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 …
Nan
How do you keep your home so beautiful with four little ones? I could barely keep my home in tip top shape.
emily
Downstairs is my domain so it stays pretty most of the time. Upstairs, now that’s a different story
Nanwv
Ohhh… I remember the pain! Mine was 35 yrs ago in the dentist chair not an oral surgeon. I was awake and aware of everything. I was throwing up for hrs afterward. Dentists didn’t have suction wands and everything was swallowed. Yuk. My question: my sis and I have been spray painting old furniture with fun colors for my moms house. After spraying and drying, the surface is rough to the touch. I sanded and sprayed again. Still rough. We are so disappointed. Used krylon and shook the can the entire time. Any thoughts? Enjoy your time on the sofa. It doesn’t happen often in the life of a mom!!
emily
Oh my … maybe my teeth aren’t that bad
I am not all that great at spray paint, to tell you the truth. I just sprayed a lamp that I had to sand and respray 10 times to get it semi-smooth. Anyone have any great suggestions?
Susan
Hi,
I read this on icreatewithlove.blogspot.ca the January 31, 2012 posting about a product Zinsser cover stain, primer sealer where no sanding is required prior to painting. I haven’t tried it but the blogger loved it. Anything for less work!
Iris Brown
LOVE YOUR BLOG! Been following for 2 years plus, I came from The Nester. Anyway, I noticed you moved your tv a couple times in the family room. Just wondering why you went from flatscreen to old school tv again. Hopefully I’m nost sounding “stalker-ish”. Your house is so beautiful & just wanted to get your feedback/reasoning. That is if you don’t mind sharing.
emily
Thanks Iris, for reading!
We move our furniture too much. We move whole rooms too much!
Our big tv was just so big in our living room so we moved it into our downstairs master bedroom as a media/game room and moved our room upstairs into the guest room. But I like having a tv in the living room for when I’m in the kitchen so we moved our old one back out.
We love having a media/game room – it has an older couch in it that I don’t care if the boys jump on and they can play xbox, watch movies, eat popcorn without me freaking out. And its nice to have the tv mounted at eye level rather than having it over the fireplace in the living room. I’m not sure if we’ll keep this setup, but it works for now.
Rachel
What are a few fun dates that you’ve been on with your hubby?
emily
We’re not good daters, to tell you the truth. He is home a lot and my business partner, so we are very connected, but we don’t really ‘go out’ much. We did go to a fire fighting function a few weeks ago and then slipped out early and went to a favorite restaurant. That was fun. And unexpected. I guess those are the best kinds.
Fonda
Aww Sorry Emily!!
I am so dreading getting my wisdom teeth pulled.. They’re not even in yet that I know of, but I’m still dreading it.. 
I have a question ~ Have you ever watched the 180 Movie?
That’s something you could do while you’re laying around. You can watch it free at 180movie.com. ;]
Courtney
On the tools you use section of your blog you have two printers listed. Which one do you use the most? I need to buy one for printing out photos and cards.
emily
I use the bigger one {canon pro9000}. It is big and sort of spendy, but it is great.
Crystal
love the Q & A, hooe you don’t get overwhemed
Love the Blog tutorial, thanks
Now I just have to make time to work on mine.
Crystal
oops, i mean Hope you don’t get overwhelmed
Rm
My wife and I recently discovered we are having twins! I am trying to come up with some special ideas for the baby shower and would love to hear any suggestions you might have. Also, none of our family members know yet so any ideas on announcing this miracle would be welcome as well.
Btw your site is super inspirational thank you for keeping it up.
Laura
Just a question- When I was looking at the decorating in the boys room and then Audry’s room I almost looks like Audry has the larger room? Is this an optical illusion of my mind? or did you just find that with the layout of the rooms that 2 bunk beds would fit better in there room than in Audry’s?
emily
Audrey’s room is larger. But sort of a strange shape. The bunks fit perfectly along the side wall in the boys’ room so we kept them there. We have actually moved their room to the bonus room now {photos to come at some point!} which is much larger and now it holds their toys too.
Gina Diamond
Great Post. Hope you are better soon.
Questions: On average, how long do you spend working on your fabulous blog each day?
Side note: Your blog is my favorite!!!. I have enrolled in your Blog Class but due to a leak that ruined part of my upstairs I have not been able to get to the classes. Soon…very soon! Thanks for providing a wonderful bright spot to my days!
emily
Thanks, Gina! Sorry about the leak – what a pain.
I work a lot. Mostly because I love it. I would say I spend 4 hours per day on the computer? Maybe more. I should time myself. Depending on what the blog post is going to be, I take photos, edit, write the post, edit. Tutorials take time, but writing the posts are easy. Writing from my heart takes longer and I usually go back over it a lot, but sometimes those are my favorite things to write.
Jenny
Sorry you’re feeling yucky!
I’ve been wanting to ask you this….I have two boys (just over 2y, and 8mo) and I feel like I want to put plastic over all my pillows and couches and chairs and bedding….and put all my pretty things at least 5 feet off the ground…..
You sort of talked about this recently, but do you have any strategies for keeping your pillows pretty and pretties in place (and unbroken)?
Thanks!
emily
I don’t know about strategies – I guess I just have always had nice things out and expect them to leave them alone. My No.2 is a toucher and I have to remind him often that if it is not his, he shouldn’t touch it. I have no problem telling my kids that the book on the coffee table or the picture frame or pillow is mine and I don’t want them touching it. That sounds mean. I don’t think I’m mean, I just want them to respect my things and I show respect of theirs.
So best strategy is to leave things out and teach them to leave them alone. But remember that mistakes happen and if it is super precious, it may be best to put it out of reach of your kiddos.
One more thing on this … I am all about letting my boys be boys, but I also expect that they are not crazy. I’m probably screwing them up on some level by making them too feminine, but I’d rather have boys that have polite manners than ones who tear through my house and jump on my linen sofa
Ashley
I could not agree with this more and I am glad to know that someone else out there doesnt encourage their kids to wrestle throughout their home lol. My kids are 10 and 6 and have always been well behaved – I have never had to put things up or control what I have in my home and they have always respected the things in our home. Its stressful to have people over who dont teach their kids the same respect.
Kristine
Hi Emily,
I am sorry you are feeling yucky! I had my wisdom teeth pulled when we were first married 11 years ago, and it was hard! So you have my sympathy!
I have 4 sweet babies too- three girls ages 9,7,and4…and then our sweet boy who is 20 months. My question (among many!) is how do you do your projects, which are absolutely beautiful, and also find the time for the “mommy jobs” like laundry, dinner, cleaning, homework and playtime? Are you a schedule person?
Love your blog and am so thankful for you- always look forward to your posts!
Love,
Kristine
Anita
I hope you feel better soon! I can sympathize with you, I had my wisdom teeth out several years ago & it took a while to recoup.
My question is about the adorable floral headbands you make your daughter…my second daughter is 3 weeks old and was born with awesome rock star hair! I mean it stands up all over & is super cute with bows! My first daughter had peach fuzz so this time I get to play with it more. Sweet Audrey Grace needs more headbands and I love the ones you make. Is it a simple project I can knock out between nursings or is it time consuming? Also, what is the best kind of elastic band that you have found to use? I have one a friend game me for her but it slides out every time she moves her head.
Okay so that was more than just one question but I hope you don’t mind. Feel better soon! I’ll say a special prayer for you
emily
My little Audrey wore a headband every day of her infant life – I love them.
Yes, you can definitely make a few in just a few minutes. Just make a flower {any from my tutorial page} and hot glue to a piece of elastic. I’m going to do a tutorial on how to make a ruffle headband for ruffle week {coming soon!} and I’ll show how I do the elastic part.
I like thin elastic you can buy by the yard at the fabric store. You can also cut a pair of women’s tights to create a loop of soft fabric for a headband. Just know that headbands create dents in soft heads
Don’t worry, they go away.
Marisa
Just wondering where do you store all your decorations and stuff when your not using them? And how do you store them? Like your L wall? Where do you out that stuff when you change it out?
emily
We have a few closets with random decorating stuff in it. No real system to organizing it. All my extra frames are just stacked on the floor of our under-the-stairs closet.
Courtney
Hi Emily,
Do you have any tips on making your own cards or invitations? Must have items?
Much thanks and feel better soon!
Kathy Pope
Just to commiserate, I just had my wisdom teeth removed at the end of May. TWELVE days to recover! I thought it was worse that I expected too. Hang in there!
Olivia
Hey Emily! Feel better soon! My question was…what is your best advice for staying on track with the things you have to do that day without procrastinating or getting sidetracked?
emily
I like checking things off a list. So I write down what I need to get done on real paper {still a fan} and then take great joy in crossing off my tasks.
And I get distracted a lot and start over the next day
jody
Just wondering if you have any go to recipes for quick dinners with the kids? My husband travels quite a bit for work and we tend to eat mac and cheese and hotdogs when he is gone.
Hope you feel better soon – I remember getting my wisdom teeth out – definitely not fun.
emily
I’m terrible about making full dinners when Ryan is on shift. Lots of black bean quesadillas and eating out.
We just bought our first gas grill and I wish we had one years ago! It makes making dinner so much easier to just throw some chicken on the grill, mix up a salad, and heat up a loaf of bread.
There are lots of online menu planning sites that are helpful. I do ohdinner.com and my friend Rae just started one {armommy.com}. My weakness, for sure, is meal planning. I’m with you.
melanie herrington
what design software/program do you use for all of your cute little cards, paper and monthy goodies (and yes! i am a monthy member that LOVES all of your stuff)?
also, i am really diggin the july waves and dots pinwheel paper…my first thought was (and still is) “that would make great drapes for my new living room.” have you ever thought of making some super cute emily fabric???? that would be so nice to see.
best,
melanie
emily
oooh, fabric would be fun. I have not thought of it, but I’ll add it to my list of someday products
Lots of questions about graphic design – I’ll do a real post on it.
Wendy
Hi Emily,
Sorry to hear about your wisdom teeth. I hope you will be feeling better very soon. Your blog was the first blog that I subscribed to and I have enjoyed every post. Your honesty is refreshing. My question is….How were you able to become so talented at graphic design? Do you have a degree in that field? I would like to start a blog and have many ideas, but lack a graphics or technical background. I have signed up for your blog class. What would you recommend to bloggers who would like to learn more about graphic design? Okay, there were three questions there, sorry! : ) (Perhaps you could offer a graphics design class.) I would also love to learn how to design my own cards! Thank you!!
emily
Thanks for the sweet note.
I am totally self-taught at graphic design. Someday I’d like to take a class, but so far, I’ve just figured it out on my own and its worked out for me.
Joining The Blog Class is a great first step – we teach you lots of good technical and grapic design tips in the class.
You can also take a graphic design class to learn Illustrator or Photoshop – I haven’t taken this, but her site looks good: nicolesclasses.com.
The best thing is to just start playing around. You will get better with more practice, learn shortcuts, different techniques, etc and that makes it fun.
Kari
Hi Emily,
How do you get the watercolor-y look in your fonts?
emily
I use clipping masks a lot in my graphics – where you use a background and then overlay text and ‘cut’ it out.
Sarah
My wisdom teeth still ache from time to time (I had them out almost 15 years ago…not to scare you) so not a fun experience. You deserve to lay around awhile.
My question: How do you pick the best paint colors? I bring home the swatches and then they all seem to melt together and I can’t tell which are good anymore. Do tape swatches to your walls, or paint squares? Any suggestions in picking the right colors?
emily
Unhelpful answer, but here’s the truth: I’m sort of good at chosing paint colors. I generally know what I’m looking for and have a good sense of color. Plus I do mostly neutrals so that makes it extra easy. For my master bedroom I bought a bunch of those little sample pots just to make sure the color was right and that is helpful, too.
Or just go off of a room you see in a magazine or blog or real life and copy the color.
Katie
Hi Emily! I am wondering if you have any recommendations for online printing places. I have fun designing invitations and such in photoshop, but whenever I print them at Kinko’s or office max they are just a bit blah. I wondered if there was a place online that was reasonable that you would recommend. Thank you!
emily
Have you tried mpix? I haven’t done any online printing because I like to print at home, but I have heard great things about mpix. Anyone else have recommendations?
Myriah Grubbs
I recommend PS Print. Excellent quality
lindsay
I recently started using a company called Pesnickety Prints and cannot say enough good things about them! Their turnaround time is super-quick, they offer $5 flat rate shipping, and multiple choices when it comes to paper choices. I’ve used them for invitations, art prints, and Instagram printing and have been impressed with the quality in each.
babyblue
i use mpix. recommended to me by a professional photographer. i’ve been happy!
Sierra
My question for you is how you get the ideas (and the things!) to decorate your home. I’m still in college, but I absolutely love well decorated places–and trust me, your home is incredible! My boyfriend & I have moved into an apartment together and I desperately want to make it home-y. The problem I’m facing is I don’t know what to do with the drab furniture & the few college-esque decorations we have. My boyfriend supplied most of the stuff, so it’s mostly grey, black, brown, etc. and then our walls are a dark tan. How can I liven up our dreary place on a college budget?
Lastly, I’m so sorry that you’ve had a bad experience getting your wisdom teeth pulled. I haven’t yet had mine removed, but I’m definitely not looking forward to it….Please feel better soon!
kate
Emily, I adore you. You seem so grounded, so well put together. Your house is beautifully decorated. I love your creativity.
I know you say you don’t juggle everything, but you really do seem so well-balanced. Keeping the house picked up, coming up with new designs, keeping up with your readers, chasing 4 kiddos (I have one and I am a mess! lol!), cooking, etc…
I love your posts on what you wear, and not to sound weird, but you look like you are in great shape. How do you fit exercise or staying tiny into all that you do? I am really struggling in this department! Would love any tips on time management for exercise!
Wendy
What is your best parenting advice as a mother of four?
emily
Best parenting advice is to be relaxed. Kids feed off of our attitudes and the more relaxed you are, the happier your environment will be.
Jessica Vickery
Hi Emily!
First, I LOVE your tutorials. I used the silhouette tutorial to make programs for my wedding!
All that to say, I’m looking to make a divider curtain for the studio apartment my husband and I are about to move into (it’s tiny, and I want to section-off the bed area). Do you know of any good places to get affordable but trendy fabric I could use to make the curtain? I’ve been to places like JoAnn’s, but couldn’t find anything. Any websites/stores you suggest?
Thanks so much! And thank you for sharing your talent with all of us– your blog is a blessing and encouragement to me!
Jessica
emily
You could try fabric.com. They have a lot of different patterns {search for premier prints for trendy graphics} and they usually have great sales. Or you could just get white curtains from ikea and paint your own graphic pattern on them.
Janice
Hope you feel better soon! Thanks for offering the blog class. I love it so far but I’m behind!! Do you schedule your posts in advance or actually write nearly every day?
Tonya
HI!! I have a question about starting a business. What do you think is the single most important thing to do in starting a business?? How important is writing a business plan?? What are the biggest hurdles?? What if you are buying into a business what is most important??
Thank you,
Tonya
emily
Great questions. We did a class a few years ago about starting a small business and I realized while writing it that I am not a fabulous business woman. Business plans are not interesting to me, nor is pricing strategies and marketing tactics. I just love creating. BUT, if you want to have a successful business, some of these steps are necessary. Writing a 20 page business plan may not be, but making sure you have your customer figured out, a product that fits a need, pricing structure that is competitive and one that will make you a profit – these are all important facets of starting a business.
The biggest hurdles with starting a business is often times just not knowing where to begin. My best advice is to figure out these four parts of your business:
1. market research {who is your customer?}
2. product {what are you selling? physical product? Information product? Service?}
3. traffic {how will you find customers? How will you reach them?}
4. conversion {how will you make the sale? online? in a shop?}
HOpefully this will get you started.
P.S. Everything I know about business I learned from Ryan. He is one smart businessman. Which is why my business is alive.
ashley
Hi Emily….
I am working through your Blog Class and love it! But every time I sit to work on it I wonder if I’m wasting my time…will I have any readers….is it going to be a bust….
So my question is did you have any apprehension or doubt when you started your blog? And what made you decide to start your blog in th first place?
emily
Totally valid question. I still doubt myself when I see all the amazing talent out there – its an issue I wish I didn’t have to deal with. I started my blog just as a fun hobby and a way to showcase some of the design work I was already doing with my small business. As I started going, I realized I loved documenting my life this way and having a creative outlet. I never expected it to turn into a real job or a form of income, but that has been such a fun perk. Once readership grew and we were spending several hundred dollars per month on paying for bandwidth {partially a mistake on our part for not having things set up correctly}, we realized that I either needed to quit blogging or use it to make money. So I started my shop and sold art prints to cover the costs of blogging. I’m getting off track …
Yes, I have doubts. I think we all do. Yes, it takes time to grow readership. If you are going in to it with grand expectations of instant traffic and lots of money, you may be disappointed and it will probably not be very fun for you. The best thing to do is go back to the basic reason you wanted to start a blog and feed off of that desire. Make it personal, put in your passion, don’t put too much pressure on yourself and do your best to enjoy it.
kate
Wow- I am a huge nerd. I have another question! Hope your mouth is feeling better- I remember getting my wisdom teeth out and it was not fun.
Who did your blog design and how did you customize it to “your brand?”
I have a photography business and I am moving over from Blogger to WordPress for a more professional blog, but I am having a really hard time trying to figure out how to customize it without spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to hire a web developer to do that.
Do you do your own template/theme design? Do you cover this in your blog class?
emily
I did my own blog design. We use a theme called The Cotton, and then have customized everything ourselves {me and Ryan}.
The Blog Class was really written for you – those who want to do a WordPress blog, but aren’t sure how to go about it. Themes are great because they give you the basic framework and then you can customize the details within that framework. Hiring a web developer is great, but costly and not always necessary.
In the class we offer the Pagelines theme – a great easy to use theme with lots of customization options. From there, we have lots of recommendations for additional plugins you can use to add features to your blog based on what functions you want it to have {password protected pages, photo galleries, etc}.
brittany
Hi Emily!
This is so fun, I love bloggers that do q & a’s…because I like asking questions and I love your blog! So sorry your in pain, I keep cancelling my appointment to get my wisdom teeth removed-ha, I’m a whimp and it really scares me.
My question is-how did you and your husband meet? Probably a strange question, but I love hearing about love stories. One day, I hope I have a home that is as lovely as yours!
emily
I like fun questions like this, so thanks for asking!
Ryan and I met at college in Southern California, but both happen to be from the Seattle area. We were in the same ‘group’ and started dating our sophomore year of school. I probably pursued him more than he did me – what can I say? He’s a babe
He was my first real boyfriend and first real love. We fell quickly and had a rough dating experience as it was during the time of my parents divorce which was probably not the most healthy time to start dating. Most people say their dating relationships were bliss and their first year of marriage was hard, but we are the exact opposite. Dating – not so fun. Marriage – much better.
Kristel
Sorry to hear you are not feeling to great with the removal of your wisdom teeth….I need to get mines removed, but DREAD it, so I have been putting it off for years, problem is, it’s better to get it done when you are younger (so I’ve heard) Did you get all four removed? Some dentist tell me I need to get all four, other’s just the two that are sideways….again…dreading it. Hope you feel better soon.
emily
I was supposed to have all four of mine out while I was in college, but just never did. Then I got married and kept having babies and never did. So the time was right. It really hasn’t been the teeth that are the issue, it is more the side effects of the medicine – nausea and dizziness that is driving me crazy. Soon it will pass …
Jen - athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
I see you have a Ben Towne Foundation button on your blog. Do you know them? They are friends of mine (i’m also a NW girl). They are such an amazing foundation and amazing people and such a truly tragic story.
Hope you’re on the mend. Love your blog!
Jen
athomeinthenorthwestblog.com
emily
Ben Towne’s aunt is a friend of my sisters {and mine}. Great family, tragic loss, but awesome outcomes from the foundation.
Erin
What did you do before JDC? Have you always worked for yourself? If not, how did you make the switch?I work full time as a graphic designer at my church and while I love my job and the people I work with, I’m trying to make the switch to freelance/starting my own business when No. 2 arrives in September. I need to be more available to my boys while still making an income and doing what I love. I’ve been so inspired by your blog and so many times have found myself saying to myself “I can do that!” (art prints, stationery. etc.) but maybe lack the focus for what exactly to do. (What would I blog about? What kind of artwork would I create? How do I make it unique/desirable? etc.) Any advice for entering the non 9-5 world as a creative person?
emily
My degree is in Child & Family psychology, my first job after college was an office manager at a real estate office, where I was then hired as a personal assistant for two high-end real estate agents doing their marketing/doing whatever they asked me to do. I loved it! I was an independent contractor, which is when I first started JDC. I also did some stationery design and that is what the business turned in to once I had our first babe and stopped working for the real estate agents. For about 6 years, I did custom stationery {wedding invitations, baby announcements and christmas cards}. I still do a few custom jobs – mainly large christmas orders for a few clients I’ve had for years. When I started the blog I had no idea I would be selling art work or designing monthly printables or offering a class – its been pretty fun and exciting to see how things have progressed for little JDC.
As far as focusing on what to create, I think I just go with what I like. If I would hang it in my house, maybe others would as well. I started doing scripture prints when there were not a lot of great modern looking artprints available and they have done well for me. Finding a style or niche that you can design within is a great way to get started. Choose a theme, or a style and create a line of artwork and just see how the response is. You can always progress, change, develop as you go.
Amber daSilva
Hi Emily!
So I am just curious how you are liking your eyelashes? I actually got them as well, I have a good friend who owns a salon and put them on for free! But the maintenance is now up to me. I looove the way they look and the ease of them, but I find them a little irritating, and now that some have fallen out they don’t look as good, but it has only been 3 weeks….so, not sure what to do….so i guess i am wondering if they are worth the maintenance?
Thanks!
Amber
emily
I still really like them. I have to have mine filled every three weeks, so you are probably due to have yours done and then you’ll love them again. They get pretty sparse and I’m not crazy about them, then I have them filled and love them. Worth the maintenance? I’m not sure. But I’m keeping them for a while longer.
Melissa
Emily~I, too am a fan of your blog. I’m not even sure how I originally linked to your site, but so glad I did! I always look forward to the emails notifying me of new posts and I think your monthly club is awesome! Thank you for sharing your talents, you are a special person.
In regard to the eyelash extensions…I’ve wanted to try them for some time now, however I wear glasses every day and was wondering if the length would interfere with the eye glass lenses. What do you know about this?
Thanks again…
emily
You can get eyelashes to be any size that works for you. I go a little longer because I like dramatic lashes, but you don’t have to.
s.anderson
I love your blog. My question is ..how do you stay in shape? Do you have a set exercise schedule or “naturally thin” , a conscience eater or special diet?? please share your tips with an out of shape mom of two who feels like she has no time ..thanks:)
emily
I answered this one up there, but I’ll do it here too. The bad part of the answer to how I stay in shape is that it is just how my body is. I know, bad answer and unhelpful. Second part is that we eat mostly healthy foods. I have a weakness for sugar, but we stay away from fried foods and too many carbs. And the final part is that while I am not a regular exerciser {and I wish I was}, I do stay pretty active with the kids. When I do exercise, I do an on-demand exercise video {usually pilates or ballet} in my own home. I worked out quite a bit before going to Hawaii this spring and felt great and toned up – wish I would have stuck with it!
Lindsey
Emily, Your blog is amazing!! I love following you and reading about all your neat designs and ideas!! I am wanting to start my own calligraphy/custom invitation business, but I really don’t know where to begin! Do you have any advice for me? I am sorry you’re battling the dreaded wisdome teeth…but hopefully you’ll be feeling better soon! Thank you for using this time to get in touch with your followers!
Have a great day!
emily
If you’d like to start a custom invitation business, the best advice I have is start networking. When I began, I did invitations for all of my friends, who then referred me to their friends. My sister was my biggest supporter and connected me with a local photographer who did a lot of weddings. He then referred his brides to me and that is where the bulk of my early business came from. So, if you can build relationships with other party planners/photographers, this is a great place to begin. Build up your portfolio with work you do for friends and family and start spreading the word!
Marnie
Hope you feel better soon…
Do you set work hours for yourself or is it random?
emily
It is a bit random, and will change this summer with the boys being out of school. Typically I work during naptime/quiet time in the mid afternoon and after the kids go to bed. We have a babysitter come once per week for a few hours so I can get some work done and Ryan is home a lot with his schedule. We change off who works and who has the kids just to fit what needs to get done.
Laura
I have felt your pain, and hope you feel better soon! I had mine out when I was 20, and thought I would be fine. I got married a week after I had them taken out (better for my parents insurance to pay for it!) I had to have them pack it for dry socket 2 days before my wedding!!!! The grossest part was that little pieces of stuffing would periodically fall out. Nothing like trying to kiss your husband and have to excuse yourself to pull little pieces of stuffing out!
Theresa
I am in the market for a good printer that will let me print on fabric. My ancient
HP officejet jams if I put anything other than regular paper (including cardstock!).
I love your blog!
emily
I love my Canon printer {see it here: http://jonesdesigncompany.com/tools-i-use/} but I have not tried printing on fabric. It takes heavy cardstock so I can imagine it would do fine with fabric.
Ashlee
Hi Emily,
Perhaps this is a strange question, but I have heard you mention your children on the blog and I love their names. What are their middle names?
emily
Very few things do I keep private, but our last name and kids full names are two of them. Sorry for the secrecy
.
Amy
I am in the market for new stainless steel appliances and with all the choices out there, just wondering if you have any you recommend or have or wish you had!! I would prefer they not show fingerprints. My neighbor has one she loves, but the fingerprints drive me crazy and she lives by herself.
emily
We have white appliances, which I actually quite like. They blend nicely into our white cabinets.
Anyone else have a stainless suggestion?
MollyS
Hi Emily! Bunkbeds are a consideration around here in our urban Seattle (fremont) home with 3 littles. What is your (boys’) trick for making and changing the beds? They kids barely make their beds now and the mattresses are currently on the floor! I should probably also ask how you keep them from flying off the top “super hero style”? THANKS!!
emily
We just don’t make the top bunks! They sleep with a fitted sheet and duvet on a down comforter and that works fine for warmth. As for jumping, they do it from time to time but we stop them when we start hearing the crashes
Jo
Hi Emily,
I enjoy your blog very much. My question is paint colors. Soon I’ll be moving into my mother’s home. My father built it in ’63. It is a 1 1/2 story with about 3700 sq. feet. I want the upstairs in one color. It’s between BM papaya or shaker beige unless you can suggest another good color. There are 3 guest BRs (one tiny) and a small studio. Two bedrooms will have all white linens. My grandgirls will use one of the rooms and my grandson will have the tiny room when they visit.
I hope you are feeling better. My girls had theirs out so I know it’s rough. I myself never had wisdom teeth, something I inherited from my father.
emily
How fun to move into your mother’s home! I am not familiar with either of your color options, but if you love them, go for it! I am always partial to slightly gray neutrals and Revere Pewter is a great one {also by BM}. If you are looking for a neutral gray, this could be a great option as well.
Jen
so sorry about wisdom teeth! love your realness and design! How do you stay in shape? you have such a cute figure! are you a really healthy eater as well?
emily
Ah, thanks.
Three things contribute to my shape:
1. genes. My dad passed on his thin frame and ability to eat icecream every night without gaining a pound {thanks, dad}
2. activity level. I’m not an exerciser {although I’d like to be}, but my life is active. When I do work out I like pilates and dance.
3. food. We live in a health-conscious part of the country, which helps. We do eat pretty healthy. But my best friend will tell you that I eat like a bird. She is probably right. I do it all wrong and barely eat throughout the day and then eat a big dinner and snack at night. I’m working on that.
Kristi Ripley
Hello Emily!
I hope it’s not too late to ask you a question. I know exactly how you feel with your wisdom teeth…my experience was not good. I ended up having a couple dry sockets after and I would not wish that pain on anyone…in fact I told the oral surgeon when he was packing the dry socket that I would rather give birth again then have a dry socket! LOL!
Anyway…. I have been contemplating having a blog. I am definately going to do your blog classes. I was so excited to see that you offered those! It was exactly what I needed…but with that…I must admit that I am extremely nervous to do a blog….will my content be good? What if my pictures aren’t good enough? Do I need to buy a super nice expensive camera first? I am so afraid also of a “project” not turning out the way I see something in my head and readers be disappointed…what if I get negative comments? Can I sensor what is posted?
I think you see where I am going with those questions….what do you suggest? How do you handle these things? How did you decide to just do it? What if I don’t have a “niche” or a product?
Anyway take care and I hope you feel better soon!!!
Kristi
emily
Kristi … love all your questions. Don’t love all this talk about dry sockets because that’s what I’m thinking is going on with me. Boo.
So, blogging. Yes, it is a little nerve racking when you start to compare yourself to all of the experts out there. I get intimidated when I see amazing photos, original projects, fancy web design, posts everyday. I just can’t keep up. But then I sit back and remember why I’m doing this: because it is a way for me to be creative and bring glory to God. Ultimately, if I’m not enjoying it, its not worth it.
Will your content be good? If you think it is good, then yes. Will your photos be good? Maybe not at first, but keep practicing and using free tools to edit and some simple tips {like using a tripod and shooting in daylight} and you’ll be just fine. You don’t need a fancy camera, just a good eye. Sometimes projects don’t turn out and that doesn’t mean you can’t share them or that you have to. It is completely up to you.
As for negative comments, yes, you might get a few. Thankfully, I don’t get too many. But they can certainly ruin my day if I let them. You can set up your blog to be able to moderate your comments before they are posted so you are welcome to delete any that you don’t like.
And the last one: what if you don’t have a niche or product? Neither do I
I am all over the place and just blog about life. I think that works too. Do it because you love it, not for praise or numbers or affirmation.
Jessica
Emily, I had dry socket! it was MISERABLE. i called my dentist, and he fixed me right up. SO much better! don’t hesitate to call if you aren’t feeling right!
Peggy
I started a new project with my mom coming to visit soon. My guest room is down to a futon bed and old dresser with 10 coats of different colored paint (that’s not my project…yet!). I wanted to create a headboard. The comforter is a black/white toile with a turquoise trim. Curtains are 4 panels of light gauze (2 white and 2 turquoise from PBTeen). The headboard so far is 5 white laminate kitchen cabinet doors already fastened together with brackets on the backside and it’s been primed (still white). I want more than just painting a ‘frame’ around the whole thing, but it’s staring at me like a big white, naked canvas. *HELP!* Any suggestions, ideas, recommendations you can offer? You’re welcome to come visit it that’s easier?!?
Thank you and so LOVE all your fabulous creations! -Peggy
Alima
Hey Emily!
So sorry to hear you are in pain! I hope you will be feeling better soon! I asked questions (and got answers) last time so I will give others a chance, but just wanted to send some get well wishes your way and let you know how much I love your blog!
xo
Bethany
Emily,
Have you ever designed a tattoo for someone before with your creative talent?
emily
I have not. My friend Lindsay designs her own and they are pretty cool {lindsayletters.com}