Book Covers

Here are a few of the latest.

The Christian Discount.

If there is one thing that Christian people are known for in business...its for their lack of generosity. In one word...they are 'cheap'. There is always an expectation of a discount. In my mind, how is this even possible?
Is there anything in God's character that is "cheap"? Is there anything in God's character that gives the bare minimum? On the contrary, God's character is one of generosity. Words like "abundance", "overflowing"...not just filled up...but running over. There's nothing 'cheap' about running over. In fact...it's more than you can handle. More even, then we deserve.

What bothers me, is that when Christian business people are constantly wanting the lowest price, the best deal or what I like to call "The Christian Discount", we are actually acting in a way that is OPPOSITE of God's character. Its anti-God's Character. It's not just the opposite of the way Christ would act...but I believe it's unrighteous.

Now...this is funny coming from a frugal Dutch girl with a love for Dollarama. I love a deal. But I have learned alot about the spiritual effects of crazy generosity in the last 2 years. And what I've learned is that God's Kingdom is upside down. Jesus always did things opposite of what the norm was. He didn't follow rules. He established a Kingdom where things were not as 'man' would do them.

The norm is to think that giving will make you poor. That you should hold on to your stuff, your money, with all your might...so that you will have enough. But the truth is, that in the Kingdom of God...that doesn't work. It will actually backfire. You will never have enough if you live like that. But if you give...(with a knowing that what you have is God's anyway)...you will see God giving back to you. And you will have FUN!

Back to Christians in business. Its really sad. My goal is to NEVER ask for the "Christian discount" again from a business. In fact...my desire is to not only pay what's fair...but pay more. Crazy? Sure. But how would YOU feel to be on the recieving end of someone like that? Wouldn't it bless you?!

I believe something supernatural happens when we act like Jesus...and in an opposite spirit of how the world thinks. Giving is upside-down. It never leaves you dry...it always fills you up. Spiritually and financially.

Stuff

I know I don't blog a lot. And when I apologize for not blogging, it's always for the same reason. "Nothing much to say!" I work, I sleep, I snuggle with my kiddos.

Fall is here, and I love it. I love the cooler weather because I love cozy sweaters. I'm not looking forward to the city being covered in snow however. But I was raised to always see the positive...so my 'positive' about winter is the fact that we are going on a long-awaited family vacation in January. So the faster winter comes, the faster that vacation comes! But a mild winter would still be nice. :)

For those of you who don't know (assuming anyone still comes here?) Aila-isms is still going strong. Check it out here:
www.aila-isms.blogspot.com

Also, you can check out www.pearcreative.ca (my company site)

Pear Creative is also on Facebook, Twitter, Linked in and Youtube.

I'm really excited about this week, because I have a delivery of promotional giveaways arriving. Pear Creative is giving out some cool gifts to our clients and associates for Christmas! This is my first year doing this, but I'm really hoping they turn out amazing!

That's about it....I'll try to be more consistant. :)

Interview

I was interviewed for blog/website geared to authors...

Here's the link! :)

Pear Creative | Beyond Apples and Oranges

So, I'm happy to announce that my new venture is up and running!!

For those of you who aren't in the marketing or publishing world, the word "creative" is used in business as a noun. A word meaning similar to "design". It refers to the design of materials used in publishing, marketing or advertising. Ex: "Joe is in charge of the campaign's creative".

The 'pear' idea came out of a humorous conversation 2 years ago about how the company "Apple" had taken the name of a fruit, and created a branding empire! I was already thinking about a name change at this point. Someone quicky tossed out the name "Orange" (funny, because I'm Dutch)...But my response had been this

"I want to take people BEYOND apples and oranges....to fresh ideas!"

To me, there's nothing fresher than a good pear! Its like the candy of the fruit-world!

So Pear Creative was born.

Why the name change from Yvonne Parks Design? Well, I wanted to grow beyond myself. Taking my name out of the business allows me to incorporate other talented people, and move beyond what my capabilities are. It now can grow to be a group of artists, under one banner. And I love that idea!

www.pearcreative.ca

What's up?

Work! Busy! I'm loving it!

The longer I'm in this business, the longer I notice how there are very few graphic designers making a living at this. Most can't find enough work to make a steady living. I think it can really come down to business savvy. Just because you have a great eye for design doesn't mean you have the ability to market yourself and create an income flow. They are 2 very distinct things, I'm coming to see.

I know an interior designer who is very talented, and finding a similar problem. How to get clients? I found myself thinking about her non-stop after hearing her story. I could help her...I know I could. I should get right on that.

I'm glad Halloween is over. Thankfully, our kids' Catholic school doesn't allow costumes, so the only thing to navigate were some Halloween crafts...and Aila asking if she could dress like a vampire. I explained what a vampire was (in short, a mythical creature who murders people and drinks their blood) which was enough to change her mind about it. I wasn't even trying to scare her. I just gave her the facts like I would any other question asked.

I love how my kids simply explain to people about our choice to skip the Halloween thing. "We don't celebrate darkness" they say. It's a simple answer...which is usually followed up by "We are going to the wave pool! And McDonalds.....and..." and their friends usually reply "Ohhhh..you're so lucky!!!"

So yes, as our "Halloween Alternative", we took the girls to the wave pool, out to McDonalds, (along with Ron & Lynne, kiddos, and Oma/Opa) and then bought them a tonne of candy. (only the ones they like!) They were thrilled.

(I'm remembering the last time I posted anything about Halloween. It was like throwing a grenade. People go soooo upset! Well, that's why I'm not allowing comments on this post. This is our choice...you have yours. Enjoy.)

Anyway...not much new. But I thought I'd update!

New Office!

Well, after 5 years of running my own graphic design business, I finally have an office!

We took our guest room (sorry guests!) and made that space my office. (I used to work from a small corner desk in our master bedroom...blech!) So it was high time that I had a suitable work space.

I was able to buy all new furniture for it....and design it as I wished. It was so much fun! I always loved my job, but now I just wanna hang out in my office all the time...so I'm sad when I have no emails! I find myself wandering in, checking email after hours and on weekends on the off chance there is something that would warrant me getting to spend some time in there! Since my job is to be creative...I'm so happy to finally have a space that feeds my creativity.

Pictures:

Advice

I have a couple theories about advice....

1. Don't take spiritual council from someone who's not walking in freedom, joy and deep relationship with Jesus...and who's life in God you don't admire.
   
2. Don't take marriage advice from someone who's marriage you don't admire. (and not just on the outside, but when you've seen the rough parts too!)
   
3. Don't take diet advice from anyone who's never lost it and kept it off.
4. Don't take financial advice from people who haven't made sound financial decisions.
5. Don't take parenting advice from people who don't tend to parent effectively.
6. Don't take job interview skill advice from someone who hasn't won a few jobs! (umm..like me)
7. Don't give advice unless you've been asked! (I'm desperately working on this one, folks!!! : )

Okay....so these aren't watertight...because sometimes God will us anyone to speak truth to you. But generally...you get the picture.

I always have to chuckle at people who judge my 'religious' stance as foolish or 'over the top'. I'm living in so much freedom because of God. My life is so full of miracles, you wouldn't believe them if I shared them. I've seen creative miracles in my life and my family. (Ever heard of someone surviving cancer that has spread from the colon to the liver? My Dad is the first in his Oncologist's practice to have cancer just "disappear" after prayer. In fact my parents are BOTH cancer free after having aggressive cancer!) The miracles we've seen in our lives are not only physical.... but emotional, financial, and relational.

Mostly, the people judging or critiquing my faith or affiliations are usually angry or sad, hurt or offended, depressed or desperately in need of physical or emotional healing. But something inside of them refuses to accept that perhaps what they're doing just isn't working for them. They shake their heads, cross their arms, and stay where they are. Broken and in need of a miracle.

That was me for so so so very long. Ugh...it was horrible.

But I quickly had to concede that there were people around me who were obviously 'doing something right', and seeing the effects in a way that my life was severely lacking.

The bible has a great line regarding these situations : "You will know them by their fruit". Meaning....a healthy tree makes fruit. Someone living and believing truth will have lives showing the effects of that truth.

I'm not writing this to say that "I've got it, people!" but more as a reminder again to myself that if I see an area of my life where I am not seeing wholeness, or success, I need to seek out people who's lives show fruit in that area. I need to lose my stubbornness, and admit that I don't have the answers....and what I've been doing isn't working.

Sometimes the hardest, but most beautiful thing one can do in their life is admit they don't have the answers....and start asking questions.

First Time

I've been making a living at graphic design for a few years now. I've been really blessed to have an awesome job that I LOVE. What could be better?? Most of the time i feel like I'm getting paid to play! Design is so much fun....

But more than that, I've been blessed to never have to look for work. I've almost always been self-employed. I did have to go out and market myself when i taught Music for Young Children (ads, flyers, etc) But for my design work, I've never sent out resumes, and never offered my services. Jobs and contracts have always just come to me. I've never even considered looking for more work.

This week for the first time, I felt like I was supposed to actually put together a resume and send it to a company...offering my services in graphic design. I had seen the company online, and thought "I think I could help them..." It was weird...but I just felt the Lord say "do it". So I did. I made up a PDF of some samples, and typed up an email and hit send.

To my total shock, I got a response from the email in just a couple hours. I spoke to the company, and they want to use me for a project or two! I really seemed to hit it off with the owner, and I'm praying that I can move into a steady work relationship with them in the future.

God is Good!

Sunshine, flowers, and a clean house

Today is a better day.

While my situation hasn't changed, the weather has...and it's like new breath. It makes me feel like I just may make it after all. Perhaps.

The sun is out, it's warm, and flowers are in bloom all up and down our street. I can smell lilacs, and to top it off, I have no emails today. *exhale* Sweet.

This morning Jason and I spent an hour in Starbucks with our Skinny Vanilla Lattes, curled up in a big chair, just talking. It was a nice way to start the day.

I got to come home to a clean house, which is such an amazing feeling! A friend started a cleaning company, and I did all the graphic design. So we've 'traded services'! It's a brilliant idea, and it has taken such a weight off of my shoulders, especially on the weeks that I'm working sun-up to sun-down. Having her come every 2 weeks has been such a blessing...it's like Christmas morning every second Wednesday!

Meanwhile, weight continues to fall off as I eat well, and move my body. This week I've upped my bike rides to 10k, and try to either run, walk or bike every day. Nice weather helps...that's for sure. Now if I could think of a way to avoid the hills that occur in every direction, 10K would be easier!! (Fun to ride down, a pain to get up!) Seeing as we live at the top of a hill, any direction I go will mean a tough ride back. Its not like biking in a prairie city, that's for sure. But now, I just check the weather channel, and make sure that the wind is at my back on the upward ride home...

Tomorrow we head out of town for the long weekend. We're staying with friends just south of Toronto. I'm looking forward to a road trip with the family...just to get away and have some laughs.

New Career Op

We thought that we were moving to Ottawa for Jason's job/career. While that's still true, it appears that God had more in mind for MY career as well!

I've been a book cover designer for 3 years, and have done 370 books. (Most of them in the last 18 months!) I absolutely LOVE it!

However, now I have an additional 'gig'. I'm now "Creative Director of Communications" for Actyl Workforce Solutions

It all began with our friend Adrian (from Winnipeg) Adrian was asked to manage an ad campaign for Regina Health, to recruit nurses. He had seen my design work, and asked me to come up with the "look" for the campaign. It included national newspaper ads, billboards, bus benches, and creating a website. We also began working together, coming up with slogans and strategies. (how DO you get a nurse to move to Regina??? haha) I wasn't just creating the look...I began to come up with the ideas as well. And Adrian and I worked seamlessly together. A couple months later, I found out that our campaign had been the most successful EVER in Saskatchewan, recruiting alot of nurses to the province! We were a hit!

Adrian asked me if I'd be interested in staring a company that did this for other provinces and health regions as well. I said "sure"!! As the months went on, the vision for the company began to change, as we saw the need for recruiting nurses increase. There just aren't enough of them in Canada...and as successful as our campaign was, it was merely taking nurses from one part of Canada, and moving them to another. We need MORE nurses!

Adrian and his business partner Linda made an amazing connection with a company in the Philippines that had tonnes of excellently trained Filipino nurses desperate to have a job in Canada. Adrian started Actyl Workforce Solutions, and we were off.

But in mere weeks, it was evident that it wasn't just a nursing shortage that Canada was facing. Western Canada is in crisis. They need Skilled Labour, Healthcare Workers, Manufacturing Labour, and Hospitality Workers (Restaurants, Hotels etc). And the Philippines is brimming with talented people skilled in these areas.

So we set to work. And large companies have been banging down our door. Companies like Brandt Tractor, and most recently *drum roll* McDonald's!! That's right...we were hired to help staff a couple hundred McDonald's locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In a couple weeks, Linda and Adrian will be pitching to McDonald's National in Toronto.

The last couple weeks have been CRAZY! The team writes the proposals, and then send them to me. And I make them "sexy" (as Adrian likes to say). In fact, I'm now in charge of the "look" of ANYTHING related to the company. Handouts, Ads, Proposals, Printing....it all goes thru me.

I came up with a slogan to sell our company and had Ads placed in business magazines across western Canada.

Obviously, the McDonald's National pitch is a massive opportunity, and I spent the last week creating the look of the proposals, powerpoint presentation, and even producing a short 'commercial type' video about our company. (Adrian had called to ask me if I could do this.....and I had no idea how! But i figured "How hard could it be?" and a few days later, I presented it to him.)

Very exciting stuff!!

I am also working on 2 CD covers right now, a couple ads for some of my authors to promo their books in magazines, some design work for an Member of Parliament, 20 book covers, a 8ft Trade Show display and podium, and a second video for Adrian to show at Trade Shows.

So yeah. That's my life. For my friends out there: I'm sorry if I've been non-existent. Things may calm down in the next couple weeks.

Parkinson's Disease

My Dad has Parkinson's.

It's not a fun disease to have, but then again, what disease IS fun? It started out as a little tremor in his hand...and now his hand shakes almost continuously (Except when he's uber relaxed, or sleeping)

Anyways, because it's a neurological disorder, there are many other factors to the disease than just the shaking. When you mess with the brain, all kinds of things happen. If there is anything worse than seeing your parents age...it's to see them age in discomfort. As a child, you wish you could find the cure yourself. Rescue, heal, take it away for a day. Anything.

But I digress...

My Dad has started a blog that is a support group for people dealing with Parkinson's. It will serve as a news feed on the latest breaking Parkinson's research and news... and a place to find support.

As you may recognize, I designed this blog for him. It's my way of supporting him in his battle with the disease. A disease and life that I can't possibly imagine or relate to. But this...I can do.

So, I know the demographic that reads my blog is most likely not suffering with the disease, but if you or someone you know has Parkinson's, and wants to connect with others who have it....check out my Dad's Parkinson's Support Group Blog.

First Steps

This week I did an "Ottawa First". I had coffee with a 'new person'.

Brigitte and Stephane are a couple that are a part of the small group we've been hanging out with on Sunday nights. It's kinda a church plant, kinda a house group, but very simple and casual. Anyway, I was thrilled to learn that Brigitte is my age! She was married young like me (she at 18, me at 20) and has 2 daughters too. Actually, her girls are 13 and 15 (I think??) Can you imagine? Having teenagers at my age! How wild! They also have 5 foster kids (all teens). They are an amazing couple.

Anyway, it was fun to find someone my age, who has "in-school" kids, and is at home (at least a few days per week) . We were able to go to Starbucks for a couple hours on Wednesday morning and just chat.

The coolest thing about Brigitte (so far) is that she's French. I mean...SUPER FRENCH! hehe. She didn't learn English until she was in her twenties. She has a cute accent, and sometimes has to search for the right word....but her English is really incredible. She said she learned by watching tv, and only reading English books. I'm inspired.

She's very creative, and likes to be artistic. (A lot like me in that way!) What is NOT like me is the fact that she is quite quiet. (And as you know, quiet people tend to terrify me, because I never know what they are thinking....and by default I assume they must really dislike me and my *ahem* 'energetic loudness') However, after our chat, I found that she does like me after all *yay* and may even possibly find my personality enjoyable. *double yay* The word "intense" came up in conversation. (wha?? me???)

I warned her about my blog, and that getting involved with me may mean that she could now appear thoroughly documented on my blog. I'm not sure she knows what she's getting herself into! : )

Anyway...after the last couple weeks of tears and frustration at living in a new place...this was a welcome step. (Scary, but welcomed.)

My Bench

Hey Winnipeggers....have you seen these bus benches around town?


They are located beside every hospital and/or university.

This is an ad that I designed for a client http://www.healthycareers.ca

This is a client of the new Advertising/Marketing Group I'm involved in starting with my Winnipeg-friend, Adrian. (I did the website, and I'm doing all the print ads and any Graphic work etc.)

We have also designed ads for the Globe and Mail, as well as US University Newspapers.

Dory

When talking to a friend last night, I realized that in the busyness of life, I've not blogged about the little boring things. This, I thought, was probably better for my blog readers. However, she told me that she had actually read my blog entry about "Big Eyes" (and his eventual demise) to her class. It appears that the little mundane things like our pet fishies, tend to be the funniest things.

So our history with fish has been spotty at best. After Dorothy, Big Eyes, SharkBait and SharkBait 2 died...we decided it would be better for the fish population if we did not own anymore fish.

But just like childbirth, you soon forget the pain and trauma.....and we bought another fish. A couple to be exact. We decided to buy a few feeder fish, so that if one died, we'd have a couple more to look at.

Anneka chose two silvery looking ones. One had a black spot on him, so Anneka quickly named him "Spot". (Remember, my child has quite a scientific mind, and less of a creative one at times) Well, then we had to name the second fish. Anneka soon came up with a name (shooting down all my adorable suggestions) She named him "Not-Spot". Alrighty.

Within a week they were both dead. Since they had a 'one-week' guarantee, they were replaced, and those died in a couple days as well. We permanently gave up the Gold-Fish-Game.

However, a couple months ago, Oma purchased a Blue Beta Fish for Anneka. I'd heard that they can live in about a 1/4 cup of water...so I figured how hard could they be to kill? VERY HARD it appears! We have found our dream-fish.

Introducing "Dory Parks".

Too Graphic for me!

Okay, so tonight we met with a Graphic Guy. Graphic Design, that is!

Some have suggested that I do my own artwork, since I'm having fun with all these blogs. However, it's much harder than it looks! (Doing CD's, not blogs!) Getting stuff print-ready is very involved. Webstuff just needs to look pretty on the screen.

Anyway, we'll be sorting thru some proofs by the end of the week! This is all going so fast now! There's so much to know! I mean, copyright, UPC codes....THIS is why having a lable do it for you is such a blessing! (It's also why you end up giving 1/2 of all your royalties to them) It's a trade off.

I'm determined to go to bed early tonight.

Graphic Design? Anyone? Anyone?

Does anyone know an experienced graphic designer who does CD covers/inserts? Our PLAN A fell thru....and we need it in 2 weeks.


Anyone?

* Advertising account executive
* Career / outplacement counsellor
* Management consultant
* Developer of educational software
* Actor
* Journalist / magazine reporter
* Graphic designer
* Art director
* Copywriter
* Corporate team trainer
* Residential housing director
* Psychologist
* Inventor
* Human resources professional
* Child welfare counsellor


I took this career test (see jason's site) and these were the careers that I'd be suitable for. My Favorite are "Actor" and "Inventor". Oddly enough, notice how "piano teacher" is not on the list....hmmmm. But then, to my delight, "House Packer" ain't there either.