Ta da! I'm so happy with my new Vox banner. *snuggles it*
Vox really knows how to kick off my final week of Winter Break. (I love you, Vox.) *hearts* Thankies so much to the Vox team for putting together the new groups option. I'm so happy to see Vox slowly moving out of its beta stage into a more complex blogging system. It's no longer just a blogging baby-- I think it's an young (teenage?) adolescent now.
Winning the Vox Banner Contest a little while ago had its perks. I was informed that the new banner option would be up, so I had a good amount of time to play around with making some banners. I wasn't happy with how some turned out, so I won't be using them at all, but I was pleased with a few others, one being the current theme displayed right now. It features Jinkies, Beth's Goldie, in her Winter gear.
Surprisingly, Wisconsin has only had two bigger snowstorms this entire season. It's kind of a disappointment, for snow is one of my favorite things to look forward to. Anyway, today's snowstorm gave me the opportunity to trudge out into the small patch of woods in my backyard and capture some photos of Jinkies in the cute hat Kir made for me a while ago. None of my girls have had the chance to really use it yet, so kudos to the weather for being so time-efficient.
Poor Shawn drove all the way to Milwaukee this morning for his first class of the semester, and he was surprised with some interesting information. I guess his school celebrates Martin Luther King Day, so his classes actually resume Wednesday, not today. He was pleasantly happy about the news, even though he went all the way down there, got his car stuck three times in the thick snowdrifts, and then was cut off several times by stupid people driving on the freeway. I will never understand the crazies on the road. Never.
Here's the other banner I made. I might use it someday, but for now, I'm not that attached to it. I guess I'll wait and see.
I might edit it a little bit first. Maybe then I'll grow more fond of the idea. It features Nami (my custom Blythe made by Kookii herself), Junie (my Strawberryusa Sugarbunnies plushie), and newcomer Uhboo, a creation by me. I created Uhboo specifically for my Vox. I think she's a sweet addition to my little collection of cuties in my journal here. I'm excited to see the other places she pops up at. ^__~
I am in love with the new customization features. For anyone that stumbles upon this and is frustrated with the limited features Vox offers right now-- just hang in there. Vox is still a wee one, and it needs some time to grow. You'll see new changes and amazing improvements in time!
[this is good] Kudos to Vox!!
Your banner looks suhweet...I love it!!!! I'm messing around with some of my ideas...will probably ask you for help, lol.
=)
Posted by: ♥ Lady M ♥ | January 15, 2007 at 05:08 PM
I like this new feature, and your choice of banners, I actually created a new banner just for the roll out of the new feature.
Posted by: Wislander | January 15, 2007 at 05:16 PM
[this is good] Wow, your banner looks so prettyful ^^. You are so creative and talented. Do some schools NOT celibrate MLK day? I remember here in Nashville, a few years back, some banks stayed open for the holiday and there was protests.
Posted by: ... | January 15, 2007 at 05:24 PM
Feel free, hon! I always love helping people. ^^
Posted by: Lauren | January 15, 2007 at 05:25 PM
I replied to your latest post, Kenn. You're a creative genius. I always, always look forward to your posts... They're always filled with graphics goodies, heh.
Posted by: Lauren | January 15, 2007 at 05:26 PM
Thankies, sweets. *hearts* You know... It's weird. I don't think I've ever had MLK Day off. o_O I think I'm the odd one out. I attended both Catholic grade school and high school, and neither of them gave us the day off. Haha, maybe it's just a Wisconsin thing. You're lucky!
Posted by: Lauren | January 15, 2007 at 05:30 PM
[this is good] I LOVE your new banner! It looks gorgeous!
Posted by: Inga | January 15, 2007 at 05:49 PM
[this is good] I love the banners you did doll!
I love how vox is giving us a chance to do our own banners! :) yay!
Posted by: Jayce & Caiden's Mommy | January 15, 2007 at 05:50 PM
I love your banners Lauren. I like this feature on Vox but I'm not creative so I probably won't mess with this feature. /: I went to a catholic school my whole life so we never had that day off either.
Posted by: Jessica | January 15, 2007 at 05:58 PM
You guys are so creative. That is just lovely!
Posted by: Virtuous Woman | January 15, 2007 at 06:08 PM
aww this is sooo cute!
Posted by: laurie | January 15, 2007 at 06:26 PM
Elle- Eee! thankies, sweets.
Kimberly- Yeah, I really like how they turned out, too. ^^ I'm so happy with this new Vox option. It's great seeing how enthusiastic everyone else is!
Jessica- I wonder what Catholicism's deal is with LMK Day. Weird. Oh, and do whatever makes you happy with your Vox. ^.~
Simply Complex & laurie- <3 !
Posted by: Lauren | January 15, 2007 at 06:39 PM
[this is good] Lauren, I know Shawn was pissed! How far did he have to drive?
That is so cute how excited you always are about the snow! I hate snow. Lord...*sigh*
The Uhboo banner is adorable too! It's so you!
Posted by: Inga | January 15, 2007 at 06:55 PM
[this is good] Wow your Vox banner is really cute! I love the colors of Jinkies' hat. It's such a nice colorful contrast to her black hair and pale skin tone. You did a great job at customizing your Vox. I wanna get around to it eventually too.
Posted by: Lili | January 15, 2007 at 07:11 PM
I love the concept of Groups. I'm glad that they are now part of VOX! :)
No snow here, but cold! ^^
Posted by: Mikey | January 15, 2007 at 07:35 PM
[this is good] The banner you're using right now is by far the best banner I've seen you make. Thanks for the group. =D
Posted by: Sherbet | January 15, 2007 at 07:36 PM
Lili- I agree-- all the colors with Jinkies is just right. I couldn't have hoped for better results with her photos. Thankies, sweets.
Mikey- Brr. It's so cold here. Oh, and the groups option is so much fun.
Sherbert- ^///^ Aw, that made me happy. Have fun with the Blythe group. I can't wait 'til it really picks up!
Posted by: Lauren | January 15, 2007 at 07:53 PM
[this is good] It so, well, kawaii!
I've been messing around with a little too. I put a simple one up but I can see a lot of fun to be had with this!
Posted by: Rachel | January 15, 2007 at 07:59 PM
[this is good] ahh, your journal looks gorgeous! what beautiful shots of jinkies! i absolutely love her winter hat. it's adorable! i must admit to being a bit surprised that plum isn't in the banner though. poor plum! ^_~
Posted by: Celena | January 15, 2007 at 08:09 PM
O___O Celena, way to make me feel guilty! I thought about taking Plum out in the snow, but I realized how much time she's had behind my new lens. *sigh* I opted for a different photo subject. Little did I know that Jinkies would end up being the object of my affection banner-wise. ^_~ I'm glad you like the look, hon. Weee.
Posted by: Lauren | January 15, 2007 at 08:11 PM
[참 좋습니다] Such a pretty banner! I really need to stop being so lazy &make one of my own ~~ But I wouldn't know where to start. >_<
I'm so jealous of your snow, can you believe the only thing we've had here in NYC is a few flurries? &no one was even awake to catch a glimpse of them! ;_;
Posted by: Sakura | January 15, 2007 at 11:09 PM
i was just teasin' you, sweets! *hug* i know plum is your baby. it was nice of you to show jinkies some attention. she's a beauty!!
Posted by: Celena | January 15, 2007 at 11:45 PM
gorgeous! I love this new customization feature, I'm gonna tinker with it for a bit now.
Posted by: Tofu_killer | January 16, 2007 at 02:52 AM
[this is good] i LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BANNER!!!!!!!!!!! i want to snuggle it too. gorgeous. great work. i gotta go try to figure this stuff out..............
Posted by: mary | January 16, 2007 at 08:29 AM
I love the photos of Jinkies! I didn't know your sister collected Blythes as well. ^__^ How fun! As always, you did an excellent job on the photos... I really love the color contrast of Jinkies with the stark white snow... it really makes her stand out even more. And it looks like she had a lot of fun posing for you!
I'm so excited that Vox is letting you do custom banners now. The Vox community is already so full of artistic and creative people, and I can't wait to see what everyone produces (especially you, hehe). However, I'm a little worried that it might end up looking like MySpace... with the horrid backgrounds and text that no one can read. Vox is so clean and wonderfully designed, and I don't want that to change.
I joined your Vox banner group, and I'm currently thinking up ideas for a banner to contribute. ^__^
Posted by: Jen | January 16, 2007 at 12:34 PM
Yay, definitely contribute some. Several people have already done so, which made me really happy. ^____^
I used to worry about Vox looking or becoming a MySpace type site when I first joined up, but I've realized that a lot of people who reside here are actually very talented compared to those that are at MS, haha. (It's sad but true.) I think that one reason Vox is taking its development so slow is because it wants to maintain that clean-cut atmosphere and feel-- that's what most of it's users find so appealing about the site. I don't think we'll have to worry, sweets. <3
I'm glad you like the photos of Jinkies. ^^ Beth and Kathleen got started with Blythes because of me, but they haven't maintained an interest in them as much as I have. I've kind of taken over caring for several of Beth's Blythes. I re-dress some of Kathleen's girls, too. I like being an all-around mommy. Squee!
Posted by: Lauren | January 16, 2007 at 02:55 PM
thanks so much lauren! i just applied your lovely banner to my blog. check 'er out! <3
Posted by: Kristinitis | January 16, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Aw, yay! I'm so glad that the banner worked out. =D It really looks great when it's on a Vox page. I'd love to allow other Voxers to use that, but I think you should just use it for now. Tee hee. <3
Posted by: Lauren | January 16, 2007 at 04:44 PM
thanks for always leaving a comment, lauren. it is nice to know that my blog reaches at least one person. thanks for all the encouragement too...you are so sweet!
p.s. I hope I get the new car and that my daddy agrees. :)
Posted by: Kristin Parker | January 17, 2007 at 12:47 AM
I always look forward to reading your blog. ^^ You have a very personal way of talking and you have experiences that I can relate to on certain levels, which makes it easy and fun to comment. You've definitely reached me, tee hee.
<3 I'm sure he'll agree. You have good karma-- I'm sure of it.
Posted by: Lauren | January 17, 2007 at 01:00 AM
wow, nice banner Lauren... I love it! You are so creative.I still have no time to do mine were busy lately, can't think of something nice too. ^-^ but you know it was great you show up your idea, coz that make me jealous and wana have one... *hehe* Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: NOOS | January 17, 2007 at 07:14 AM
I love being able to use customized banners :) It's so much nicer when we can personalize the way our blogs look, so they don't all look the same.
Yours is very cute!
Posted by: Wissam | January 17, 2007 at 03:19 PM