I’ve completed my 28-Day Creative Challenge and even have room to spare in my file drawer. A big “Thank You” to everyone who followed along as I sorted, trashed and organized my creative morgue. Would I do this again? I don’t think so because it was more work than what I had expected. Thank goodness it’s over and that I’m no longer tripping over a big box full of files in the middle of my office. I think I may have just enough space in the back of this file drawer to store my new best friend “Jack Daniels,” lol.

This brochure is one of several for Sikkens that I snagged at the local hardware store. The subhead reads “Simply Beautiful” and I must agree — this brochure is just that! This series of brochures will be going into my creative morgue and filed under “Inspiration.” My files are becoming more manageable, thanks to my 28-Day Creative Challenge which is nearing an end.

Wow, what I thought was going to be a short, one-week break in my 28-Day Creative Challenge was almost two weeks! That just goes to show us that we never know when life is going to throw a curve ball. In my case it was a hot project for a client AND a niece who is now on her 5th day in ICU with an illness of unknown cause and origin. She is stable at this time and prayers for Jamie would be appreciated.

Let’s resume at Day 24 with this wonderful brochure for a weight loss drug. It’s designed to look like a tape measure and opens out with an accordion fold – very clever. I’ll be keeping this one but have thrown lots of others away that didn’t make the grade.

Remember that you can join me in my 28-Day Creative Challenge by letting me know if you agree or disagree with my selections or if you can you provide a better example. I’d love to hear from you!

I’ve got to take a short break and with only 5 days left to go in my 28-Day Creative Challenge. I’ve got a client deadline so HOT it would make the devil sweat.

Watch for Day 24 sometime next week. Have a great July 4th Weekend!

Day 23 of my 28-Day Creative Challenge.

I’ve been keeping this direct mail piece because it was fun! They say curiosity killed the cat and it’s the same principle at work here. Who could resist looking behind each of the three windows?

Whew! What a busy day I have going for me — I jumped into Monday with both feet running. Remember, you can be part of my 28-Day Creative Challenge by sending me links to download or printed samples of creative work that inspires you, and if it inspires me as well, I’ll feature it here along with a link to your blog or website. Gotta run!

Day 19 of my 28-Day Creative Challenge.

Check out all the “white space” this ad has. What a concept — and I mean that both literally and figuratively. It uses only 23 well-chosen words in both headline and body copy, a golfing photo that uses psychology to appeal to our hedonistic nature (that’s worth at least a thousand words, right?), and a powerful product shot. Toss in the two logos and a wee bit of descriptive copy that includes price, and we have a strong, clean ad. And that’s how it’s done folks!

This ad has certainly found a home in my creative morgue files as a reminder to continue to fight for “white space.” If you’d like to participate in my 28-Day Creative Challenge, please send me links to download or printed samples of creative work that you find inspiring. If it inspires me too, I’ll feature it here along with a link to your blog or website. Or you could just post a comment.

Day 18 of my 28-Day Creative Challenge.

Okay folks, the jury is still out on this one. Should I keep this ad in my creative morgue or throw it out? The design is extremely eye-catching and creative but something about it bothers me. I can’t put my finger on it, maybe the car should be pointed upwards… I don’t know, what do you think, should it stay or should it go?

This is Day 17 of my 28-Day Creative Challenge. I’m keeping this 2001 manual as a reminder to never miss an opportunity to build a relationship with a customer, in this case — the often overlooked groom.

When a man is about to spend 2 to 3 months salary on a diamond engagement ring he deserves to be catered to, don’t you think? Helzberg Diamond’s 28-page “Guy’s Engagement Manual, A Guide For The Man About To Propose” does just that. It’s full of helpful proposal ideas, check lists, encouragement and most importantly of all, educational information about diamond engagement rings.

One of their proposal ideas is for the groom to put the ring on his pinkie. He then pretends he hurt his hand and wraps it sloppily in a bandage. When he asks her for help re-wrapping it, she’ll notice the ring and he then proposes marriage. Do you have any other unique ideas for marriage proposals that you can share with us?

This Plus Membership Guide from AAA uses a silver metallic paper stock for the cover and both matte and gloss varnish on the cover images. When it’s opened there’s white stepped pages with gold metallic ink used for headlines, subheads and border trim. There’s also a sticker with three AAA decals for my car window glued to the inside front page. What an elegant piece, it can’t be fully appreciated unless you actually hold it in your own hand. I’m a paper addict, what can I say?

If this is the first you’ve heard of my 28-Day Creative Challenge, you may want to learn what it’s all about by reading: My Challenge: 28 Days To Clean Up My Creative Morgue. It’s a short post, only one paragraph.

Day 14 of my 28-Day Creative Challenge.

I love foil labels and this is my favorite! They’re a great way to add an additional message to your promotional material. This one arrived in my mailbox in 2003 on an envelope from Warren Printing. Isn’t it attractive?

Would you like to be part of my 28-Day Creative Challenge? Send  me your links to download or printed samples of creative work that inspires you, and if it inspires me as well, I’ll feature it here along with a link to your blog or website.