Thursday, December 15, 2011

Tooting my own horn.....

Have you, ever in your life, read something or heard something and simply could not believe it until it was repeated at least 3 times?  Well, that was exactly my reaction when I opened my e-mail one balmy May morning and read a letter to me from the editor of Australian's Homespun magazine asking me if I'd like to be a guest designer for their upcoming December issue.

I think I sat with my mouth open for a full 5 minutes wondering all sorts of stuff, but especially how in the world they ever found me...although the editor did mention that she had seen this and loved it:

"Over the River" - Finished

So......to continue.....I yell out to my hubby who was still in the bathroom, "Hey hon, wait until you hear this", and proceeded to read the e-mail again (and they as long as I was at it, printed it out so I could hold it in my grubby little hands).  Not only did they want me, BUT (get this) they were going to pay me to design it!!!  E-gads, can you believe???

Since the design was for their summer issue, the editor suggested a beach theme and after correspondence back and forth I drew 4 possibilities for their review:





I was delighted when they picked #1 which (all along) was my favorite.  It had to be fun and colorful and funky (after all, those are sort of my signatures I figured) so I started pulling fabrics (and buttons) and fusing my heart out:






Eventually, I ended up with the finished product:

"Love the Beach"

And here are some close-ups:

Close-up

Close-up

Close-up

Close-up

And here I am with a nice profile story right in the magazine:

It's ME!!!!  I'm in Australian Homespun!!

And here is the cover with my wall hanging on the top far right corner:

See my Wall Hanging in the right corner.

I'm telling you, this experience was one of the highlights of my year!  I LOVED it!!!  And how I shut up about it for 7 months I'll never know!  I usually can't keep a secret overnight.  LOL  And, for all of you in the US, someone told me that this magazine is available at the big JoAnn superstores, so in a week or two go get yourself a copy.  (It's not there yet...I checked.  LOL)  Guess what all my relatives are getting for Christmas?????

99 comments:

Nancy said...

That is simply adorable!! Congrats...

Mommarock said...

WOW! This is beautiful. Am I surprised, not really...you really are super, and it shows..

Sue said...

Congratulations, love your designs all of them...

Sue said...

Congratulations, I am so happy for you. You are so talented! Loving the twin girls! What a joy to look at this amazing quilt. It is sure to inspire many Aussies.

Martha said...

Congratulations!! You are so talented. I looked forward to your blog each day. Love your designs!!

Lynda said...

how great is that - you should be tooting your horn, in fact you should strike up an entire band. I love your work and wish that I had a speck of your talent - what's next, a book maybe????

Maria said...

Congratulations!!!! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your design. Already have the magazine thank you.

Michele T said...

I really love your work - so colourful, bright and original!! You are an inspiration indeed! Congratulations!!!

Beezus said...

Congratulations! You totally deserve it, so give yourself a big old pat on the back!

Cindy Sharp said...

Sweeeeeeeet! That is incredible.

I guess they don't mind that you are not Austrailian? Quilting is universal.

Mary said...

Yea for the JoAnn's stores having this on their shelves soon. I'll have to go and get it for my Birthday! Cute Beach scene, you did so well and I can't even choose the best part.

Loves to Quilt said...

Absolutely love your new designs!

Pam said...

OMG Carol! I am so happy for you! Now you are truly world famous. I love the little skywriting plane. It's all in the detail. I'll be looking to buy a copy. Congratulations!

Leanne said...

Every detail is wonderful! Congratulations!

deb said...

Yay for you! Totally deserved, your work is always amazing!!

Needled Mom said...

That is awesome!!!! You soooo deserve to be recognized for your wonderful work. Congratulations! How DID you keep it a secret that long?

SewLindaAnn said...

Love the fun whimsical style of your submitted piece! Congrats, and I'll look for the magazine.

MariQuilts said...

How fantastic....congrats. It's beautiful.

Aleisha said...

I love it! Of course, I love all of your quilts. They're beautiful. You are a very talented lady. Congrats!

B J Elder said...

How wonderful! Your designs can't help but make people SMILE. I love them. You are well deserving of being in the magazine and have the picture on the cover too. Congratulations!

Annie said...

Congrats!, Carol. That is really an adorable design and a really nice mag layout. I don't think I've ever seen one of those magazines. It sure makes me curious to look through the rest of it. LOL You go girl!

Michele said...

Congratulations! It turned out so cute!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Congratulations Carol! You so deserve to be chosen for many honors and this is just the start!

A.J. Dub. (Amy) said...

Well you deserve to toot your own horn! You are so creative and I love your work. Congratulations! What a fun thing to experience!

Four dogs and one quilter said...

Congratulations! Your work is wonderful!

Terri said...

Congratulations! After all the great work I've seen on your blog, I'm really not surprised that you were finally recognized for your design prowess. Lucky magazine, I'd say.
Merry Christmas Hugs!

Lisa said...

How fun! Congrats to you. That is just fabulous.

Belinda said...

How you come up with these ideas is beyond my comprehension. You are very gifted and I love seeing your work. Congratulations. I hope I can find an issue before they are all gone. There isn't a JoAnn's anywhere near me.

Jo said...

Congratulations Carol, It is so much fun for all of us to see our friends creations in a Magazine. I wonder if it will be available in U.K. Must make some enquiries.

Karen said...

Carol...Congratulations! You deserve this. They have discovered what we have known all along, you're AWESOME! Love this quilt. Do you get to keep the original?

Kathy said...

Congratulations! That is really neat - I can see why it's one of the highlights of your year. Your designs are always so cute and cheerful. I'll look for it the next time I'm at Joanns.

Jennifer said...

Congrats! It's wonderful!

Jennifer :)

Unknown said...

omg!!! these are AMAZING!!!!

Loralynn said...

How fantastic! Congratulations!

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

very fun!! Congratulations!

Poppyprint said...

I LOVE everything about this experience, Carol. Your excitement at being asked, your super fun design, The signature colourful, sweet quilt, your enthusiasm for sharing your work and best of all, that you were paid for your efforts and skill. Congratulations on all of it!!!

VickiT said...

OOH how exciting Carol! CONGRATULATIONS! I hope they will send you some of those for you to give away.
I have to drive over 2 hrs to get to a JoAnn's superstore. :( poo. Will have to search a bit I guess.

It's beautiful. And what a great perk to get paid to do that on top of all that publicity. GREAT JOB CAROL!!!!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Carol that is so fantastic, and deservedly so. I wish I had a JoAnns here in the UK so I could go and buy one for myself! Your fusible quilt pictures are just amazing and unique and this one is BRILLIANT. Next a book... :-)

Reene@Nellie's Niceties said...

Congratulations! That is another absolutely stunning work of art. I feel so blessed to possess a piece of my own!! I'm with Lynne, a book would sell like hot cakes!

Cynthia said...

Carol, I am soooo happy for you! This is a well-deserved honor! I remember telling you when you first started quilting that you would be famous!!! :) You definitely have a talent that so many of us can only wish for! Congratulations!

pinsandneedles said...

Congratulations Carol! Your talent deserves to be recognized! I'll be watching my JoAnn's for a copy!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Carol! You are just amazing and so talented! It was in deed time to show your art in a magazine! Still Congratulations and be proud for your unique and happy style!
I think that your last drawing would make also really happy and joyful quilt!
Merry Christmas! x Teje

Susan said...

I only yesterday bought my own copy! It is fabulous! ( I predicted this on flick'r!! A book will not be far away I'm sure! ) And what is so great about this little scene is it could a number of beaches here in Australia, especially one down the coast near where my sister lives! So you have managed to capture us Aussies so well too! Congratulations!

Anne D said...

Congrats. I have bought the magazine and the quilt is gorgeous.

Maria said...

Congratulations! I might have to pick up a copy when doing my grocery shopping this morning. Just love it! You really have captured the essence of summer here in Australia! Happy Holidays!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you had this opportunity. You are very talented, and I'm glad that someone noticed!
(have you ever thought about designing patterns? They'd be popular!!)

Christine M said...

Your quilt is beautiful. Congratulations on getting published. I subscribe to this magazine and already have it. Hopefully there'll be another one in the future!?!?

Vivian said...

Con-grat-u-la-tions!!!! I always told you I thought you had a very unique and publishable style. And I know you say it's not the direction you want to go but I still hold the hope that one day you will announce the arrival of your book!

And what a coincidence-I was in my local Joann's earlier today and saw two other Australian quilt magazines but not this one. I will definitely check back there to see if they get it.

beachiesews said...

How exciting and wonderful! I am proud of you and for you! This is so cool!

Josie said...

Congratulations... it couldn't have happened to a more talented designer! What I want to know is... when can I buy your patterns? I love everything you do.. not that I'm a groupie :)
Oh... and the magazine has made it to Scotland... I've got mine.

Jan Maree said...

Great news but can't write more than a quick congratulations as I am off to buy my copy! Happy stitching!

Dianne said...

Congrats Carol! Well deserved and I am sure a sweet experience to receive a paycheque for doing what you love.
The quilt is ADORABLE! As always your use of colour stitching and embellishment have resulted in a work of art that makes people smile. It is one of the things that keeps us coming back for more!

gpc said...

SO stinkin' cute I can't stand it!

susiloci said...

Es un trabajo maravilloso!!!!

Jodie said...

Lucky us!!! we got to see your fabulous work first. I hope they ask you to do another feature soon.

Lynn said...

Congrats I'm so excited for you! Your work is amazing, I'm so glad you were recognized-enjoy:@)

Rene' said...

Congratulations Carol!!!! Your recognition is very well deserved! I can't wait to get a copy of that issue. Your quilt is fabulous! Merry Christmas!

Sewconsult said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You have every reason in the world to toot your own horn. I LOVE your designs and executions of them.
Beckie

9patchnurse said...

That is too darn cute!! I hope I can find the magazine at my JoAnn's. I have never seen it there before.

Fiona from Australia said...

for those in the US who cant find a copy in stores try getting a digital copy from www.zinio.com

Shayla Sharp said...

How awesome! And no, I'm not surprised, you are, after all, uber talented. I will begin keeping an eye out for the magazine and when I find it in the store, I'm going to say very loudly--hey, that's Carol's quilt...

Anonymous said...

Australia? Shut up Shut up, Shut up!!!! Wow, congratulations---you are so very deserving of this recognition for your talents. Your work is amazing, always makes me smile, and is now published. As always, I thank you for sharing your projects, photos, etc. with your adoring fans. You are awesome & then some!
Brenda (no blog)
Texas, USA

BJ in TX said...

I can't wait to see this - will get to JoAnn's in Dallas over the holidays, and this time I will definitely have something to purchase!!!!

AlthemeseB said...

Congratulations Carole!!! Very well deserved. I will be purchasing when its available. I just love your work. I can see other opportunities opening up for you. Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

This is totally awesome!!!!!

regan said...

Congrats! And the wall hanging is adorable! I love your likeness of Annette Funicello, and her twin sister, Babette! lol And the little fishies in the waves are so perfect. It's sweet in every way! I'm sure the mag will ask you again.....this was just right!

Anonymous said...

Omg! That is so amazing! Good for you! You must be over the moon. I love the finished project! It is so fun and colorful. I will definitely look for the magazine. Congratulations!

Ursula

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

Congratulations!!! Your work is just amazing and beautiful!!!

Cindy said...

That really was quite a secret to keep for so long! Congratulations. The quilt is wonderful...as are all of your creations. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas.

Emi said...

It's wonderful, congratulations. Lots of love from Costa Rica.

Susan said...

Like everyone else - I have always thought your work was awsomely artistic - it says so on my blog!and as I keep saying - please start selling us your patterns...Then a gain - maybe we can start petition to get Homespun to badger you for more patterns!

NancyinSTL said...

I don't know why you are shocked. Your work is awesome! Many congrats!

Larissa said...

Woohoo!!! And .... Congratulations!!! I will definitely keep my eyes out for this edition!!!

Manda said...

Congrats! Very cute and fun!

Nancy B said...

Congratulations, Carol! That is such an honor to be chosen for a feature in a magazine. Your "Love the Beach" wall hanging is just adorable. Merry Christmas!

Shari said...

Congratulations! Love your work!

Alison said...

I purchase Homespun in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia and loved your design as soon as I saw it in the magazine and said to myself - another one on my to do,list!

Marg said...

Congratulations. Your work is amazing and I'm not surprised they wanted to feature you and your art. I just bought my copy today.

Amanda Jean said...

Hip Hip Hurray! SO very excited for you, Carol. This is so totally deserved. You do such a nice job! Your happy little houses make me smile. SO thrilled for you!!!

michele said...

Go ahead and toot away! You don't give yourself enough credit - I have been enjoying your work for a year now and look forward to more!

Elaine said...

Congrats, Carol! I'm glad that I finally got to see the actual project! I'm going to have to head to Joanns and see if I can get a copy and then have you sign it :)

Unknown said...

And I see MY wallhanging on the page aswell :o) How fun!!

Debbie said...

Congratulations! You are an amazing and wonderfully fun artist. Can't wait to get the issue.

Karen said...

Carol, I am so very delighted for you! This is as it should be! I am so happy that you get to share your talent with the whole world and get recognition for it. You MORE than deserve it!

Annie said...

Toot! Your design is great! I hope I can find a copy of the magazine!

Susan said...

Wow, Carol! What a thrill for you and for all of us who know you! Congratulations! What a cute design, and a cover photo, woohoo! Good going, lady!!!!!

Susan said...

Wow, Carol! What a thrill for you and for all of us who know you! Congratulations! What a cute design, and a cover photo, woohoo! Good going, lady!!!!!

Pam - said...

Carol, congratulations, I'm as excited as you are! Your design is totally awesome, just like the rest of your work! I hope I can find a copy of this magazine.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Congratulations! It is wonderful!!

I think you could make the other 3 designs that didn't get chosen and have a whole series!

Or sell the patterns - no doubt you would have a tonne of interested crafters wanting to make a mamacjt beach scene.

Mary Anne Drury said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your style !!!! ALL OF IT !!! EVERY SINGLE THING YOU MAKE !!!! CONGRATULATIONS !!!! (I'm shouting ... can you tell ?) You definately deserve to be in that magazine AND on the cover !!! YAY !!!

felicity said...

So, so fabulous! Congratulations, Carol!

Linda said...

Well done. I have followed your Blog and gazed in admiration at your photos on Flickr. Even copied your way of fusing for two tote bags I made last Christmas. And now you are featured in my favourite magazine. Wow!

Unknown said...

Amazing!!
One of your best (they all are the BEST :-))

Tezzcan said...

Congratulations that is fabulous news and well deserved your quilts are just fabulous.

Sheila said...

No wonder they asked you - your talent is amazing. I love the Australian Homespun mag, it's a great mix of quilting and stitchery.

Rettabug said...

You know I've said it before, but you are one of the most creative people I know, Carol. CONGRATULATIONS for being recognized for your wonderful talents!

Hugs,
Rett

Mairi said...

Having not come across you until now I have to say that when I opened my Homespun Magazine and saw that design I sat there for ages just saying "Love it, love it, love it!" over and over again!!! You are a very talented woman!

nanotchka said...

I'm sure there will be many more publications to come! This is wonderful and I look forward to finding the magazine! I hope it's available in the U.S.

SIMPLESEW said...

Congratulations! You totally deserve it