Before this year I think it had been 2007 since I wrote for Stampington. There was the article in February (here), which led to a piece in Art Journaling, then one for Somerset Studio....which evolved into a column!
When I showed you the detail from one of the memorials I created, I never dreamed it would end up on the July/August cover. It has a special layer of sentimental significance...since July 10th is the third anniversary of Shannon's departure. It feels like an awfully big stage to express a sister's love, but only you and I will *get* it. The other two memorial boxes are for my Grandma & Grandpa Campbell, and my Grandpa (Bumpa) Kelly.
Both of these new issues are terrific. I'm a huge fan of AJ - love seeing the artform celebrated with so many juicy pages. I think Christen has really made her mark since taking over SS - launching some fresh and fun changes that are a pleasure to see...have you noticed? Also in this issue are friends Anne, Lynne, Teesha, and Seth too!
Michelle-
Congratulations on the cover art...I would have recognized it as yours anywhere! I know the magazines aren't scheduled to be out until the 1st but I was already looking for them yesterday. Your column/article looks fabulous, can't wait to get my hands on it, on both of them actually!
Three years....funny, that I never met Shannon but I think of her often. My friend Paula has been gone 2 1/2 years on July 21st. She left us on 1-21-09, seems like forever since I have seen her but she also is with me and in my heart always.
Looking forward to both your articles...ONE MORE WEEK......AUGH.!!!! Can I stand it!
Don't know if you follow the news here in Minnesota but we at the state may be on layoff on Friday. I am hoping not but it doesn't look good. I can't stand that either!
Until later,
Judy
Posted by: Judy Neubert | Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Michelle, I too, am a big fan of Art Journaling and am so looking forward to seeing the article with your journals that you sent off in it. And now to find out you'll be doing a regular column in Somerset Studios...yeah! I love the pieces on the cover, even more so knowing that they are pieces made to remember loved ones. Congratulations on all of these.
Denise
Posted by: Denise | Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Hey Michelle- congratulations on your new gig! The Somerset issue (have not seen AJ yet) looks vibrant and fresh...GREAT JOB! I felt that this issue was new and exciting...a great wake up for subscribers! xo
Posted by: Julie Prichard | Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Bought both issues; you rock.
Posted by: Linda L. | Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Gorgeous! Can't wait for my copy to arrive!
Posted by: Michelle Brown | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 01:29 AM
Love the poppy shrines, how beautiful!
Posted by: iHanna | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 04:16 AM
I literally squealed aloud when I saw the image of both covers. Will now begin haunting the magazine racks at Barnes and Noble.
Posted by: Anna C. Bowling | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 08:34 AM
Congratulations, Michelle. A regular column in Somerset will bring out the best in all who see it...you are such a source of inspiration. So happy for the beautiful, memorial cover. It doesn't seem possible that Shannon has been gone nearly three years. My heart to you and your family. My heart to you, always. Yay. xo
Posted by: Marylinn Kelly | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 11:55 AM
My jaw actually dropped when I saw this here! For the first time in a long time, I MUST buy Somerset Studio. A new column by you AND a Canterbury Tales-inspired thingie? It's got "For Carrie" written all over it! I love that they featured your beautiful memorials on the cover. Can't wait to read about them and remember you and Shannon. *hugs*
Posted by: Carrie | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Sooooo excited! Gonna head to B&N to see if they have these yet.
Posted by: dina | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 03:12 PM
Congrats on the column. Well deserved & so cool! Love to see the boxes. Beginning of July is always a bittersweet time. It will always make me think of when I said hello to Katharine and goodbye to Shannon. I took some pictures in London of some beautiful pink roses and thought of her. Lots of love.
Posted by: Kelly | Monday, June 27, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Both of those magazines are on their way to me in a postal satchel from the USA at this very moment - ARGH, now I am super impatient for them to get here..... Can't wait to read your column. I discovered you through Stampington - so glad others may get the chance to discover you too.
Love MB.
Posted by: Marble Blue | Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:41 AM
Oh Michelle, I just stopped over to see how you were doing and congratulations! A column of your own! And the magazine cover is so beautiful! Wishing you a wonderful summer of art and inspiration.
roxanne
Posted by: rivergardenstudio | Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 04:09 PM
MICHELLE!!!! Rec'd my copy of SS yesterday in the mail and I love your memorials to your family. I squealed as soon as I saw it. A COVER!!! It is so you! Beautiful, and so Sentimental.
Where did you get those HUGE Poppy Pods? My Poppies are so itty bitty in comparison.
Love how you express your feelings through your art. You are absolutely a favorite of mine and if you are going to be a regular in the magazine I will renew my subscription for that reason alone!
Hugs from Red Wing! ;o)
Posted by: Bonnie | Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Congratulations, Michelle! Beautiful cover. I can't wait to get both of the issues. So excited that you have a regular column too. You continually inspire us with your work. Thank you always!
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen | Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 12:07 AM
I have been to B&N twice to see if these have come yet...argghh...not yet! So I'll squeeze in the long line of commentors to say I can't wait to get my hands on these. The gorgeous boxes and their depth of meaning are a beautiful sneak peek for now. Sight unseen, it's a given that your column and journal pages are going to rock our socks off. CONGRATULATIONS! oxox
Posted by: Linda Warlyn | Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 12:36 PM
I have been calling B&N for the last couple of days to see if they are in yet...I am with you Linda...argghh!!! I am calling just before I leave work today to see if they came in today. IF they are guess where I am going tonight.
I always buy Somerset Studio and Art Journaling so know Michelle has articles/columns in both makes me TWICE as anxious!
Until later,
Judy
Posted by: Judy N | Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Oh, my ears and whiskers I am beyond in love with this. A person could FAINT!
I'm going out of the house Saturday, and it's not going to be in a plane and it's not going to be from my car to my office. It's going to be to a PURVEYOR OF MICHELLE WARD PRODUCTS, and I am going to BUY THESE with my own American dollars so they can't tell me no. I'm going to say, is it for sale? Yes. Do I have the cash? Yes. Do you want me to throw a tantrum and scream bloody murder? eh... no? OKAY, then! Hand em over. And DON'T tell me you don't have them. There are laws about this sort of thing!
...Or, it might be a little less dramatic than that.
It's going to happen one way or another, that's my point.
I'll let you know.
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 06:28 PM
Congratulations Michelle. Your cover for Somerset and the feature within its pages is really wonderful. And I am so excited to know that every month I get to see your art, your words, and your inspiration in print!! I have yet to see the issue of Art Journaling but I look forward to getting that too!
Posted by: Seth | Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Wow! How incredible for you. And for us. Might need to sneak online and do some magazine shopping....
Posted by: Cath S | Sunday, July 03, 2011 at 12:17 AM
Michelle so nice to meet you. Just was over at Stampington to get sneak peek of the upcoming SS and saw the cover. Had to find out the artist and then found my way to your blog. Love the project and excited to know you will have a column. Congrats. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!
Posted by: Vicki at Rusty Rooster Vintage | Monday, July 04, 2011 at 09:02 PM
I finally got both of these mags. How cool! Michelle, the S.S. cover is the best ever, the combination of white and red is so fresh and exciting. And you'll have a column--yay. The A.J. issue was fabulous too. Such lovely colors and juxtaposition of backgrounds and feature items--especially the roses. I don't have a bookstore near me anymore that carries these magazines and was so afraid I'd miss them when I finally could go to get them. As I said before, A.J. was getting into a bit of a rut, glad they jumped out.
Pat
Posted by: Pat from Chicago | Thursday, July 07, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Your artwork on front cover of SS is sensational!!
and we love your stamps
Looking forward to all you can teach and share with us
Posted by: Niki Zipp | Saturday, July 09, 2011 at 09:54 AM