Closing Up...

well... I guess I've made it official -- I'm going to be closing my Digital Scrapping Site --
I sort of have mixed emotions...
I mean I haven't even put anything new in the store since before the girls were born! But I guess, me holding onto it has made me feel like I still had a title or something (dumb, I know... but when people would ask if I was just a SAHM -- I could also say that I had my own business (well, I guess I still do - with Photoflattery and photography... hmm.. ok, so now I'm not feeling as bad - LOL) but anyway - it was time to renew my domain name and I guess that gave the added push I needed to make the decision and go with it --
hey, if any of you are digi scrappers - I've got a freebie template pack up on my designer blog (link is over to the right with my other links...)
I really loved being a designer and would literally dream of my next design 24 hours a day! I was obsessed (so in that regards, I'm kind of glad to be closing the door - HEEE!) but it also taught me loads of photoshop skills and gave me confidence to pursue the next dream!

March Update...

Well, it has been a VERY rough couple of weeks. The Rotavirus hit us and I have been dealing with throw up and diarhea for 13 straight days! no exageration! Aubrie, Lexi and Nathan were sick for almost 2 full weeks! - but I am soooo happy to report that I *think* it has ran its course and it has decided to leave the Vogt house! HOORAY! The rest of us got it as well - but were only down for 1-2 days. let me tell you how (NOT) fun having a family of 8 all sick at the same time is! it was rough - I can't even put into words how awful it was - LOL so enough about that (but on a final note: we went through 2.5 JUMBO packages of diapers for the girls and can I just say that I am so glad that Nathan got potty trained last month! oh, and we also did take Lex in to the ER at one point to get rehydrated... and both girls and Nathan lost weight (which they didn't really have to begin with to loose... oh well...) I'm just thankful, they are acting like themselves. It is such a blessing to see them get down and play with each other (no joke - for the past 2 weeks, if Lexi was awake - she would just lay on my chest.. she maybe got down once or twice during those 13 days -- it was sad :( Sooo... since it was so wonderful to see them smiling and cralwing around I hurry and busted out the camera to get commemorate - LOL
(that middle pic of Aubrie is my favorite -- it makes me giggle everytime I see it! HEEE!)

During all of the sickness, life still went on for the rest of us thought... Seth had to give a HUGE oral/power point presentation (that he'd been working on for about 7 weeks) on George Rogers Clark... here he is the morning he was to present in front of the judges. He did really well and was happy with his performance - he had the whole report memorized and gave it in a 1st person narrative - which everyone loved :) Doesn't he look adorable!?

It was also the Blue and Gold Banquet... For the Father/Son Cake - John and Seth decided on doing a hamburger cake... we all think it turned out fun! I did not help whatsoever in the building of this -- they were so proud of themselves!

He also got the prize of "Most Edible" for his cake...

It was also Ben's 7th Birthday this week! He took in cupcakes to his class at school and he got Sonic for dinner that night. We had his friend party yesterday (Saturday). We took them all to Carl's Jr and they had Kids Meals and played in the playland (thought this would be MUCH easier to let them run around and be wild at the restraunt vs. entertaining them at our house! -- turned out to be a wise decision - LOL
then afterwards, we came home and had cake/ice cream and openedgifts. oh, they also played some video games on the Wii. Here's the pic of the cake we had made for him - He thought it turned out pretty cool!
He got the Hulk Abomination Blaster from grandma and grandpa... as you can see, it's quite the gun! It splits off and you can have 2 seperate guns as well -- so all of the boys (and John!) have been having a blast playing with it!

So now that brings us up to Spring Break (and Track Break for Seth and Ben...) I also need to get caught up on all of your blogs - I seriously haven't had the time the past few weeks and have missed reading about everyone! Have a great Spring Break :)

I Won!

One of my favorite (daily) sites to visit is Twinstuff.com -- I was recommended the site by several gals that followed my designing blog (back in the day...) and joined up when I was still expecting the girls. It has been an invaluable place of knowledge, support and friendship throughout this first year. Anywho... they had a contest to design their new logo and guess what?! It was just announced today that I won! YIPPEE!!! I'm so excited that they chose my design! I couldn't help but take a screen shot of the forums once they switched out the logos....

They had a cash prize and then also gifted me a years membership (it's a free site but has some additaional perks for paying members) so I was pretty excited. The new look has been well received by everyone so that makes me feel even better! Anyway, just thought I'd share my news :)

oh, and if you were curious as to what the original logo was.... here's a screen shot of that (they haven't switched out every page yet so this was still up for a visual)...

Doesn't the new one make everything look so much fresher and hip?? LOL (yes, I'm partial...)

Design Star

so do you like this color scheme?? If so, then you are in luck - big time!

Scrap Matters is having a "Design Star" contest (comparible to American Idol -- and the winner of the contest will then be a full time designer for Scrap Matters). Yours Truly has been asked to be one of the judges so have been going through all of the submissions and there are 132 of them! Where's the good news for you? Well, each of the 132 contestants have created a mini kit using this color combo and they are available for FREE to whoever would like them. You just have to be a registered user at Scrap Matters. The owner of the store is an awesome lady and the Design Team Coordinator (Brittney) was one of my Creative Team members (when I was actively designing for the scrapping business).

Anyway, I'm just taking a quick break from judging (and there is some awesome talent there!) and thought I'd pass along all of the free kits available right now -- and watch out for the next round (there'll be more free kits!) So go clear out some free space on your hard drive and get to downloading! :)