Thursday, February 7, 2008

Look! I'm Published!


My first time! Here is my piece in Somerset Memories, Feb/Mar '08 issue on pages 66 & 67.


Hmmm, I didn't expect the picture to be so small, I guess you can't read the fine print - or the large print either! Mine is the banner that goes across both pages. I was inspired to make it by my friend and fellow ZNE-er Pam Carriker.


Here's the story for those of you who haven't heard it already:


Last year when Chel, ZNE's fearless leader and Queen, put out the call for people to apply to be on the inaugural ZNE Design Team I applied, and was accepted. Chel set up a private forum on the ZNE store site and the new design team members started introducing themselves. Being a cautious person, I lurked a little first, and read everyone else's intro before writing mine. Almost everyone's name looked familiar because I was active on the old ZNE site's forum and also on the eBay Community boards. I wrote my intro, including my name and general location. The next morning I checked in on the intro forum and found this,

"Ok, I have goose bumps, I am originally from the Seattle area, Federal Way, and my best friend in high school lived across the street from me and her name was Laurie Blau. If you are that Laurie this is too cool! I will be anxiously awaiting your reply!!!"


I was/am that Laurie! I couldn't believe it. Not only are we making art in the same medium, and not only do we belong to the same worldwide organization, but we were also both chosen to be on the Design Team - could anyone have predicted this??? We hadn't seen each other in probably 22 years! And, silly me, her name looked familiar because I had just googled her about 5 weeks previously and discovered her new married name. It was written on a piece of paper and sitting on my desk!


Anyway, at Pam's urging, I created this piece and sent it into Somerset Studio for a "friends reconnecting" theme. They chose to use it in Somerset Memories and here it is.


(There was a little confusion down at the magazine and one of the assistant editors originally told me it would be in the last "Gallery" issue. So if you remember my first post about getting published, this is actually the piece she was talking about.)

15 comments:

Altered Kat said...

BRAVO Laurie!...I love the banner...looks great!

Congrats on the publication!
Kat :o)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your banner pub!! It looks fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Laurie --

I loved your story and congratulations on being in the new Somerset Studio! I love it when things like the way you reconnected with your old friend happen.

While commenting on my entry in the GPP Street Team Crusade 16, you very kindly offered to explain how to add buttons, etc. to my blog. As a newbie, I still haven't figured this out. (I don't even know if having a Mac instead of PC makes a difference.) If you could help, I'd be so grateful!

Thanks,
-- JeriAnn
PS. I like the music you chose on your blog.

reagan said...

Hey Laurie,
Great job on fitting the layout on your scanner! This is so exciting! I still haven't calmed down from yesterday!! We're being published at almost the same time too-how fun! Congrats, congrats, congrats!
hugs and a smootch,
Pam

primdollie said...

Wow congrats and you have been a busy girl since I had time to visit last!! nice work and great to see you in the new publication that is super news!! happy I stopped in to see all the new artwork and such!! Hugs Linda

CEDAR JUNCTION said...

That is just too cool! I am so glad that you are being published in my absolutely favorite magazine! *giving you an online hug* Teresa

Shabby Cottage Studio said...

Yahoo Laurie, I was at Barnes & Noble today and picked up the maggie without realizing your piece was in that particular one! I was so excited when I turned the page and there was your banner and your name!!!
Great job girl!
hugs
Gail

Kerry and Rachel said...

Congratulations on publication! How exciting!
Bravo!

Gina M Smith said...

Congrats! This is wonderful-looks wonderful-c'mon you got a two-page spread!How exciting and what a great story!

Anonymous said...

Big hugs and congrats to you, my wonderful friend Laurie!

I love this story, it warms my heart to this day.

xoxo - Chel

Kerry and Rachel said...

We love your creativity! We have given you a You Make My Day award -- visit our blog to get the details and then pass it on!
Rachel and Kerry

Jodi Peary said...

Congratulations, Laurie! I love the story that inspired your banner as well. Both the banner and the story have the spirit of the Tibetan Prayer Flags I so adore.
jodi

Robin said...

Laurie! That is so awesome to have been published! Ultra congrats coming your way! Also, I had heard your "reconnecting" story from Pam's side...how funny that you're the friend! Man, I love our tiny little world!

So many exclamation points!!!

xxoo Robin.

Kristy C said...

Congrats on being published!

Anonymous said...

OMG Laurie... after reading this post, I now have goosebumps and tears in my eyes.

About 11 years ago I had been going to the Y on a regular basis and had my youngest daughter then 3in their on site childcare while I worked out. I ended up running into my childhood bestfriend who had been attending the same class as I was. After surprised greetings, tears and hugs we went to the daycare to pick up our kids and our girls were playing together! Come to find out Ana (Rene's daughter) and Tasha (my daughter) had already met a couple of weeks before! Crazy!
Rene and I hadn't seen each other for 15 years! Because by chance we reunited we quickly returned to being the best friends we once were and our kids have grown up together and are just as inseperable as we once were.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my similar story...

Brandie :)