Yesterday, I had to wake up early (okay so not SUPER early.. but for summer and for staying up late the night before.. it was early to me).. early enough that my entire house was still asleep and the sun was just starting to come up. I had to get up so I could officially "launch" the start of the 3 Hearts workshop.. which started again yesterday! (and some of you have asked if you can still sign up and join.. and the answer is yes ! love to have you! :))..
anyhow.. We had been gone all weekend camping, and so my son had put themail on my desk from while we were gone. I hadn't been in my office since we left.. and when I came down to launch the workshop, I saw a letter from Stampington & Company sitting on my keyboard and underneath it...what looked like a packaged magazine... my heart skipped a beat!
A few months ago.. I got an email from Jennifer, the editor at Artful Blogging magazine, asking if they could feature my blog in their upcoming issue. Um.. seriously? I about dropped my phone (i was talking to my husband).. and I started to squeal! My husband was trying to figure out what was wrong.. because when I get excited about something, apparantly I scream like something is wrong.. but really I am just so excited I can't talk and it comes out more of a "I'm scared".. not "I'm excited" kind of scream. Anyhow.. I couldn't even talk. I actually started to cry.. seriously.. really? seriously? YES!! A dream come true. Of course when I tried to explain to my husband about the magazine (which I love and have a subscription too).. and how they were asking me to be in it.. and how HUGE this was for me.. what an honor.. what a blessing and truly humbling.. how it was one of those "leaps" on my list.. he got it and got super excited for me as well. :)
anyhow, of course I responded back.. I would LOVE to be included.. what a huge honor.. I think I actually rambled on.. and on.. much like I am doing now.. telling her what a fan of the magazine I was, how humbled I was to be included and that heck yes, I would love the opportunity. That was months ago and all of my material and my article was turned in months ago as well.. I kept thinking in the back of my mind that maybe the issue would be coming out soon.. but for some reason I had it in my head that it was in September.. so I was not expecting this wonderful little surprise on my desk when I woke up yesterday morning..
As I opened the magazine..(LOVE that it is red. so me.. so my favorite color in the whole world). I was so excited to see that they had actually featured a piece of my art on the cover as well! Totally not expected either! I just had to share it with someone! My entire house was sleeping.. and so I ran upstairs to show my husband.. who of course was SUPER excited too! lol (and I mean that in a totally sarcastic way, as I don't think I even got him to wake up.. we had stayed up WAY to late the night before)... I hurried and got the workshop up and going.. so I could sit on the couch with cozy blanket and pour through the magazine.. It wasn't until I had read the entire magazine and was looking at the cover again that I saw that not only had they put my piece of art on the cover.. they had also actually featured my NAME! Right underneath the amazingly talented women.. Holly Becker from Decor8 AND Tiffany Kirchner-Dixon from The Fancy Farmgirl! holy cow!! I couldn't believe it!
Now I was even MORE excited! MY name was on the cover!!! lol so I had to go back upstairs and show my husband AGAIN.. I know he loved that.. being woken up twice :)
Anyhow.. I just had to share this news with you.. what a dream come true this year has been for me.. TRULY. So many amazing experiences and opportunities.. It's ironic because right before Christmas I went to Barnes and Noble with my hubby.. and we just sat and talked and I told him about all these "leaps" I wanted to take over the next couple of years. "Wishes" I would love to happen for me as an artist.. It was a long list.. well not THAT long, but long enough I would forget before I got home.. and so on our way out, Ben bought me a journal and told me to write all of them down.. so I would have them to remind me of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. Remind me to take those "leaps".
That was my word for this year.. "leap". Over the next couple of weeks, I looked at that list.. over and over.. and one of the things on my list was being in the Artful Blogging magazine. I LOVED that magazine and loved all the blogs featured in there.. I had only recently started blogging again, so I didn't think or even expect to EVER be contacted (I am kind shy in that way.. I don't usually "submit" or put myself out there like that)... so I know it would be a long shot.. as I would never submit it myself.. and really truly.. who was I in the blogging world? But it was still on my list.. a long shot. but a leap.. actually more of a "dream" I wanted... and so when only 2 short months later, Jennifer contacted me out of the blue.. I was floored! I was ecstatic and in shock and truly felt so blessed.
And I have to say, this year has been that way for me. I don't know why, or how I deserve all the good things that keep happening to me. I know the Lord is blessing me..and my family, and I am contantly reminded of a blessing once given to me a long time ago.. that said.. I would be blessed with much, but to be weak, and humble and do the will of the Lord throughout it all. That blessing has been a constant reminder to me this year that ALL of this.. Being featured in this magazine, liscneing my artwork, starting online classes, having an article in Somerset Studio's magazine, having my own "tv/web" show, teaching at major events, being featured on Where woman create.... all of it, has only come through being blessed from my Father in Heaven. Truly.. I didn't do it on my own. He has blessed me with drive and hidden talents I never knew I had.. and has given me opportunities that sometimes I don't feel like I deserve.. so it's been really scary to always try and "stay" humble and stay weak.. so that those blessings and opportunities don't go away. Does that make sense?
(This is a piece that was featured in the Artful Blogging magazine.. totally how I feel)
I am so blessed. SO blessed. I know that. I TRULY know that. I am on my knees constantly thanking Him for that. I just want to stay worthy of those blessings as well.
You know.. I kept that journal with me everywhere I went. Always writing in it, sketching in it. .. and I couldn't believe that by April of this year, almost all of the things on my list, the "leaps" and wishes, I had in that journal, had been crossed off. I remember at my girlfriend retreat we did in April, I was sitting talking with my friends Jeanne and Melody and both of them reminding me about that "list" and how all of those things.. that I had wanted and hoped for and set out determined to do over the next couple of years.. had come to be in just 5 short months. They reminded me of how blessed I was and I was thankful for that reminder. Not long after that, I was off again on another trip.. to a convention and during that trip, I lost that journal. Not sure if it fell out of my bag in the airport, or I left it in a hotel room? ( i did call the hotel in hopes that they had it).. but no such luck. I was REALLy sad at first.. because all of my sketching and my entire "leap" was in that one journal.. and it meant SO much to me.. but then I realized maybe this meant it was time for me to create a new list.. maybe a list of "giving back".. a list of different sorts.. I still need to get a journal for that and start that list. It's on my "list" of things to do..( now that's funny.. lol )
Anyhow, this post has turned into another long "christy sharing her feelings" post.. sorry about that. I just hope that YOU know.. that good things can happen.. dreams can come true.. LEAPS can be made.. if you have enough faith and put enough trust in the Lord and are willing to also listen closely to what He wants you to do. I have realized it's not always been what I wanted to do, but sometimes you have to just listen and TRUST that is the right thing to do. I have seen it in my own life. It's an amazing thing.
Happy Tuesday :)
Hi Christy,
Thanks so much for contributing to Artful Blogging. It was a great pleasure working with you.
All the best,
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | August 04, 2011 at 04:03 PM
I just wanted to post SOMEWHERE that I have done maybe 30 online classes and as many real painting classes(large canvases) and I wanted to say this was the most informative ever, you are very generous with your time and techniques and should be applauded.Value for money!
Lee
http://bowerheart.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Lee Hynes | August 01, 2011 at 03:06 PM
I found your blog by following the She Art people and I was so blessed by this first post I read, and by your humility in giving our Lord praise and all credit. I smiled as I read your excitement! Your artwork is so inspiring...I'm definately a new follower.
Hugs, Margo
Posted by: Margo | July 31, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Congratulations Christy !
Posted by: domy07 | July 30, 2011 at 03:43 AM
How exciting for you Christy! Thank you for being who you are...and not being afraid to share your testimony of how our Heavenly Father blesses us.
Posted by: Johanna Edwards | July 29, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Oh, Christy, I am soooo happy for you. What a testimony to the Lord's faithfulness, and to what it means to follow Him. Keep giving Him the glory, and He'll keep on blessing you. You are so right about needing to keep a humble heart - I love what you said about that. Many people experience success and take all the credit themselves. I think we can all see you transparently enough that you will always be kind, humble and totally real. I am so excited to see where God takes you next in this journey! xoxo
Posted by: Jen Clark | July 29, 2011 at 02:10 AM
congratulations. well deserved :)
Posted by: Jeanne | July 28, 2011 at 09:43 PM
beyond happy for YOU!!!
you are so deserving of your wishes coming to fruition ... you took the "leaps"!! you did it .... and it is such an inspiration for me ... i have a journal similar to the one you mentioned ... and in it i am constantly writing to My Father ... asking Him for guidance ... wanting to serve Him in the way he wants ... i am trying to silence myself to truly hear what He wants me to do.
sending you so much love and continued blessings.
oxoxox
k
ps....i have a date with the bookstore tomorrow!!! can't wait!
Posted by: kolleen | July 28, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Congrats Christy! Stampington magazines are superior to any other out there, and it's a true honor to be in one of them! I know how you feel, years ago I sent in some quilted tags to Somerset, last minute acutally, and they called me and wanted to do an article with them, I had to write it, I was beyond excited, didn't sleep for a week. That article and the tags hang on the wall in my living room, so I know how excited you are, I will have to check out your issue!! Couldn't have happened to a nicer person, congrats again!
Posted by: Laurie LaRiviere | July 27, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Super Congratulations! How totally exciting for you. You are such a talented artist, that it doesn't surprise me at all that they wanted to feature you or that your name was on the cover. You really are special!
Hugs,
Terri
Posted by: Artful Affirmations | July 27, 2011 at 05:22 PM
That it so awesome Christy! You deserve everything you receive!
You really have inspired me to take a leap into the art world and am anxiously waiting to get my login info to start my She Art class. :)
I hope to someday aspire to be as successful in art as toy, even starting my own little blog in the process. :)
Thank you.
Posted by: Sam | July 27, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Yes! I think this is the perfect place for you. Love that mag. I am excited to see the paths you will take in your creative adventures~
Hold on!!! :o) Junelle
Posted by: Junelle | July 27, 2011 at 04:38 PM
My heart is overjoyed for you! May God continue to bless you daily :) I love what you do and what you share.
Posted by: Dira Reeves | July 27, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Can't wait to see the article!! You are so talented and deserve all of the accolades and good things that are happening for you and your family!
Posted by: Verbena | July 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM
I love when you get so enthousiastic and write about your feelings! And what a dream come true to be featured in a Stampington Magazine! I had my small leap a few weeks ago being asked to be a guest designer in a German Scrap Magazine...I totally know how you feel! I cannot wait to receive my issue and see my work published...
I am jumping on my chair with you ;-)
Posted by: Irma | July 27, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Oh Christy, this is awesome news! So so happy for you! So deserved!
Posted by: Toni K | July 27, 2011 at 08:50 AM
I cannot wait to get my copy of the magazine. I am totally addicted to all of Somerset's magazines and just recently started to read the "blogging" magazine. Christy, you are an amazing artist and I am so happy for you that you are reaching your goals. I am looking forward to your next class as I have taken ALL of your classes and am so inspired by you. Have a great day!
Posted by: renee larson | July 27, 2011 at 08:42 AM
You so deserve all of this, you work so hard. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Dorothy F | July 27, 2011 at 06:23 AM
oh my stars!!!!how fantastic is that! so happy for you I was introduced to your work through Donna Downey's blog and have been blessed to watch this story unfold I have done both workshops and am waiting excitedly for the next one. Thank you so much for sharing it all :)
Posted by: corinna | July 27, 2011 at 02:50 AM
Christy...BIG CONGRATS!! I love everything Stampington...the quality of their magazines is second to none! I'm buying that issue as soon as it hits the news stands! If I bring it to SPARK will you sign it for me??
I truly believe in the "leap" theory. No matter how old we get we just have to have faith in God and in ourselves to make our dreams come true. I'm so happy for you!!
Posted by: Dottee O. | July 27, 2011 at 01:37 AM