my future

I think it hits you in the moment, when you're doing it, and you think, this is it...this is my future.



At least that's what if felt like to me this morning, early, as I sat in a meeting discussing layouts, typography, and photos for the new LDS Strength of Youth pamphlet.

When my friend called to ask if I would come and give my "artist" opinion on the this new project, I laughed. At some point in our friendship I gave her the impression that I'm the artistic type, and for whatever reason she asked me when there's a plethora of trained artist/designers out there. I won't deny that I'm flattered, but it's a very intimating situation to be in when you feel completely unqualified to be there. This is not the first time I've been asked on a similar assignment, but it never does get any easier, especially when you feel like you're a poser.

When the meeting got underway the first thing I did was look at the work that had already been completed and the ideas they were working on. Then all eyes were on us (there was an interior designer there as well), a pause, and then I went for it. The words started flowing out of me like I knew what I was doing. I surprised myself, I really do know something about design, my friend wasn't crazy to ask me. I'm not schooled or trained (I have taken a couple online class though), but I know the satisfying feeling you get, deep down, when something looks right.

And it was then, in that moment, when I knew, without a doubt, design is what I want to do.

I love it, I love it, I love it. I cannot begin to describe how energizing it was to talk about design and bounce around options. I surprised myself with my ideas, with what I saw, with the changes I would make and to hear that they liked them too.

I don't know why this was such a revelation to me. I've always loved design and mentioned years ago, on my blog even, that I wanted to go back to school and get a BA in Graphic Design, but today was the first time I realized this isn't something I love as a hobby...it's something I love as part of who I am. I feel like I need it and for the first time in a while I no longer feel like I'm standing at the fork in the road. I'm moving.

My mind is swirling today at the possibilities for my time this fall. I know what to do and man does it feel good...it feels right.

more layouts from CZ design class

a 8x8 mini book

four for friday

I'm up. I don't know why I'm up, but I really shouldn't be surprised. It's been like this all week long for me. I can't quite figure out why I've been sleeping so badly. It's frustrating, but all and all I think I'm dealing with it pretty well during the day considering how wasted I feel by the end.

1. While laying in bed before I finally got up this morning I remembered my friend Melissa emailed me about the Making Memories warehouse sale that was happening this weekend. I went to it about 4 or 5 years ago and thought it was pretty cool, but wasn't so impressed that I went back. Now that it's been so long, and so many more products later, I think I might go take a peek to see what they have. I just checked my email again thinking it went until Saturday, but today is the last day. It's open from 10-6pm though if you want to give it a try.



2. Yesterday I started an online class at Big Picture Scrapbooking called Design you Life by Cathy Zielske. It's a class all about design and although I feel like I'm fairly familiar with design, it's not like I'm taking a painting class where I don't know anything, I couldn't help but get a chance to learn from one of my all time favorite scrapbookers. When I listen to what she has to say and I see her work I know I'm where I'm suppose to be. I love design and hope this will be my first official of many design classes I'll take (I'd really love to go back to school in a few years and get a graphic design degree). I think registration is still open until sometime next week so if you're interested go here.

3. My friend Tami and I have been emailing back and forth about whether or not you can get the LDS conferences as a podcast. I thought there would have to be a way to at least get the archives, but wasn't so sure about the conference this weekend. Well, as it turns out Tami sent me the link this morning that has the conferences and a few other LDS podcasts. Just click on the conference link and it will open up itunes store where you can get a subscription. Anyway, it has podcasts of conference talks as far back as 2004 all the way to apr 2008. I'm really excited to have these on my ipod now. Thanks Tami for finding it.

4. This week I took on Ali Edwards challenge to document my life. I remember way back in 2005 when she was teaching a week in your life class at CKU and I always wanted to do it. In fact I printed the pdf packet from creating keepsakes that told you everything you needed to know, but I never did do it so this time I decided it was a must. Right now I would give anything to have a piece of what my life was like back in 2005 because today they are vastly different.

















Ok with that said, this project has not been all flowers and sunshine for me. In the beginning I had a hard time, I rarely remembered to take pictures of things, and I was almost irritated that I had to (as if someone was making me). It wasn't until about Wednesday that it all started to click and I enjoyed the process of documenting my life. I embraced the fact that I basically did some of the same things everyday and just allowed myself to appreciate how a similar task can be a little different each day. It really has made me see my life differently, enjoy what it is I do, and see how all of those pieces together make my days unique. I'm realizing this is going to be a lot of work from start to finish, but I know the end result will be totally worth it. You should try it.