So our neighborhood is having a Christmas lights contest and, since ours is relatively tasteful, one can be assured we will not win. At any rate, I thought it would be a good time to learn how to use my Nikon D90 and get some pictures of the lights. My hubby is a very experienced photographer so he tried patiently to explain ISO and shutter speed to me. It still doesn’t quite make sense but here goes: ISO goes as high as your camera will go - I set mine at 3200. Interestingly enough, the shutter speed varied - some pictures came out good at 1/10, some at 1/8 and some at 1/25 and lastly, be sure that the camera is in manual mode and the flash is off. We found the interior tree pictures came out best if surrounding lights were turned off, too. It was fun to change the speed and see what happened. Now if I could only figure out how to get the dang camera on and off the tripod…I’m pretty much hopeless when it comes to photography! If composition were the only factor, I’d have it made.

You don’t even want to know why I needed to draw pink pigs. But aren’t they cute?! Cole had a good time fixing up the ears for me. Feel free to download and use the high res jpg. If you need vector artwork for this item, check out Bigstock for vector download - it should go live in a few days.

So my smarty-pants friend is, among many things, very good with words. He compiled this testament of a book as a Christmas gift for friends and family and asked me to do the cover. I can’t wait to see the final product!

Hmph. I know that title should be italicized but I can’t find in my Wordpress where it will allow you make it italic (there’s no place for HTML encoding or formatting of any kind). Oh well. Please forgive me, dear readers who might possibly care (cough, cough). I know I’m the only one who probably cares about such things considering I is (sic) an English major and all.

So I’ve decided to go back through some old work and post it on here so this blog can include more of the graphic design I’ve done over the years. Someday I’ll get that professional site up, but blogging is way more fun. Here’s a cover I did a year or two ago for Jack Weyland’s book entitled Cameron Meets Madison. The publisher had strict instructions to make it similar to his other bestselling works but I wanted it to look a bit fresher and I think it hits the mark. I have not read it — yet — but if you have, let me know your thoughts either here or on goodreads.

I remember a couple of these signs from Brooks’ running ad campaign around 2008/2009 — when I was in Omaha and hitting the gym regularly and running on the treadmill. I love to run outdoors, too, but I don’t mind 9 miles on the treadmill at all, either. It goes so fast with an mp3 player or a tv (if you want that!). While I prefer the right kind of tunes and no television, I enjoy the treadmill because you can pace yourself. Intervals is my idea of a good time!!! I love sprints on the treadmill. Crazy, I know. But I do enjoy the perspective of running outside — and there are days in the spring and fall when I would not trade outdoors for anything. This morning was a perfect example of one of those days!! Hooray for running! Hooray for design! Any mix of the two gets an A+ in my book.

I picked up a new client from California and was asked to help out on the interior and the cover. They pretty much had everything already how they wanted it, they just needed someone to professionally lay it out in the correct software. It was a fun (if long!) job and it seems I made a new friend along the way. I love when I have nice clients who respect my time and efforts. It makes for a win/win all the way around. Now, back to unpacking boxes for a few more days — all in an effort to avoid the boys’ clothes closet, I can assure you.

I’ve been busy with some recent design work. It’s for kids so it’s relatively fun and kid graphics are so much easier! The teen segment, however…a little more difficult. Take a look at a few of these babies. I am not sure how they are being used, exactly, but once they’re outta my hands I don’t really care (unless, of course, it’s MY end project and I have a vested interest)!

I haven’t worked on a book cover for a little while and I’m really enjoying working again. Good thing since I’ve been burned out for nearly a decade. Just kidding - it just has felt like that with four kids and fourteen years. Since my kids are aged 4 to 14 I guess I did have one full decade there, didn’t I?! Well, back to some creative endeavors. This book cover has only been in the works for almost a year… I finally read the book and it’s a fantastic, quick read.

Two more book covers to get done and then it’s VACATION time!!! I’m not loving any of these but here’s what I’m working on today.

I have been following Grosgrain Fabulous for quite some time now. Love, love, love her giveaways. The costumes are just the best. These baby clothes are adorable, too, and are patterns for a beginner which gives me hope. Pop on over and take a look - I’m sure you’ll love her site, too.

I get to do a quick and fun book cover for Brenda Craner Benedict. She did the cute dandelion illustration on the cover (as well as writing the book!). My job can be so much fun sometimes. Plus, I get to meet great people.

I have a poem to share but first I need to get it from the source I heard it from yesterday. Will post soon. So WORTH it - I could have used the advice it contains about 10 years ago. Basically the gist is that I need to s…l…o…w…d…o…w…n! Meanwhile, the ads I designed yesterday were only supposed to be a half a page so here is the semi-final result. Still working today. Need to get a catalog section done and then on to the cover to finish. No more panicked rushing, though, I’m turning over a new leaf.

I am still busy working, which I love. But I seem to be having designer’s block. I blame it on needing more uninterrupted time but Benjamin’s such an easy kid, I really have lots of time to work. I think, lately, it’s other things getting in the way. I need to reprioritize. As much as I hate to admit it, we need a home and food so work kind of is really, really important. Here’s one of a few ideas I submitted for an ad today. I don’t know if they’ll use it but I feel like adapting it to say, “Mom’s everywhere give sleep an A+!” Because THAT we know would absolutely, unequivocably be truth in advertising.

I am so, so, so very excited to get one of these printed up on a canvas for our new home. It will be a 24 x 36 inch size (2′ x 3′) hanging portrait/vertically. I need to fix some of the typography but I think it will be pretty.

I’m tagging along with my quilter friend, Benay of Beany Boy Quilts to Houston’s famous International Quilt Market 2009. Stay tuned for info and pictures next week! We are going to play hard for the next 48 hours. Watch out Houston, these Nebraska girls can cause a lot of trouble!!! In the meantime, go over to Willow Leaf Studios by Jodi Beamish and check out Benay’s new pantograph designs. That girl learned Illustrator faster than anyone I’ve ever met and has some great new designs being sold on Jodi’s site.