2.04.2014

Paper Smooches SPARKS Anything Goes challenge

...I've got a reject to show you today. ;)

This is for this weeks Paper Smooches SPARKS Anything Goes challenge - with a "challenge" like this, there's really no excuse not to play. ;)

It didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it to - at the end, I just basically stuck the gems on to get it over with. I've been feeling that with a lot of my cards lately - "eh, I don't know what to do now. Let's just stick some gems on it and call it a day."


So this card is a reject from the latest Papercrafts and Scrapbooking call.
I'll be honest - I don't usually like to talk about publications.
I know from personal experience that seeing other bloggers celebrate their good fortune on their many cards selected for publication can hurt sometimes.
While you really are happy for them, you just can't help but feel that because you didn't have any (or maybe only one) card chosen, that maybe, just maybe, that means you're less of a designer.
That maybe your cards aren't as cool.
Or as trendy.
And then some of the joy of making cards begins to fade a bit.

Since I know it hurts me sometimes (even when I try so hard not to let it affect me), I try not to blog about how many cards I got accepted, etc, even if once every blue moon, I get more than one or two cards picked up and I want to shout my excitement from the rooftops.
This is not me saying to you lucky gals (who I really am happy for!) that I think you need to hole up your excitement. Heck, all your excitement makes it even more exciting for newbies getting cards published, and makes me appreciate publications more too, so please don't stop! :)
But, I just wanted to let you know my thoughts, and to understand that while I really am happy for you (but seriously - I just can't emphasize that enough :), just trying not to talk about publications is how I deal with this type of thing.
Nothing personal. Just me.
And I can totally understand if you view it differently. I just wanted to let you know how I feel in case you ever feel a bit offended with how I react to it (and so far, no one's mentioned it, because yinz are all so wonderful and tolerant of my goofy self ;))


Anyways, I've been wanting to get this off my chest for awhile now - I can't tell you how many times I've written something similar only to cut it all out later, thinking nobody cares or wants to hear this opinion. I'm honestly tempted to just trash that big old chat out again, but I thought I'd be like that hippo with her big mouth and just say "hey!" ;)

So, back to the card, if you wanna check out the rest of the SPARKS design teams amazing cards (seriously, amazing), here are the links, all nice and ready for ya. :)

Savannah

Thanks so much for stopping in and God bless!

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Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper and chipboard sticker: Basic Grey "Hey You"
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Zoo Crew"
Ink: Tim Holtz
Other: gems (Darice)

6 comments:

  1. Hey! Remember it's about the journey, not the destination. I use the word reject too (but tongue-in-cheek) just cuz other submitters know what I'm talking about, but there's nothing bad about the "species". They just weren't what the mag was looking for at that moment.
    This hippo is adorbs - right down to the white touches on the teeth and toenails. Love how the bubble is bigger than the hippo!
    If you get near Frankfurt next semester give me a shout out!

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  2. Well, I find your card pretty cool! And thanks for sharing your thoughts! I've actually stopped submitting, partly because of all the rejections but I hope you won't because if there's a good designer out there it's surely YOU! :)

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  3. I absolutely looooooooove this card, Clare! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors and the design--- oh my! CLEVER x10000000! It's literally perfect for just about anyone! And any occasion! LOVE!

    And as for the publication rejects/etc.... I totally understand. That's why I had to stop submitting. It's too rough on me. It is a hard competition--and sometimes I wonder why someone was picked up and not me.... but that's not the reason I craft! And when I realized that I was allowing this competition to control me/my creations/etc..... I stopped. I wanted to get back to the basics of why I started crafting. I don't think that a reject makes you anything less..... you are a great designer! You are an inspiration to many--- and you need to remember just how great you are:) You are fabbbbbbbbbbbbulous, Clare:)

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  4. I was just like you, Clare - a card here and there, but certainly not like some people who seem to get 4 or 5 cards in an issue. It is a wonderful high to get chosen, but I've stopped submitting now because it's just so much work for the few that were noticed. That's okay. We can say that we've had the pleasure, but we don't need to keep up if we don't think it's worth it. I don't know how you manage, with school!

    Your hippo is adorable and love your "yinz"!! I haven't heard that in ages :)) Lots of hugs!

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  5. I love your card...please don't quit submitting your wonderful work...but..also remember to keep the fun in it...

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  6. Super cute! Love how you used the patterned paper.

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Thank you so much for taking time to leave me a comment - it is always much appreciated. :)