Interview with Designcreativelee's owner, Nonnie. She brought cowboys!!!

Today I have an interview with a very special person. She quite simply saves my life. Her name is Nonnie and she owns Designcreativelee. If you've been on my website (www.authormelanieanderson.com), or seen some of the cool pictures I've had on my blog, you've seen her work.

Without her my website would probably be my name and a picture. Or just my name. A picture might be just a little advanced for me. *g* Anyway, I could go on and on, but I'll let the interview speak for itself.

So without further ado, here is my interview with Nonnie, the uncut version:

On a scale of one to ten, how awesome am I? You can go past ten if you like.

Haven’t you ever wondered why we always use the scale of 1 to 10? Instead of, say, a scale of A to Z?

‘A’ could be something like aberrant or abhorrent and ’Z’ could be, I don’t know, zippy?

For sure, you’d fall somewhere between loony and rad. You know, give or take.

Was it intimidating working on the website of such an important person? Yes, I’m talking about me.

Yeah, for sure. I mean, you’re so picky! You never like anything I do. You’re a slave driver is what you are! Sheesh! No vacation, no sick pay - I don’t even get smoke breaks!

The fine print: If it isn’t obvious, this is such a lie. Melanie has to be the easiest person in the world to work with. In the 2+ years I’ve worked with her I can count on one hand how many times she’s suggested a change and never has she said she disliked anything. Except maybe the green shirt I tried to dress her in once. Her caricature, that is. Despite the rumors, she really can dress herself.


Are things really bigger in Texas?


LOL! You know, despite living in Texas most of my life, I don’t remember ever being asked this before. Seems impossible, but if I have I can’t remember what my answer would have been. Quite possibly, that it would take leaving Texas for somewhere else to find out. And, since I’ve only lived one other place since I’m old enough to remember - Las Vegas for a while - the only thing I know for sure is that with the humidity, my hair is bigger in Texas than it was there.


Any cowboys? Do you have pictures?

Sure, Stephenville is home to Ty Murray and Tuff Hedeman - to name a couple. While I’ve never been too much of a fan, it is hard to ignore seeing Ty and Jewel at the local Wal-Mart. lol Or, while filming his T.V. special, Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge, seeing the group of men walk into a local western wear store. Some women were lucky enough to be hit on by Johnny Fairplay. (suppressing gag reflex - check) And, I’m sure the guy that raced "Rocket" Ismail down a street beside the courthouse or whoever witnessed Johnny Fairplay and Vanilla Ice climb up the courthouse marquee to “ride” the cow on top - those people will never be the same. lol

Aside from that, Stephenville is home to Larry Joe Taylor. If you’re a fan of country music, you’ve probably heard of him. If not, you’ll love his music.

As far as everyday cowboys - you can’t step off you’re front porch without running into one. Chances are, if you’re from around here, you’re either dating one or married to one. Stephenville is, after all the Cowboy Capital of the World. (It's true! Look it up! lol)

You won’t hear me complain! We have the pretty kind (you know, the ones that dress like cowboys, but that's it) and the real, rugged kind. Which flavor do you prefer?

(I just happen to have this one picture of a guy I went to school with. If asked, I'll deny ever having it! lol.

He's the rugged kind. lol!)


Now for the hard hitting question… What is your favorite time of year?

My favorite time of year is that small window right after what we call “winter” and just before spring. It’s not too cold, not too hot or humid and the storms haven’t started yet. It only lasts about a week or two at most, but it’s perfect.

Ask me in another week or two and I’ll say winter. I’m already tired of being hot and it hasn’t even started yet! (sob!)

Do men wear chaps in Texas?

Only at rodeos, as far as I know. Besides that, what might or might not happen behind closed doors is none of my business.

Can I come live with you?

You really haven’t thought this through, have you?



What is your biggest dream? (Other than meeting me, of course).

Well, that’s a pretty big one. Not sure if I can go bigger than that. If I’m forced to come up with something, I guess I’d say my biggest dream would be to one day be a famous illustrator living very comfortably off her earnings doing exactly what she loves.

It’s pretty cool to have finally figured out my true passion and get to a place where I have all the tools I need to really jump into it full force. Now, I just need the time. (Next year! Two kids in school! It’s coming!)

Is it true you drew the beautiful picture of me? Was I an easy subject? (Not easy in that way).

Well, the basic features of the face and hair originally came from a caricature maker on vistaprint.com one night while I was playing around . It was just the head and in jpeg format - not very versatile. So, it has since been traced into vector format in Adobe Illustrator. That was done by me and in the future, any changes in the facial expressions, clothing or props are drawn by me.

As far as easy? I plead the fifth!

(Psst! I’ve heard bribing her with cake or Smirnoff Ice works every time!)

Would you like to say something else? Promote something? I’ll be over here dreaming of cowboys…again.

Eeek! I have to get better at this. I really don’t like talking about myself.
But, that dream of mine won’t come true on it’s own. Will it? No? … Oh, okay.

Well, my website is designcreativelee.com. I’m currently trying to redesign it, so there will be broken links if you go there (I tried really hard to get it done before this interview, but the stomach flu had other plans for me.) It’s coming along and you can see or get to some of what I do on the homepage and my blog - Blog Creative-Lee at http://designcreativelee.wordpress.com .

I do web design from concept to fully launched site, print design including brochures, business cards, post cards, invitations, letterhead etc. I also do design work for printing on mouse pads, magnets, t-shirts and more. I also do a little with Flash/Animation. I’m still new to it, so anything I do would be considered simple. You can see examples on my homepage as well as spabazaar.com. And, Melly’s site has a very simple flash welcome.

My focus has been more on web design and I’d like to continue that as well as shift more focus onto my illustration work. If you write children’s books, I’d love to hear from you!

I guess that’s about it. It’s so much easier writing about you! lol

Melly Note: This is one of the earliest Nonnie creations I have (If you know me from ADWOFF, you'll understand it):