. You've lived a lot of life together and you're excitedly awaiting the many, many years of life and marriage ahead of you.

Okay - so maybe this isn't what everyone else experiences at the five year mark, but we have. I'll be the first to tell you... Five years is, in fact, not a long time. It has flown by. We often reflect on where we started and how far the Lord has carried us. We're still young. We still have so, so much to learn. And we still have an overflow of love to give. But we're here at five years. And we're thankful. What a sweet, sweet five years it has been!

I asked JD this morning at breakfast what his favorite moment of the past five years has been. His response, "It's not so much of a moment, but I've loved building a home with you." 

Yeah. Be still my heart. Hold back the waterworks. This man knows me. The Lord has led us around the world, He has entrusted us with a wonderful house to build into our nest, He has encircled us with an amazing community, He has allowed us to develop a sweet business where we can lift His name high. All of this - This is our home. This is our life. This is our journey. And we get to live it together, regardless of where we are, what we're doing or who we're with.

To my Lovey: I cannot express how thankful I am to walk this life with you. You're my absolute favorite. You lead me well. You are kind and you are gracious. You inspire and encourage everyone around you, especially me. Thank you for making me feel so deeply loved, wanted and appreciated. Thank you for constantly directing me to our Savior and always allowing the Gospel to infiltrate your conversations with me and with others. You rock my world on a daily basis and have stolen my heart. I've loved spending the past five years with you and highly anticipate spending the next 50 years and the next 50 years after that dancing, singing, cooking, traveling, laughing and loving with you. I love you forever. ∞xoxo∞ (This may sound familiar to many of you. I had to steal a little from his proposal because it all fits so well.)

To our friends and family: Thank you. You guys have encouraged us and loved us well. You have given us sound, biblical wisdom and for that, we are deeply grateful for you. Thank you for helping us walk in the light of the Lord and for setting such beautiful examples of marriage. Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you and helping us stay on course when we miss it. Thank you for walking beside us in the glorious, the rocky and the fun! We love you.

The Story Behind Encourage Huntsville with Jacki Gil of Salt + Paperie

If you've been reading our blog for a while, you know that community is deeply important to us here at Jitney's. We are ecstatic any time we see community developing and transitioning. We love seeing people connect, build relationships and grow together. It's everywhere and yet, we still can't get enough of it.

Knowing this, you can only imagine how thrilled I was when Jacki Gil of Salt + Paperie started Encourage Huntsville. And dang, has she started it!!

Here's her story:

I’ve always felt like Huntsville and me were like a round peg in a square hole. I loved this town so much, and my family was here that I never really had a desire to move anywhere with the “big city” creativity or even somewhere artsy like Chattanooga. I wanted to be here, even if that meant not having the easiest road to finding my creative “dream job." I did a series of design jobs that varied from love to hate, until a year ago I took the leap of faith into the journey we will call “entrepreneur!” By the grace of God, and a catchy name, that still no one can seem to pronounce with confidence (salt + PAPER-E… lol) we have had a first year that exceeded all expectations. 

Somewhere along that year journey, people began coming to me looking for advice, brain-picking and business advice. All the while, I’m thinking… I do NOT have this figured out in the LEAST. I’m not even a year in (yet! I celebrated my workaversary May 1st!). But, I enjoyed talking to people about their journey into small business ownership, even if I was literally just confirming their awesome ideas and giving no advice, it seemed to help them have the “courage” to take whatever next step they needed, even if it was just heading down to the courthouse for a business license. 

One day, I’m not kidding you… it was like a lightbulb… entrepreneur + courage = encourage! OMG! ding ding ding. So, the “big picture” of Encourage Huntsville is to help small businesses grow or gain confidence through what will eventually be seminars directed and lead by what I call the best of the best in small business ownership, so much so that they might not even be considered small anymore! We will cover topics from taxes to families, and I could not be more excited.

The other half of Encourage is to just to help the average Huntsvillian connect to their creative side. Even the engineer in town needs a creative outlet. Or should I say ESPECIALLY the engineer. A lot of people have already confessed to me that they haven’t signed up because “they aren’t creative”, but that is exactly the opposite of what the point is! Creativity “can’t be used up, the more you use it, the more you have” (Maya Angelou). It’s simply a place to connect with friends and others around Huntsville to try something new that you just might love! 

I seriously hope that this passion project of mine can fuel a creative fire in Huntsville. I definitely want to be just the curator of talent for Encourage Huntsville, but the #handletterhuntsville and monthly lettering challenge was my way of testing the waters to see how much interest their was in the whole idea. I could teach that and get a feel for if this was really something people wanted to do… and, much to our surprise, it was a bigger hit than we could have ever imagined. So much so, we were scrambling to kind of ride the coat tails of the first class straight into Encourage. Now we are getting tons of other classes besides handlettering lined up, and I can’t WAIT to announce them! EEEEKK!!

—THE END

Above: A few of Jacki Gil's (from Encourage Huntsville // Salt + Paperie) most lovely handlettered Instagram posts! 

Michelle Odom from Just Crumbs Cake Design will be teaching a Fondant Basics Workshop soon!! You do not want to miss this! Encourage Huntsville is giving away a free seat to the class on May 29th!  

F O L L O W
Encourage Huntsville on Instagram
Encourage Huntsville on Facebook
Salt + Paperie on Instagram
Salt + Paprier on Facebook
Just Crumbs Cake Design on Instagram
Just Crumbs Cake Design on Facebook

Handletter Huntsville // A Daily Handlettering Challenge

It's been a while since I've posted my handlettered designs for the Encourage Huntsville Handlettering Challenge... so here we go!

I'll be posting the backstory behind Encourage Huntsville next week - eeek! I can't wait!!! Join us on Instagram for the May Letters challenge! 

Jitney Weekend Adventures // Baby Levi, Mae in Concert and the Adams Family

This past weekend was possibly the craziest weekend we've had in a while. The original plan was to drive down to Atlanta for the weekend to spend time with my family and to see Mae in concert (insert an infinity amount of !!!!'s here). But JD received a call Friday morning from our brother-in-law, Brandon, saying that Theresa (JD's sister) was going to the hospital with possible pregnancy complications (thankfully, everything was fine!). We waited until around 2 in the afternoon to fill up the car and head down to Georgia. As soon as JD finished filling up the car, Brandon called and said, "We're having a baby! Head on over!" So we changed sails and headed to Mississippi just in time to give Brandon and Theresa big hugs before this little precious little guy was born (insert another infinity amount of !!!!'s here)! 

 It's hard to believe we co-hosted his little baby shower only one month ago!

Arriving one week ahead of his due date, our sweet little nephew (James Levi Harris) was born Friday night at 8:16, weighing in at 7 lbs and 2 oz. Theresa and Levi (and Brandon) are all doing superbly well! She made labor and delivery look easy. We cannot get enough of this little bundle of joy and can't wait to see him again soon!

We left around noon Saturday to drive to Atlanta for the Mae concert.

Let's talk about Mae for a bit: You know that band that you grow up with? You follow their music from the beginning. You feel like you know them (even though you don't). And you feel like they know you (obviously, they don't know you either). That band was Mae for me. I played their music during celebrations, heartaches, transitions, rainy days, sunny days. Tisbury Lane was programmed as my alarm clock song in high school and college (I'm still not tired of it). The Everglow was my faithful companion during car rides back and forth from Auburn. Their music always has and will continue to resonate with every season of my life. It's beautiful. 

When Mae was on the original Everglow tour, I was finishing up my senior year of high school. You have no idea how badly I wanted to see them in concert. But it didn't happen. (There is a very humorous story behind this, but just not a story I should share publicly on our blog. Email us if you're really hanging on the edge of your seat.) 

When JD and I found out that they were having The Everglow tenth year anniversary tour, you better believe we snatched up those tickets and stood front row (ok, well we were in like the second or third row) center. Everything about the concert was ridiculously magical - the lights. the music. the entire crowd singing together. being there with my husband. sigh. perfection. It was worth the wait. 

After the concert, we went to the GA Tech Waffle House with our friends from Huntsville then headed back to my parents' house outside of Atlanta. Side note: I'm not a GA Tech fan by any degree but their Waffle House was super cool. We'd recommend it. We woke up and had a charming breakfast with my parents on their back porch. Mom and dad went all-out on the cooking. Pancakes, quiche, bacon, fruit, potatoes and veggies. Also perfection. Dad and JD paddled out on the lake while mom and I hung out on the dock for a while then my sweet cousins Pam, Haley and Faith came over to hang out for a while. JD and I may or may not have taken a nap before we headed back to Huntsville because we were so stinkin' exhausted from the amazing weekend we had with family and friends. Every single minute of it was perfectly worth it. Hope you had a fantastic weekend and have been enjoying your week!

A Fresh Beginning // My First Surface Pattern Collection

If you're following along with the Scripture Memory / Dwell Richly printable, here's the verse for week 19: 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

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I've been taking Skillshare classes from Elizabeth Olwen and Bonnie Christine. If you haven't heard of Skillshare or looked into, go now. It is my, hands-down, most favorite learning site. If you click this link, you can get a free month membership. 

A S S I G N M E N T

Via Bonnie Christine: The assignment for this course is to create a mini collection of 6 repeating patterns. Collections should be cohesive in style, theme and color. An excellent collection will tell a story through it's pieces and engage the viewer with a unique color story that provides depth and contrast. Patterns should vary in scale and include small, medium to large sized motfis, as well as vary in complexity with some patterns being simple and others being very complex.

M Y  C L A S S   P R O J E C T

Pattern Collection: A Fresh Beginning

Collection Story: A Fresh Beginning is the story of an artisian embarking on a unique creative journey, with each pattern expressing a step taken in discovering who she will become during this season of her life. This pattern has been inspired by the little ones she hopes to see running around in her garden in the years to come. 

Pattern Names: Rest // Awakening // Growth // Refreshment // Forest // Garden Whimsy

I also incorporated a few designs I've done for the Handletter Huntsville challenge and past custom orders:

I cannot express how thankful I am for the Skillshare community and its teachers. If you're interested in design, photography, entrepreneurship / business, DIY, culinary or almost any type of creative skill, this is a great place to learn more about it. Enjoy!!! 

You can see my entire Skillshare project on my Project page. 

Important Jitney Shop Announcement!

If you're following along with the Scripture Memory / Dwell Richly printable, here's the verse for week 18: 

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

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**Please note: If you have already inquired about or placed an order for a custom product, we will finish it before June. 

Handletter Huntsville // A Daily Handlettering Challenge

I started following the @encouragehuntsville's daily handlettering challenge a couple of weeks ago and I'm LOVING it. The challenge has been super fun and I've loved getting to see other creatives in Huntsville put their skills to the test. Watch and follow the progress of the Jitney handlettering process on our Instagram account here. 

Vintage Baby Shower for Brandon & Theresa

If you're following along with the Scripture Memory / Dwell Richly printable, here's the verse for week 16: 

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT) 

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We had the absolute JOY of celebrating the soon-to-arrive Baby Levi this past weekend! The shower was held in an old general store close to where Fran (one of Theresa's friends) lives. It was perfect! 

Fun fact: This is actually the coffin that the owner of the property built for himself (don't worry, he's still living!). 

We spent the rest of the weekend helping to organize Levi's little woodland nursery and spent some sweet time with Brandon, Theresa and old friends. We are so excited for our little nephew to make his big arrival in five weeks!