What Every Office Needs

September 8, 2014September 7, 2014 / leatev / Leave a comment

So, I only worked Wednesday through Friday this past week… so maybe a 3-day work week is what everyone needs!

But in the past two weeks I have decided that an afternoon break around 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. is made perfect with toddler MegaBlocks. Every office should have them. I want to be clear that they need to be “Mega” size. The small interlocking blocks can get… well serious (have you seen The Lego Movie?). Large blocks have limitations and you get to be creative without thinking. It is the best way to wind down the day or clear your mind when you are stuck.

To really help make certain you do not get to consumed in your block creation and change it from play to work, add a toddler (preferably a boy) – they will willingly knock it down for you!

Even if you don’t have blocks in your office, find something to play at each day. I’m certain it will bring a smile to your face on even the most stressful day. : )

Household life and balance…?

June 5, 2014June 12, 2014 / leatev / Leave a comment

Balance? I’m not sure that gets achieved daily in my world, but maybe over the long run.

Each day is a new adventure as school is out and both Tim and I are in the house together all day. Finding new rhythm to each getting our own work done – job hunting and design respectfully, helping each other in our respective work, and then working on house projects together. As we work to accomplish the to-do list and be productive in the waiting process (seeing what job will open for Tim in the fall), we are enjoying time together and time with our little guy.

The daily routine of the house seems to fluctuate and I almost find myself checking to see what day it is. The fall and spring activities have all reached their summer break and summer weddings are in full swing with programs, place cards, gift boxes, guestbooks, and favors to be designed. Small businesses are in need of logos and business cards. And the basement that was nearly finished… well, we organized all of the finished the living areas which means – I am still working on the basement!

Life is always full of change.

It is in the moments of change or waiting for direction that I remember the value of the day and God’s direction in the past. From living in Rockford, IL to Chicago to moving to Des Moines, IA there is no possible means that I could have planned my life. But taking steps to follow God one day at a time has led to a life so rich and full that I am glad my plans and thoughts rarely seem to “workout” in the way that I thought they would.

Balance is found when I let go and walk slowly… maybe today I’ll just take a few minutes at a time. God can handle the day, the week, and the next month quite well.

Organizing… the basement?

March 13, 2014 / leatev / 1 Comment

Oh dear! How can one thought of organizing the basement lead to nearly every room in the house…

In July, I had my dad help me re-arrange our speakers so that the cabinets would be freed to use in our master bedroom. The Living Room is now not quite as heavy looking, and I can now finish the look by adding wood to the ceiling and behind the TV… but that is another story and another post. And I’m not pulling that project into this process!

The cabinets moved to our master bedroom, and were underutilized there for the past few months. In trying to figure how the office and play room in the basement is going to look, I realized I would most definitely need space to put office supplies, papers for printing, work files, etc. So, I re-organized our bedroom closet and added a shelf unit that was under-utilized in the garage (and easily replaced out there with construction lumber as needed). This allowed me to move the ladder shelf from the new baby’s room (no longer a safe location for that anyway – small children and ladder shelves – need I say more!) to our master bedroom.

With our master closet organized, I had a few dvd’s that needed a new home. There is a closet that divides our living room and kitchen – it was a disaster (yes, my whole house can fall under the disaster heading most of the time). I re-arranged and cleaned this closet out which created an empty shelf needed for the DVD’s. It is also more convenient to have these right next to the room you view them.

And this new arrangement of our closet, the ladder shelf, and the kitchen closet led to two free cabinets to use in the basement. Extra bonus! They are cabinets that I really like the look of which aids in the final enjoyment of the basement space, plus they have adequate room for everything I need to store. My husband and brother-in-law graciously hauled them to basement to join the chaos that is yet awaiting organization.

The second bedroom organization and clean-out can now be underway. A pile of baby stuff that my toddler no longer needs has left his room and is piled in the corner of the soon-to-be nursery. The papers and office items in the closet have begun to be sorted. If I ever needed motivation to go to an electronic filing system for bills, bank statements, and other miscellaneous files – this is it! The photo below is my stack of papers to shred. How does time go so quickly and old statements pile up so high!

So, there is the progress update! Nothing very creative as of yet! Getting through the mess of junk reminds me of how much I do not need and helps me to reject thoughts of wanting anything more to add to the pile. So, although the process is slow… in the end perhaps I will have learned an important lesson about the worthlessness of stuff and have a house that is, at least temporarily, not a disaster! : )

Part 1 – The Organizational Project

What’s the best way to organize?

February 26, 2014February 26, 2014 / leatev / 2 Comments

Especially when the are looks more like a condemned dump site (or close enough to it!)…

Get excited about it! What do you want to do with the space, the time saved not hunting for things, the money saved not re-buying things you already own! What other reason make you excited to organize?

I want to create a room for our second child, an office where everything is organized and TOGETHER in one space, and a kids play area that has room to run.

That chore is going to require some organization and rearranging of furniture. I know that many experts say to try to find new pieces or organization systems to help you get excited and create a new system, but my goal is the opposite. I do not want to buy any new pieces. I want to reutilize what I have, organize, sort, throw!

I have decided a few things. The new office/play area is going to be in the unfinished basement, but…

I want to WANT to go down there.
I want my son to LOVE playing down there.
I do not want to feel like I am in a dungeon. : )

And the random pieces of wood in my basement and garage, they are going to be re-purposed for good!

The goal is to be finished with the basement by the end of April and the second bedroom by the end of May. So, hold on because weekly updates are going to be coming. I’m sure some weeks will be more productive than others. Watch as ideas unfold and the progress becomes a finished project. Oh boy here we go!

I’ll post pictures when there is progress… but right now I’m not willing to show my complete chaos (in the end I’ll post before pics)! : )

Fog, Work & a Tree

December 4, 2013 / leatev / Leave a comment

It is a marvelous thing to have work to do. All day long the fog has hovered outside my window as I have had the privilege of completing another full day of designing drafts for various projects and people. The fog actually brings a comfort to sitting and working all day. I do not feel as if I missed anything by not going outside. Nor, do I feel stuck indoors, I find myself thankful to be cozy inside. In fact, it may be a new record, my son has not even requested to go outside once today. It must be a cozy indoor day.

My workspace is filled with the smell of fresh pine thanks to a beautiful, very thick 8′-4″ Frasier fir standing in the living room. I do not think we have ever had a nicer Christmas tree. I think I work in the best office one could ask for.

So, as orders are filled for Christmas Countdown cards, Christmas cards are designed to bring hope to others, and marketing materials for small businesses are organized to bring information to clients, I am grateful to have such incredible blessings. Lots of work to be done, cozy foggy weather outside, and a beautiful tree (that will one day have decorations) to work beside.

May the goal of December be to remember all the blessings recounted last week at Thanksgiving and turn them into blessing for others. Enjoy the start to another wonderful season of giving!

Beautiful Disruption

November 18, 2013 / leatev / Leave a comment

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This past week I worked on a t-shirt design with the words “beautiful disruption”. The words are the theme for the holiday season at Journey Church in Worthington, MN. They are a reminder that out of the disruptions of life God creates beauty. God is in the disruption; He allows and places circumstances and trials in our path that are contrary to what we thought the plan was for our life.

We all have daily disruptions… whether you are in the work place and receive constant disruption by bosses, co-workers, those you supervise, customers, venders, etc.; or if you work from or at home where children and pets offer about a kazillion disruptions per day. And everyone deals with the disruption of the phone, email, IM, and social media!

And we all have life disruptions – major and minor events that change the course of a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime.

In his book Margin, Dr. Swenson discusses the need to have margin in our spiritual life, emotional health, physical health, and schedules so that we can handle and even embrace disruptions. Mary, the mother of Jesus, displayed well her embrace of God’s disruption on her life. Mary’s responses to God’s angel telling her she is going to conceive are “How can this be since I am virgin?” and “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” She asks a question of logistics and curiosity, accepts the explanation, and willingly sets aside her plans for God’s disruption in her world.

Mary’s response to God’s major, life-altering disruption models an exemplary attitude. She held loosely to everything in her life – her dreams, her plans, her ideals. In a single conversation her life went from the average young Jewish girl to an extraordinary off-course, unchartered path with an uncertain future. But she does not even seem to fret for a moment.

Mary says – “OK, I am God’s. I am not my own.” She goes to visit her relative Elizabeth not too long after her conversation with the Angel, but she does not go to receive consolation or complain about the uncertainty of her future because of the plight God has given her… nope. Mary sings the Magnificat of praise to “Mighty One [who] has done great things for me.” (Luke 1:49)

We are thankful for the harvest God has given, for His salvation, for His provision and family and friends He has blessed us with and so many other good gifts. But, are we thankful for the disruptions and difficulties of the year? Do I recall that I am not my own, I was bought at a price; I belong to God? (1Corinthians 6:19-20) Do we recount God’s praise in our struggle or rehash our lack of faith to others? Do I hold loosely to every hope, dream, and even my life because I trust in God alone?

Luke 14:33 tells us that “in the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (emphasis mine) Mary was willing to give up everything – she was a disciple of God. The question of holding things loosely is not just a good thought it is indicative of my relationship to Jesus Christ as a disciple.

Thanksgiving & Christmas Cards… what do they cost?

October 14, 2013 / leatev / Leave a comment

Are you trying to decide if you would like to order Christmas cards?

Well, maybe the following information will help you to decide!

Why choose LeATev instead of one of the many, many other options?

Personal service, no templates to follow. It’s like going to a premier stationery boutique where you get one-on-one attention. Plus, we simply like getting to know and serve people so it is a fun way to connect with you and help you share your year and encourage those who matter to you.

Timing and budget is set at the beginning of the order process. We will work to meet your timeline and stay within the budget requested. You will receive proofs after our initial consultation and initial information is received. Nothing will be printed until you have given your final approval. In general, it is recommended that you order a minimum of two weeks before you would like cards to be sent out.

Extras.

Want to make your life even simpler… Send your Thanksgiving/Christmas card list to us. We will print your addresses, your return address, and put them in the mail for you! Order before December 1 and all you have to do is pay the postage!

If you order after December 1, we can still mail your cards for you, but there will be a $15 minimum charge for printing and labor.

Price.

Cards range in price from $.75 – $1.50 each… you can get more complicated with card design (i.e. multiple folds, unique shapes, oversized cards, letterpress cards) and then we will have to do a custom quote. Within the cost you will receive cards and envelopes ready to be sent out. If you would like to get simpler or you have a very long list… the cost may be less.

For those living in the state of Iowa, a 6% sales tax must be added to all sales. Shipping will be charged at the lowest price possible and rarely goes above $5 per order unless a rushed timeframe is requested.

Want to place your order?

Send an email (heather@LeATev.com), give a phone call (515) 447-5974, leave a comment below, send a message on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeATev). Simply contact us!

Work in Progress

September 23, 2013September 23, 2013 / leatev / Leave a comment

The week is full with end of the month items to complete, paintings to finish, photos to touch up, and cards to design. Plus a few random projects of my own that got started on a weekend… and are still wanting a little attention. In other words my whole house/workspace is in progress!

My computer at work, my painting studio space (yes, it is in a play pen!) and my bedroom that needs me to spend a few evenings with it! 🙂

Hopefully, next Monday… I’ll have a few finished items to post!

What a blessing it is to start the week over and work! Here is a look at my “workspace” in progress. : )

New at LeATev!

September 9, 2013 / leatev / 1 Comment

Cards, books, ABC cards, invitations, small business graphic design, and Christmas cards! So I know that for a lot of you talking about Christmas and Thanksgiving is well not very welcome in September. I’m sorry!

I actually LOVE Thanksgiving and Christmas!!! For my 17th birthday I came home to find the whole house decorated for Christmas complete with lights outside. : ) Now lest you think that my birthday is anywhere near Christmas – it is not. It is in July.

So, all of that to say we are working on 20 varied Christmas card designs that will be previewed on social media – one at a time (as to not overwhelm) and available for viewing at LeATev.com as a collection under designs. Each design is fully customizable from color to design tweaks and of course they can include your family photos from throughout the year. Pricing will begin at $0.75 per card and cap at $2.00 per card.

If you want more information or you have an idea for a Christmas or Thanksgiving card that you would like designed from scratch just for you. Let us know. We love to serve. And the reason for Christmas is to share hope with those that you love. Jesus gives more than enough to be thankful for and hopeful for in the new year.

And I’ll try to be low key about Thanksgiving and Christmas until at least November… but don’t enter my workspace, because the Christmas movies are coming out! : )

Heather – Designer at LeATev

Fall is here!

September 3, 2013 / leatev / Leave a comment

Fall classroom units are planned, children are back at their desks, gardens are producing harvest, and football is beginning again. Signs that fall is here!

Each season brings new beginnings. I love starting the fall activities at our church and seeing kids start a new grade (which somehow makes them seem older so quickly!). The beauty of the harvest and the leaves. Sweatshirt-weather and high school football games. Brach’s candy corn and mellow pumpkins. And I cannot help but long to spend fall days at Edward’s Apple Orchard in Poplar Grove, IL.

The sadness of saying goodbye to summer still lingers… I want to soak in every ounce of heat I can before the chill and cold settle in for a stay. I want to print the fun pictures of family visiting, summer birthdays, and teacher-friends who once had more time during summer months. I’ll embrace the fall, but oh I love and long for the warmth of summer fun!

Are you ready for fall? Pumpkin cookies and apple cider, trick-or-treat, and football? Fall is a fun season on its own. A delightful season of anticipation. A season that culminates in the holiday of Thanksgiving. A beautiful celebration to help us carry an “attitude of gratitude” all year. I worked on thank-you notes over the past week… an excellent reminder of how many things and people I have to be thankful for. In the midst of today, perhaps one person comes to mind who needs to know that you are thankful for their presence in your life. Write just one thank-you this week.

Fall is here! Celebrate the beauty of the new things, enjoy the harvest that God has given from your garden or grocery store. Start making your list of things to be thankful for… there is always lots no matter what circumstances you find yourself in right now.

LeA'Tev

Seeing the world as a beautiful Design

Graphic Design