A Lot of "Firsts"

There are personal "firsts" throughout our whole lives - and they are what makes life "special", aren't they?

So I decided to do an additional "first" to the "first" I want to share with you today.
Those who know me a bit better may already have spotted that I am a rather shy person, when it comes to showing myself or talk about my progress on my artistic journey. Maybe this originates from the fact that I don't think of myself or my work of being "special". "Individual" would more be the word that comes to mind... ;)

But today I received my "artist complimentary" copy of the "Somerset Apprentice" autumn issue, which not only features a lot of awesomely talented artists I really admire, but I am one of them this time!

Why is this so special to me - even though I have been writing articles for the Craft Stamper for some months now (so I should have gotten used to this already)? Well - the great difference is: I received a lovely mail about a year ago in which I was asked by the editor of the magazine if I would be willing to send them one of my projects she had seen on my blog and write an article for her, so she could feature it in this autumn's issue. Imagine my joy and pride - my artwork had been "discovered" and found printworthy! Yay! If there exists a special reward for an artist, I guess, it is exactly that!

So here's an image of my copy I received today - sorry, but this time I couldn't resist sharing my excitement with you (well, some might want to call it showing off...lol).

and there's my name (really MY name?) on the table of contents, see?

My first publication I was asked to write for one of the coolest magazines out there!
It made me so high-spirited today that I decided to do my first "selfie" and share that with you too. So bear with me 'cos here goes:

Of course it took several attempts before I came up with a photograph of me which I dare share with you, but I had a lot of fun looking at some of the failures and this one made me ...no makes me chuckle everytime I look at it...I look like a teacher (no more denial - I obviously am what I am...lol):

Giggle...I look as if I am planning to examine that issue very earnestly before I give my approval, don't I? I spare you the one image where I look like Wallace (from Wallace and Gromit), who has just discovered a special new cheese brand....(same grin, same teeth, same gesture)....lol.Well, at least this image doesn't show my kitchen and laundry chaos as shown with the first one... *rollingeyes.

So two firsts that is - and I hope you aren't too shocked now... ;)

Oh, and before I forget, I also want to share the latest treasures I was given to by dear Uncle Helmut when visiting his lovely family this summer:

Cool, huh? AND there is also some ribbons and buttons galore I wanna show you - given to me by my very dear friend Babsi, whom I had a wonderful crafting session with lately:

Hach! So many reasons to feel like the happiest person in the world today, aren't they? Thank you so much, Uncle Helmut and Babsi! Those awesome treasures will be hoarded (and hopefully used) caringly! ;)

Hope you are having a great time too!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing some joyful goofiness with me! ;)

Hugs and happy crafting,
Claudia xxx

And now I will hit the "publish" button, so there will be no turning back
 ;)