the title - designs

Alright, I've finally gotten to the second part of the title of my blog - designs. As some of you may know, I am a web designer. I design basically anything you could see on the web - websites, e-newsletters, banner ads, blog templates, etc. I work for a company that has mostly agricultural clients, which feeds great into my degree in agricultural journalism. I started out in animal science (pre-vet) in college, then switched to ag j later (it's a long story - maybe I'll tell you some day ;) ).

Anyway, back to designs. As I said above, my job consists of designing things for the web, but as a creative chica I like to design lots of things! And I started this blog as a way to not only share the goings-on in my life, but also as a creative kick-start. A place to create outside of work :)

So, here's just a preview of things I've designed, for work and for myself:

Here are some sites I've worked on (keep in mind - agriculture = not the most cutting-edge/adventurous clients, but we try, haha).
unitedsoybean.org
sfp.com
chooseavail.com
royalcanin.us

and some banner ads (there are a million I have worked on, so here are just a couple I could find):
asgrow
roundup powermax


and some fun stuff of my own:

placecards and menus for the wedding (i also designed the invites, painstakingly, but don't have a good pic of them right now).





my parents' 25th anniversary party invites and map (done with a cool embossing technique from Martha).

and my latest diy project - the jewelry tree, made from the branches I used for my parents' 25th anniversary party wish trees.



Well, I know that wasn't very exciting, but that's why I'm bound and determined to jump-start my creativity and make more things for myself. The things I enjoy designing the most are the things I am doing for people I love or for which I have total creative freedom. Hopefully I will be posting more of those types of things on here in the future!

nicky

Read more...

Loki's 1st birthday!

No, I still haven't finished the explanation of the title, but while we are still on "dogs", here is a look at our puppy's 1st birthday!

Loki turned one year old on Tuesday, April 21st. The week before, we got a flyer in the mail from PetSmart about a "pet birthday party" they were having, and guess when it was - on Loki's birthday! So, I took that as a sign and decided we HAD to go. K had to coach that night, so I braved it alone, Loki in one hand and camera in the other. However, as soon as we got into the store, Lok went nuts trying to play with every dog and lick every person, so I only got a couple pics while we were sitting waiting to play "musical sits" (more on that later). Here's Loki standing guard at the entrance to the party so she can get the first sniff of every dog coming in:



After about 10 minutes, we got to play "musical sits". This is basically musical chairs for dogs - you walk around in a circle with your dog, when the music stops, the last dog to sit is eliminated. This goes on until two dogs are left and the first to sit wins! The funny thing is, as crazy as Loki was, she won the first round and got second in the final round, hahaha! Loki cleaned up, taking home a $5 PetSmart card and $20 in Purina certificates :)

So, we left with a party favor bag, gift cards, and a very happy dog:







I thought Loki would be worn out from all the playing, but she enjoyed the open window all the way home, complete with a beautiful sunset:



And of course, when we got home I wanted to see if we could get some One-Year-Old portraits (ha, we'll see how this goes). So, I took Loki to the little garden area next to our building to have her in front of a tulip backdrop (my fav flower). She was cooperative enough for me to get a photo with everything still except her tongue :)



Then she started doing this:





So, all in all, I think Loki had a happy 1st birthday. Oh, and of course, she also got a messy cake to devour:



Happy 1st Birthday, Loki!!!



Love, Mom.

Read more...

the title

OK, so yes, I've started a blog. When thinking of a name for my blog, it really didn't take too long to come up with one. I just thought of all the things that I love and that bring joy and passion to my life.

First up is dogs. I LOVE DOGS!!! I don't think there is one dog in the world that I would not walk up to and pet and say silly "doggy woggy" things to :) My mom always told me that one day I would get my face eaten by one - well, I've still got my face, so I still love every dog! Here are the dogs of my life:


Honey was my first dog. We got her when I was about 11 or 12, I think. She was the sweetest (albeit, very vocal) dog ever (I say that about almost all my dogs). One of the things I remember most about her is taking her to the vet. She would lay on the floor and just moan and moan - everybody thought she was growling, but she was actually doing a kind of dog purring! We had to put her to sleep while I was in college. I made sure to come home for the weekend so we could all be with her when she went. When we got to the vet's office, though, my dad and I couldn't stand to be in the room with her. So, my mom, sister and aunt all sat in the room while she fell asleep for the last time; and my dad and I held each other, crying in the waiting room.

OK, now on to the dogs that are alive (sorry for the tear-jerking story above)!



Above are Molly and Izzy. Molly is a Lhasa Apso, and we got her when Honey was about 5 or 6. Molly loved to chase Honey all around the yard and nip at her heels (one of the causes of Honey's hip dysplasia). She also loves to sit on my Dad's lap in his chair and growl at Izzy as she walks by or even if she does nothing at all. Molly is a very good guard dog, if only she were bigger than 15 pounds ;)



Izzy is about 2 1/2 years old. We got her from a family that found some stray puppies out in the country near my and my sister's high school. The family got the dog for their son, but he decided he didn't want her, so we convinced my mom to let us surprise our dad with her. My dad was somewhat hesitant to get another dog since Honey had passed (it had been about a year), but he was done the second we shoved Izzy onto his chest. "Awwwww, she's soooo cute!" (yes, actual quote from my softie-for-dogs dad).

And, finally, my very first dog of my own - Loki :)

We got Loki from a family friend of ours, half off (as a wedding gift)! My husband has never had a dog and I was worried that the hair and drool would be too much for him... but he has fallen head over heels for her! Loki's name was something we thought we made up, meant to poke fun at how she would plop down on the floor after playing for 5 minutes (low-key). However, when we looked it up to see if it actually meant something, we found that it was the name of the Norse God of mischief! She definitely grew into that part of her name quickly! She loves laying on the couch and bed, but gets off when we tell her to; loves to tear up empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls, but doesn't chew up our shoes; and has the shiniest, most beautiful black coat, but rolls in the dirt whenever she can. She's our baby-dog :)

Ok, well, I think I've written enough for ten posts (give me a break, I'm just starting). So, I will leave you with dogs, for now, and pick up with designs next time!

nicky

Read more...