I got a call late Saturday night.

In a covert voice I heard, “Hey! It’s me Carol (Browne), I’m at Chapters downtown. They have two copies of Love Patchwork & Quilting. They have issue 17 but it’s covered in a plastic bag. So I’m not sure if this is the one you’re in? Do you want me to pick up a copy for you?”

I’ve been waiting… I check last week but no copies were in… I was worried I’d miss it. 17, it’s the issue I’m in. I can feel the excitement flood me… Somehow, since I’m on my cel phone, I’ve managed to press my face so I’ve hit some numbers making the buttons beep. Then somehow I inadvertently hit the mute button at the same time. Carol can’t hear me. All I can hear is Carol saying, “Hello? Hello? What is going on?” She giggles and I hear her say, “Hello?” one more time as I try to figure out how to un-mute my phone. Quickly I abort the call, I hang up and try to call Carol back.

“Hello?” Carol giggles “What happened?”

I now have the task of explaining my whole excitement face to phone, button mute thing.

Yeah, I’d like to be all nonchalant… Sigh, yup, no biggie, I’m just in a magazine (like it’s an everyday occurrence) but clearly, that’s not me! Carol graciously picked up the magazine for me then posted about her buddy (that’s me) who was in a UK magazine (Love Patchwork & Quilting) on Facebook. Loads of lovely comments and likes came in. My husband shared Carol’s post on his feed, again lovely comments and likes.

Since, we were in Vancouver yesterday for the Chinese New Year’s parade we thought (okay I insisted) we stop at the Chapters on Granville and Broadway, to see if they have any more copies. They DID!

We picked up two copies. The one from Carol, I’ve decided I’d give to my Mom. Another copy I’d thought would be fun to giveaway on my blog! And one I’d keep. So here I am with it in my hand, unopened. You think I’d want to tear into. That’s how I assumed I’d feel. For some reason, I feel reluctant to open it. I’m not sure why? I am slightly nervous about seeing myself and my work… My son even brought it to me this morning as I was making lunches and said “Here’s you magazine!” I said, thanks, can you put it over there so we don’t get anything on it.

This is my year of living fearlessly, right? Okay, it’s you and me together, here I go…

I’m looking at it. It’s so beautiful. Is that why I’m so weirded out? I mean I’ve always dreamed of being in a magazine but this surpassed my wishlist! Big breath… savouring.

The plastic is off.

Ooo, the Sew your own sewing set book and diamond paper pieces, very cute. I should learn to English paper piece with this kit! … Putting aside.

Looking at the front cover. God it’s so pretty! … Ooh, spool bunting (hello Darlene Barns!)

Opening.

Three pages in… feeling shaky…

BAM! My face! Ack! giggle!

WHAT! Get out I’m under the same section LOVELIFE, that Lisa Congdon is in! Get OUT! I love her! … Oh man I gotta check out Mabel & Bird and Peony & Thistle… oh look at the cute little crabs, I want one….

OMG, I’m sitting beside Lee Heinrich patterns from Freshly Pieced!

Ooo, Skinny La Minx? What’s that? (just googled it! It’s awesome!)

Okay, the coast is clear, I can check out the rest of the magazine now. Flip, flip, flip…

Wow, thanks so much for sharing this BIG moment with me. A big thanks to Florence from Flossie Teacakes for the blog post that lead to all of this. And of course BIG, BIG thanks to Love Patchwork & Quilting for this opportunity!

I wish I could give EVERYONE a copy. Sadly I only have one to give and the only way to decide who gets it is by a random draw. Which will require you to leave a comment. I know it seems like a trick doesn’t it? Sorry about that, it’s the only way I know how to contact you and to get your address to send it to you. No big burning question to answer, but that is fun… hmm, how about this, I love middle names, I’m always so curious about people’s middle names. Feel free to leave a comment saying what your middle name is… or if it’s horrendous and that’s a comment deal breaker, feel free to just say hi and maybe where you’re from. How’s that? Thanks so much for popping by!

P.S. And as an added bonus I sold two packs of cards from my Etsy shop! (Note to self, relist) How nice is that? Lisa Congdon is right “Today is going to be awesome!”