Some Positive Feedback . . .

You know, if nothing else -- Jake loves my scrapbooking.  He loves every bit of it -- the pictures of the people he knows (ESPECIALLY Sadie-dog -- which is why he's hugging his book here), the stickers, the paper punches, the pencils and pens, the scissors, the tape.  Oh that kid loves tape.  He's always snatching it from me and if I can pry it from his hands before he has pulled a long string out, he begs me for a piece.  And he loves my tweezers (which I use for precise placement of stickers and rub-ons -- it seems crazy, until you try it and realize how much EASIER it makes things.)  He climbs up on his little chair (which he places right in front of my scrapbooking desk) and leans over until he snatches them off the cup the rest on.  He uses them to pretend to pick up bugs, to try to open things, to eat fruit snacks and M&Ms with,  like chopsticks (yes, I wash them between each use.)  It's hilarious.

Anyway, where was I going with that?  Oh yes, I was going to tell you about some rejection.

Remember when I said I was done trying to get published?  Well, I mostly meant that (although everyone's cries of "No, you're great, keep trying" did my heart good.)  But then a call came to my attention for Simple Scrapbooks Digital Scrapbooking Volume 4.  I mean COME ON.  Digital I can do.  And it's new, so the playing field is pretty level.  So I thought I had a chance.  I really did.  I submitted FIFTEEN layouts (13 of them using Shabby Princess elements.)  I thought for sure that ONE would catch someone's eye.  But no, they didn't.  I lurked on the Publications board at TwoPeas and noticed everyone else getting calls.  I made sure my cell phone was on and working.  It was.  I checked my e-mail a million times.  Nothing.

I had a sinking feeling in my chest, and a heart-break like everyone around me was getting asked to prom and it dawned on me that no one was going to ask me.  Ever.

So whatever.  I of course had told Shabby Princess about submitting and she was actually surprised that I have yet to be published.  She, too, says keep trying because my stuff is good.  Well people, just that is about good enough for me.  Maybe I just want some vindication from SOMEONE who seems important in scrapbooking?  And she's pretty damn cool.

But I think the best part is Priscilla's flat-out OUTRAGE that I haven't been published.  People, this girl is passionate about this.  She honestly gets angry when we talk about it.  She'll thrust a scrapbooking magazine about, pointing to a page and saying "Look at this. This is stupid.  Your stuff is WAY better than this.  Why aren't you in here?"  And it makes me laugh and I try to explain to her that it's not about me, it's about editors and what they're looking for and blah blah.  But she doesn't care.  She's mad anyway.  And I love her for that.

And really, this picture of Jake going crazy over his scrapbook does my heart good.  For me it's just as much about having a creative process to put my energy into as it is getting our stories down -- but the fact that the pages make my kid happy?  Well that's pretty damn cool.

Comments

[Ninotchka]

It's a beautiful thing, isn't it? My favorite thing in the world is when Elle sees a painting and asks if I did it. I think she thinks I'm the only person in the world that paints. It does a mother's heart good and you're right. The appreciation of our family and friends and the rewards of doing what we do is often enough. Or should be. :)

[Priscilla]

Thats right, Jake appreicates all of your hard work, and will more so when he gets older. Don't you worry, I will not rest untill you have been published! ;-)

[Kelly]

How adorable is that picture? Wow.

Jake will LOVE all of this when he is older, heck he does now! :) How special!

Priscilla rocks! I love that she said she won't rest until you are published! AMEN to that! How can I help you get published? Seriously.

You already do amazing work that SHOULD be published. I know one day you will have a BIG ANNOUCEMENT for us all about getting published! It will be an amazing thing Jen and much deserved.

Love you
Kelly

[ShabbyPrincess]

You just make me smile!!!! Jen - you are so funny and sweet! You give me way tooo much credit...and not enough to yourself :) We've gotta turn that around !

--SP