Magazine Submissions & Rejections - It's All Good! ;)

I mentioned in my last post that I've been working really hard on magazine submissions.  I absolutely LOVE making projects for publication calls.  It's so fun to be challenged creatively!  And just so you know - no matter how long a person has been designing, rejection is always part of the equation.  Part of the fun is finding out what projects made the cut  & which ones did not.  Rejection is always bitter sweet.  Of course, I'd be ecstatic if all of my submissions were accepted - don't get me wrong!  ;)  But... when things aren't picked, I get to share them with my awesome blog readers - and that's pretty fun too!

So, here's a card I made for PC's last call that didn't get picked up.  The challenge was to make a project with things found in the garden.  The issue also has a general theme of friendship.

I used my computer to make my own sentiment.

Even though my card will never be in print... it still makes me pretty happy.  I love creating little pieces of art.  Fun stuff!  :)

When I made cards for submissions, I always save all of my supplies & instructions in a Word document.  It makes it easier to keep all of those details handy just in case your card is accepted.  Here is how I organized my info for this card:

Supplies:

Cardstock:

           -  (Willow) Memory Box

-         -  (Suede Brown Dark) Prism

Patterned Paper:

-          - “Set the Table”, Life is Good collection) Echo Park

Stickers:

-         -  (pink ruler- Paper Girl Sticker Market) The Girls’ Paperie

Die Cuts:

-         -  (watering can – Cut & Paste die cuts) K & Company

Trims:

-         -  (Vintage Cream stitched ribbon) Papertrey Ink

Tools:

-          - Sewing machine/thread

Font:

-         -  (Milk & Cereal) kevinandamanda.com

Instructions:

1.       Make card from cardstock.
2.       Print computer generated sentiment onto green cardstock.  Trim & sand edges.
3.       Mat patterned paper onto brown cardstock; adhere.  Machine stitch.
4.       Affix ruler sticker.
5.       Tie ribbon bow around piece & adhere panel to card.  

6.       Adhere watering can using dimensional foam adhesive.

If you've ever considered submitting to a magazine, I really encourage you to give it a try!  I remember not too long ago laughing when someone suggested that I try to get published.  I thought it was completely absurd... that there was no way I could ever be 'good enough' to have something in print.  I decided to just give it a shot... and what do you know?!? - eventually they said "yes!"  I'm just so happy that someone gave me the push I needed to do something that was out of my comfort zone.  So... today, if you're needing someone to give you that little push... I want to encourage you to go for it!  I think you'll love it too.  :)