The tempation is too great

Recently we started having the dogs wait for a command until they may eat their treats. Henry, though, has taken this to heart. He knows he is not allowed to eat the treat, but he won't even so much as look at it for fear of turning to a pillar of salt.

My neighbor is jealous because it's so cute

Once upon a time when Stitch 'N Bitch Nation first hit the shelves of my yarn store, I asked Marsha to knit a store sample from the book. We agreed that the Om Yoga Mat Bag would be a great sample. Marsha knit a beautiful aqua bag and even got a cute purple mat to put inside. Because who in California does not do yoga?

Like nobody. Nobody that came into my store anyway. My customers chose yarn, needles and knitting over posing, stretching and exercise. The yoga mat bag moved from the front of the store, to the back of the store, to the middle of the store and back around again and again. Whenever someone would show the slightest interest in it Tess and I would stare at each other with amazement, rush over, talk it up and try to make the sale. I think only one person ever bought the supplies to make yoga mat bag and I know it was Tess that closed the deal. It soon became the dud sample, the laughing stock of all the other store samples.

After two years of sadness and mockery, Marsha took yoga mat bag away determined to sell it as a finished piece, mat and all, at a local craft fair. No takers. Poor yoga mat bag couldn't hack it in the real world either. For the next year and a half the yoga mat bag rolled around the trunk of her car.

Two weeks ago, after starting Jazzercise and having to use the sticky, sweaty public mats, I suddenly remembered lonely, sad, old yoga mat bag. How nice would it be to have a cute knitted yoga mat bag with my own clean mat when I trot into Jazzercise? I asked Marsha if maybe I could have it back. She slowly turned her head looking at me in amazement. I think the laughing started from her toes.

Not two days before had she finally given the yoga mat bag away.

Marsha thought it was so bizarre that I wanted the bag after all this time she promised to make me a new one. I got the mat and look! Fabulous!

... And on a side note - I posted the picture because then Lisa can finally see what I wear to Jazzercise. No headbands or leotards or Velcro Reebok hi-tops...

Design portfolio tips

It's about the time of year when a fresh flock of new design talent will be hitting the streets, banging on doors, begging for jobs and hoping someone takes pity on them enough to give them a couple thousand dollars a month. The first and most important thing every young graphic designer needs is a strong portfolio. Here are some tips and hints on how to make a good portfolio great:

1. Quantity: How much should I have in my portfolio? To show a good sampling of your work your portfolio should have 10-15 pieces. But quantity does not equal quality. Less is more. If you have a few really strong pieces it's better to highlight them than show too much and have nothing stand out.

2. Substance: What should I have in my portfolio? You should tailor your portfolio depending on what kind of job you are looking for. If you want to be a web designer than you would need at least two well-developed website layouts. If you'd like to get into advertising then stock your case with different ad layouts, maybe a campaign for one company that includes print, web and outdoor ads. But for a general rule try to fit these parameters:
- Poster
- Logos
- Stationery suite
- Brochure
- Advertisements
- Catalog or annual report
- Invitation
- Magazine article layout
- Calendar
- Coordinated promotional piece

3. Presentation: What works best? Start strong and end strong. The order in which your projects are presented to your audience is very important. Lead with your best piece, end with your second-best and make sure there is another strong piece somewhere in the middle to hold interest.

4. Case: What kind of portfolio is best? There are two main types of cases to display your work, ring-bound plastic sleeves or my preference, a hard clam-shell case. I use a leather Spink & Gabor case that holds 15x20 inch boards. All boards should be the exact same size and black. Maintain similar margins around all projects and throughout your case. Whatever method you choose make sure you mount your projects cleanly and neatly. You don't get bonus points for this in the real world, only minus points. If the plastic sleeves are dirty, go buy some Windex and clean them. It must remain pristine. Maintaining a clean portfolio sub-consciously tells your audience that you will maintain and respect their property and projects.

5. Resume: Can it be unique? Yes! It should be original and creative but also clear and legible. Design an envelope to go with it. You can also design a self-promotional piece that has samples of your work on it. Take extra copies of both to an interview and make sure to leave at least one behind on your way out.

Your portfolio is an extension of you. It shows how you work and how you think. If you keep it looking sharp and up to date you will never have a problem finding someone to show it too, and hopefully they will give you lots of money for all your hard work.

It hurts to blink

Do you see that? 90? That is some seriously hot weather for coastal San Diego. We consider 75 to be a hot day. The weather is supposed to be 72 and sunny, no more and no less. We can tell the difference between 72 and 75 without even looking at a thermometer so when it hits these kind of temperatures everyone in town is grumpy and falling over from heat exhaustion. Not to mention the air is so dry that the inside of my nose feels like someone buzzed it out with a Dremel then went back in with some sandpaper and then rounded it out by stuffing cotton balls down my throat. It's 8% humidity. My lips feel like they are going to fall off. I live one, ONE! mile from the gigantic Pacific Ocean. How is 8% even physically possible?

My poor Henry looks like he's going to spontaneously catch on fire, his blood boiling when he even so much as looks outside. He just keeps wandering from room to room, glaring at us with each pass, looking for the coldest possible spot to stay until the sun sets. For a little reprieve I gave him a cool bath, something he doesn't like at all. But we sat him down and explained that after Mommy takes away all your dignity and scrubs every inch of your body with strawberry scented shampoo, you will feel better. He still did not agree but finally after we threatened some timeout without treats, food or water he pathetically relented by putting his ears down, holding his breath and hopping in the bath all the while choking back tears. Because I'm just that mean.

But then what do you know? Post bath we had a new, non-glaring, happy, energized Henry. He said, "Wow! Aside from all this water you poured in my ears, I feel great! It's a beautiful day and I'm happy to be alive!"

So for the next thirty seconds he played and chased Lola all around the house and yard. Until suddenly he was hot again. Because not even something with more fur than Jennifer Lopez can stay cool and wet when it's negative humidity.

Saturday morning

My lazy Lola, here in a variety of soppy posses. I wish I could fall back to sleep this easily.