It’s been way too long since my last post. I’m trying to figure out the balance of this whole blog design thing. I’m learning alot about how my creative mind works especially in a ‘work’ type situation. I’ve been very disciplined with myself about setting goals before I post on the blog again or do a scrapbook page for my own album or even work on my own blog or the new website design. I’m starting to wonder if I’d ever get to those things if I stuck to my goal. I am overwhelmed and very pleased with how many orders I’ve gotten already for blog designs. This past week I’ve been working on 3 and have 2 more to start on this weekend. I actually enjoy having more than one to work on at a time because the styles are so different (especially for the 3 I’ve been working on this week) that when I’m stuck on one I just take a break from it and work on another. For some reason Tara’s is intimidating the heck out of me. Maegan’s I’ve already scrapped what I was working on and now have an entirely different direction that I’m going to try. I’m so excited about the new idea. I’ll keep ya posted when those are finished.
I have some free time that I wasn’t expecting tonight so I’m hoping to finish up those two by the end of the day. (see Mel, it’s a good thing we’re rescheduling) :) Anyway, I think I need to learn to take a break once in awhile and do the blog posts (or blog surfing) and I’d actually probably be more efficient at designing. I want each blog to be unique so I put alot of pressure on myself to come up with something new and different that my creativity just gets drained and could use a little recharge now and then. Excited to take a fresh approach tonight at the two I’m stuck on though.
In the meantime you can check out what we did for Shari’s photography blog.
Kay, editing to add that to truly appreciate the coolness of Shari’s banner you’ll have to click on the link to her blog. For some reason it works as a banner but not as an image in a blog post. Darn it. :(
Super fun to work on. I just LOVE her colors. I’ve been so lucky to get to play with such amazing photos for these banners. Click on the link above to see her incredible photo albums in the side bar. Totally inspiring photography.
Speaking of inspiring photography have I introduced you to my friend Katelyn before? She asked me to play around with some photos she’d taken for a friend recently and come up with a baby announcement. It was nearly impossible choosing which photos to include. I think this version is my favorite…
The mom ended up going with this version because the blanket in the main photo had special meaning. And I think this photo was my favorite but maybe the red is a bit much for a baby announcement.
Katelyn has me on a mission to get a tripod and remote for my camera. 2 of the many things on my wishlist at the moment. Another recent addition to the wish list is the coolest bike I’ve ever seen. Check this thing out. It’s halfway through summer and I so don’t have $500 to spend on it but I’m thinking next spring would be a great time to start riding and how could you find a cooler bike to ride than this baby?!
Lots more to post about but if I wait for time to cover everything I’ll probably never post.
Hopefully it won’t be as long between posts next time. :)
Maegan says:
Oh my gosh you are killing me! I am so excited to see what you are working on. I check my email about five times a day to see if I have something from you in my inbox. Is that pathetic? Possibly. Shari’s blog looks amazing!!! You should take some time to redesign your blog and your store too. That is part of the fun after all. :) Have a great weekend!
July 20th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
katelyn says:
YAY… a formal introduction.. i wouldnt admit it to anyone besides you (PIMP) that i haev been refreshing your blog all day to see if i made an appearance.. HA.
i cant wait for the website.!!
July 20th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
shabbyjuls says:
Wow…Shari’s site is amazing..you truly have the knack for designing. Taht bike is pretty cool I saw one like that at a bike store here in town (Joey wants me to bike with him and his cool retro bike)
July 20th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Guppie says:
I wish I had a camera to get a picture of your face when you saw that bike. LOL. Your eye’s lit up and you got this huge smile. Your such a dork. But your my dork. :)
If your so good at designing, why did I just pay $40 to get my next tattoo designed by someone else?
Oh, for everyone else, Shawn almost passed out just hearing the guy talk to me about tattoos. Her face all flushed she had to go sit down. LOL. Wussie! What are you going to do in the room when the needle hits the skin? the blood ooozing all over? LOL Your out cold!
Still think you should get your nose pierced. So sexy. Maybe a small tattoo? LOL. You still with me here? Hello? You reading this? Hello? LOL
July 21st, 2007 at 12:04 am
Sandra says:
My goodness you are busy. How do you manage it all? Great work on the web designs! Love the baby announcement!
July 21st, 2007 at 1:52 am
Shari says:
That bike is VERY cool! Definitely cooler than mine! I really should NOT have gone with a mountain bike - hard on the rear end!!! You will definitely be in style cruisin’ around on that!
You already know that I LOVE LOVE what you did with my blog! You definitely knew what I was wanting, even when I didn’t know! ;-) LOVE this! THANK YOU again! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
July 21st, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Katelyn says:
OH! I think you should get your nose pierced it would so go with your funky cool hairstyles
July 21st, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Shabby Miss Jenn says:
WOoooo hoooo~ Looove Shar’s new blog! And loove that bike! Holy cow!
July 21st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Christie says:
Hey Shawn! You are quite the busy bee! I love everything you’re working on!
I checked out the photography site - personal interest since we’re starting a portrait business! LOL
Just wanted to let you know the link to the engagement gallery doesn’t work.
It ends photos/engagements//
so it doesn’t go through.
I was able to get to it by manually typing with only one / at the end but wanted you to know so you can fix it (if you do that) or let her know! =)
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:12 am
Sarah Huizenga says:
Shawn- you impress/amaze me all the time with your many talents- you are so good in so many areas. I love your baby announcement- adorable! Will you be at the ZCS craft show again this year with your purses/bags?
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:43 am
Lacy says:
Hi Shawn! I came upon your blog through Mariah’s site. She’s doing some design work for moi, and I simply love your style. I wanted to tell you how much I love your music. Sara Braleilles (sp?) is one of my new favorites, along with Hem, Jon Mclaughlin.
Great music taste!
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
KJ says:
Shawn,
As soon as your blog finished loading, I could NOT stop thinking, “This has got to be the most beautifully designed blog I’ve ever seen.”
Seriously.
Then I actually started reading posts and my eyes nearly bugged out when I saw that you generously share the beauty and use your talents to help other people make their blogs gorgeous, too! And then I saw how affordable your prices are and the eyeballs not only almost bugged out, but almost bugged out & rolled across the floor.
Unfortunately, I just gave my blog an Extrem (Blog) Makeover, so I’m going to try to restrain myself from spending money on it right now — BUT I will freely confess, I’m not 100% happy with it — not even 98% happy with it — and self-restraint isn’t my strongest quality by far.
So (in Terminator voice) I’LL BE BACK.
Seriously, I’ll be back to read your beautiful blog and one day, one day I’ll be back to get on the list to be a client so you can work your magic on my little bloggy space on the net.
{end gushing}
KJ
July 27th, 2007 at 11:07 am
chris jenkins says:
dude you rock. i wish i had half the talent!
perhaps i need to hire you to make my blog look pretty!
keep it up and so happy you’re business is taking off! congrats!
p.s. that bike is very chic
August 1st, 2007 at 2:05 am
christie says:
If you don’t update soon, I might cry!
:)
August 8th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Guppie says:
I’ll do a post on behalf of Shawn. Her artistic abilities have been discovered by hundreds of people. She spends her days and nights doing a bunch of designs for people. The time in between, she’s sewing handbags. Although busy, she loves it! She has found her niche.
I am now 100% in charge of all household duties. When I come over she makes me clean the house, walk the dog and do her laundry. I even had to make her bed, although it was not good enough since I didn’t have hospital corners. She made me sit in the closet for a couple hours reading a pamphlet on how to do hospital corners. I think I can do them now.
To show you how much she loves her work and is dedicated to her customers, the shampoo and soap in our shower is completely disorganized. I moved a bunch of bottles around the other day and she didn’t even notice. WHOAH!
;)
August 9th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Nancy says:
I so love the layout you did with the little boy and the black and white kitten. The photo just blew me away and brought tears to me eyes (actually more than a few tears). My own little boy is now grown and his little black and white kitten just passed away at age 14. Maybe I’m a little mushy, but I just love your work. Thank you for sharing.
August 11th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Kim (OliveJuice) says:
I’m ROFL at Guppie. :)
August 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Kelly says:
Your bloggers miss you! So glad I decided to read your comments and get the update on your crazy/busy life! That was tooooo funny.
Hope all is peachy!
August 18th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
joelsgirl_Kellie says:
Hope you’re not blogging cuz you’re too busy having fun! We miss you, though!
August 21st, 2007 at 8:20 am
Tara says:
Okay… obviously I’m not the only one missing your installments of bloggerness creativity! Hope you’re doing well!
Tara
August 21st, 2007 at 11:07 am
catherine says:
how honored I am that even though you are so crazy busy you came and visited little ole me.
you are so sweet!
I can’t believe how talented you are…and what absolutely GORGEOUS blogs you make……I will be stalking you regularly now!
xo
p.s. i love pixel!
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:05 am