The Manipulation of Microsoft Publisher

My new job as Director of Communication has led to some interesting applications and combinations of my technological and artistic skills.  Keep in mind that I never took an art, graphic design, or technology class after keyboarding in high school.  All I know about art and computers I have learned from my mother, former boyfriends, reading forums, observation and experience.  I of course would be remiss if I did not include in this list of inspiration my ultimate technology teacher, my husband Ben.  He not only taught me most of what I know when it comes to computers, but he continues to serve as my go-to expert when I hit a road block in my endeavors (which happens approximately 3 times a week).

Despite the problems I am having in some areas of my job (e.g. getting the audio and video  of each Sunday's sermon in proper synchronization up on the website, networking stupid printers, etc.) I am having a blast with designing publications for the church and school.  We have a fundraising event coming up in April and I have agreed to design the logo/invitations.  Today I tackled logo design, which will be the first time I have designed a logo...unless you count when I tried to fit my initials into a circle or a triangle...like this:

I am currently designing my publications using Microsoft Publisher with the occasional assist from the Windows 7 lasso tool (it's amazing and one of those things that makes you ask,"Why didn't they come up with this sooner?").  I am well aware that there are better tools to use for design than Publisher; however, at this point in time, with my level of experience/knowledge and the lack of time I have to learn InDesign or another equally daunting program, this is the best way for me to go.  And, you know what? It's working.  I am really enjoying creating things from scratch, manipulating the program to do what I want, and ending up with designs that don't look half bad.  Here are a couple ideas I'm working with right now for our theme...you'll know what it is, unless you can't read...and if you can't read then you wouldn't be reading this anyway...ahh, nevermind!