I typically head into a long weekend with a very ambitious mental to-do list. In fact, as I was driving back from Nashville this past Saturday, I thought about all the things I wanted to accomplish after I got home: washing four or nine loads of clothes, making a big pantry re-stocking trip to the grocery store, finishing up with hanging stuff in the office (we turned our 4th bedroom into an office over the Christmas holidays, and it has been about 80% finished ever since), working on the outline for a new book (I have an idea and a title – but that’s about it), catching up on Bible study homework, and ordering some sandals because I am so tired of wearing boots and I BELIEVE IN SPRING.
So. Here’s what really happened. I did make it to the grocery store but only for the bare necessities. I also managed to catch up on Bible study homework because I had the luxury of two lazy mornings. But as far as the list was concerned, that was about it. I did manage to take not one, not two, but THREE different naps on Monday, and I also watched five episodes of Downton Abbey and am now completely caught up. So while I didn’t get a single letter typed on the new book outline, I can most certainly say that I achieved exceedingly and abundantly more than all I could ask or imagine as far as the Grantham family is concerned.
(And oh, Edith.)
(This season she has done some of her very finest Edith-ing.)
If finally dawned on me today that three naps in one day is NOT AT ALL NORMAL for me, so I made a doctor’s appointment for tomorrow afternoon in the event that I have the plague or a rare sleeping virus or maybe even a sinus infection (my bet is on that last thing). For some reason I sleep a lot when I have a sinus infection – maybe because my eyes burn and get pressure-y and whatnot – but I was so busy napping yesterday that I didn’t really put all the clues together. Anyway, I have a sneaking suspicion that by this time tomorrow I will be enjoying a lovely antibiotic and perhaps even a Z-pack.
Oh! But wait! There’s been one other thing going on around here.
Last week, when I was in the throes of my Word Swag discovery, I started trying to make a new logo for Melanie’s and my podcast. We’ve had our same logo since 2007, and as much as we’ve loved it, we’ve known for a couple of years that we needed a little refresher. Here’s our faithful friend of eight years, by the way.
I know that’s tiny. But somewhere along the way I deleted the bigger version of it, so we’re rolling sort of lo-res these days.
So I started messing around on Word Swag, and here was my first attempt at a redo.
1. 
I think it’s fun but maybe a little girly in a I-still-like-Barbies sort of way.
2. 
I like the colors in this one, but the background sort of reminds me of an 80s movie about breakdancing.
3. 
Love the colors in this one. Don’t know if a dark gray background is cheerful enough for two people who talk about mascara and Amy Grant so much.
I kept trying different stuff, and eventually I wound up with a color palette that I liked the most (the kelly green and navy at the end). Some of these are really sad, but I’m gonna post them all because I have some questions for you fine people who read the weblogs and listen to the podcasts and whatnot.
4. 
5. 
Why am I so drawn to sparkles? I have no idea.
6. 
This one is so boring and blah it makes me want to cry, but I was going for plain after my experiment with sparkly.
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
Now please understand: I know that I’m not a graphic designer. I know that I’m not even a pretend graphic designer. I don’t have any idea how to put colors together and when sparkly backgrounds or useful or anything like that. But I am interested to know what (if anything) you like about these as far as potential podcast logo-type things are concerned. Please remember that Melanie and I don’t really get into that whole idea of “building a brand,” so it doesn’t matter to me at all if the logo colors “family” with our blog colors or anything like that. We’re a couple of mamas who like to talk about TV, not some sort of media conglomerate. CLEARLY.
So, if you have an opinion about which one of these you like the most, let me know in the comments. You can say, “type from 2, colors from 10” or “please no not number 8” or “I want to marry 7.” WHATEVER. There’s no need for fancy design critique because I won’t understand it. I’m just trying to get an idea if there’s even one of these we could use as a baseline – or if we should just stick with our old standby because it’s been faithful and true and loyal for eight years and if it ain’t broke, etc.
And why did I stop including our names about halfway through? Because I forgot, that’s why. And now that I look back on them, I’m not so sure that our names are necessary.
All righty. Offer feedback / opinions / a list of your top 3 in the comments. And feel free to chime in on whether you like our full names being there or not. I’ll edit based on your comments. Or maybe I’ll just turn the proceedings over to the professionals. Regardless, though, this will more than likely be a short-term solution, so please don’t feel like I’ve placed the eternal fate of our podcast graphics into the hands of a $1.99 app. NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
Thanks in advance, y’all!
#1! So fun and girly!!
Love the sparkles! #5. But DO add the names in a script font.
I like #5. You could add your names if you wanted to. Or have you considered the idea of a picture of the two of you as your logo? And BTW, I got your new book last Saturday. With great excitement I began reading it in the morning, and DID NOT PUT IT DOWN until it was way after my bedtime! Really loved it! Made me laugh and cry. So glad you have another book in mind!
#8 is great! Add your full names and it’s perfect. Can’t wait for the next episode :-)
I like #5 and #1. If #5 had the thicker lettering of #1 – that would be the bomb!
Seeing the sparkly box show up on my podcast screen would be awesome!
#7 background and #3 words. You are definitely talented on the Word Swag!
Looks like I’m in the minority, but I like #4, AND I like both your names on there.
The End.
I like the sparkles. Love the idea up above for the pink sparkles with the other logo.
Really though #5 is more my style.
I love #2, I see that I am in the minority but I love it anyway!
I like #1 and #5! Nothin’ wrong with a whole lotta sparkle!
I like #4 — it reminds me of the two of you: bold and sassy and fun! (Whatever logo you end up going with, PUT YOUR NAMES IN IT. I’m just sayin’…)
#5 with your names added :)
I actually LOVE # 1 !!! So what do I know?
I vote #5
#1, #5, and my fave #9!
I love the background of #7, but the design of #8.
#7 writing, #8 logo and colors
I’m a fan of #1!
# 8 please! 😃
I like 2 and 4 – think they will look. Ice when shrunk down. Don’t think adding your names is necessary.
I love 8,5, &1 the best and I like your names added as well. Can’t wait to see which one you pick :) Also, I normally do not like Edith in the slightest (I tend to echo Mary’s sentiments in regards to her) but even I have been Poor Edith-ing this season. Bless her heart!
#5, but add your names!
How fun! Ok. Here goes.
Love #1. I know…..pink!
Hate #5. Just difficult to look at.
Can live with #8. But you should add your names. I think it’s just a nice addition.
I really like #5.
Number 7 is my fav. I love the background color and the quirky font, seems appropriate for you and Melanie and that’s a compliment. For some reason, either the font or the color, when I glance at number 5, I see Pig Poo instead of Big Boo. I am fond of navy and green, but numbers 8 and 9 look like drink coasters.
My 14 year old daughter and I love the pink background of #1
While I really like the #5 font and typeset, she likes the font and typeset of #7
#5 is Fabulous! And so are you two! : )
#8 or # 9!!!
2, 3, or 5!
#4… because, well, it just feels like y’all.
Well, first, I have to say I got all exciited because I
thought there was a new boo cast, lol!
Anyway, I actually like the original sign and the way the letters stand out from the background, in a 3D kind of way. I also like the way the letters are arranged. Maybe you could just take out the ribbon-like things at the bottom of the sign and put in your and Melanie’s names?
5 & 7. I think Mabel should write a haiku about her pick…
#6 with the addition of your names……..it looks classic to me…..similar to an opening of a movie……I would make the names pink…….
I love #2 the most! I like the font in it so I think you could also do #1 but maybe a different color other than pink. No on #7, 8 and 9. These are not for you.
3 is my favorite!
My favorite is #5, but maybe use #1 font and keep the “cast” the same! Oh and definitely add your names!!!
I vote 1 or 5. They speak to me.
I like #5.
#5..definitely my fave. maybe #6 with a different font..something more boldy…or puffy. I don’t even know if those are correct font descriptions, but well, there you have it.
#5 is the one i keep coming back too. is that scientific-y enough?
5. for sure!!! Sparkles, but a little settle…perfect for you two!! :)
Number 5!!
#8 really pops but I think the background for on #7 or #2 would look great behind that navy blue and green. Will the app do that?
#1 in a blue/green background with same graphics and your names. Love pink but it’s a little bright. Something more soothing would attract listeners in my humble opinion.
Saying a prayer you don’t have a sinus infection and just needed some extra rest this weekend. :)
#5, #5, #5 is my favorite!!! Do NOT like any of the last ones in green. (Not sure why as green is my favorite color…but I do not like these).
#5 and #7 are kinda calling my name :)
Of the choices, I think I like #5 with a bolder font best. But, here’s the deal–we will all listen to the podcast no matter what it looks like. :-) So, design it to make you happy, and feel free to change it as often as you like!