Is this real or am I dreaming? It's really real...I am now a published designer/artist thanks to my submission to the magazine Altered Couture.
This past April, as I was browsing through my Haute Handbag magazine, there was an ad for a "Call for Altered clothing". I decided to enter and went about finishing a jean skirt I had been working on. I sent the skirt and an altered T-shirt into Stampington & Company, the parent company for these magazines. A couple of weeks ago, by total accident, I go online and see this magazine cover. So, me being the curious person that I am, clicked on the magazine to see what I could see. Lo and behold...there it was...a picture of my jean skirt in the "gallery" of skirts and dresses. I was at work when I saw it and I flipped out. Not more than a week later, I get my complimentary copy of the magazine in the mail. Now mind you, I had not heard one peep from these people about whether they were going to publish my items or anything. Talk about a complete shock! So then that weekend, I get my skirt in the mail and a congratulatory letter. I have been flying on high to say the least. I am so very thankful and give God the honor for making this dream come true. All my blessings come from God and this is my reward for stepping out on faith and just doin' the damn thang!!! :0) They kept my T-shirt, so I believe it will appear in either Belle Armoire, or in the 2007 edition of Altered Couture. Either way, this publication adds credibility to my work, and I am honored.
My skirt is on the top left.
I sent out an email blast to all my family and friends telling them of the news. The responses have been overwhelming and very supportive.
When I looked through the magazine I saw so many excellent ideas that I was a little intimidated by what I sent in. But I realized, these people received an overwhelming response of submissions, by their own admission, so it really made me feel exceptionally blessed to be chosen. Thank you Jesus! I will submit more of my designs and see whether they publish more, as you can't have enough published work.
Right now I'm working on completing 5 purses to send in to Haute Handbag. I decided to do an all Burlap material series of purses. They are very different in their shapes, sizes and category. I hope they like them.
GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS!
On Monday (Nov. 6), My sister found out that she is becoming a first time Grandmother!!! Whoohoo...yea baby! Her son and his fiance are expecting their first child in July 2007. I am so happy for Kevin and Cher.
RAY PARKER JR. at the Vault 350
Last night my cousin came through with a ticket for me to see Ray Parker, Jr. at the Vault 350. You know we got it like that...any artist, any time...we are up in there! I drove to work just in case I was able to attend and at first it didn't look like it was going to happen. Then the guy with the tickets came through at the last minute. Thanks so much Rodney!
The doors opened about 7:00pm. They had a row a chairs on the dance floor, so I found a front row seat. The show was very late starting. It was 2 hours before it began. But, once the show started it was alright. At first it was kind of slow, and the band took a break and left Ray on the stage as he rambled on about learning how to play the guitar and he even serenaded a woman from the audience. The band came back on and then it began to get a little more exciting. He sang his hits and played an instrumental cut from his new CD...I was shocked because I had taped this very song from the Smooth Jazz station and did not know who the artist was. He also sang a latin-themed song from the new CD which was nice..it also inspired a group of Lesbian women to take to the dance floor. They were getting their groove on with one another....it was interesting to say the least.
The really funny thing that happened was that there were a couple of old guys, old white guys dancing with some moves that did not match who they were. They were getting down!!!! This one guy was with a young sistah (twentysomething young) and they were all over each other. I was thinking, "Ok, ok we get it...he's you're Suga Daddy!" :0) The guy had on this red velvet jacket and his hair and beard were completely gray. Dude was smooth and just partying his azz off.
The last song Ray played was "Ghost Busters", and when it started, this white guy ran onto the empty dance floor and he started bustin' his moves.....I was in hysterics. He was doing all the latest HipHop moves and just having a great time. Then the crowd moved onto the floor and we were all up before too long. Man that was funny as heck!
But toward the middle of the program, the band took a break to go sign autographs and meet the people. When they returned to the stage, each band member began their solos and Ray gave their musical credits...the band was an awesome mix of producers, writers and performers. In particular there was the saxophonist, "Panther" and it dawned on me that I had met this guy 4 years ago at the Cultural Arts Center when the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival was going on. Panther was in the band for a musical "who dunnit?" play called "Black Legends in Blood."
There was also a guitarist who produced jazz legend Miles Davis' - "Man with the horn" album. This was the only album I bought of Miles'....great, great music. I was amazed to see it was this young dude who produced it.
Ray Parker and the band jammed, and jammed with songs the audience had forgotten about as well as didn't know he had written. It was such a great concert. The best part of Ray's performance is that he really loves to interact with the audience, so when he sang "A Woman Needs Love", he came down into the audience. He came over to me, grabbed my hand and sang to me for a minute, which I took a video clip of (I thought I was just taking a no flash shot). It pays to have a front row seat baby! How cool is that? He danced with the ladies, shook everyone's hand, and we all had a great time. I am so glad I went, it was well worth it. My oldest sister saw him perform in Catalina in Oct. and she couldn't say enough great things about him, so now I am in total agreeance with her. You go Ray Parker, Jr.!!!!!
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