SOFT Style Guide

My sister facetimed her boys, while they stayed with us. That means I got to facetime with her as well.

I asked how her convention in St Louis was going. She said she needed a Style Guide, for a logo I created for the SOFT organization.

I have my students make a style guide. It takes all semester. In my mind I was like - Really, while I'm watching 3 of your boy, you're going to ask me to do this? I know she didn't know all she was asking. I think she thought I just needed a page saying the font and colors. BUT that's not all a style guide is. It's also used to show how not to use a logo. It also gets into the spacing around a logo. That can't be done with measurements. A logo can be used for something small - like a business card, and something big - like a billboard. You have to show the spacing with a letter or graphic in the logo.

I started working on it this week. Two weeks after she asked me.

I went in thinking I could do it on a page, but that expended to a mini book. Usually a Style Guide is a mini book.

If I've seemed absent from blogging it's because of helping Isaak with school, taking Isaak to basketball practices, and working on things like this SOFT Style Guide.

Soft Style Guide by on Scribd

Do you have any big projects you've been working on?

WW: SOFT Picnic {Linky}

In July I went to a picnic in support of SOFT, which is a nonprofit organization. They push research for children born with Trisomy 13 and 18. My nephew Emerson has Trisomy 18.

First off I designed their logo. Oh my goodness it was a designer's nightmare. They wanted blue, yellow, and red to be a part of the logo. Many logos are just 1 or 2 colors. They wanted a rainbow and balloons in the logo as well.

After that my sister wanted me to design t-shirts for the event. It was to be in Omaha, so she wanted the SOFT logo to be a part of it, but it to also say Omaha. I worked with the "O" in SOFT, incorporated the Omaha skyline, and a few animals because we have the best zoo in the world right here along with a kid in a wheelchair. I think with all the stuff they kept adding it turned out pretty good.

I just wish I would have gotten photos of some people wearing the shirts. 

Instead here's my nephew Edison who got his arm painted. My sister was so busy with the conference, I did odd things like wait in the face painting line with Edison, help serve cake, and did a lot of cleaning up in the end. 

My Mom had a 2 month old baby before me that passed away from Trisomy 18. My sister and Mom are rare carriers of Trisomy 18. They handed ornaments out to those that lost a child. 

Here's my nephew Emerson that couldn't stay for the fun. He had/has hand, foot and mouth disease. He was in long enough for my brother-in-law to eat, and left.

A few older ones with Trisomy 18. I love with all her problems, she was persistent in pushing the wheel chair around. *Note you can see one of my t-shirts back there.

Part of their ceremony, balloons are let go when their son or daughter's name is called off. I only knew 2 names, but felt like crying with every name.

My nephews:

 My sister Terra:

Balloons that represent people that have passed away.

If you want to read more about Trisomy 18, please read here: https://www.omaha.com/livewellnebraska/health/their-kids-rare-condition-was-long-seen-as-fatal-but/article_418762d4-4528-560b-8528-cfeeca7fd47d.html.

Random Tid Bits

1. We think Isaak is going through a growth spurt; paired up with growing pains. He ate a ton of food on Wednesday, fell asleep at 7 last night because he was so tired, and woke up 2 or 3 times scared of noises and lights that couldn't be explained. Under his knees hurt really bad.
   
   After the second or third time of him waking up Travis put him on the couch in the living room. Travis has never wanted the boys to cuddle with us in our bed. I'm more the type that wouldn't care in a situation like last night. It is what it is.





2. I've been hit with a few freelance duties. I made a business card for a past co-worker that now lives in Atlanta. Whenever I make things for friends even though they know they are paying me I hate sending over that final bill. The thought goes through my mind: Maybe they are thinking I'm charging them too much, or what if they expected me to charge them more. It's so silly I do that. You'd think I'd be past that already, but I always think that people just don't understand how long design work takes. I have to mention that I don't ever feel this way when it comes to people that are not friends or family.
   
   Here's how the card turned out. I changed all the information to protect her identity. She wanted a 1 sided business card, with purple as her accent color. That's really all she gave me for what to do. She ended up being super happy with the cards, so that's good. It's a screen shot, so if the type seems hazy, it's not on the card.





3. My sister has been wanting things done for SOFT, which is a nonprofit that helps with research for people like Emerson, and any other chromosome deficiencies. So far I've just been doing things out of the kindness of my heart. The work is challenging. Up until now they didn't have a logo, but used a rainbow and balloons for the colors of the chromosome problems. Logos should be only a few colors and shouldn't change with each thing that's done. Considering that their look changes all the time, they don't know what they want - it's difficult.


4. I've been wanting a non-cancerous cyst on my forehead gone for months now. Of course my mind was on bigger things - an upcycled nose. Travis kept saying, "Leave it alone!" Well I can't leave it alone. I don't want it cut out by a dermatologist. They'll squeeze! When I just had surgery I don't need anyone squeezing me. Apple Cider Vinegar it is. Yes my skin will burn from it. I need want it out. Goodness my skin is a mess from that surgery. Dry in some spots, small pimples in others. I can't scrub it because it's all so sensitive. 





5. I go in for an Aspirin Drip at the Allergy and Asthma Clinic next week for 2 to 3 days. I'm so nervous! I'm allergic to it, that's why they are dripping it into me to build up a resistance. Asthma/Allergy sufferers should take Ibuprofen when they have flair ups to help with inflammation. Well I can't because it shuts down my lungs and makes me sneeze a ton. They are expecting a reaction. Fun times!
   
   I accidentally scheduled my ENT follow-up on the last 3rd day of this Aspirin Drip. I don't know if I can go to it, or not. The Aspirin Drip may take only 2 days. I called to see if I should reschedule. They don't know if I should, or not. I'll get an automated call to confirm my appointment that I don't know if I can keep, or not.
   
   At least I get to stare at my cute Asthma/Allergy doctor for a few days. 

Viihahn Women's Warm Soft Faux Rabbit Fur Scarf Review

I'm in love with something new. It's not a person. It's a scarf! I just got Viihahn Women's Warm Soft Faux Rabbit Fur Scarf to review. It's so soft, warm, stylish, and did I mention it's soft? 

Since I have allergies big time I can't have any animals, I can't sleep on a real feather pillow, and I can't wear animal anything. I don't know that I would. I don't like the idea of killing animals to wear them. Anyhow I can wear this scarf! It's not made from animals.

It did take me awhile to get used to looping the scarf up, so it stayed together. I kept doing it backwards, or not at all. I now have it down.

No looped at all

Backwards looped

Here's how it should look!

Oh ya I got my hair chopped, so I need the warmth around my neck. Next stop...earmuffs. 

This is indeed my favorite scarf. It doesn't lay flat like most stylish scarfs do. I love that it's up around my neck!

Cost: 

$69.99 and on sale for $39.99. It's sold on Amazon Prime, so if you need a gift for Christmas go check it out! 

About:

I love that Viihahn doesn't harm animals for their products. I not anti wearing animal fur, but I feel like if animals are going to be killed for meat than other parts of them can be used. Don't just kill them for their fur! 

The scarf is thick and full. It's soft and really protects the skin from the cold.

The scarf can be cleaned just by hand, or take it to a professional cleaners.

Size: Length 91 cm, Width 14, and Height 2.6 cm. It's not super long, which I like. I have one that's so long it gets stuck in my chair at work. 

It's great for a present. It's packaged in a nice box with tissue paper. 

Other people must love this scarf as much as I do. It has 4 1/2 star rating overall. Many people rated it 5 stars.

Do you have a favorite accessory for the cold months?

Disclaimer: I received a Viihahn Women's Warm Soft Faux Rabbit Fur Weave Design Thread Through Scarves to review. This post is written by me, and states my true opinion.

SOFT

My sister's family goes to a convention every year for the nonprofit organization called SOFT.

If you are new to this blog meet my nephew Emerson. 

SOFT is a network of families and professionals dedicated to providing support and understanding to families involved in the issues and decisions surrounding the diagnosis and care in Trisomy 18, 13 and other related chromosomal disorders. 

Every year my sister's family meets new friends that offer support. She's also been able to meet with doctors that specialize in dealing with kids that have Trisomy 18, 13 and other related chromosomal disorders. Last year Emerson was able to meet with a doctor that knew so much in regards to his care. So much more than any doctor here in Nebraska. We are lucky that we have doctors that are supportive. Not every doctor around the country is positive. 

Emerson is always smiling. He strives to do things that no one thought he'd be able to do. 

In hospitals around the country babies that are born with Trisomy 18 and 13 are said to be, Incompatible With Life. More and more kids with an extra chromosome are living, smiling, and redefining Incompatible With Life. How can you call kids that are living Incompatible With Life?

To help you understand what Trisomy 18 and 13 are, that extra chromosome causes severe developmental delays. Down Syndrome - the most common know chromosome disorder is Trisomy 21.  

This year my sister's family is packing up to go to Utah. 

They need help to get there though. I donated $25. If you'd like to, or can donate click here. I understand if it's not possible to donate. Not everyone has the funds to do so. The smallest amount to donate is $25, but they have an OTHER button, where you can type in $5 + another $5 adds up. 

Cousin Emerson Turned 1 Year Old Today!

He loved his cake and ice cream!

I think Aunt Terra and everyone else liked the Super Hero romper I got for him. A few of Emerson's doctors showed up to his party. His Occupational Therapist gave him a walker toy. The walkers that they pretty much banned from most stores, Grandma Spiehs found Emerson one online. I understand why they were banned. Too many babies falling down steps. Emerson needs one to help strengthen the muscles in his legs. Aunt Terra only has one set of steps; there's a door to that set.

Super Emerson and Terra

Super Emerson and Grandma Spiehs

It's hard to catch Emerson looking up.

If you'd like to help out with Trisomy 18, the genetic condition Emerson has, the organization Soft is the place to go! The odds were against Emerson. Only 10% of babies with Trisomy 18 go on to live past their 1 year mark.

Mica reading to Emerson and Great Aunt Becky

Isaak holding one of the newest members in our family Corrigan. She is my cousin's baby. One of my other cousin's just had a baby to. Her name is Brooklyn. I only have 6 cousins, so we see each other for most main events.