Sick

My baby girl woke up sick this morning–the puke soaked bedding kind. (TMI?) If there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a momma it’s to be flexible, and so today’s agenda now includes extra laundry and extra snuggles.

I’m feeling a bit sick myself–but not the puke kind, the uneasy, pit in the stomach, nervous-about-getting-on-an-airplane-kind.

Yesterday came news that Little Dreamer Designs will be closing. It was shocking, bittersweet news. Little Dreamer is a special store to me and I don’t think I would have become a designer if it weren’t for this store and Michelle’s inspiration. I know I’ve told this story before, but I first became interested in learning more about designing when I saw an ad for the Little Dreamer designing apprenticeship contest in 2008. I was a new digital scrapbooker, had severe post-partum depression, and was desperate for a creative outlet. When I saw that apprenticeship ad it occurred to me that real people were creating all these amazing digital designs I was scrapbooking with. LOL I knew barely anything about Photoshop but thought it would be so cool to apply and so while my husband worked late nights during his master’s program, I put the kids to bed and devoured Photoshop tutorials. After a few weeks I had worked up several {terrible} design samples, finally settled on one for the application and sent it in. I even put an image of myself as the winner of the Little Dreamer Apprentice Program on my vision board.

S0 I was CRUSHED when I didn’t even make the first round of cuts. 

But after some initial sulking I decided to try designing again, and had the opportunity to sell at Elemental Scraps (now closed), Funky Playground Designs, and The DigiChick. Two-and-a-half years after that first contest I was invited to join the Little Dreamer team and it was certainly a “dream” come true. 

Over the past couple of months the air has been different in the store and I’ve sensed change coming, so I was not completely surprised to hear we would be closing. But I am sad to say good-bye to my digi home. There is comfort for me though, that the store is not closing because it wasn’t doing well. Judging by the number of e-mails and facebook messages I’ve received, I’m sure that will be a comfort to many of you as well. We’re closing because our amazingly talented Michelle Coleman has received another opportunity that is just too good to pass up in this unstable economy. She is also planning a wedding and expecting a new baby, so while Little Dreamer will be missed, and I know it was a difficult decision for her, I’m sure we can all understand the need to consider what’s best for our families and our health. 

Many of you have asked what I am going to be doing now. The truthful answer is, I really don’t know yet, hence the pit in my stomach this morning. But I am incredibly grateful to have options. Overwhelmingly grateful. And I really appreciate your supportive e-mails and kind words and prayers. It means so much to me. Sometimes doors close for a reason and I have a lot to consider.

In the meantime, the store closing does mean there is a major benefit to YOU–and that is a 50% off sale until our virtual doors close on March 15th. If there is something you’ve been eyeing, it’s definitely a good time to stock up!! I’ve noticed things are running a bit slow–maybe because it’s getting a lot of traffic, so if you get an error message, give it a rest and try again. I’ll give you plenty of notice before all my designs are pulled.