04 November 2011

I'm a reject... again... and I'm ok with it

Playing along with Amber's Reject Blog hop for the May/June Paper Crafts call. I submitted 5 cards, no acceptances.  No worries though, there is always next time!  This was for one of the sketches (see below).  I'm celebrating rejection! A big congrats to those (like Jocelyn, Cheiron, and Michelle) who did get acceptances!  



I've been thinking a lot lately about publications, design teams, challenges, etc.  In this world of facebook and blog land, it's hard not to get caught up in the "how many did you get accepted for publication?", "what design teams are you on?", "have you ever won on this challenge blog?", "how many people follow your blog?", "are you going to CHA this year?", "how many comments do you get on your blog?", "did you get asked to be in this blog hop? " ... I find myself getting overwhelmed with it all, comparing myself to others and putting pressure on myself to get published, get recognized... be the 'popular kid' (which I never was in school).  It's been happening recently and I realize I have to stop, take a deep breath, step back and remind myself why I do this and why I have always done this.  To have fun.  I'm lucky enough to have a group of amazing crafty friends here and when we get together, we laugh, talk and have a blast (often there is more talking than crafting). It doesn't matter to them how many times I've been published, they just think it's cool.  I also have amazing 'far away' crafty friends (you know who you are - thank you!), who are fabulous, fun and supportive (we commiserate about this kind of stuff).  I have an over-abundance of craft supplies and my own space to craft in.  I have a handful of publications and I'm proud of them all.  I have 97 followers on my blog and lots of fabulous people who stop by my blog regularly to leave sweet comments, thanks to all of you! So I will likely never be a Paper Crafts Go To Gal, have 600 followers on my blog, be on the Dirty Dozen at Splitcoast Stampers, a Garden Girl at 2 Peas, be on 6 design teams at the same time, have dozens of comments on every blog post or have five projects accepted for every Paper Crafts magazine and special edition for the next two years. You know what?  I'm ok with that. I love this hobby and will likely stay with it for as long as I am able.  I'm thankful for everything I have, the recognition I do receive and will not worry about what I don't have. Publication submissions will continue and I will celebrate the acceptances and rejections.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by.  I appreciate everyone who stops by, whether or not they leave a comment.  Thanks for 'listening' to my thoughts today.
[This is my second post today... click here for my Friends with Flair post.]
Have a fabulous weekend.
Glenda

Card details:
Celebrate - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: Paper Smooches sentiment from Sentiment Sampler, circles from Sugar Rush 
Paper: white card stock, Bazzill Basics Mud Pie, My Mind's Eye Fly a Kite “Wish” Ribbon Paper, Lime Twist
Ink: SU! Tangerine Tango, VersaColor Dark Bark
Accents: (buttons) Basic Grey button, (twinkle sticker) A Muse Studio twinkle sticker, SU! ribbon, green ric rac, Copics YG23, R29, BG02, YR07

24 comments:

  1. Wow, Glenda, thanks for putting into words so many of my feelings (on occassion). Your projects ROCK, whether they get published or not. Cheers!

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  2. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I am new to this blogging stuff but have already found myself thinking too much about how to get published, etc, etc. It's good to read about others putting things in perspective. It makes me do the same. I scrapbook because I love it and I have started making cards just as a way to keep playing with my supplies. I need to remember the fun and joy of "playing"! :)

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  3. Your card is wonderful! Wonderful post!

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  4. thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself... I think everything you have done is so cool... Love your cards... Have a wonderful and fabulous weekend.

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  5. Hey girl! Turning the sketch into a cake was brilliant! Hugs to you and I am happy to call you friend!!

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  6. It feels a bit like a competition at times, doesn't it? I've stopped trying to make notes for every challenge because it's unrealistic to take part in them all. It stops being fun if you take it too seriously. I'm glad to see that you're still focused on the best parts of our craft!

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  7. Hey Glenda! I totally know what you are are talking about. This whole thing can turn into such a pressure-filled, crazy-making hobby that I often wonder when the heck card making became so cut throat!! I mean - we are just dealing with paper and stamps, right? The problem is that we're all such perfectionists and used to doing things "just right" that we forget to do things for fun rather than for recognition. I am constantly reminding myself to just chill out! Usually, it's on the nights where I say "screw the crafting" - and just curl up on the couch for dinner and a movie that I realize how it's not worth the worrying! You are most certainly a talented gal and I hope you know that! Enjoy it...and remember that every once in a while, you've just gotta say "screw the crafting!" (P.S. Sorry for my long comment!!)

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  8. LOVE this bright and cheerful card, Glenda!!! The ribbon treatment is FABULOUS and I LOVE all of those colorful dots!!! And here's to creating FOR FUN!!! Sometimes it seems like everything and anything in life can become a bit like a competition. But, life is short, and if we're not careful we'll miss out on enjoying all that it has to offer!!!! You are creative and super sweet and I wish you many HAPPY and FUN-FILLED days doing the things you like the most and surrounded by the people you treasure the most!! (((HUGS)))

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  9. I really like what you've written -- and so true! None of us started out in this fun hobby for the publications and design teams, at least I don't think anybody did!

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  10. Amen to all of that, Glenda!! Yup, sometimes the papercrafting world can seem like high school again, but I am *so* over that. Never been popular, never will be popular. I just try to do what makes me happy and what makes my little corner of the world a brighter place. I'm so glad that you are OK with where you are and what you are doing--because it is more than OK. It's fabulous to do what makes you happy, and that in the end is all that matters. Have a super weekend, Glenda!! Have some fantastic paper fun!!

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  11. This post is one for the record books. Not only for your fabulous card (and it IS fabulous) but for the honest and true words you've written that I'm pretty sure each one of us has felt or is feeling right now (like me!). Thanks for helping me take a step back tonight so I can enjoy the free time that I do have to craft, enjoy the abundance of supplies that I am blessed with and just have fun! Thank you!!!!

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  12. This is such a cute card! I love the paper and the ribbon treatment!

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  13. Oooooo....love your card! That ribbon looks so cool! I really like that bg paper (it's so you!). Thanks for the shout-out, girl. You are so sweet! Some irony: I received my copy of 365 Cards today, I was admiring your cards. You have such a great sense of style and design. I'm sorry you've been feeling bummed about the card community (I think everyone has similar thoughts at times), but I'm glad you're feeling better. All of those things would feel good, but if you're a perfectionist, when would enough be enough? For what it's worth, I always love your cards and your posts always make me smile or laugh. *hugs*

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  14. I really love the bright colours of your card and those 3 tiny buttons are a perfect touch.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree and decided I needed to get a grip recently when I got home and checked my computer to see how many comments my latest post had gotten - before I even kissed my husband hello!! Definitely time to put on the breaks and reevaluate! :)

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  15. Thanks for the wise words, Glenda! Your card is gorgeous. I love those colours!

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  16. Agree with everything you said Glenda! Happy crafting!

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  17. Glenda, you'll never be a reject to me! Here's what I love about you: I see your cards in PC and think, 'I wish I made that card' and a couple of them have been next to mine. ;) You are a constant source of inspiration and I love that you take time to leave comments on my blog, too! So I think all those goals you said 'never' to are certainly attainable. Your birthday cake card is adorable and any friend would be lucky to receive it! Enjoy the weekend!

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  18. I love your take on this sketch...I couldn't come up with anything. The color scheme and ribbon treatment are fab. I submitted 5 cards too, and none of mine were accepted either. I've only ever been published once and was starting to feel like a one-hit-wonder kinda cardmaker :) But, then I went into my craftroom, and saw all the stuff I've bought over the years and smiled...paper, stamps, trim, tools...it makes me smile to think of the possibilities waiting just down the hall. So, after feeling dejected by rejection, I checked out my fave challenge blogs, and made cards. Because I wanted too! Whether or not they win...I don't care anymore. I just like playing along. Sometimes I'm even pleased with my results! LOL Have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to each and everyone of your posts :)

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  19. Love the card and the rest of the post was thought provoking.

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  20. really enjoyed reading your post...your card is super....

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  21. Amen sista! And you know what, I decided a long time ago I don't care about any of it. I do it for fun and for my own therapy - I have bigger more important fish to fry in life an this is just my creative outlet. If others can be inspired by that, so be it. You are fabulous and do fabulous work - keep finding the joy in it!

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  22. GREAT post! Love your positive attitude. Keep that chin up. You are very talented....and just remember---everyone experiences a lot of rejection in this....you really just have to do it because you love it! I for one....love your cards!

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  23. Glenda- you know I love your cards and use them for inspiration. And at a much better price (free!!) than buying a magazine to see them. Besides, as you say, it really is all about getting together for some girl time, being creative and HAVING FUN!

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  24. Wonderful post! I'm relatively new to this craft (and to blogging) and I have thought it would be an awesome milestone to be published, thank you for reminding me what it is all about, and not to get discourage if I don't get published or win challenges that I participate in.

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