How to be a graphic designer

Indy: If you don't like doing the annual report, then why don't you just take the day off?
Me: I can't, it's due tomorrow.
I: You told us awhile ago that it was done. That's why we got to celebrate with ice cream.
M: That was a different deadline. A project as big as an annual report has lots of little deadlines and then one big one.
I: Oh, so do we get ice cream tomorrow?
M: Um, no, but we can on Friday, for 'friday treat'.
I: How come you have to do it anyway. Can't they get some other scrapbooker to do the annual report?
M: (lol) I don't scrapbook at work honey. I am a graphic designer.
I: Oh. Well, what is graphic design?
M: Everything you see that's been printed - like that Capri sun package you're holding, a graphic designer decided what pictures to use, what words to use, what the words looked like...Anything printed is designed by a graphic designer.
I: Oh, so if I draw a picture in (Microsoft) Paint and print it out, then I am a graphic designer?
M: There's a little more to it than that...you have to know what you're doing.
I: Oh, I know what I'm doing.

This is exactly my problem. 500 other employees at my work think all you have to do is draw something in Paint and print it out and you, too, can be a graphic designer.

Spring and SOY

Lovin' the signs of Spring I'm seeing in abundance. Not loving the chilly wind so much. Been plugging away at my SOY entry, having decided to put myself through that again. Really, "put myself through that" is an exageration, as it really isn't a big struggle/travail or anything. Just doin' that I love doing, and would do anyway, only this time with a deadline and some decidedly stiff competition. I think it's the competition that makes it fun. The push to do your best work. Notice I say YOUR best work. Meaning, when only ONE person wins, there should be NO BAD FEELINGS because you just did a great amount of YOUR BEST WORK. Who cares if you aren't the winner, you ARE the winner - you have great stuff to show for it. Play along and enter. Be proud.

Scrap Happy Dare

My buddy Lain has started some fun dares on her site, Scrap Happy, with p-r-i-z-e-s even! Lain is a contributing editor at Simple Scrapbooks and one of the friendliest people I know! If you're looking for a little push out into the creative waters, stop by and try for a prize! (They're good, I know, having been the recipient on more than one occaision. AND, she KNITS!) This week's dare is "Well, I never!" meaning, to break out of a rut, do something you never do. I never use circles, I rarely scrap square format and I never do "simple". Well, "I" think they're simple, but I have a hard time saying enough is enough, so this was a challenge for me. Do I love the result? Well, I love the photos and it still says "me" so I love that I pushed myself. Will I try circles again? Probably.
Thanks Lain for the lil' push!

Effer Dare No. 63

For the Effer Dare No. 63: Use a slogan from a t-shirt as a title for your layout.

So for this layout I used the slogan from a sweatshirt that I actually had made at cafepress.com. My most favorite, warm, comfy sweatshirt that I wear most all weekends.

Digital layout using products from scrapgirls.com and designerdigitals.com.

Can't think about this

How sad is it when your 7 year old brings schoolwork like this home? The thought of my own mortality is depressing enough, but this about kills me. Stop passing, time!