In between client projects these past few weeks, I FINALLY got around to spiffing up my own site a bit.  Namely, my poor portfolio.  When I put my site up initially, I was so busy with clients but knew I needed to get something up, and quickly.  And (thankfully!!) I’ve stayed busy, so my site remained…unfinished.  Not that it doesn’t still need some work, but I’m definitely happier with the portfolio lay-out (and finally got the logo gallery working correctly!).  I also added a page showing a few of the ads I’ve done recently, both animated and static, for print as well as web.  I’ve had so many more requests for these lately, so figured it might be a good idea ;).

Now granted, other than the ads, I haven’t added the latest logos, business cards and other projects, but I have posted many of those here.  I’ll get to it, soon….

Check it out!

Gosh, is it too late to say ‘Happy New Year’???  Time has…zipped past me at warp speed.  But I hope everyone’s holidays were fun, safe and heartwarming.  It’s such a jam-packed month, December, and I know it’s hard to stop in your tracks and take a few seconds to just enjoy a moment.  Probably something we should be doing all year long (a resolution, perhaps?).

Though this blog nor my portfolio shows it, I have been busy working with some fabulous people!  I know I won’t get around to prettying my own site anytime soon, so will show some of my latest work here once again.

This client had an already-existing site design, but wanted a fresh, new, professional logo for her site and marketing materials.  We needed it to work with her current design scheme, so the challenge was to create something that popped, but was simple enough as to not clash with the background pattern.  She also wanted to tighten up the overall look and feel of her site, so I created a new header/banner that tied the logo and the site together, giving it a more hip look that flowed well. Still working on ads and business cards!  ::www.momandbabynaturally.com::

This client also had an existing site design, but hadn’t had a true logo designed yet.  So we needed to create something that flowed with the site, didn’t compete with the existing design, and  felt “…classy, unique, slightly whimsical and happy”!  Again, she wanting something on the simpler side, nothing to busy, and really wanted to incorporate a fun flower.  We also made a version of this with a bracelet that represents her lovely lampwork bead pieces for various marketing materials and watermarks for the photos of her work.  At time of publishing, Robbon doesn’t have the new logo on her site yet, but you can see the existing site design that we were working with :: www.ddbyrobbon.com:: .

One of my lovely previous clients referred Cheryl to me (thanks again, Erika!).  This was a lot of fun as she knew she wanted something with a flower/garden, but really let me run with it from there.  Again, simple was the key with this one, as we wanted to make sure that her site showcases her bags, but also popped on her marketing materials, etc.  I also created a web template for her new shop (at time of publishing it’s online, but not stocked =)).  With limited html experience, we needed to keep it easy for her to work with and update (set-up with Watersweb Hosting and the Iris Marketbuilder cart).  Her business cards were a lot of fun, mimicking the site design (I’ll get that up on my portfolio soon… fun double-sided design incorporating the ’stitching’ from her site). ::www.onegardenstudio.com::

When my youngest came along, I basically stopped taking on site design.  Many reasons, but the primary being that logo, print and web graphic/ad design are smaller projects, thus I’m able to turn them over in a more timely manner.

Lately I find that many small businesses are utilizing the various e-commerce hosts that allow the user to apply a template design to ones’ shop and consequently create the pages of their site from a simple WYSIWIG editor built into the admin area.  A beautiful set-up for those that are fairly computer savvy and maybe even know a bit of html (or are willing to learn the basics), as they are able to then manage their site on their own without paying someone else to do it.  Especially fabulous for those on a budget, and here’s why:  paying to have someone design an entire site is costly (and unless you are comfortable using a program like Dreamweaver to make modifications to your site when necessary, you’ll have the additional cost of paying someone to maintain and upgrade it for you).  But the fees for these hosts/carts are EXTREMELY reasonable, especially given that it provides an easy way to keep track of your inventory, sales, etc. So instead of paying to have an entire site designed and maintained, you pay to have a one-page template created that provides you with the overall look and structure of your site.  MUCH easier on the budget.

So why am I going on and on about this template stuff?  Because I’ve discovered that it’s a terrific way for me to do a bit of web design again!  While I’m still not taking on entire site design, I am doing individualized template design.  I’ve worked on 3 recently, all of which were new designs for currently existing sites.  Refreshers!

Katy at Regarding Peanut was my first ‘official’ client, way back last year when we created her logo!  I just love working with her, and am always so pleased when she comes to me with new projects.  Her ‘old’ site was blog-based, and when she made the leap to a full e-commerce site and the hosted cart, we leapt in together!  Katy carries wonderfully stylish, functional products for parents and kiddos.

Naturally Nurslings is owned by Erika, a fabulously talented lady whom I’ve had the pleasure of doing several projects with (keep ‘em coming!).  She was already using a cart, but wanted a new site design with a bit more oomph and style, pulling from the colors of the little baby graphic/logo (baby not designed by me).  Along with the basic template design, we created coordinating ‘boxes’ to contain her Customer Service links and blog feed, as well as several other ‘containers’ for various text and images.  And then luckily she loved her new design so much that we spiffed up her blog as well (that’s the blog on the right)! Along the the wonderful natural parenting products that Erika carries, her site is also home to her fantabulous Nurslings Hemp Tai.

And my most recent project was for Silje of Bittebror!  Silje wanted to brighten up her site a bit to better spotlight the items in her shop, as well as add a bit of fun.  Again, we worked the design around the colors in her already-existing logo/graphic (not designed by moi), but made the overall design a bit more ‘mod’.  Silje is in Norway, so we had to create both an English and a Norwegian version of the template.  Bittebror is carries toys, clothing, baby carriers and skin care products, but it’s also home to Silje’s own exquisite carrier, the Bittebror Hybride!

I’ve had the pleasure of working on some really great projects lately!  My most recent was for a wedding and event planner (what a fun job, right?).  Peacocks have some special meaning to her, so she wanted them somehow incorporated into the design.  We’ve both been quite tickled by ‘Gertrude’.

Two other projects I’m extremely happy with on a personal level.  One is a logo for our recently organized group, The Merry M.A.C. (Mamas Against Cancer).  Like many, cancer has touched me personally, so I’m very excited about this as I feel rather passionately about cancer awareness and research.  Early detection and research for cures are supremely important, both of which cost money.  The Merry M.A.C. will do various fundraisers and walks throughout the year, and our first walk as a group will be for the Light the Night Walk for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The other is for another Light the Night Team, Ashton’s Army.  Ashton is a little guy that has battled a rare form of leukemia and has thankfully been in remission for 4 years.  I was so happy and extremely honored to design the logo for his team.

I’ve mentioned I love my job, right?

So I’ve had a few emails about the little banner there on the left, which has pushed me to get this written a bit sooner than I thought to (who knew peeps were already reading my bit of webspace, let alone paying attention to my ‘decor’!).

The funny thing is, I made that banner as a bit of a joke for a friend. You have to understand, my friends and family range from passionate environmentalist to “Re-cycling? Is that a new kind of spin class?”. So one of my *really* green friends and I were having a friendly debate about the the eco-friendliness of it all, and I at one point finally exclaimed, “Look, I’m living as green as I can be!” In other words, I might not be a deep shade of forest green, but I’m at least a good solid grass green, and darnit just be happy with that and back up off me!

I’ve always had a bit o’ the green in me. My parents were recycling way back in the day, and I’ve always continued that (yes, even in college…all those beer cans were lovingly deposited at our local recycling facility). I was giving money to the International Marine Mammal Project, a project sponsored by Earth Island Institute, from the time I had my very first checkbook (Save the Dolphins!). But in the past few years I’ve become a bit more green, a bit more conscious, as I feel many people are. Though that’s not to say that I’m going around lecturing folks about living an eco-friendly lifestyle…that’s not my thing. If you’re interested and want to know what we’re doing, great. If I’m really excited about something, I’ll tell you about it…once. I may give you a bit of the stink eye if I see you putting a recyclable item in the garbage, but that’s as fired-up as I get (ahem…unlike some folks I know!).

“Green as I Can Be” is about being as environmentally conscious as YOU can. Not up for cloth diapers? I dig that. Not willing to give up the SUV for ye olde minivan? I’m there with you on that, too. But there are so many other, even minor things that you CAN do, that won’t totally rock your world but WILL make a positive impact on our environment. You can be a nice shade of green without walking around in clothes made of hemp, riding your bicycle everywhere and shelling out the dough to have your house run by solar panels. Need a few easy ideas to get started or add to your eco-repertoire? Happy to oblige:

• Compost - When we moved into our current house, my husband delighted in the fact that with all of this yard, we could finally have a big compost pile! I swear he gets the biggest thrill out of seeing our compost turn into ‘black gold’. But you don’t need a big yard to compost, in fact you hardly need a yard at all. There are so many options for containers and canisters for composting, it’s gotten so trendy (even Target’s in on it!). And there are several benefits to you…you cut WAY down on the amount of trash you’re putting out each week, and in no time you’ll have lovely, rich soil in which to plant those herbs you’ve been meaning to grow.

• Recycle - A no-brainer here, but I know some have to make the actual effort to take their recycling in because their city doesn’t pick it up. Get together with a few neighbors and rotate who takes the load over each week. Not sure what to do with all of those plastic bags? Many grocery stores have bins at the front of their stores specifically for recycling plastic and paper bags.

• Reusable bags - Again, I’m not one to get up on my high horse and lecture somebody, but it does surprise me when I see so many people still using plastic bags at the grocery store. Most stores sell reusable bags for under a buck, and believe me, not only are you helping the environment, but it makes shopping so much easier! You can fit a lot more in each of those bags, which means fewer trips out to the car to bring in everything. And no more piles of plastic bags (thus no worries about finding a place for recycling them *hint hint*).

• Clean up your cleaning supplies - We’ve all heard about it…cleaning supplies are terrible for our fresh water bodies. Everything going down the drain and into our sewers hits our streams, rivers and lakes, making them unhealthy, which among other things make drinking water more expensive to filter (for a great, easy-to-read article on this, check this out). And no longer do you have to go to a specialty store or order eco-friendly products online (which you can certainly do!)…phosphate-free products have gone mainstream! Even Palmolive has put out a phosphate-free dishwasher detergent.

Here’s the thing. I know ‘going green’ can sound pretty overwhelming to some. There can be a certain pressure that makes you feel like you either have to be totally green, or just chuck the idea all together in rebellion against those standing on their soapboxes (made of recycled material, of course). But let me share with you a a big secret that the Green Ones don’t like to say too much: you don’t have to go ALL green to make a difference. Sure, it would be a tremendous thing if we could all do that (and by ‘we’, you bet your you-know-what that I’m looking towards Capitol Hill as I type). But think about it. If each one of us added just ONE little additional thing to our ecotoire, imagine the HUGE impact that would have on our environment? And believe me, once you add one thing, you’ll start adding others…you won’t be able to help yourself! It feels good knowing you’re doing something good to preserve this wonderful world for our children and their children’s children to enjoy (seriously…we don’t want them living in a bubble under the ocean, right?).

So be proud, be as green as YOU can be. You’ll be a stunning shade of olive in no time.

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Here’s a few additional resources to help you along the eco-way (I’ll add to these as I find more):

Go Green Initiative

Treehugger

iGo Green

The Green Guide

Ideal Bite

I’ve said it many times before…I love working with fellow WAHM’s!  So nice to help and support each other, knowing that we all understand the trials and tribs (and joys!) of working from home.  And helping people to get their new businesses off the ground…it just makes me feel good.

I recently completed a wee project for Julie over at The Note House.  She had designed her own logo, but wanted it spiffed up a bit.  It was a fun project, and I was tickled to know that she was so pleased with it that she posted about me in her blog.  Thanks, Julie…right backatcha!

Yep, I said it.

My wishlist is a mile long (just a sampling down below…feel free to look, but don’t buy! I want them for me!). Granted, most items stay just that…wishes (especially the $600 fire pit). But every now and again something has to come to play at my house. My will is only so strong.

I remember when I first heard about Etsy. I had the response that most people I tell Etsy about have: basically I was expecting cheesy-craft-fair items ala the craft fairs my mom dragged me to as a child (my aunts participated in a few of these…they were incredibly talented, but the majority of the stuff at the shows? VELVEETA). Little did I know that that first purchase, something that was mentioned on who knows what messageboard/forum/blog by another gal, would lead to a now almost 2 year addiction and appreciation for handmade and indie-designed things. ALL things.

I think a part of the obsession is that I am continually amazed by the talent these people have! I no longer even buy jewelry retail. It just seems so…blah, to me. Knowing someone handcrafted my earrings just seems to give them more value (and I’m not talking the monetary variety). And I love watching my favorite designers become ‘discovered’! Yes, that usually means their prices go up, but it’s just so cool to know that I found them “back when…”. Dilly Bop Designs is a good example of this…she now has her own outstanding site, and her line is carried in many a boutique. A true success story! And I’m trying to scoop up pieces from my fave jewelry-crafting gals, because I know here shortly they will be big-time and way out of my budget. Siren Jewels? Forget about it…she’s insanely talented.

I always worry that my Mama Log readers are going to jump up and boycott, or at least tell me I should rename my site to “Things I love from Etsy”. But the fact is, though I make a concerted effort to review products that are NOT on Etsy to try and avoid such a disastrous occurrence (of course much of this depends on the designers that contact me and submit their wares), so many designers have discovered the beauty that is Etsy. It’s a marketing machine for talented handcrafters! So it’s hard to find a quality handmade item that’s NOT on Etsy.

What? You say you’ve never HEARD of Etsy? Goodness…where have you been?

(wondering about my first purchase? it was a set of personalized play money for my rugrat and my nephew. makes for a great stocking/easter basket stuffer. wait till you see their eyes light up when they see their own face on ‘money’!)

One of the things I plan to use this blog for is to spotlight and share recently completed projects. The greatest thing about a blog is SEO…it’s much more crawlable than a static html site. So in doing this I can hopefully drive some additional traffic my clients’ way!

Since I didn’t get this up and running until now, my previous clients will miss out on being spotlighted here at my blog ;). You can take a peek at the majority of my work in my portfolio, so here I’ll just take a moment to share designs from clients I’ve had the pleasure of working with over several different projects. My returners! (the greatest compliments a designer can receive are return clients, and referrals from clients)

I only hope that they continue to come up with projects for me to do so we can work together again.

Because they are just. that. cool.

Heidi of Silly Goose Baby Carriers is not only a fabulously talented mama (her Mei Tai is my favorite!), but an extremely smart and funny one, too. So much fun to work with!

I designed her logo, business cards, various web graphics and website (which I have to say I adore)…and on we keep going to various projects :).

Katy of Regarding Peanut was my first client after I finally decided to open up shop, and I couldn’t have had a better ‘first’! We started with her logo, then moved on to business cards, various web and print graphics, and finally to her new website template. This mama gets more done in a day than I do in a week…she’s amazing! Her shop carries everything from baby slings and carriers, to baby/toddler shoes and clothing, and tons of parenting accessories.

Wendy was my first local client! It made for a great experience as she was embarking on a new business adventure just as I was. And she’s the nicest gal. I created her logo, business cards, a print ad and her web banner. Gift of Time Services is a personal concierge service.

Sherri was my next local client! Together we worked on her logo, business cards, web banner and various print graphics for Starry Sky Designs. She is one talented and creative seamstress…she designs and sews wonderful bags, baby items, paper crafts and more!

I was so glad Carrie contacted me to design her logo, as it led me to discovering her wonderful Monkey Pockets! Carrie came back to have a website template created (new site should be up and running soon), but you can visit her at her current site in the meantime. Her Monkey Pockets are covers for your baby carrier, both for cool weather and warm, to either protect from the sun or the cold. They work on your stroller, too!.

I finally got this up and running! Welcome to my wee bit o’ webspace. While this is definitely an extension of my graphic design site, I’d also like it to be a place for musings, inspirations and finds, along with general updates and information for clients (current, past and potential!). If you’re reading, hopefully you find something of interest or help!