Publication Rejects Week

OK. So a few weeks ago I shared some publications.  This week I thought I'd share some cards that didn't make the cut.

When I first started submitting for magazines, I found it really hard getting rejected.  And believe me, I must have submitted hundreds of cards before I got one selected.  Now, I consider rejection just a part of the process.  And there could be any number of reasons why a card is not chosen.  I do like to look back at the rejects and consider what was not quite right, so I thought that with each rejected card I post this week, I'd try a little analysis of why I think it wasn't chosen.  And I am NOT doing this to gain sympathy :), I just want to encourage you to submit, and maybe my analysing a little might help YOU.  Because getting a card chosen for publication is one of the best feelings EVER. :)

So here goes...

For today, a card I made for a CARDS magazine call.  The call was for a red, yellow and teal school themed card. Here's my attempt... 

Looking at it now, I think perhaps it was too symmetrical and flat for CARDS. They publish a lot of shabby, vintagey cards - cards with loads of texture... cards I aspire to make :)  Maybe this was just too one dimensional - not enough ribbon, not enough bling.

Buy hey - I still like it. :) And that panda pencil is one of my all time favourite EVER stamps so I had to try.
I hope this is helpful in some way to those of you who are trying to get published for the first time. My advice, don't give up. It'll happen eventually.  It took me over a year and I often felt like giving up trying. Glad I didn't now. :)

Back soon with another reject.

Supplies

InLinkz.com

Get Well Soon

Today I have a card made using the new Stormy Weather digkit.  The clouds, rainy background and wellies all come from the kit.  I added some yummy aqua ribbon too.  The sentiment is from the Say It (Again and Again) kit.

Here's a close-up to show you the grey raindrop background. I love it. Perfect for get well cards.

See you again soon. Enjoy your day.
x

Supplies

InLinkz.com

Raindrops... 2 ways!

Hello, I have a pair of cards to share today that are very different. :)
Both cards use the new Raindrop Background Digikit.
First, a weather themed card, pairing the raindrops with a cute umbrella from the April Showers kit.  I typed a sentiment to match.  To create the background, I layered the blue version of the digi stamp over some Azure digi paper from the Hero Hues Papers digikit.

The next, a less obvious use for the kit. I used the stamp as a petal style background, a nice backdrop for the gorgeous Fleurettes stamp.  It comes in the kit in this lovely distressed brown. I just printed straight onto kraft.

One stamp - two very different cards.
Hope you enjoy your day.

Supplies

InLinkz.com

Sunshine and Smiles

Hiya! Hope you're well.

I'm here today with a pair of cards made with one of Hero Arts newest release digikits: April Showers. Both fit with this month's Hero Arts theme: Sunshine and Showers.

First up, a simple card made using an image and sentiment from the kit. I resized the sun to two sizes for a layered effect. I also added a smiley face from the So Precious digikit.

And next, a rainbow card. The raindrop background is from the new Stormy Weather kit - so cute!  I added lots of Stickles to the clouds for sparkle.

So there you go. A cute kit for sure.
Have a fun day.

Supplies

InLinkz.com

A little break...

Just taking a blog break for a few days.

Back soon.

xx

Heartfelt Wishes

Happy Wednesday!

Just thought I'd share some information on a couple of recent publications.

I took a long break from submitting when I was pregnant, and even now am struggling to find the time to make more than one or two cards for current calls, and very few are getting picked up. I miss this. I loved it when new calls went live. I found them so inspiring. And getting happy mail... brilliant. Always made my week!

So, recently, I had a few cards published in Paper Crafts Practical Solutions for Paper Crafters - a special edition of Paper Crafts magazine.  Here is one of them:

Fun with paper scraps and my sewing machine. And great for using up little bits left over from other cards. :) (I can;t remember what heart punch I used, so have linked you to my new fave below...)

I also had 2 big projects published in Party Ensembles, another Paper Crafts special issue.  this one is an actual book. I was so excited when it came in the post.  Me, published in an actual book!!! :)

So if you are new to card making, or a bit shy, I encourage you to submit. You never know when it will be your turn.

Have a fab day.

Supplies

InLinkz.com