q & a day {because I could really use a distraction from my aching wisdom teeth that are no longer there}
So not to be all whiny, but getting my wisdom teeth removed was way worse than I expected. Its been a few days and I’m still feeling yucky. My poor husband and children. I’m not normally one to sit on the couch all day, but believe me, there’s a pretty nice emily-sized divot in the cushion right now.
Anyway, how about a little distraction while I lay in my cozy spot?
Something fun for the next few days …
I’ll call it Q & A.
You can ask me any question in the comments
and I’ll respond back {as best as I can} as a reply to your comment.
It will sort of be like we’re having a real life conversation as friends
only in a weird cyber-ish way.
But still as friends.
Okay … ask away …
Nicki
So…you may be done answering questions…but was wondering…you mentioned above that you and Ryan met in college…my hubby and I did too…being that you are from the Seattle area…what made you decide to go to Azusa? Side note…I had actually thought of visiting that school, but ultimately didn’t end up going out and visiting.
emily
I knew I wanted to go to a small, private school. I applied to Pepperdine, Westmont and Azusa {apparently I also wanted to go to school in California!}, visited all three and APU just felt right. It was the perfect college experience for me.
Wendy J
Eeesh! My wisdom teeth were beastly too. So sorry. I love your blog. Great inspiration. And I love the way you come across. Very real and like it is.
We have four kiddos too. All boys.
So, I’m not so great at comments/questions, but I thought it would be great to connect. Have you always lived in the Northwest?
emily
Yes, I am born and raised in the Seattle area. I went to college in Southern California, but moved home after. Ryan is also from here and we’re seriously contemplating moving to a new spot just for the experience. Any great city/town suggestions?
janie Williams
nashville is wonderful. i’m from west tennessee and have two sister in laws that live in seattle. they love the south and love the northwest. nashville would be a fun VERY different culture for you guys…if you really want an experience. good luck with what you decide. it’s also hard to uproot kids, too. my husband and i are thinking of doing this next year for him to go to seminary. with three boys about to be school age, i’m a little anxious about it myself.
Serah
We live in Greenville, South Carolina and absolutey love it! We’re in the foothills of the mountains, so there’s gorgeous scenery, but we’re only 3 hours or so from the beach. Great weather, but the summers are a little hot. A really growing, thriving area. Perfect for families!
mary beth
I lived in the Greenville area for about 5 years as well. GREAT area and beautiful downtown that I miss since moving to Tulsa, OK. We go back every year now and visit the beach and the Pottery Barn outlet. I want to move to Seattle for a few years just for the experience. I have a thing for cold, rainy weather, so I always get a kick out of it when you say, “It’s raining again here.”
I think I would love it.
emily
The rain during the fall is my favorite – it is cozy and the leaves are beautiful. But rain in March just gets you down!
Wendy J
That’s tough. I grew up outside of D.C. It has its own kind of charm in a historic, melting pot kind of way. I went to college (where I met my husband) in Pensacola. We married and lived there. I would HIGHLY recommend living near the beach, especially gulf beaches. They are my favorite. We didn’t have kids when we were there, so I would totally love to go back and live near the coast with kiddos. My husband is from Atlanta, we’ve spent a good bit of time there. Not sure I really would want to live there personally. Just not my thing. We live in Nashville right now. I love Nashville. It’s pretty. It’s a big town feel and a small town feel all in one. Lots to do. Great shopping. Hot, though. VERY hot. Personally, I think I would love to try out the northwest. I guess we could swap for awhile and see what we thought!
misty
I got them removed at 28. Fab until 2 days out and then double dry sockets. If they are hurting, as in dull ache-y pain, get them checked out to make sure the clots are still in place. I had to do clove packing for 10 days.
Mallory
What are your favorite paint colors (indoors)? Thanks so much!
emily
I really love Revere Pewter {benjamin moore}, Texas Leather {BM} and Rhino {Behr}. These are the colors of our mud room, kitchen and Audrey’s room.
nadine johnson
O.K. here one for you.How often should one up date there blog and how do I get followers ? Sometime I feel its a waste of time to post on my blog and do how tos.
I feel your pain by the way. I had my wisdom teeth out at a late age also.
emily
How often you post on your blog is totally up to you – but in general, posting at least once per week is ideal if you have followers. Most people want to keep up with you and only getting updates once/month may not create a relationship that keeps them coming back for more. Gaining followers is a process – the best tip I have is just to be genuine and generous. Make sure you are reading other blogs and commenting so that you are making those connections and feel free to use social media to let others know you have a blog worth reading!
missy
Hi Emily! Love your blog and am going to take the class as soon as we can get settled in our summer schedule. I currently have a blog, that I’m not very good at, and it is on Blogger. I’m noticing that everyone is starting to talk about how you need to change over to WordPress. What’s the deal with that? Whay do I need to change and do you discuss changing over in the lessons? Thanks, and get well soon.
emily
Well we’d love to have you in the class!
Switching to WordPress is not essential to blogging, but it is a really, really great platform. You are able to customize pretty much everything using mostly free tools {called plugins}. You do have to pay for your own hosting, but with that small amount {about $10 per month} you get total control over your piece of the web.
We have just added a whole new section to The Blog Class about transferring your blog from blogger to wordpress.org. We want it to be a smooth transition!
Babette
Hi Emily,
Hope you are better with your mouth! Such a pain. My question is: As you come into my entry, (which is not wide by the way), and go to the left you STEP off into a sunken living room/office/library. Since the tile is the same in both my entry and living room you cannot see that there is a step! Several people of late have almost fallen or tripped off and I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt. How can I separate these two spaces without the expense of putting in new tile?
babyblue
@babette–try using an area rug (or two different ones) over one or both of the tile areas so that the space has a visual difference.
Jody
Love love love your blog
how do you create all of your fun logos and things? Illustrator and photoshop? Your talent is amazing 
Hope you feel better soon
emily
I use illustrator. And a little bit of photoshop.
Kirsti
My boyfriend is trying to become a full time fire fighter (he is currently a volunteer in the Seattle area) We, hopefully in the near future will be getting married, what advice do you have for someone who is going to be part of their difficult schedules. Being the mother of four with a husband who works days/nights and weekends cannot be easy!!!!
Good luck healing!!!! I remember getting my wisdom teeth out, the pain meds made me sicker then the wisdom teeth coming out!!
emily
Good luck to your boyfriend! A fire fighter schedule has so many perks but also its downsides. A typical firefighter actually works more hours per week than a regular 9-5, but because they are 24 hour shifts it also feels like they are home a lot more. It took a bit of adjusting to when we first were married and had kids, but we really like the freedom Ryan’s schedule offers. The most difficult part is that while is works, he really doesn’t sleep so he comes home the next day exhausted, has to recover and then go back to work the next morning. On a week with a full rotation {3 full shifts with days off in between} it feels a little like we don’t see each other for 5 days. But then he is home for 4 days in a row and that makes up for it
karli vorderstrasse
Love your blog!!!! I totally think you are a super mom with all you do & having 4 kids. I have a 3 year old and 11 month old twins, crazy huh
how do you & your husband find time for yourselves as well as just something to do for yourself? I’m still trying to find this balance of being a great mom & wife as well as taking care of me.
Thanks
Karli
emily
This issue of balance is such a big one for women. I wrote about it a year ago or so, but I think I’ll do another post with hopefully some helpful tips for how we run things around here.
Robyn
What is your favorite handheld sander for use on small pieces of furniture? (I am in the mood to paint everything WHITE!)
ps- how are you so awesome?….
Melissa
So sorry about your wisdom teeth! I missed two weeks of my sophomore year, and got called squirrel girl because of my puffy cheeks! I didn’t read all 200 comments. What blogs do you like to read for inspiration?
emily
I read lots and lots of blogs. You can see my favorites here: http://jonesdesigncompany.com/things-i-like/the-long-awaited-list-that-took-way-too-long-to-compile/
rachel in Cali.
Hi emily!
I’ve got 2 questions and they are both regarding “how to’s” or “tutorials”.
I would love to know how you make your little doodles and such with background papers, (I’m remembering a little Starbucks cup you did from a long time ago as well as some Christmas ornaments) as well as how to create pennant banners. I only have Photoshop Elements but I’m thinking it would be the same in Photoshop or Illustrator too right?
It would be awesome if you could do a tutorial or either or both of those!
Thanks for the Q + A’s!
rachel
By the way, I’m dreaming of getting Illustrator, but I need a new computer that can handle it first! LOL! I can’t make up my mind between another PC and a Mac.
I’d love to know your thoughts on that too.
emily
I will try to do a tutorial for the doodles I make – the only problem is that I do them in Illustrator which is not a program that everyone has. We’ll see what I can work up, though.
Brie
I would LOVE a tutorial on how you make your little graphics in Illustrator! Do you add to your favorite Fonts as you go?
Tami
Were you the one who painted stripes on a ceiling? If so, did that kill your neck? Lol. I am planning on doing that in my pantry – big walk-in ….. Good luck with your teeth. I did that at 18 and was down for 2 weeks….
emily
I did do my mud room ceiling. Just get a super tall ladder so that you don’t have to be painting from too far away and you should be fine. It wasn’t too bad.
Melissa
LOVE your blog!!! I find such inspiration from your creativity and from your Biblical values as a wife and mother.
As I constantly try to figure out how to juggle being a wife, mom of 2, running a home, and being involved in church ministries, I’m curious to know what your daily routine is. How do you balance it all — blogging, spending time with your kids, being a wife, cleaning, laundry, cooking, doing projects…… and the list goes on!?
Thanks!!
Natalie Figueroa
Hi Emily! You inspire me! I love that you have created your own fonts. If I were to create a font how do I go about doing it and putting it on my computer? I am so not computer savvy. I am embarrassed to say I am an art school graduate and I create a lot of my small art work projects (signage/ labels/ greeting cards) in “power point”. I just don’t know how to use art programs well. I think they over whelm me with all the things you can do, yet I know I am really missing out. The computer was coming in as I was graduating from school (CCAC in Oakland/Sanfrancisco 1996.) But that is my goal this year. To take a class or two to learn photo shop/ illustrator. Heal well. Natalie
emily
There are lots of places online where you can turn your handwriting into a font for a small fee.
Be encouraged that while many design programs seem overwhelming, you only need to learn a little bit at a time and as you go, you can always learn more about each program. I have been using Illustrator for a year or so and am still figuring out how to do things.
Natalie Figueroa
Thanks Emily- That is encouraging. Natalie
Holly
Hi Emily! Hope you are getting lots of relaxation in while you are mending up. Get well girl!
emily
Thanks Holly!
Kari
Where did you find your set of little letter stamps? they are so cute and I see them pop up a lot in your projects? Thanks.
emily
My stamps are from a little stamp store in Seattle and I can’t find the exact set online. This one is really close, though: http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Printer-Type-Alphabet-Lowercase-Rubber-Stamp-Set/2901.021/860458.html
I use them all the time.
Babette
Hi Emily,
Love your blog! How can I separate my sunken living room from my entryway so that people can notice there is a step down and still be pretty and functional?
Melanie
Hi Emily! Love your blog, and reading up on all your DIY projects. I am wanting to put some photos onto a canvas, but not quite sure how. I want to make it look very “rusticy” and not too “perfect”….does all that make sense?
Do you have a tutorial out there for something like this? This is stepping out of my comfort zone a bit, as I’ve not done anything of this nature. Eeeks! Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch, and hope you feel better real soon!
emily
I haven’t done one with photos on canvas, but I did do a book page canvas that would probably be the same idea: http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/5-days-of-favorite-projects-day-2/
jennifer mccomb
i saw a comment about putting a photo on canvas … over on the “pinterest project” blog, they have a step by step of putting a photo on fabric — that seems like it might work for a canvas too!!
http://pinterest-project.blogspot.com/2012/06/photo-transfer-onto-fabric-withmod.html
Emily
Basement “guest” bedroom troubles: We have a small egress window, low, recessed ceilings, and a wall of bi-fold closets. Without putting much money into it, how can I make it look fresh and homey? Will it be too dark if I paint the walls dark gray and the trim/doors white? Have you ever painted ceiling tiles?
Feel better soon! I have to have my tonsils out soon–had to wait a long time due to babies, too!
Becky Grafstrom
Hi Emily! Will you come decorate my home, your 4 can play with my 4! LOL Love your blog and your passion for the Lord!
Tammy h
How many hits does your site get every day? There are so many people who love you!
emily
I feel so thankful for all of you sweet ladies who like me!
JDC gets about 250,000 visits each month.
jordan
Does your dad read your blog? and if so, what does he think of your creativity and openness that you share?
emily
I am not sure if he reads – I assume he does, but I’ve never asked. I’m sure he is proud of me for using my creativity in this way. As for my openness, I have done my best to be respectful and truthful in my posts and so while he probably didn’t love what I had to say in my pre-father’s day post, it is the truth and you can’t really argue that.
MominWAfrica
Hi Emily,
First, thank you for your blog. We can tell you have such a sweet and genuine heart. It seems to me that you try to balance well your love for creating, being a mom, and being a wife. Thank you for the reminders and encouragement to keep our priorities.
In past posts you mentioned that you are a Christian who loves God. Can you share how you began a relationship with God and why it’s been important to you or how it has impacted your roles as business owner, mom and wife?
Thanks for all you do! You are doing a great job!
Nicole
Hi Emily,
Hope you are starting to feel a bit better… And are still answering questions.
I have been thinking about signing up for your course, as I would also like to write a blog. Just wondering, do you have any suggestions on how to come up with a blog name?
Thanks in advance
Nicole
emily
We have a section in the class about tips for naming a blog. There are lots of ways to go about it, but here are a few simple tips:
1. make it memorable
2. make it easily spellable
3. make it personal
4. try to choose an available .com name {rather than .org or .net}
A special word or phrase, names that are meaningful, a combination of words that are unrelated but sound cool – these are great places to start.
Hope this helps!
erin
hope you are feeling better! love reading your blog and getting inspiration….you are a very talented lady. i know how much you like handwriting (i do too!). do you have any pen suggestions? i feel like it can make all the difference!
emily
I like a fine or micro tip pen. Pilot Precise V5 rolling ball in black extra fine is my favorite.
Aja
You hand a tutorial of a doll you had made for a present, can you share that again…I can’t find it. I would live to “try” to make this for my niece.
emily
Here is the link to the post: http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/the-sweetest-little-dollies-you-ever-did-see/
Kezia
I would like to know how you get ideas for posts! I’ve started a blog but I tend to go way to long between posts. Also, as a side note, can I enter the giveaways if I’m not on facebook?
emily
1. I usually have a running list of post ideas. Since my blog is just about my life, it is pretty easy to come up with ideas. I’ll post a list of possible blog post ideas soon!
2. To enter the giveaway, we love for you to share on facebook, but if you do not have a fb account, we just ask that you are signed up to the mailing list to be entered.
Gale Otter
What happened to “what I wish I wore Wednesdays” ?
emily
I’ll bring it back one of these weeks
mary beth
Hope I’m not too late to ask a question!
I’ve always wondered what church you guys attend and if you grew up “in church” or not? Hope that’s not too personal, but I’ve always wondered.
I LOVE q&a’s with bloggers…maybe it’s time to do my own. I need a whole Saturday to read through all your answers on here…hmmm…maybe I’ll get my wisdom teeth out too.
Just kidding.
emily
We attend Eastlake Community Church {http://eastlakecc.com}. There are a few campuses and we trade off between Seattle and Bothell.
I did grow up in church {Antioch Bible Church for a bit, Woodinville Alliance for a bit, University Presbyterian and then Christian Assembly in California during college}. Not too personal at all
Elizabeth Highsmith
i love your sweet blog! i went to ask my question saw the number of comments and officially believe you deserve an award or at least a milkshake!! if questions are over no problem! could you share the entire menu for the ombre shower? i am throwing a baby shower and love the idea of a simple dessert menu just wondering your entire list? looked like some nuts in the picture? I can easily go overboard and want to keep it simple!
the last few weeks in instagram {and june giveaway winner} | Jones Design Company | stylish custom designs for life
[...] recovered from having my wisdom teeth out. Thank you for the well-wishes the other day. Who knew it would be this [...]
Jill Trumpy
Okay, you’re probably long done answering questions but as my mom tells me often I do things on “Trumpy” time
If you have time for one more question (how many times have you heard that…especially with little kids
Anyway, I have a question about your company/blog. How long did it take you before you started making money? I have a blog that my husband encouraged me to start almost a year ago. Shortly after I started it I found out that I was pregnant with our third child and so the blog took the back burner for a while. Healthy baby boy was born 3 weeks ago and I’m starting to get my crafy bug back. My husband loves my crafty ideas and is the best encouragement ever, and he has the crazy idea that my blog could make money someday
Your blog is one of my favorite things! I look at it almost daily and think you are such an inspiration to women and mother’s everywhere!!
Thanks for answering if you have time.
Jill Trumpy