tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16384751132231122362024-03-12T17:22:55.033-07:00Dear LizaDear Liza is both a printed magazine and an on-line community for creatives who seek a friendly space where they can be imperfect, talented and motivated to do more what their creative souls love.Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-55046806362961749042013-11-13T06:30:00.000-08:002014-01-13T05:56:40.124-08:00What to say when a non-profit company asks for free work<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2t8Si4jZl4/UoKQ2P3xQDI/AAAAAAAACdE/UkIPq3MW-1Q/s1600/WhatToSayNonProfit-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="635" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f2t8Si4jZl4/UoKQ2P3xQDI/AAAAAAAACdE/UkIPq3MW-1Q/s640/WhatToSayNonProfit-01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You’re sweating, you’re mind is wrought with anxiety, your
stomach clenches every time you think of it. Feelings of anger, frustration and
dread are keeping you from being your best creative self, not to mention a good
night’s sleep. It’s time to do your client billing and you feel underpaid,
over-extended and taken advantage of. Sound familiar?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If it does, then you are not alone, creative
friend. <b>Now</b> is a good time to take charge of your billing so that you can make
a good living with your incredible talents, and let the world know that you are a
professional! You provide a service, skill or product that your client
does not have, right? This value is measurable in dollars, people. I’ve
discovered that most anxiety starts when we (and yes, of course I include myself)
don’t set clear boundaries with clients from the start. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The principle truth is
that everyone is much happier when:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. There are rules</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. The rules are stated clearly</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. The rules are enforced</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I asked some successful creative professionals about how they
deal with some typical client/billing scenarios. Since I
often need real-life specifics, I came up with some general scripts for you to start
incorporating into your business practices. Note the word "practice" because that's all it is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SCENARIO:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A non-profit
company asks for your creative work pro-bono<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember these wise words of Lisa Hazen, <a href="http://www.lisahazen.com/">Lisa Hazen Design and Editorial</a>: "Non profits have to pay the same as everybody else because I am FOR-profit." Even if this company is non-profit, it is still a company in need of your particular skills and talents. They have to pay the plumber, the
roofer and the phone bill, right? Well, they also have to pay the creative talent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But you're thinking. <i style="font-weight: bold;">This is the crowd I need to hang with for connections that might lead to more business.</i> Okay, if
you think that you will truly benefit financially from the “exposure”, then trade
out your work with specific guidelines in a barter. And don’t forget to
make those connections at the event AND promote your company and what you do
with business cards, table signage and/or banners!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Say this:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can supply
{the first 5 hours of design work} in trade for {a half page ad in your
promotion or similar}.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Or, say this:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I will donate one of my {products} with my name
and company listed prominently next to it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are your thinking,<b style="font-style: italic;"> I love this project! It's my chance to do great work on my own terms.</b> Does this job mean you can build your
real-world experience that will mean more fully paid work down the line? Do you absolutely
love the organization and want to help their bottom line by saving them some
costs? Okay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Say this:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m
happy to do this (specific job) pro bono because it will be something I can use
in my portfolio and I have a passionate connection to the cause. Please
understand that this means I will ask for creative license over the look and
design so that we can both benefit from the experience. After {a specific number
of hours, or projects etc} is complete, I will bill according to my standard
rates of {a specific amount}. Based on our conversations on what your needs
are, I estimate that I will be donating {this specific amount} to your
organization. I also ask you to send me a letter on your organization’s
stationery stating this so that I can retain it for my files."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carolyn Stendahl, from <a href="http://www.studiostendahl.com/">Studio Stendahl</a> has more good advice, especially about including a maintenance fee option: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"After meeting with
the non-profit, I’d outline the specs of the job, including specific details
about the updates and estimate time it would take. I’d review it with the non-profit,
and then on a periodic basis, especially if you expected issues. I’d also
include fees for maintenance. That could be a monthly or annual fee for a
certain amount of hours."</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>ANOTHER NON-PROFIT SCENARIO</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The non-profit company asks for your work at discounted rates</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't discount your work. More on that after the quote.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Say this:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I am
happy to quote for the {insert job here}. I don’t discount my rates because you
are an important client, and I want to give your job all the attention and time
it needs to be successful."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Do you still insist on discounting your rates? Remember that if you discount your hourly rate (or your products) then when a good, full-paying opportunity comes along, you won’t be able to take it because you’ll be busy, or you won’t have the products anymore. This will make you mad at yourself, which isn’t good for your health and then you might possibly transfer that anger on your client, which isn’t good for business relations.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Brad Plogsted from <a href="http://theoxc.com/">OXC Design + Branding</a> does offer different rates, and has this perspective: </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">"If my clients need brochure edits, I don't want them going to
someone else for these 'cheaper' services and only coming to me for
more expensive tasks. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Eventually, I would
outsource the work to another freelancer, but make sure I'm the only one who
deals with the client. That way, my familiarity with the brand is still there,
and since I know how designers think, communicating with the freelancer will be
smoother and less prone to mistakes. I would build in a 10-20% markup, to
reflect the value the client is getting from my experience with their brand,
and for the ease in just dealing with one designer (me)." In this scenario, there are still rules and they are built to increase business while offering the client a valuable service.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Is this helpful? Will you practice this if you are struggling to get paid for your work? I promise I will too. More scripts and scenarios later. {Margot}</span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-64196294591651501822013-11-08T09:00:00.000-08:002013-11-08T09:00:08.883-08:005 Online Classes that might teach you something new in Adobe Illustrator<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkVzQqCxaj4/UnwTDR4OGiI/AAAAAAAACcc/ziBKTX7M_U4/s1600/SkillshareIntro-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkVzQqCxaj4/UnwTDR4OGiI/AAAAAAAACcc/ziBKTX7M_U4/s1600/SkillshareIntro-01.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the illustration I was working on when taking Brad's Skillshare class.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the difficulties of working on your own, is that you don't get the benefit of community learning. Back when I was in a studio with other designers, it was easy to shout out, "Hey, does anyone know how to make these holes see-through?" Then a friendly coworker would pop her head up from her computer and show me how. We would be each other's teachers and our design skills developed painlessly and organically. But now if I shout out "How in the hell do I get that stipplish-brushy texture on my illustration?", the only help I get in return is a friendly bark from my dog, who probably thinks I'm going to take him out for a walk.<br />
<br />
I've been worried that my designs are in danger of becoming dated because of my isolation. I want to learn more, but the local classes at the surrounding universities are expensive and I really don't want to be stuck in a classroom learning things I already do know. That's why this week was really exciting, because I discovered the website <a href="http://www.skillshare.com/">Skillshare</a>.<br />
<br />
Skillshare is filled with online classes that teach new skills using videos, assignments, and a community of other students taking the same class. Most classes cost under $30, which make it very affordable. The class I was in is called <a href="http://www.skillshare.com/classes/design/Digital-Illustration-Communicate-with-Color-Pattern-and-Texture/1880071331/project-guide">Communicate with Color, Pattern and Texture</a> taught by Brad Woodward. I loved it! Some stuff I already knew about, but I did learn how to use two tools that had always been a mystery to me (the "widen" tool and the "roughen" tool, both of which I'd rendered useless early on in my Illustrator career). Since I learn best by watching other people do what they are talking about, the videos Brad posted were made it very easy for me to engage in the new information. I would watch a little bit and toggle back to my illustration to try out the new skill. The next thing I knew it was 12:30 am and I was still obsessively tweaking and changing the design. I went from dreading an illustration project, to being on a designer's high about it. Woohoo! This old dog still can learn new tricks!<br />
<br />
Here are some other classes that look interesting to me. I haven't taken any of them, so I can't promise they will give you the design magic I got. If you do take one, or know of a good class, please share it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.skillshare.com/classes/fashion/Pattern-Design-Patterns-for-Printed-Textiles-and-Products/801373065?via=browse">Patterns for Printed Textiles:</a> Even if you aren't a textile designer, pattern-making in Illustrator or Photoshop is a valuable skill to have. ($25)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.skillshare.com/classes/design/Digitizing-Hand-Lettering-From-Sketch-to-Vector/214693817?via=browse">Digitizing Hand Lettering:</a> Since the hand-lettered look is "in", I think this one would be helpful. ($29)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.skillshare.com/classes/design/Introduction-to-Photoshop-Fundamentals-for-Beginners/1320270520?via=browse">Introduction to Photoshop:</a> I know enough of Photoshop to frustrate myself. This might eliminate my need to use the "undo" keys a little less often. ($29)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.skillshare.com/classes/design/Beginning-Infographics-Information-Driven-Storytelling/1880133038?via=browse">Beginning Infographics:</a> No one can deny this new design trend for companies and corporations. Might as well learn it on the early side of the trend. ($15)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.skillshare.com/classes/design/Unifying-an-Illustration-Series-Stylization-Through-Simplification/2022104840?via=search">Stylization Through Simplification:</a> Again, always good to remember those graphic communications skills. ($20)<br />
<br />
{Margot}Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-60491755429393025392013-10-18T10:39:00.000-07:002013-10-18T10:40:50.359-07:00Fun Friday: How symmetrical is your face?How symmetrical is your face? Do you have a "better" side that you use for the camera? It came up the other day in conversation so I got curious. I felt like my face was pretty symmetrical, but was willing to put it to the test and found <a href="http://www.symface.com/">this</a> website that will show you what each side of your face would look like if it was perfectly symmetrical. I think I read that it does not work on iPads, so head to your computer.<br />
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If you want to give it a try and need a photo, just use the camera in your computer if you have one. I used Photo Booth and made a quick photo for the experiment. No comments on my classy outfit and spotless office, please...<br />
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Here is the original photo:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2p-VBqkSLB4/UmFr5KNkisI/AAAAAAAACZE/aG3kfow9Aqk/s1600/MargotPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2p-VBqkSLB4/UmFr5KNkisI/AAAAAAAACZE/aG3kfow9Aqk/s320/MargotPhoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is how I split up:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QB0bVNXdS1o/UmFsel5ApCI/AAAAAAAACZM/3_gcEI7N8Mc/s1600/MargotLeft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QB0bVNXdS1o/UmFsel5ApCI/AAAAAAAACZM/3_gcEI7N8Mc/s320/MargotLeft.png" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha ha! Me without bangs again.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BEYx4BmiWo/UmFsfouv0DI/AAAAAAAACZU/DAgCEyWaQNc/s1600/MargotRight.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BEYx4BmiWo/UmFsfouv0DI/AAAAAAAACZU/DAgCEyWaQNc/s320/MargotRight.png" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and me with a nerdy middle part.</td></tr>
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I don't think there is a HUGE difference, and I'm still pretty recognizable.<br />
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I was reading up a little bit on the meaning of symmetry in faces and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/29/facial-symmetry-reveals-d_n_941329.html">this</a> article talks about how your facial symmetry has a lot to do with childhood stresses. Interesting!<br />
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So, are you willing to give it a shot? How does your face divide?Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-2462240395409216942013-10-15T11:22:00.000-07:002013-10-17T07:31:44.373-07:00How the heck do I add a PDF to this? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cepf0Qe9sA/Ul_0ucvkccI/AAAAAAAACYs/QU_h-gIHz4Y/s1600/HowToAddAPDF-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cepf0Qe9sA/Ul_0ucvkccI/AAAAAAAACYs/QU_h-gIHz4Y/s400/HowToAddAPDF-01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Friends have asked me how I add a PDF to a blog post that can be downloaded by a reader. I have offered a few of my patterns on my blog for download and it wasn't very difficult to do.<br />
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I draw all of my patterns by hand on paper, soon this method will be obsolete and I will miss it terribly. I love starting with a big blank piece of paper then drawing, erasing and getting pencil smudges all over my face. Anyway, when I want to offer one of my patterns to my readers I will scan the pattern into my computer and then decide if I want to redraw it in Illustrator or just offer the hand drawn version. Either way after I finish with any altering or labeling I save the file as a PDF. In Illustrator, Photoshop and Word this is under File, Save As, and under the Format drop down menu choose PDF. Name your file something that is easy for your readers to identify and read because this name will show up in your blog text.<br />
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In Wordpress you highlight the spot where you want the link to the PDF to show up and then you click on Add Media, upload your file and follow the steps to insert it into the post. The name of your PDF will now show up in your text as a highlighted and underlined link.<br />
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In Blogger there are a few more steps because you need to use Google docs. Go to google docs or Drive and upload the PDF. Then click on the PDF file to open it in Google docs. Then copy the entire URL.<br />
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Then in your blog post write something like "download the PDF here". Highlight the text "here" (or whatever you choose to be your link) and click on the Link icon from the menu. Then you paste the URL in the window labeled "website" and I always select "open file in a new window" so that readers can stay on your blog. After this step is complete your text will appear highlighted and underlined and when readers click on it they will open your PDF in a new window! <br />
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For example here is a PDF of my towel topper pattern. This pattern is inspired by the vintage towels with little fabric toppers that my Grandmother always had around her house. You can read the tutorial on how to make the toppers on my blog <a href="http://jsult.com/?s=towel+topper" target="_blank">here</a>. And you can download the pattern <a href="https://drive.google.com/?urp=http://www.google.com/url?sa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dgoogle%2520do&pli=1#my-drive" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhIh8kqk8Ic/Ul2Glzsj5II/AAAAAAAAADk/fAuhztYEaWs/s1600/towel_tppr_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uhIh8kqk8Ic/Ul2Glzsj5II/AAAAAAAAADk/fAuhztYEaWs/s320/towel_tppr_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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xo Jenifer<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084323537708536001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-59263411525559239602013-09-23T10:16:00.004-07:002013-09-23T10:16:43.474-07:00Life Lessons of recovering thrift store chairs...Do you ever find something at the resale shop and see the potential hidden under the layers of dust and bad upholstery? Can you you bring that gem home and really turn it into the vintage masterpiece it could be? <i>Will</i> you?? I found out the hard way what it takes to turn the ugly into the unique, but I lived to tell about it and to share what I learned in the process so your reupholstery project will go much more smoothly than mine did.<br />
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I found these chairs at my favorite Cincinnati thrift shop and immediately noticed the lovely, smooth and nearly perfect wood backs. I knew the copper legs would match my 1950's upcycled copper kitchen cabinets too. But then there were the hideous yellow vinyl replacement seat cushions. I know these chairs once had lovely wood seats to match the backs, but clearly it had long been replaced with this horrible yellow stuff that was disintigrating and stained. I <i>almost</i> walked away but after a few laps around the store, couldn't resist. I snapped them up for $5 a piece and took them home to be transformed. I'm a professional clothing designer and quite familiar with patterns--this should be easy-peasy, right?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxFt8J6eaqY/UjHluJqvUWI/AAAAAAAAACM/I4Wk-OSB4Ww/s1600/chair+original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FxFt8J6eaqY/UjHluJqvUWI/AAAAAAAAACM/I4Wk-OSB4Ww/s320/chair+original.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before...</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_MpRh037P0/UjHnRpObFgI/AAAAAAAAACo/xFG3qUKVlBg/s1600/chair+finished+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_MpRh037P0/UjHnRpObFgI/AAAAAAAAACo/xFG3qUKVlBg/s320/chair+finished+2.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After bringing them home, I removed the seats right away and threw the horrible foam and vinyl straight in the trash. Then the chairs were banished to the basement indefinitely until time and inspiration would allow me to finish them.</span></div>
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<b>My First Lesson:</b><br />
Three months later, after the wettest spring in Cincinnati memory, my beautiful wood backed chairs were resurrected from the basement, but now covered in a thin layer of mildew. I was heartbroken to realize that the lovely finish was ruined. We Googled solutions to removing the mildew and decided to wash them with dishsoap, this worked well but the varnish completely disappeared. Never fear, my super helpful husband rubbed several coats of the same oil we coated our new wood kitchen counter top with into the wooden chairbacks. Several coats rubbed into the surface gave the wood a beautiful deep finish without the glossy shine of varnish, <i>perfect</i>!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zT77KAHhXFM/UjHqKXvR0II/AAAAAAAAAC0/wJtAHZ82wDU/s1600/behandla-beeswax-polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zT77KAHhXFM/UjHqKXvR0II/AAAAAAAAAC0/wJtAHZ82wDU/s320/behandla-beeswax-polish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>My Second Lesson:</b><br />
New foam proved to be insanely expensive at the local fabric store so I got online and found this <a href="http://www.thefoamfactory.com/seatcushion/foamtypes.html" target="_blank">company</a> that will cut your seats to size and also offers several choices in density and thickness. I ordered 4" foam at a cost of $5 per seat. When the foam arrived I was shocked to see that I had ordered them way to thick. They looked absurdly tall on the seat--what was I thinking?? I had to shave an inch off the top with my trusty electric carving knife. I will tell you that this was not an easy process and pretty time consuming. At this point I was really frustrated with how complicated this "simple" project had become.<br />
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The fabric choice for the seats gave me some anxiety too. I can't afford to spend a fortune on them and let's face it, my children are not easy on my furniture. I decided that vinyl was my only logical option and started scouring the internet. I found this black textured option at my favorite <a href="http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/" target="_blank">source</a> for down pillow fills. It's beautiful, sophisticated and doesn't have that shiny-cheap vinyl look. And at $10 per yard, it was within budget.<br />
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To cover these seats I would need 1 top piece of fabric and 1 piece to wrap all the way around the seat and wrap under the seat where it will be stapled to the base. To figure out how much fabric I would need I measured the size of the wood seat base front to back and side to side. then the circumference of the base, and the depth of the foam. Here is the formula I used:<br />
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Front to back and side to side, square the size regardless of actual shape, mine was 15 x 15" add 1/2" all the way around for seam allowance. Then the circumference of the seat which was 55" + 1/2" seam allowance at ends= 56" long by 3" (depth of foam) plus 2 1/2" for pulling under and seam allowance. So I knew I needed 6 squares at 16" x 16" and 6 long pieces at 56" x 5 1/2"<br />
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I drew a rough sketch of the fabric to figure out how much I would need to order:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcXGxr4ttWs/UkB1QU0mfZI/AAAAAAAAADQ/7nEyo6mHfdE/s1600/fabric+diagram002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcXGxr4ttWs/UkB1QU0mfZI/AAAAAAAAADQ/7nEyo6mHfdE/s640/fabric+diagram002.jpg" width="368" /></a></div>
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From this I knew that I needed at least 2.66 yards so I ordered 3 yards.<br />
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After the fabric arrived I traced the shape of the seat base onto a large sheet of paper and added 1/2" all the way around the edges for seam allowance. After cutting out the pattern, I then traced it directly onto the back (the wrong side) of the fabric. The long edge pieces I drew onto the fabric with my yard stick.<br />
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<b>Lesson Number Three:</b><br />
After sewing all of the fabric covers together and leaving the bottom open, I stuffed the foam into each seat cover. The foam has pointy corners but i just ignored those and stuffed them in. They filled out each corner nicely and took on the shape of the sewn seat cover. Then I pushed the wood seat base into the cover and totally panicked!<br />
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This is the point where I realized that the wood seat bases were actually 2 different sizes! I had used the small seat base as my pattern and now the other 4 seats were too big for my covers. But again my super laid back, handy husband calmly took my seats out to the garage and trimed them down to fit with a jigsaw, yay! <i>Always check the sizes of every seat before cutting and sewing</i>!<br />
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As you may know, these 'great thrift store finds' are often a great deal of learning and frustration. I'm pleased with myself for battling through the Life Lessons and sticking the project out to the finish because I really do love them!<br />
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- Jenifer</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03084323537708536001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-52559477167691945862013-09-20T11:48:00.001-07:002013-09-20T11:50:35.763-07:00Fun Friday: Make something without spending ANY MONEY<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoWhvtEFZd8/UjyXw8elBII/AAAAAAAACU0/xs7AnduTRag/s1600/YarnWreath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoWhvtEFZd8/UjyXw8elBII/AAAAAAAACU0/xs7AnduTRag/s640/YarnWreath.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is last autumn's yarn wreath but I added some of felt shapes and vintage sequins I had stashed in my "Things that Bedazzle" drawer to make it new to me for this year. Pay no attention to the boy and weird teenager behind the curtain.</td></tr>
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Do you have drawers and shelves and desks full of crafty stuff and art supplies? Me too. And yet, every time I get that crafty feeling, I head straight to Michaels or Hobby Lobby to buy more. Now, I'm not going to beat myself up about that too much. I do love the creative stimulation of a good retail craft outing--who can resist a pack of adhesive gems for a dollar? Why should we resist? It's a great deal and surely they will come in handy in my crafting future, right? Right. But I digress. Creativity doesn't always come from something NEW. Sometimes, you can do great stuff with your own great stuff.<br />
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This weekend's mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make a craft with WHAT YOU HAVE. Don't go to the store for a special kind of glue, or just the right kind of paper or doo-dads that would make this craft perfect. Just use what you have. You are creative enough to make it work and the restrictions might actually make you MORE creative. If you accept this mission, I ask you to share what you do with the hashtag, #DearLizaFunFriday (<-- is it redundant to say 'hashtag' and then write a # sign? It feels awkward to me.)</div>
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Here are 10 ideas to get you thinking:</div>
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1. Make a card or tag with all your scraps of paper and ribbon. </div>
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2. Cross stitch something tiny. </div>
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3. Make a friendship bracelet with all your embroidery floss. </div>
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4. Paint something and put it in an old picture frame. Better yet, paint over that old picture frame and make that new again too.</div>
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5. Illustrate your favorite quote</div>
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6. Make a collage of something you see in your neighborhood</div>
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7. Take old yarn and make a basket of pom-poms</div>
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8. Redecorate your mantle with candles and the flowers from your yard (or neighbor's yard if you're fast enough)</div>
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9. Cut up a beer can and make some jewelry</div>
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10. Sew your millions of beads to a piece of fabric to create a pattern</div>
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Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-47295004111946521862013-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-13T09:00:02.011-07:00Fun Friday! Want to test your color acuity?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBMYQ-92khc/UjHotUHgedI/AAAAAAAACS0/N0FAoAWXUqo/s1600/MunsellHueTestDearLiza-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBMYQ-92khc/UjHotUHgedI/AAAAAAAACS0/N0FAoAWXUqo/s640/MunsellHueTestDearLiza-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last weekend I was wigged out by <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/2012/may/21/">this</a> fascinating episode on RadioLab. It discusses the history of recorded color, the science of color and the phenomenons within this scientific process of perceiving color. I was fascinated about how in any ancient developing civilization, the recording of words for color always start with black...then white...then red....then yellow or green but last is ALWAYS blue. Poor blue! My 13-year-old daughter and I were riveted. There is also a great soundtrack of color songs covered by various artists.<br />
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It does hurt my head a little bit to wonder about color and how it's perceived by humans. But as a graphic designer, it's my job to be very attuned to varying colors. I imagine it's the same for a musician who can hear that a note is ever-so-flat or sharp to their ears. The variations are perceivable if we exercise that muscle in our brain or eye or ear that does that particular job.<br />
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Do you want to check your hue acuity? An online <a href="http://www.colormunki.com/game/huetest_kiosk">Munsell Hue Test</a> is one way to do it. This online test takes just a few minutes and it's interesting to see how accurate your perceptions are. If you scored a 0 then perhaps you are a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrachromacy">tetrachromat</a> (<--new word for me!). I took the test quickly and was surprised that I scored a 15--really, I expected more of myself! ;oD {Margot}Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-73667310566082355242013-09-05T06:13:00.003-07:002013-09-05T06:13:51.807-07:00Want To Pursue Your Dream? Step one: Just Show Up.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZokExvvVWbw" width="420"></iframe>
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Feeling stuck? I have been feeling like that a lot lately. I've taken to surrounding myself with people who simultaneously lift me up, smack me around a little when I'm whining, and set me on my way. I was having a lunch with one of these friends yesterday and our final nugget of knowledge was that I just needed to show up to my dreams. Just show up. That's the start, because if you just keep the ideas and dreams in your head then nobody will know what they are.<br />
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I watched this video and it was beyond inspiring. Feel like your dreams aren't happening fast enough? It addresses that. Wondering if you should be doing it at all? It's in there too. And so, here I am today, just showing up to my dream. And feeling ready to work.Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-91154187344347240452013-08-02T08:10:00.003-07:002013-08-02T12:27:45.794-07:00A working mom's cry for help...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fNOpz9vjII/UfvKXDQUaPI/AAAAAAAACPg/pK1pUMYw5n8/s1600/CantDoItAll-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8fNOpz9vjII/UfvKXDQUaPI/AAAAAAAACPg/pK1pUMYw5n8/s320/CantDoItAll-01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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A working mom's confession: I spent the last half of yesterday alternating from a lackluster pit of despair (aka pretending I was asleep) and holding back tears of frustration (shouting at my kids). Worse still, this was the second day this week I felt like that. It's been building ever since school was out for the summer last May. And I'm wondering if anyone has any remedy for this modern mom's dilemma.<br />
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I work in a studio in my basement. I have to make the same amount of income every month in order for the bills to be paid. I love my work and have a huge list of things I want to accomplish with my career.</div>
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I have also have three kids. And those kids practice swim team every morning. And they eat snacks every 20 minutes in the living room where they are not supposed to be eating OR watching the entire Dr Who series on Netflix. And they provoke sibling fights when bored. And they want their friends to come over. And their friend needs a ride to come over. And they don't want to eat THAT cereal for breakfast. And they are riding their bikes in the street without their helmets like the Goonies. And they want to do something to make money so that they can go to CVS for the third time today to get more candy. And they need their bike chain fixed. And they need more water balloons. And they need the outside spigot turned on. And they need a towel. And they need more Bandaids. And they can't find their Crocs to go to the pool. And they can't EVER do anything FUN like go to Chuck-E-Cheese, or bowling, or The Beach Waterpark, or Kings Island, or Go Carting. And I can't cook something for dinner that DOESN'T include vegetables. And they need to read their books instead of play video games.</div>
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I really can't take it any more. I love my kids. I even like them. They're smart and fun and want to do things that are creative and clever. And I have to say "no" all the time when really, I'd love to say "Yes! Let's work on your sewing. Yes! Let's build a rocket. Yes! Let's fix your bike. Yes! Let's go to the pool and have fun this afternoon...." But I can't. I can't do anything with them when I'm trying to work. I've spent the entire summer with one foot in my office and one foot in my car driving the kids somewhere. It's worn me so raw. It makes me angry and frustrated that I can't be the mom I want to be OR the business woman I want to be. I want them back in school so badly and I feel guilty that I'm not enjoying every precious day with people who will be gone from me in a matter of years. I'm afraid they might only remember angry mom, and not a wonderful, loving, nurturing mom. </div>
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My life is taking more from me than I have to give. I know that it's my choice to do these things. I don't know how to join those two loves in a way that is amenable to everyone. So I ask this serious question. How do <i>you</i> do it?</div>
Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-54552423943365293302013-07-16T07:14:00.000-07:002013-07-17T11:37:46.390-07:00Summer Needle Projects: Keeping children from driving me crazy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B06Z-XEHryg/UeVUigy14FI/AAAAAAAACMM/uQGARP0CJT4/s1600/EmbroideryTransfers1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B06Z-XEHryg/UeVUigy14FI/AAAAAAAACMM/uQGARP0CJT4/s320/EmbroideryTransfers1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Martha Stewart, the crafting queen was Aunt Martha.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxZKALlmp9A/UeVUi489uVI/AAAAAAAACMQ/3-TINALYldE/s1600/EmbroideryTransfers2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yxZKALlmp9A/UeVUi489uVI/AAAAAAAACMQ/3-TINALYldE/s320/EmbroideryTransfers2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must say that working from home has a special curse in the summer. The kids are home, and as much as I want to have a normal work day, I spend countless hours in car driving them to various enriching activities and reminding them to eat at tables, wear their bike helmets and brush their teeth at least by noon. After a month of this, I've all but given up getting anything productive for my work done while the sun is up. Instead I spend my evenings in the studio making up for lost time and generally feeling frustrated that everyone is doing something fun but me. And yes, I am whining.<br />
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Jenifer came over last week on her own child delivery route and dropped off a pack of vintage needlework iron-on transfers for inspiration. Of course I was in love: sweet flowers, fun-loving puppies and kittens, donkeys joyfully toting packs overloaded with fresh fruits, and many, many more snippets of an idyllic lifestyle meant to be reproduced on a fresh linen dish towel.<br />
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Where does one find these nostalgic needle crafting transfer gems? Jenifer scours the crafting or needle work bins in resale shops to find the packs of transfers. What I love the most is that she keeps them in a basket in her living room that also contains linen fabric and embroidery thread. When her kids are bored, they dig around for an image, iron it on the fabric and get started. If your kids are going to zone out in front of the tv, why not keep their hands busy at least, right? I followed her lead this morning, when my middle daughter finished rounding some corners for me and was looking for some other "work". She picked out a few designs and a piece of felt and voila, 10 minutes of self contained entertainment. Just enough for me to write a blog post....Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-36272636937650440912013-06-11T09:07:00.001-07:002013-06-11T09:07:59.558-07:00Printing Custom Fabrics with Spoonflower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYQQChk0YmU/UbdJBHpjquI/AAAAAAAACKg/MAod7tKnJdU/s1600/DearLizaFabricSwatches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYQQChk0YmU/UbdJBHpjquI/AAAAAAAACKg/MAod7tKnJdU/s640/DearLizaFabricSwatches.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we work on the content of the Dear Liza Magazine, we were really interested in thematic expressions. Themes can be broadly figurative or literal, but I like the idea of exploring one topic for just more than one or two pages. I find that the real creativity blooms when I look deeper into some simple idea and allow it to stretch and grow within that one constraint.<br />
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I've had a burning desire to do something with some strawberry patterns I'd shelved for The Right Time in the future, and sent those designs to be printed on fabric by <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome">Spoonflower</a>. Now, if you do not know about Spoonflower yet, be warned: You will obsess. You can print any quantities of your own custom designs (and by any quantity I mean you can print a swatch!) or choose from the multitudes of amazing designs that have already been uploaded to the site by other designers. I ordered a swatch book of the sample fabrics, so I would have some inkling of what cotton poplin, voile and sateen fabrics are. Not being in the world of sewing leaves me void of this critical information. In addition to the fabric swatches, Spoonflower sent swatches tantalizing me with their printable wallpaper, gift wrap and fabric decals. It's all I can do to NOT plan on opening another custom business with those options but I shall stay focused!<br />
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I have further developed the designs for 'round two' and will share them in the mag. Until then, I will be dreaming of napkins, pillows or anything that can be sewn with those fabrics....Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-26335740806172025182013-05-31T07:10:00.001-07:002013-05-31T07:10:47.820-07:00Artscapade: A chance for you to be the great mom I never was.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfwwGxpn-_8/UaisU14v8YI/AAAAAAAACKM/MVugFo5774U/s1600/Summer-Camps-promo-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qfwwGxpn-_8/UaisU14v8YI/AAAAAAAACKM/MVugFo5774U/s640/Summer-Camps-promo-65.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am a little ashamed to say that I have woefully neglected my children's artistic inclinations, which I will tell you is worse since art is basically my life. It all started when my oldest daughter and I spent too many hours butting heads over my carefully planned crafts while living in exile in the countryside of Adams County, Ohio. I would spend the evening reading Family Fun with an intensity only a new mother has, making notes and lists to purchase craft supplies at Walmart. At 8 am (after breakfast, a romp around the house and a trip to Walmart which was graciously open 24 hours), I would have the age-appropriate craft set out on our kitchen table ready to inspire artistic brilliance on my Julia. I would patiently explain the craft, show how to do it and display the final product. Then she would look at me with her impish eyes shining brightly and do something <i>completely</i> <i>different </i>that had no relevance to <i>my</i> plan. I know I should have been thrilled at her artistic independence and relish her creative ability to come up with something new to do with my collection of supplies but I wasn't. After all my careful planning and good parenting enthusiasm, it was insulting. I can't help it, it pissed me off! We would argue over whether the paper was for the darling chain that would embellish her room or for her own amorphous shapes that would be taped to my wall. She would take the paint brush and "accidentally" paint the library craft book instead of her paper. I think the only craft she ever did according to my plan were paper snowflakes. It was an awful experience and I just got exhausted from the effort that in my mind had been wasted. In the end, I just gave her free reign of the craft cabinet and we went our separate crafting ways. I was so burned that I didn't ever go back to being that kind of mom. The worst part is that my second daughter would have loved some creative guidance but I didn't even teach her how to use a hole punch. I feel so terrible about that, but enough of my parenting failures. You, my friend still have a chance to be that amazing art mom.<br />
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I just discovered <a href="http://myartscapade.com/">Artscapade</a>, a Cincinnati based parent and child program that offers really exciting art classes and camps. Owner Tanith Smith has a fine arts and graphics background and develops projects that are not your average cut and paste construction paper stuff. She incorporates various mixed media and combines several art forms in one class. I love the Print Me Play Me idea with Underscore, and the <a href="http://myartscapade.com/portfolio/partiesgallery/">parties</a> look freaking amazing (that invitation is a work of art in and of itself!). And did you notice the price?? That is amazing too!Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-59756641568870374052013-05-21T09:06:00.001-07:002013-05-22T06:21:15.613-07:00What happens when something goes wrong during a performance?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ElbJFO44Woc/UZuYPOgfg4I/AAAAAAAACIU/XEHBG30TYNQ/s1600/Glen+Hansard+in+London.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ElbJFO44Woc/UZuYPOgfg4I/AAAAAAAACIU/XEHBG30TYNQ/s1600/Glen+Hansard+in+London.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Fleur Neale</td></tr>
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Now that you have known me {Margot} for more than 5 minutes, you now know that I am a SuperBigFan of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Hansard">Glen Hansard</a>. Glen is an indie folk musician from Dublin, who after a long and tenacious career starting as a busking (street performing) musician at the age of 13, through 30 plus years as the lead singer for The Frames, finally came into some Big Time Fame with a little independent movie called <a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/once/">Once</a>. If you want to hear the ins and outs of his career, just call me. I know a lot of information about these things. It's what you do when you are a SuperBigFan, and I own it 100%. I like to think I sound less crazy if I admit to it.<br />
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Anyway, what the rest of the world is learning about Glen is that he is an incredible performer. He's a great songwriter and singer too, but there is magic about his live performances. He somehow knows how to give and connect but also to present himself as the one to watch. So there is ego, because how could ANYONE go on stage and feel good about people listening to him if that didn't exist, right? But Glen also has a generosity that is unmatched in any other musician I've seen or come to know. He prepares for that night's performance all that day, considering songs and sometimes learning new ones just to please that particular audience. Then he gets on stage and sends out energy that is palpable.<br />
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I did want to share was <a href="http://www.orderinthesound.com/glen-solo-gigs/glen-dates-2013/11-may-2013-london-uk-barbican">this</a> particular review of an unusual performance that occurred in London called A Scream and An Outrage. This was a musical collaboration with some pretty big names in the forward-thinking creative world of music: Nico Muhly (a composer startling both classical and contemporary music fans), Bryce Dessner (of the National and founder of The Music Now Festival in Cincinnati), Richard Reed Perry (Arcade Fire etc). We saw a similar line-up at this year's Music Now Festival and while it was an incredible evening of creativity, I sense that it was only the appetizer to the night in London with the full Britten Sinfonia orchestra.<br />
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So, here Glen is on stage with a full orchestra and he is ready to play his song The Gift, which he wrote and performed for The Odd Life of Timothy Green <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I do not recommend that movie)</span></i>. Here is how the reviewer describes what happens:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Glen (with the help once again of Charlotte) starts off ‘This Gift’ ahead of the normal introduction and has to put his hand up and stop everyone to give it another go. Unfortunately after the first chorus Glen loses his place and it is here that Glen becomes very aware that he has an orchestra and not his band behind him. I’m in the front row and after losing his place I hear Glen approach the conductor and ask if the orchestra can go back and re-play the part in question so he can come back in. The conductor says quite simply ‘No’ and Glen is left play out the piece on guitar with no vocals. It’s a highly amusing exchange and Glen relays his request and the response he received to the audience afterwards to many chuckles. Glen also comments that Nico had suggested to him earlier that day that ‘This Gift’ was not quite ready and Glen concedes that Nico was right – ahh well nevermind!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Okay, do we as performers and artists and professionals not live in paralyzing fear of this exact thing? I happened to be on Fox19 News this morning worrying about that very moment. The moment when we have completely f-cked up. right. in front. of everyone. I actually cringed when I read about it the first time. And if I'm honest, I was really just horrified for the scared-to-death-to-try girl who lives inside me. It was like seeing something you say to yourself will actually never happen, happen. Oh God. How will I ever be anything worthwhile if something this could happen to me?</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">But what did Glen do? He went on. He performed what he could. And then he made everyone in the audience relax when he made a joke of it. And it's not like he was saying that it didn't matter, or that he didn't screw up. He was just honest and open about a mistake. In addition to that humility, he goes even further when he concedes that he was wrong to push it despite the advice to keep it back. Humility AND bravery. I want some of that.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I don't know about you, but this made me feel a little bit like crying. Because my God, if Glen Hansard can screw up in front of thousands of people, live through it and then learn from it, then I think I might be able to as well if and when the time comes for my big mistake. And that is what will keep me going today.</span></span>Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-62496253223293163382013-05-15T07:32:00.002-07:002013-05-15T07:33:25.227-07:00The Adobe Cloud, who's in?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvwzgxZLpAg/UZObmyaHXrI/AAAAAAAACHk/eecin7OlhAA/s1600/Cloud-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvwzgxZLpAg/UZObmyaHXrI/AAAAAAAACHk/eecin7OlhAA/s400/Cloud-01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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As a rule with software, I like to keep myself a few versions behind the rest of the world. This way they work out all the kinks, and I can keep the screen looking just the way I like it with no new visual or surprises in the advancement of technology. I'm in my groove and I don't want to change it unless I ABSOLUTELY have to.<br />
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Yesterday was the day for that. I force quite my Illustrator about 8 times after the dreaded spinning rainbow took residence on my screen. I finally figured out that my computer had decided that the gaussian blur was not going to happen. No amount of praising or cajoling or trickery would get it to accept my file with the drop shadows. So it was either re-install the Illustrator 5.0 I'd been using or....*oh God*...upgrade.<br />
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I'd been discussing the Adobe Cloud and its inevitable descent upon the design world with my Creative Juice group so after some real issues connecting with Adobe's website (not making me feel very good confident), gave them my credit card, ignored the licensing agreement and jumped in with two feet. I downloaded Illustrator and 30 minutes later I was up and running again. Running a program with a dark gray screen and black tool windows, which was a little hard to stomach but running nonetheless. And let it not be said that I am averse to change!<br />
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From what I can see the benefits are that I can use all the software I need and some I don't use but might try. I use Photoshop and Illustrator mostly, but InDesign is quickly going to be my new favorite since I'm publishing a magazine, and Lightroom when I have the patience. There might be a few others I'll dip into later on.<br />
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So, have you taken the plunge? Do you like it? Do you hate being forced to join into a system that requires you to join 'or else' die with your last version? I must admit I don't like being told to do anything, so that definitely hit me the wrong way. However, I did the math and it's not going to be as far off what I paid to get the suite anyway.Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1638475113223112236.post-66942493626962653352013-05-10T06:23:00.000-07:002013-05-15T07:15:22.214-07:00Feeling claustrophobic...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3jEomoJ9CE/UYz0m3bvx_I/AAAAAAAACGE/aX3dlu2UCdM/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3jEomoJ9CE/UYz0m3bvx_I/AAAAAAAACGE/aX3dlu2UCdM/s400/photo.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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I have a nice little studio I set up in the only private room in my house: the basement. Only, it's not one of those nice refurbished basements with carpeting, a flat screen tv and a bar ready for guests. It's a cement floored, cement walled, pipes and wires hanging from the open ceilinged place for storage with a random toilet in the corner typical of a 1930's midwestern house. It's dry, I'll give it that, but for the many times we've tried to pretty it up with carpet scraps and castaway furniture it is still a cement storage space. It is through this ambient entry that I have my studio set up. My office is at least a room with a door, so I can close off the rest of the cold industry, but it is also walled with cement including the ceiling. When I moved in, I painted the walls and put down Flor tiles to soften it up. I filled it with remnants of my nicer desks and shelving from my retail store so it's not in itself a design atrocity. It's just sometimes relentlessly cold and no amount of cheery paint will take away the feeling that I'm in a design dungeon. Or that I'm trapped in a design box and the hamster wheel of habits (email, facebook, pinterest, work, email, facebook, pinterest, work) is enough to make me vibrate with pent up anxiety.<br />
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That is how I felt yesterday. And don't get me wrong, I had some fun things to work on. I created a clever rehearsal dinner invitation, I finished up signage for a big gala, I designed some point of sale pieces for my husband's gelato company. I was productive and should have been perfectly content working away in my little studio. But I just wasn't. I was stir crazy. I was feeling like I should be working through the craziness even though every fiber of my body wanted to bolt from my office and do something, anything, but work. Should I play hookey and go shopping? Should I sit outside and sketch until I feel more sane? Should I tie myself to the chair and make a blog post? Pull the photos from my memory disk in my computer? Finish the photo books I started? Take the dog to the dog park?<br />
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I realized that I just needed to finish something. And preferably something easy and mindless and cheap and that didn't require my creative working mind or pleasing a client. So I bolted out of the office and into the beautiful 75 degree sunny day. I went to the post office to ship some graduation announcements to a client and stopped by the hardware store to pick up a can of white spray paint. Then I set the metal patio bench I'd bought at Goodwill in the grass and sprayed it white. No drop cloth, no preparation to slow me down, I just did it. Then I spread out a picnic blanket, flopped myself on it and stared at the clouds with my dog at my side. And I did feel better.Margot Madison Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503183001548514354noreply@blogger.com1