Shh. Web Designer at work.

How much more...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:19:49 -0400

I know it’s been ages since a post, but I aim to come back to the blogging world even though my time spent here has been limited (two small kids sucks time away like no other!). Today was one of those days that makes you wonder how much more you can take. One thing after another, you always say it can’t get much worse…and then BAM. Not that things are really bad by any means, just that change is happening again for the millionth time in the last year for me and my family. It’s just one more thing to analyze, decide, etc. It makes me miss my college days where the most pressing thing was a paper or project due and once that’s over…on to the next.

The ebbs and flows of adulthood, parenthood and marriage make me appreciate all that I have surrounding me. My family (more specifically my husband) make the stress…worth it. Because at the end of the day, a flirty, loving smile from him and a giggle from a sweet little kid or your 3 year old spelling her name out loud to you for the first time, just make you feel…BLESSED.

From their Website The Great Gatsby Business Card...

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:52:00 -0500

From their Website

The Great Gatsby Business Card Print

Chapter four of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby reads like a VIP guest list of the Jazz Age. Taking inspiration from those pages, this poster is comprised of the business cards and personal stationery of the movers and shakers that attended Gatsby’s parties in the summer of 1922.

I think this is beautiful and it would be a lovely decoration for my new cube when I start working full time again. The color palette, the typography, everything. Gorgeous!

Created by The Heads of State.

SO not prepared.

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 21:03:42 -0500

I stepped foot into my first daycare today to find somewhere to put the kids. Yes I went and got myself hired full-time, which I’m totally excited about! On the other hand, I don’t think I was mentally or emotionally ready for this. I feel this lump in my gut. How am I supposed to be sure my kids will be happy…well taken care of…safe. This place is probably by far one of the better places you could chose to put your kids. I just had no idea I’d feel like this. I know I need a change, and I think they need to be around other children and learn new things. It still doesn’t make it an easy decision. At least I have 3 weeks to deal with it, get comfortable and pray it’s a positive new beginning for our family. It’s just going to be hard to leave these faces every day. I know I’m not the only one out there doing this, I’ve just been blessed to be home with them for the last few years.

This is a stunning letterpress calendar for 2011 by Studio on...

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 11:28:00 -0500

This is a stunning letterpress calendar for 2011 by Studio on Fire chock full of lovely typography. Lovely metallic inks make this a unique and welcome addition to any desk. Except for mine. I’m sure the kids would eat it or something. I’d hate to see something so nice be destroyed, which is almost certain in this house!

This is the epitome of why I’m so much more productive...

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:13:00 -0500

This is the epitome of why I’m so much more productive working from home. I work late at night with no interruptions, when I’m most creative. Uninterrupted long stretches of time to work on a project are essential to great design and progression of a project. If only more workplaces in the US would think like this, maybe something great would get accomplished.

I ran across this etsy shop while on cool mom picks holiday gift...

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:29:00 -0500

I ran across this etsy shop while on cool mom picks holiday gift guide! Perfect for the graphic designers out there. They also offer font ones and other options. Very unique and funky!

Amazing typography.

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:47:44 -0500

Amazing typography. :

As I comb a sea of resources for a little design inspiration, I came across this and was blown away.

The times shouldn't be a changin'.

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:59:19 -0500

Can we please end the Daylight Savings? I feel like a walking zombie today and this is the time where you gain an hour. How exactly can this make me more tired than I already was?

See picture to get my full feeling on the subject.

Enough on that depressing feeling…I finally got some work today! Just updating some work that had been in process. More text changes than anything, but at this point I’m excited. I’m ready for new opportunities in life and new chapters. We will see which way it will go soon I’m certain.

On an even happier note, we had a small party for the birthday girl on Friday and it was a blast.

I can’t believe my beautiful girl is 3!

Where did the time go?

I love her more and more each day.

So the site is up and finished! I’m so relieved and...

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:55:00 -0400

So the site is up and finished! I’m so relieved and nervous. Wondering what the response will be. Wondering if it will get me more business…or a job. Something needs to happen. But I guess all of that is never on our timeline. What is meant to be will be. I’m proud of what I’ve done, really for the first time. I worked hard and it shows. And learned how to do a great website on my own along the way. I think I found something I love to do as well. I never thought I could handle the coding of an entire site, but I proved myself wrong. I’ve created two full sites in last few months. Reassuring to say the least. I hope everyone likes it!

www.jackiesmithcreative.com

A link for all of my future clients.

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:37:17 -0400

A link for all of my future clients.:

This is by far one of the best articles I have ever read regarding the Logo and branding process. I am guilty in the past for just doing what the clients wanted, not giving the knowledge and understanding of creating a brand. They just want it “quick” and want it to look the way they want it. I can put my inspiration into it, but not the time to develop the idea. For some reason, people aren’t willing to pay for that. Hopefully in the future, I will avoid those clients, and not just take them on because I’m desperate for the work so I can feed my children.

Fun filled weekend ahead.

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:15:27 -0400

Yeah that’s not true. Two sick kids. Lots of photo cropping and coding for the portfolio site. The husband probably spending most of the weekend under my car fixing the transmission. No fun. But at least we might be getting birthday party decorations and some holloween costumes as well as carving some pumpkins. It’s the first time ever with the kids so we’ll see how that turns out. I’m looking forward to the site being finished so I can take that weight off my shoulders. I feel it hanging over my head. Constantly. I hope it gets more business for me! If not, maybe it will at least get me a kick ass job in some amazingly cool design studio. My wishful thinking I know. I hope one day that happens. I feel the need to be around some other creative people. I would love to have some design feedback for once from someone who knows design. Anyhow, back to coding.

It’s so close, yet so far away.

St. Augustine or bust.

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:54:00 -0400

The past two days have been crazy emotional, stressful and pretty much pushed me to the point of crazy. The kids and I traveled to St. Augustine to visit my grandfather in the nursing home, who’s there because he has had a series of strokes over the past month or so. My mom was also in town so there was more incentive to drive over there! Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend more than about 45 minutes with him because the kids were just being…kids. Brady decided to try to sweep the halls and run a 400 down the hall. Hence the 45 minute stay. 3 rounds of screaming daughter from a stomach bug the next day (which was realized after an hour and a half of all out screams) made me pack up ready to leave yesterday. Luckily we made it through the night and home safely today. I’m just wishing I could have had more time with him. He’s such a special man and did so much for everyone in this family. There’s no one else in this world like him!

Now I somehow have to find a way to switch back to design mode and work on a newspaper ad for Augusta Health Lifetime Fitness on the topic of breast cancer. Let’s hope it turns into a masterpiece! Lord knows I need something to sink myself into right about now. I’m also still trying to finish up the business website. Coding and prepping the images for the portfolio is going to be extremely time consuming and I feel like I’m putting that portion off until last. Make that a definite.

To a new beginning.

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:10:00 -0400

A new portfolio website warrants keeping up with the jones’ (or the kardashians’ which is a better analogy for me) I believe so I feel a blog is in order. I’ll either be posting about a project, some inspiration or something insanely entertaining that my wild children have done. Please excuse any crazy rants on my part too that may appear. Sometimes being cooped up in this house all the time with these kids makes me a little nutty. I hope you enjoy. Please make sure you check out my new portfolio site as well. I am determined to have it up and running in the next few days… www.jackiesmithcreative.com