Hip hip hurray!! The pub is here!

Just had to share : my first published card is now on the newsstands! CardMaker March 2009, (pg. 86, my new lucky number, hee hee!!) I love that my first published card just so happens to use my very first stamp set "Just So Hippy" (as well as "Hip Hop Accessories"), how appropriate! (That was not intentional, I submitted several others that first time, so it could have been any of one of my first several sets!) I actually spotted the magazine at Barnes & Noble a few weeks ago, but was waiting to get my issue in the mail so I could share a pic with you! (A few of you actually already saw it, and emailed me congrats, thanks ladies!) ;) Obviously I knew what the card was going to look like, but it was such a fun surprise to see how beautifully they photographed and staged it, I heart that daisy!! What a thrill!

So, I was going to put my extra copy that they send up for grabs here on the blog, BUT, I decided in the end I really needed to give this first one to "Mom", my first supporter! You understand, right? ;) But the next one (July 2009), I will, okay?? (That one has FIVE of my cards in it, squeal, can't wait, can't wait!)

The main reasons I *think* this one got accepted:

clean design, easy for any stamper to recreate, FIT the call (baby theme), some tradtional & non-traditonal baby card elements (hippos?), with a bit o' humor thrown in! ;)

The month I submitted this last summer, was my first time to try getting published, but as I said earlier I sent in several other cards that time too that did not get accepted. Carolyn wrote a post about r*e*j*e*c*t*i*o*n the other day, well, i know something abot that, too! I've definitely had more rejected than accepted! Out of curiosity I just went and counted all my submissions: about 1 in 4 has gotten published. As you know, I make a lot of cards, more than one a day last year! I don't submit everything I make ( less than 1/10th of what I created ), but try to figure out which ones I think have the best chances. (Lots of my personal favorites have been passed over! and I'm fine with that, it doesn't make me like the designs any less) Fortunately, with Cardmaker you can just email a picture, so it doesn't hurt to try submitting several, if it's not accepted (I prefer that term to "rejected!") you still have that card you love to do with what you like!! so GO FOR IT! Everyone will experience some rejection, but it's worth it (seeing your card in print is great, the money's not bad either, a very nice supplement to your crafting fund! I treated myself to a ton of Copics) ;)

Anyone out there have published cards coming out using my stamps? (I know Carolyn does!) Please let me know! I appreciate your support and the heads up! :)

Oh, I'd also love to know: any of you subscribe to Cardmaker? Any other pubs you like/had success with/ recommend I try submitting to? Thanks for reading and sharing my good news, please share if you have some of your own! Have a blessed day!

PS Did anyone notice the typo in the photo? how appropriate for ME, LOL! (the world's worst typist) That's cool, I've definitely seen it butchered worse! ;) BTW it's pronounced Men - chinger (rhyming with "ringer") just in case you were wondering! :)

PPS NOW, there are BIG THINGS going on over at Gina's today! HUGE! (I KNOW what's in the box!! do you?? and it's just the beginning! Go look!)