02
Nov
2011
by Emilyin News & Updates
Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to give my heart felt thanks to Project Floors for sending me some FREE wine! Now, you may ask yourself, why did they give you free wine? And that would be a very good question. Who are Project Floors and why did they send me wine?
Project Floors are a company who have recently started their Facebook business page and found a very effective way of spreading the word to ‘like’ their page without it seems breaking any Facebook Terms and Conditions. Very very crafty indeed. What they did was spread the seed that the first 1000 people to like their Facebook book page and email Dan from Project Floors would receive a FREE bottle of wine! To be honest my naturally suspicious mind made me hesitant to turn over my address details to an unknown entity, but after doing a bit of research to the legitimacy of the wine claim and the company I relented to lure of free alcohol and emailed him.
Word of the free wine spread like wild fire through Facebook, it seems it really does make the world a smaller place, and I noticed many of my friends from all walks of life also claiming their free wine and passing the word on, to their friends, and their friends and on and on until now they have 1,022 likers. An amazing achievement since I started my page only a year ago and am still sitting on 430ish (not complaining, I love every single one of you!)
Most of you who know Facebook, know there are many rules and regulations of what you can and can’t do when promoting your Facebook Business Page, so I have to commend Project Floors on a Social Media Campaign well run! And since they have kept me well bribed with my liquid gold I’m going to give them 25% off if they want to hire me to create them a fancy new logo to align with their company moto ‘The up-to-date company’.
And this leads me to their second part of their ploy to keep their likers coming back for more .. most creative placement of their business card! Well, my first thought was to place it in my cleavage, but erh .. well it’s not exactly the best public image to present, and also in my haste to remove the wine from it’s casing I accidentally ripped it heh. So yes, this is part of my creative placement. On the interwebs, my blog and on my very own beloved Facebook Business Page!
So, if you are in the market for some new flooring, please go check out their website, and perhaps even like their business page on Facebook!
18
Apr
2011
by Emilyin News & Updates, Personal Tags: Captain Chaos, kids, pomodoro, the mummy diraies, three kids, trouble monsters, work from home
I was asked to do a guest blog post at
The Mummy Diaries and well, lets face it, who doesn’t like talking about themselves
Check it out on their site and read what other Mum’s have to say!
Here’s my blog post below though (complete with pictures – as they didn’t make it as fas as their website some how. )
WAHM versus the WORLD
So, I just got asked to write a guest post for ‘The Mummy Diaries’ and I jumped at the chance to hop up on my soap box. Lucky for me it’s big enough to also house my three kids, five year old Captain Chaos and 19 month old twin terrors the Trouble Monsters. I am a graphic designer with degree in Design and Multimedia, earned before my babies were even dreamed of and I work from home running my own little design house ‘
Designem’.
If anyone ever said that working from home while your children were small is easy then I’d say they probably haven’t tried it. Every now and again I have considered day-care, or even a Nanny, but alas we have never quite been in a position to afford it. So instead we muddle along the best we can, and so far as long as I don’t really want to much time to myself it seems to be working.
The biggest most valuable bit of information I could dish out to anyone else is also the thing I struggle the most with ‘Time management’. So I have this
and if nothing else it IS rather colourful. Honestly though, I couldn’t live without it … because I find if I don’t write it down (in my diary rather than random bits of paper) then it’s lost …
which is hardly surprising when surrounded by so much mess. But that is another post for another day (Attention Deficit versus the World perhaps?)
A new thingy that I have implemented to stay on task (and also to make sure I don’t get overly focused on a project to find out hours later that I have accomplished NOT much and wasted a LONG time, is the
Pomodoro Technique (also found on
Facebook).
In short, this technique uses a kitchen timer (I actually went out and brought myself a tomato the same as their logo) set to 25 minutes, some paper – pen etc, a goal, and just like that you are all set. For some reason the 25 minute mark is the perfect time to get stuff done in. It guarantees you take adequate breaks (five minutes for every Pomodoro – with a longer break once every four Pomodoros (4x25mins), which in turn helps you stay focused. And if like me you often charge at an hourly rate it can also help you track how much time you spend on a project, and what has been accomplished in that time frame.
A think I have implemented in to my daily schedule is “Kid time” I had a little panic a few weeks back that when my babies are grown all they will remember is Mummy sat in the office attached to her laptop, and this is certainly not a legacy that I want to pass on to them. The distracted Mummy who doesn’t hear their cry’s (insert sad face) so instead I have blocked out time for them (fluorescent green in colour). That and actually leaving the house with them in the morning, and since I am already on the school run for Captain Chaos it’s not actually that hard. So we now have two playgroups and swimming during the week (which the LOVE), a day for coffee groups and a ‘free day’ to hang out at home, or go shopping or whatever.
This way I can get them home, fed, changed and bed all before 12pm. Which also means I get my own lunch in peace (half an hour of blessed peace where I can eat my lunch and read my book) before I have to sit my butt back at my computer and start work. Here between 12.30pm and 2.20pm I can do my best to as constructive with my time as possible and get some work done! Before getting the girls up, changed and rush back to the school for CC. Am I boring you yet? I hope not because my day is only just half done.
After schools are CHAOS, and my son the Captain of it. His school teacher suspects ADD (apple doesn’t fall far from the tree me thinks) so I do my best to get him out of his uniform, afternoon tea and home work as quick as possible before Sponge Bob starts at 3.30pm and the witching hour sets in. If I can manage to do all that then all three kids will play nicely, if it drags on then world war three/four/five usually ensues.
Now I have to say, bed time in house keeps getting earlier and earlier. Tonight was 6pm, which is saying something since before school started it was 7.30pm. OH my finely tuned 9.30am wakers are well in truly broken, but I can’t say I don’t mind the rewards of it being 7.17pm, having worked successfully for the last 60 odd minutes and having had them in all in bed by 6.
One thing I always do with CC is read to him at night. Currently we are reading “Matilda” by Roald Dahl, he doesn’t always have the patience for it, but I think the exercise of sitting still and listening is really starting to pay off. We are over half way through, and at the weekend I caught him flicking to the end to ensure a happy ending (which he deducted WAS indeed happy since Matilda and Ms Honey hugging). He is really enjoying this time we spend together, without his sister and without the stress of homework and the witching hour. Next I think I will read him The Twits, or maybe the BFG. I loving that he wants more than “The cat sat on the mat”.
But no, just in case you think my day ends there you are very much mistaken! There is washing and dishes to be done, a man to talk to and spend time with, and then after that a couple more hours of multitasking between WORK and catching up on my favourite television shows and my 35 minute stint on the Cross Trainer! No wonder I fall in to bed at 11pm and am generally unconscious until the following day.
But would I swap my life? Do less work? Hire a Nanny? Yeah, probably not! (The only thing I could really do with would be a house keeper LOL)
29
Mar
2011
by Emilyin General Design, News & Updates, Personal Tags: rewarding logo design, yummy cupcakes
Not that all clients should reward me in such YUM ways but these cup cakes smell divine!
Thank you once again Crystal from the
Cupcake Princess! This is one product that I have
NO trouble endorsing
You can check out her
website here, where she is proudly displaying her new logo.
I’m just editing this to add, I just had one of the caramel ones and OMGosh it was like I died and went to heaven xxx
23
Mar
2011
by Emilyin General Design, News & Updates Tags: book cover design, tales for canterbury
Okay, so firstly I know its been a few weeks since I last updated my blog. And before you stat shaking your heads I am not going to apologize, because I have been busy
Which means I have lots of things to show you.
But I am going to start with this, as I am SO excited about it!
Tales for Canterbury are now ready for pre-order. And I suggest you do do that now as I they will sell like hot cakes. ALL the profit from these books will be sent directly to the
Red Cross Earthquake appeal they have
$512 and I am pretty pleased to say that I helped that amount because not only did I design the cover art work but I have already pre-ordered my very own copy! (In paper back of course as I just love the tactile feeling of holding a book in my hands and having them all stacked up on my book cases -
I have a few books heh)
You can order your very own copy from
randomstatic.net. The print copy is only $24.95 (including postage within NZ) and the digital version is a tiny $12.00! That is a
complete steal (
Oh and since I already ordered my copy I can tell you that you can get the print copy gift wrapped at no extra cost. Since this is like a little present to myself I asked for my copy to wrapped up!)
06
Mar
2011
by Emilyin General Design, Logo Design, News & Updates
Bidding is up to $125 and closes Sun 6 Mar, at 1:26 pm! If you were considering have me design you a logo then go do so
now, bid on a basic logo package and vector art work valued at $498 and help support our family and friends in Christchurch.
Lots of other
Charity Auctions for the Christchurch Earthquake 2011 are closing today so please take the time have have a look! Remember all proceeds are going to the Red Cross Earthquake appeal.
04
Mar
2011
by Emilyin General Design, Logo Design, News & Updates Tags: avatars, chch, Christchurch, earthquake, kia kahah
My avatars have starting to pop all over
Facebook, and this surly makes me smile! (Great ego boost too) As I said my my previous post the futility that I felt following the earthquake that hit Christchurch on the 22nd February 2011 was speedily replaced after I started being proactive with how I could make a positive difference for those effected. All you need to do to qualify for a FREE Personlised Avatar made by yours truly is donate $5+ to the Christchurch Earthquake appeal of your choice. Send me the proof along with any images you want included to chchavatars [at] designem.co.nz.
If you can’t donate (I know not everyone has the means to do so) You can still show your support by using one of the following free Avatars I have created. Please feel free tag yourself in the Avatars on my
facebook business account and use them on your profile or other places. But please don’t add them to your own images or try to pass them off as your own work. Thanks!
28
Feb
2011
by Emilyin General Design, News & Updates, Personal Tags: avatars, chch, Christchurch, earthquake, kia kahah
After Thursdays feelings of futility faded I was left with the strong desire to do something constructive. Since then I have acutally gotten my chance to do just that! I have organised donations for two Chch refugees with littlies, designed art work for a charity Auction, Actually
donated my self to said Auction! (
Bidded on the Auctions hehe) Designed Art Work for
Tales for Christchurch and now designed a lovely little Avatar that I am going to use in my next fund raising scheme.
Sooo … Donate $5 to any Christchurch Earthquake relief and email me (chcheqappeal [at] designem.co.nz) the receipt (as proof) along with any other visuals you want included and I will personalise your very own Kia Kaha Chch logo for your Facebook or other Avatar (Just let me know the dimensions.)
Kia Kaha translates from Maori to – “Be strong and fearless!” “Stand tall!” and “Be Proud!”
I don’t acutally want to be handling any money so it would be best to donate to the following list:
A Mayoral fund has been set up for donations to the citizens of Christchurch using the following BNZ bank account: 02-0800-084958-000.
Donations can be made to the Red Cross online or via the GrabOne website orfundraiseonline.co.nz, as the Red Cross site has been crashing.
Donations can be made to the Salvation Army by calling 0800 53 00 00 (specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’) or at:
• Any ANZ Bank branch: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
• Any National Bank branch: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
• Any Westpanisterc Bank branch: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00
• Any ASB Bank branch: Account number 12-3205-0146808-00
• Any BNZ Bank branch: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000
• Any Kiwibank branch: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00
Donations can be made to the Rotary New Zealand World Community Service here.
Donations can be made to the Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand website, by calling 0800 22 10 22, or by post: Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144. Mark correspondence: “Canterbury Earthquake Appeal”.
Vodafone users can donate to the Red Alert Canterbury Earthquake Appeal by texting “Quake” to 333 to make a $3 donation to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.
Across the Tasman, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is also accepting donations for the New Zealand Red Cross.
Britons can donate to the New Zealand Red Cross online here.
Alternatively UK Vodafone customers can give £5 by texting “NZQUAKE” to 70801. UK Vodafone will donate an extra £1 for each text.
24
Feb
2011
by Emilyin News & Updates, Personal Tags: Christ Church, Donations, Earth Quake, Facebook, Feb 2011, Red Cross
While watching the stories of loss, and witnessing the utter devastation of Christ Church, my heart breaks for each and every person who has lost their lives in this horrific way.
Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven, and when something like a natural disaster reaches a hand in to displace it, it truly brings it home to me that we are just renting our space in this world.
Tomorrow I am 31. Birthdays are traditionally a time of celebration; obviously I don’t feel much like doing so. In the past I have suffered guilt when disasters pass me over, but having children has made me thankful that we are ‘safe’.
The human spirit however is resilient, and our people brave. I am sure that many will want to stay and reclaim what the earth has taken away, and rebuild their city in a way that will withstand what the earth can dish out. In this time when most people don’t have a lot of spare cash and the cost of
Milk is more than
Coke people are still digging deep and giving what they can.
I don’t think there is one person in New Zealand who doesn’t know a person who has been affected by this Quake and I believe each and every one of us wants to help in any way we can.
I myself am donating the only commodity I can really, my time. So keep an eye out on TM as my ‘services’ as a Graphic Designer are up for Auction.
The generosity of people is amazing, heart-warming and a balm to the pain this Earth Quake has shaken up.
Please take a look at
http://www.facebook.com/chchcharityauctions Donations for the Charity Auction now reach 146 items! The Auctions are going to be run on Trade Me and should be up and running for Monday. (I will keep you posted) All proceeds are going too donated to the Red Cross. I can vouch for the legitimacy of this Fund Raising as I am friends with both Jess and Kelly the lovely ladies who are organising it. And have deigned more than one logo for Jess!!!
I am donating a Basic Logo Package and Vector Art work and my amazing beautiful sister (also a Jess – Otherwise known as ‘Girl Meets Uke’ is donating her skills as a trained Opera singer for your Wedding, Funeral, or Special Occasion (We have farmed her out for all of these things;-). SO keep an eye out, you may just nab a bargain and also support our Friends and Family in Canterbury.
I will leave you with some messages I have seen posted on
Facebook.
Sam Harvey:
We’re now working with the new Brighton police and using the beach campus as a welfare centre. So proud of our guys today. Feel free to come down to help man the welfare centre (shifts are 8am – 2pm or 2pm – 8pm) or to join our teams who are vo…lunteering around new Brighton. 111 Seaview Road.
If you know the whereabouts of Shane Tomlin please email
camp...@tv3.co.nz
If you have friends or family in Christchurch who need to wash laundry,Fisher & Paykel have set up laundering facilities to help.
Located in the following places:
National Marae, 250 Pagers Road, Aranui. Corner Berswick & Charles Street (situated in a Portacom), Kaiapoi. Fisher & Paykel site, 79 Shands Rd, Hornby
And taken from
The NZ Hearld Site
All offers of help can be emailed to
E-mail Obfuscated, which is a central co-ordination point.
Hands-on help
Once again the University of Canterbury Students Association is inviting people to join the student volunteer army.
Volunteers should arrive at the UCSA car park on Ilam Road between 9am and 10am and bring shovels, wheelbarrows, gloves, raincoats, sunblock, drink bottles. Find out more about theStudentVolunteerArmy on Facebook.
The Auckland University Students Association is looking to get volunteers during the university’s Orientation next week to help gather donations to go to the aid of victims of the earthquake. More information here.
Accommodation can be offered to those displaced – see here for more information.
People in Wellington who can offer accommodation to displaced Cantabrians can register by calling 04 801 4205 or emailing
E-mail Obfuscated with details. Those in Auckland who can offer a bed can call 0800 AUCKLAND to register.
Prime Minister John Key said the best way people from around New Zealand and the world can help is to make cash donations to help the city and its residents get back on their feet.
Donations
A Mayoral fund has been set up for donations to the citizens of Christchurch using the following BNZ bank account: 02-0800-084958-000.
Donations can be made to the Red Cross online or via the GrabOne website orfundraiseonline.co.nz, as the Red Cross site has been crashing.
Donations can be made to the Salvation Army by calling 0800 53 00 00 (specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’) or at:
• Any ANZ Bank branch: Account number 01-1839-0188939-00
• Any National Bank branch: Account number 06-0869-0548507-00
• Any Westpanisterc Bank branch: Account number 03-0207-0617331-00
• Any ASB Bank branch: Account number 12-3205-0146808-00
• Any BNZ Bank branch: Account number 02-0500-0982004-000
• Any Kiwibank branch: Account number: 38-9009-0759479-00
Donations can be made to the Rotary New Zealand World Community Service here.
Donations can be made to the Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand website, by calling 0800 22 10 22, or by post: Caritas, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington, 6144. Mark correspondence: “Canterbury Earthquake Appeal”.
Vodafone users can donate to the Red Alert Canterbury Earthquake Appeal by texting “Quake” to 333 to make a $3 donation to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.
Across the Tasman, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is also accepting donations for the New Zealand Red Cross.
Britons can donate to the New Zealand Red Cross online here.
Alternatively UK Vodafone customers can give £5 by texting “NZQUAKE” to 70801. UK Vodafone will donate an extra £1 for each text.
Pets and animals
The Christchurch SPCA has opened a Pet Emergency Earthquake Fund. You can donate money here or to the Westpac account 030802 0586429a> 00.
Paw Justice is sending food shipments to pets in Christchurch affected by the earthquake. Text “FOOD” to 4662 to donate $3.
Scam warning
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is warning people about an email scam, which uses Christchurch’s earthquake as an opportunity to prey on the good will of New Zealanders.
Ministry watchdog Scamwatch said it had already received reports of emails sent from ‘James McCoy’, who claims to be from ‘Donate4Charity NZ’.
It suggests the recipient can be the New Zealand manager of the bogus charity in return for a 10 percent cut.
The ministry said giveaway signs of an email scam include a generic email address, poor grammar and spelling, and an offer of a cut for accepting money.
03
Feb
2011
by Emilyin General Design, News & Updates, Personal Tags: Birthday, Captain Chaos, Invites
So my little Man is turning 5 OMGOSH I can hardly believe it. How did 5 years zoom past so fast? Combine that with the Trouble Monsters on their way to turning 2 and it’s enough to give you speed wobbles.
So, I really meant to get this post out earlier in the day, but as usual life has gotten in the way. This is what I got up to last night, designing the birthday card invites! He is so excited but overly focused on the Lollipops the Robots are holding haha.
And then we zoomed off to Harvey Normans this morning to get them printed! (We personalised the ones to his friends, these are the spare ones for the photo album.
Don’t forget to check out the competition I am running right now to
win a free basic logo package!
28
Jan
2011
by Emilyin General Design, News & Updates Tags: Advertisement, gifs, HTML Email mailers, Weight Watchers
I have been doing quite a lot of work for Weight Watchers recently. Part of this showcasing the new packaging that you will see on Weight Watchers branded food in the coming months due to the biggest change they have ever made to the point system.
Weight Watchers now has Pro Points which have been developed with WW’s 15 years of experience with helping people to maintain a healthy weight range. I have been doing it for the last two weeks and so far so good! Anyhow, back to the design stuff!
Here is a few things I have (apart from the resizing of countless images contributed to sending me slightly crazy) been doing for them.
Weight Watchers HTML email mailer
Weight Watchers HTML email mailer
Hmm I think that will do for now
Recent Comments