Lately I have been feeling less-creative and a lot LESS inspired. That added to the fact that I am working 2 crummy part-time jobs to put some chaching in my bank account can really start making a girl feel a little whiny. Why don't I have as many projects to work on, where are my clients and why is nobody calling me back for the graphic design jobs I have put my apps in for??

So I was polishing my resume today and going through some files and found some of my past work. I really felt good looking at it, I felt proud to know I had designed those things and that was my CREATIVITY at work.
So I thought just for fun, I would post some of my work. I am still creative, I have still got it and even though things are slow right now doesn't mean I am any less of what I aspire to BE! And that is what just got me phone call with a 10 hour project coming my way! Yeah!

These are just some of the covers and layouts from the over 30 magazines I designed.

An ad that went into Skywest Magazine in 2007-this guy now owns Sotheby's in McCall, Idaho.


I have done lots of Sotheby's ads...

Idaho Botanical Gardens-they are awesome, this is just a couple of MANY things
I have done for them

Ad for the back cover of a local magazine

Flyers for a home builder in Boise

Cover and interior design for a couple that were trying to launch this magazine

Inside of a very nice brochure for my all-time favorite client

Well, every year about this time (ESPECIALLY WHEN I LIVED IN SEATTLE) I start climbing the walls with cabin fever, winter blues-blahs, etc due to lack of sunshine and warm temps. The kids get a 5 day weekend for president's day and teacher workshops, so I thought it was a good opportunity to do something different. On Wednesday, I got home from work, picked up Hannah and surprised them with the news we were going to a hotel for the night. Oh kids, they are just so easy to please. They were so excited, they had been asking for awhile to do that. So we checked in, had a swim (the only ones in the pool), went to Red Robin for dinner, did a little clearance shopping at Old Navy, got lots of treats, and went back to our hotel room to jump on the beds and rot our brains with TV until 10:30...all things we are never allowed to do.
I have to say I had just as much fun as the kids. Then we got up, had a great breakfast, had another swim (only ones in there) and then went and saw this movie (again, the only ones in there):

It was a great little break, we wanted to stay another night but I had to work. I'm sure next year about this time we will do the same thing again, maybe we can make it for a weekend instead of just one night. We are really ready for spring!!

Oh another good note, soon I will be taking pictures again. My camera is arriving Monday, I can hardly wait! I decided on a Canon Powershot SX110 IS. Woohoo!

Since it has been over 6 months since I did anything with my hair, I decided today to change it up. I went for a blunt cut bob with "textured"ends. I think I like it...she got my supposed side swept bangs a little too short..

My "baby" just turned six, sigh. Six years ago I was holding one wiggly eight pound, four ounce beautiful baby Hannah and marveling at how I was going to mother a GIRL. I really don't think I had ANY clue on what life was like with this precious baby that came out screaming, biting the doctor's finger and had black hair standing straight up (did I mention we changed her name WHILE I was in labor?). Fast forward to now and although there are times (the defiance, the whining, the stubborness, the endless thumb sucking, the non-stop movement and wiggling, need of constant attention) when I wonder how I am going to keep MOTHERING this child, I am so blessed to be her Mom, she is one special little girl.

So the last couple weeks I have been busy planning a big surprise for Hannah. We decided to re-do her room. Of course it started out small (some curtains, a rug) and then grew from there (a new bed, nightstand and more!).

Last night we sent Hannah to Grandma's for a sleepover and we got to work. Mike was the muscle of the group (with Taylor helping) and broke down her old hand-me-down bed, built the new bed, built the nightstand and hung the curtains. I had done all the shopping and got to clean out, organize and go through all of her stuff and find places for it.

She stayed at Grandma's all day and when Mike got home, Mom brought her back and I hid in her room with Mom's camera and got some pictures. She loved it!! All smiles! She was so excited to show it to everyone.
We had a birthday dinner for her that she chose: the menu was meatloaf, mashed potatoes, a vegetable tray with dip, fruit salad and birthday cake. It was mostly family and we invited our good friends the Sumpter's over. Hannah got some amazing gifts: digital camera, MP3 player, walkie talkies, keyboard, PJ's, shoes, and lots more.

I am really tired now!! Here are the photos:The room BEFORE! Clutter-mania!

The boys building the nightstand (Ginger looking on)

Mike building the bed

SURPRISE!!

One happy six year old! I would have loved a room like this when i was little!

After

Drawings and cards from Sam and Sarah

Look at that cheeser!

Showing off her new slippers and WebKinz monkey, Coconut

Ebay bargain-one retro 70's Barbie van

I guess I have no choice since my camera is dead to just post a posting with no pics, it's so bland!! Happy 2009!
Here is a rundown of what I've been up to since last blog:
1.) Completely enjoyed having Sean here and was sad to see him go back to Japan (but really excited to hear what happens when he gets back :-) more on that in the future!

2.) House was taken down with sickness. Everyone is well now but we used a lot of cold medicine, tissues and Gatorade. Only one trip to the doctor.

3.) Lots of planning and preparation for operation HANNAH'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE. She is getting a room makeover and it took me awhile to gather everything. But the plan is in effective starting tonight while my Mom has her and Mike and I are assembling a new bed, putting up curtains, assembling a nightstand, hanging a canopy over her bed, hanging a cute magnetic board and I get to completely ORGANIZE AND CLEAN HER ROOM. Why is that so exciting to me? I can't stand her room right now. Don't worry I will have before and after pictures this weekend.

4.) I have had some graphic design work come in!!! YEAH!! I haven't been to Kohl's for like 2 weeks-things are tough in the retail world right now!

5.) Working on Taylor's big birthday surprise that is next month.

6.) Shopping and wishing for a new digital camera, so far I am getting a Canon Powershot SX110 IS, unless I find something better.

Oh I forgot, I got to take Taylor to "Walking With The Dinosaurs"-a present from Heather, it was so awesome, he had a great time. I am really glad that came to Idaho, they just finished up in Australia. Life sized replicas that move!

So here is how the story goes, Christmas morning we get up, I snap two shots of the kids delightfully discovering Santa's surprises and my camera powers down. I had JUST put fresh batteries in the night before. It has been eating up the batteries like crazy and taking blurry pictures, so while I understand that the camera is almost 6 years old, my wallet isn't ready for a new camera, so...I'll have to think of something fast before hannah's birthday in two weeks!!!
I'll have to beg, borrow and steal some pics from everyone else's camera of our fun christmas morning and day with the family at Rendi's house.

Happy New Year 2009 to everyone!!