I want to send you cheer!

Calling all Christmas card lovers!! 

This year I thought I would make a more proactive approach to getting all of your addresses for my Christmas card list — so, if you want a beautimus card from me, send me your address! (The design this year is gonna be off the chizain!) You can DM me on Twitter, message me on Facebook, or if you don’t care about spammers, post it in a comment on this blog!

Even if you got a card last year please send me your address anyways, since most of us are all in different places than we were last Christmas.

Merry October!

Where are you Tropic-Sno?

Allison’s attack plan for the next few months of working from home:

Phase One:

www.allisondoty.com – Yes it sucks. I know this.

That’s why I am working on a better one! I will be launching a new portfolio blog soon. I have all the research done and basic layout finished , but here’s what I can’t decide: Should a design portfolio have a super intricate and saucy design to show off your skills (Like this fun design from 4Design.tv)? Or should it be super-simple and show off your work (Like this simple and functional site from Identity33)? What’s your opinion? I am leaning toward super-simple (but I really think it’s only the little lazy girl inside that wants it).

Phase Two:

Become a skinny bitch. Well maybe not a SKINNY bitch, but more of a “In a healthy BMI range” bitch. Weight Watchers is always preaching about how in order to lose weight you have to make a lifestyle change. I have decided to accomplish this by starting a blog about health and weight, written in my same happy-go-lucky/snarky tone.

I am actually a lot more excited about this than of Phase One, cause lets face it, Phase Two could potentially involve going down a few dress sizes and shopping. I also don’t want my weight blog to be related to my freelance graphic design in anyway so this was my decision behind starting a totally new blog. Look for www.TeenyThang.com in the near(ish) future! And for you girlies out there dealing with the same issues, I would LOVE to have to you as a guest blogger – or if you are just looking for a little inspiration, here are some GREAT weight loss blogs that I check out regularly … The Token Fat Girl.  Former Fat Guy.  A Merry Life.

Phase Three:

Find a decent Sno-Cone shack in Boise. COME ON! Its in the triple digits! 

Happy Thursday!

Mmmm. Hello Mr. Klondike. I’ve been waiting for you.

Well hello everyone! There’s been a few things on my mind lately, and I am so happy to finally be able to share them with you! First — I am now working 100% from  home! 12 hour days have not suited me so I decided to make a change and I cut my hours at the marketing firm. From now on I will be blogging for the company from home – for A LOT less hours a week, and working on my other freelance projects the rest of the day.

Monday was my first day completely working for myself and it was FABULOUS!! I love being able to cook a nice hot lunch instead of having a granola bar and an apple. And I LOVE being my own boss. Let me tell you – I never let myself down

Now that I suddenly have a normal-sized work day I can start my fun projects I have been planning forever! I will be starting a new blog (or two) and I will be getting back to my fun craft-stuff that I haven’t done in a while (I’m thinking a new Etsy store)!

I also started going to Weight Watchers meetings again. I decided NOW is the time to say goodbye to the “Freshman 15,” or in my case the “Freshman, holy-crap-this-scale-must-be-broken!” I am loving the meetings and its been really nice to have a weekly reminder that there is more to life than ice cream bars, and cheesy popcorn, and german chocolate cake, and doritos, and grilled cheese sandwiches at 1AM, and OH MY GOD I feel the pounds growing back on my ass. GOOD GOD woman! Get a GRIP!

In other news (Yes, I just used that transition!), my internets suck! It is impossible to have the cable for my internet and TV plugged into the same jack. My cable TV will work, but not internet. Has anyone else had problems with this? The cable company says that I need to have the right splitter (which I do, and it STILL wont work). I have heard that some people have to get a cable amplifier. Hmmm. What to do? Cause I have been changing the cables between watching tv and using the internets, and let me tell you, it AINT happenin’ much longer. Is is too much to ask to be able to watch Oprah and check my e-mail at the same time? COME ON!

Other than the incessant need for sweets (which has been around since I can remember), that’s what’s new with me! More updates to come soon!

PROMO ALERT – Allison is a wonderfully positive, smart, good-looking, generous, thoughtful, creative, fun, talented, avid scrapbooker, accomplished chef, screenprinting, ex-journalist, Journey-loving, hard-working graphic designer who, depending on your personality, work ethic, good looks and morals would like to work with you!

Now that I am relying solely on myself to bring in business, lately I have been researching the different ways that I can market myself without being too cheesy, spending too much money, or plastering my picture and contact info to free Frisbees. So, naturally the first thing I did was google “Self Promotion for Designers” and look what I found: 120 Self Promotion Ideas for Graphic Designers and Freelancers It couldn’t be more easy than that. Thanks AllGraphicDesign.com!

While a few ideas on this list are quite inventive I think some ideas are worth discussing, because really, how far should someone go for some (shameless?) self-promotion? Lets discuss, shall we:

7. Shave your logo into your hair, or get a logo tattoo.

Sure to start a conversation, but while someone might start asking questions about your business, what they are really thinking is “What the *&%!? This dude’s gone done and went crazay! Where else is that logo shaved?”

11. Attach a magnet to your vehicle.

For me this suggestion is a total toss-up. On one side, I can see how this might work, but only if it was an AWESOME sign, because usually when I see car magnets they are for a maid-service or a repair shop. However, would a potential client really call you based on a car magnet or sign alone? I know I don’t have the agility to write down an address or phone number while I am driving, so all of those signs are lost on me. I want to know what you think! Has anyone had success with this?

28. Holiday Promotions

This is the only bit of self-promotion I currently do. I design a custom Christmas or holiday card with my contact info and  URL and then send them to family, friends and anyone I have worked with. So far I have attracted one client from this method, but mostly this is just a way to say “Hi! Merry Christmas! Don’t forget about me!” Plus, making cards is fun. I suggest going the extra mile and hand addressing each one. Downside to awesome holiday cards: Keeping track of addresses.

110. Print bookmarks and leave them at a local coffee shop or book store.

I LOVE this idea! I keep bookmarks forever because post-it notes or old receipts just aren’t as fun, so this promotion idea would totally work on me!

120. Be amazing and all the work will come to you.

True this, mamazita! (And a chipper attitude also never hurt anyone!)

What do you all think? Does anyone else have super fun self-promotion ideas or tips?

Thanks to AllGraphicDesign.com!

In 20 years I will regret this …

Looks like it’s time for me to give another life update, so here’s whats been happening lately:

1. I turned 23. Obviously, I feel the same.

2. I discovered the Furminator. Pet owners rejoice! If you don’t know about it, you should.

3. I have been at my part-time marketing gig for a while now, and I am finally starting to get the gist of things. Starting in a new office can get super awkward, like when you make a (it was harmless, really) Mormon joke and then realize that your boss is Mormon … and  your boss’ boss. Oops.

4. I have gotten a few new freelance clients that I am super excited about — posts with those projects will come later.

5. I was called “sir” at a Wal-Mart. Apparently a Stuffy Nose + Baggy Sweatshirt + A Hangover = a Y chromosome. Maybe my next checker will make eye-contact with me first before addressing me. I mean seriously, besides the girl boobs, butt (and hopefully face), I was wearing a “MHS Senior Girls” sweatshirt, and if that didn’t give it away, she could have figured it out from the giant mascara rings under my eyes. So thank you, Wal-Mart checker, 20 years from now when I can afford it, my shrink will be hearing about YOU first.

6. I bought a 5lb. bag of lemons from Costco, thinking that normal proportions of lemons are just too dang expensive and I will save SO MUCH MONEY on my citrus bill! Good god woman! What were you thinking? I need lemon recipes asap!

7. I became addicted to Dooce. Miss Heather, if your hits suddenly went up for no apparent reason, it was because I was reading your entire archive of old blog entries. Yes. All of them. Hopefully my boss won’t look at my browsing history any time soon.

8.  I started drinking a glass of wine everyday with dinner for the health benefits. Then I stopped after 3 days because it was too expensive (I am not MADE of money Mr. Sutter Home!) and I hate hand-washing my wine glasses, and I am too proud to drink my wine from a keg cup. In 20 years I will look back on this post and say “You were a dumb wank in your 20’s, now you have wrinkles and you can’t meet your daily allowance of antioxidants.” Then my 23-year-old self will say “Yes, but now you can retire years earlier because I didn’t spend that extra 7 dollars a week! So please shut-up, eat a pomegranate, and see your shrink!”

9. I started having imaginary conversations with myself 20 years from now.

10. My car is about to die. Poor Elvis never thought it would come to this. Everyday I get in my car and use the power of The Secret to start my car. Up until now The Secret (or the engine … whichever) hasn’t failed me, but alas I know it is time to start looking for a new ride. I think I will still stay in the Jeep family, but now I know from experience not to name my things after people who are already dead.

My beta John Lennon never saw it coming. I only had him for 2 days before he croaked.

While before I just picked fun, classic names, now I am learning that I must asses risk and age of the person before committing to a name. For example, while I would LOVE to name my next car after someone I SUPER love, like Oprah, but she is far to famous and political, making her a target. If she ever died (god forbid) my car would go right with her. Therefore I must pick someone young (unfortunately) like a Jonas brother or a fictional character.

Like Shrek. Or Cinderella. Or Jabba the Hut.

Yes. A Jeep Liberty named Jabba the Hut. Excellent. Wait … did Jabba die?

“Recession: Make yourself useful and hand me a tissue.”

The last few months has been a complete roller coaster of “I love my life” and “Why me?” moments. After I was laid off I literally sat at home for about a month only interviewing for jobs that I would hate, but would pay the rent. Then my life got crazy.

Let’s break down my break down:

February: I was laid off and lost six pounds. Crying and America’s Next Top Model marathons ensue. 

March: My cat starts liking me. I interview for three receptionist jobs, no one hires me.

April: I interview with a Marketing company in Boise that offers me a job. I interview with a new client that offers me a freelance contract with steady work from my home office. Random tanning salon calls: I got the job. My OLD office calls and offers me my job BACK. I decide to take the job at home, and turn down all others. 

Present day: Gained three pounds back. Spent $400 on new office software and equipment for my new at-home gig. 

Then, yesterday threw me a curve ball. The marketing company that I interviewed with, and turned down, still wants me. WHA??!! And now they have offered to hire me on part-time as a contractor, without a non-compete agreement. 

So now I find myself in the situation that I originally wanted 3 months ago: Home business meets steady part-time income, just to be safe. I never thought that both of these jobs would be doing what I love. (Which is why I applied at the tanning salon.)

Moral of the story: I thought that getting laid off meant the end of my career for a few years (see earlier posts). I am absolutely sure that thinking positively is what got me into the comfortable place I am today. And, use your network!! Both of the jobs I have now were not advertised. They literally just fell into my lap. 

With that said, I, like the rest of the country right now, am still broke. So I think it is super important for everyone to start living like we are in a Recession. No more Netflix … sorry. No more fast food 3 times a week, even if you have a job. 

As for me: I will be at work with colleagues in the morning, and being my own boss at home in the afternoon. All the while, skimping on every cost possible. And now that I have started to work again, the cat seems a little agitated …

Like the “Keep Calm” posters above? Find them here: http://keepcalmposters.blogspot.com/

The Great Divide

As many of you have seen from my crazy amounts of Tweets and Facebook posts, I now have to work with Corel. And I want to die.

Creatives will be fighting about Macs vs. PCs until the day computers die. I thought that when I bought my new Mac all of my creative problems would end, because all my problems originated on my PC. And, they have ended. Until now. I need CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4, and I can’t have it. Because it won’t work on a Mac.

Evil evil evil.

But, I have no choice. I need Corel to work with my biggest client for my new at-home gig. (If you have the same problem, read this awesome how-to article.) So on top of buying Corel, I now need to buy Parallels, a desktop virtualization software, so I can run the PC version on my Mac. My gorgeous, pristine Mac that will now be all muddied up with ugliness and rage. 

But, since I am stuck between a rock and a PC, Parallels I will buy, and Corel I will try. With that said, I am glad that I will be able to add another program I can work in to my resume. And who knows, maybe Corel will be fun. And Corel will pay the rent, can’t argue with that.

In the mean time, Parallels actually looks like a really cool way to avoid this problem, as long as you have enough RAM and hard drive space. Parallels is built so that you can work with your Windows programs along side your Mac applications (and the interface is still pretty like my Mac). Check Parallels out on their website. 

Also, if you need info about getting CorelDRAW graphics into Illlustrator, Adobe (who likes to HELP people) published a great 6-page PDF on how to deal with your bad luck. Check out the PDF here.

Happy Thursday!

Working for the Man (and the weekend)

I’m officially working for the Man. But, by the Man, I mean myself. And by working, I mean doing what I love all day. So actually, I am not at all working, although some how I will be earning money, and I have no one to answer to but myself.

Eureka! I have finally reached my goal of achieving “self-employed bum” status! 

I am working for myself people. Me. I dreamed about it while I was in college, but I never really thought that I would be able to sustain a full-time income as a freelancer. And, normally I wouldn’t, except I scored an awesome freelance deal with a local printer (designing t-shirts, promo items, websites, posters, etc.) that will bring me in enough business to work full-time from home, and also let me explore my own projects on the side. 

Now that I have the time and the resources to focus on what I love, I have some awesome side-projects you can expect to see from me in the near(ish) future!

1. www.teenythang.com — Fun and realistic weight-loss blog to the rescue! A little free blog therapy never hurt anyone. Expect low-fat, spicy bitchiness. Just the way I like it. (Anyone interested in being a guest writer?)

2. www.allisondoty.com – Revamp! Look for a new, improved design blog with a ‘tude. 

Now, to accomplish these projects, I just need an extra dose of self-discipline and a bigger living space! I have already taken the first step by purchasing myself a “grown-up” work desk. I will also be moving my computer out of my bedroom so I can actually get some serious work done. 

Working from home does pose a few problems in a small one-bedroom apartment:

1. Thanks to my new “Desk a’la Maturity,” I will now have no dining room.

2. Or table to eat on.

3. Or space to live in. 

Does anyone have good advice for working from home and/or setting up a home office? 

AND, if you haven’t found me yet, check me out on Twitter! Much more about my new gig soon!

Round one: The Economy vs. My Peace of Mind

Today was a milestone for me. I had to drop a client. And in this economy, believe me, it was NOT easy. 

Sometimes work relationships just don’t work out. Either personalities clash or work ethics clash and in the long run, life is too short to sweat the small stuff. So I decided to eliminate the stress from my life and focus on a brighter day. 

On the brighter side, I feel 50 pounds lighter and I suddenly have the urge to pump Michael Jackson and attempt the white girl moonwalk. I must have made the right decision. 

Sound familiar? Freelance Switch has a great article that can help you identify if it is time to drop a client. 

The first journalism job on Craigslist I have seen in a month

A rare Journalism job post for those who are interested. 

Blue Mountain Eagle Newspaper — News Reporter/Sports Editor sought for weekly community newspaper in John Day, Oregon. Excellent entry-level position. This position covers local sports, outdoor recreation, plus some city and general news; must be able to develop story ideas, take photographs, design pages, develop sources, prepare website updates, and work in a cooperative team environment. Journalism education and/or experience required. Full-time position offering health and retirement benefits.The Blue Mountain Eagle (www.myeaglenews.com) is a member of the East Oregonian Publishing Company, a progessive family-owned company which includes The Wallowa County Chieftain, The Daily Astorian, Chinook Observer, The Hermiston Herald, North Coast Citizen, Cannon Beach Citizen, East Oregonian, Seaside-Sun.com and Capital Press.For immediate consideration send resume and letter of interest to: East Oregonian Publishing Company, PO Box 2048, Salem, OR 97308-2048; by FAX to 503-371-2935 or E-mail: hr@eopubco.org 

See the Craigslist ad here.

I want to be a “?” when I grow up

When I was in high school I wanted to be a fire fighter when I grew up. Which is funny, considering I am deathly afraid of fire anywhere near my head, and I don’t have a hero complex. I think I mostly wanted to be around hot boys all of the time. 

Then I joined the school newspaper and I wanted to be an editor. Now my dreams have gradually morphed through work experience, and I have decided I want to be a graphic designer when I grow up. Maybe. Wait, I am grown up now. Crap.

Maybe it would be better if I resorted back to my 6 year old mind, when I wanted to be a Killer Whale when I grew up. Now THIS is a goal I can attain. 

So, now that I have no job, I have had ample time to reflect on what I ACTUALLY want to be when I grow up. For the last couple of weeks I have been subconsciously making a “list of demands” for my dream job :

1. I can come in to and leave work whenever I want. 

2. I can live anywhere in the world and keep the same job.

3. I am paid well enough to live a comfortable life.

The verdict: I want to be a freelance bum when I grow up. 

Maybe SeaWorld is hiring.

Yes, I crawled into a hole. No, I didn’t die.

But my job did.

Back to the blog, because sometimes writing something down can help you see a new perspective your jaded brain missed. 

And believe me, my brain is jaded. After being laid off about a month ago I am having a lot of trouble staying positive. Which is usually very easy for me.

It seems that I am under qualified for any professional career jobs because I am competing against a 20 year veteran in the field who was recently laid off, and I am over qualified for a non-career job because my resume is so job specific. This seems like the one time in my life where hard work really isn’t paying off. So what do I do? Find a temporary waitress job and ride it out for the next 2 to 5 years? I have heard some estimates that our economy wont be back to where is was until 2015. Am I willing to fall 6 years behind? Do I even have a choice?

It seems like right now the best job opportunities aren’t advertised and are coming through networking. Except, all my contacts are broke too. Hmm, now what? I wonder how competitive Hooters is.

There have been a couple benefits to being laid off:

1. My cooking skills have skyrocketed by trying to make a meal out of whatever is in my fridge. 

2. I have caught up on every season of every TV show, ever.

3. My cat is starting to like me. 

4. I have lost 6 pounds in a month, mostly due to the fact that my food budget is so small, and I have so much time to work out. 

5. I am caught up on all of the blogs. On the whole internet. And also most of Canada’s.

6. Since I just moved out in February (boy, THAT was bad timing) I have tons of time to enjoy my sparkly new apartment I can barely afford. 

So there is a small silver lining in the end. But while it is silver, it is looking a little dirty and I am starting to lose my change through the holes in the bottom.

If any one else out there is feeling the same way (lets get real, who ISN’T feeling this way?) check out a blog that has great unemployment tips and information and makes you feel less alone: Fired For Now. 

And, look for more of me. I’ve got so much time it hurts. And this blog might just be the free therapy I need! (I am thinking re-design!)

Happy Holidays

Since I don’t have all your addresses, here is my e-christmas card for you! (Also, if you want Christmas cards in the future, you should send me your addresses!)

Dear friends,

Yes, I am alive. But I have decided I might be too ADD for this whole blogging thing — but I’m not ready to give it up quite yet. 

The new job has been going really well, although I think I have already learned about as much as I can about designing sports posters. But, at this point, I am just thankful to even have a job. Other than working in a cubicle, I have been working on re-designing my online portfolio and doing some freelance work here and there.

To be serious, mostly I am dealing with the loss of my grandmother a number of weeks ago. It hasn’t been easy and I thought I was a lot more prepared than it turns out I actually was. She was a rock in my life, and one of my last women role-models and I have been having some trouble feeling grounded. I’ve just been a little hazy (and lazy). 

I think when you lose someone it makes you so thankful for who is still in your life, so I just wanted to say I love you all! I truly think of you guys all the time.  I am constantly sizing up my new co-workers with the Evergreen crew, and believe me you guys ALWAYS win. We should stay more connected, especially us out-of-staters. Communal blog anyone? We should make it happen. 

So I guess this blog is half an apology for going off the grid, and half an ode to friends and my online support group. With that said, look for more in the future! 

I miss you all!

- Allison

Pimp my cubicle

So I haven’t been posting much lately, I have been SO busy … GETTING A JOB! Yayayayayayay! I now work as a ‘team lead’ for a publishing company! They mostly do sports related publications like team posters and pocket schedules, but they also do some independent projects. I start next Thursday! YAY!  Seriously, it took so long I was beginning to think I was unemployable (it’s all Bush’s fault really). And get this – I have a CUBICLE. I will be living the middle income family dream, and I couldn’t be more excited! Cublicle pictures to follow in the next couple of weeks. Anyone have any pimp my cubicle ideas?

Now, there is MORE news. I have also been working for a lot of new freelance efforts lately, including the FIner Frames website — which you can now find live at www.finerframes.net! We are still going through a battle with hosting to get finerframes.COM taken down to replace it with my content – so that is why the site is on a .net for now.

I also just finished design for a new site for the Idaho Drug Free Youth organization. I was contacted by a very talented web developer/programmer named Sean Rietze, and from there he let me know what the clients wanted and a design was born! The site is geared toward ‘tweens’ from around 11 to 15, so we went for a grungy ‘pop’ look. The finished site is still on a sandbox site right now, but I put a .jpg of the finished design below! You can check out Sean’s other awesome work on his website here.

And on that note, I miss you all! My new job has an environment exactly like the Evergreen, so I walked in and immediately missed everyone. Anyone heard from Jenna lately? How is she? I think we should have an Evergreen family reunion soon.