Welcome 2011 --- Happy New Year! Bless the Beasts and the Children Challenge

Mo Manning's DP2 challenge this week is "Bless the Beasts and the Children" which means using a stamp or combination of stamps with at least one animal and one child.  Mo's amazing selection of digi-stamps leaves no shortage of just such images.  I had already colored this one of Bella and Bronte for a New Year project.

In keeping with one of my craft resolutions for 2011, and inspired by blog buddies Lynette and Vicki, I have created a calendar for January 2011.  For the calendar format, the confetti, and the banner I used the Print Shop Pro Publisher.  I made it a full 8 1/2 by 11 so I can write in appointments and reminders right on the calendar and keep it near my work space.  Bella and Bronte are colored with Copics and the confetti Bella is tossing in the air is actually several colors of glitter inks.

From Bella, Bronte and me:  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A Mad Hatter "Happy New Year" Card

Who enjoys parties more than the Mad Hatter?  So, a New Year celebration wouldn't be complete without him --- especially Johnny Depp style!!  Woo hoo!  Mo Manning had the riotous JD characterization of MH in mind when she created this fun image. 

I couldn't resist coloring MH in bright colors he loves so much --- with Copics, of course.  Then I had the challenge of finding paper in my stash to go along with the image.  Well, this Provo Craft Slab XI had just the right designs.  The swirling colors represent what I imagine the journey down the rabbit hole to look like: a bit psychedelic, eh?  There is nothing in my eggnog --- just a vivid (and a wee bit crazy) imagination!

Meet the Mad Hatter himself!

I'm really lousy at writing my own sentiments, but this was easy given the image and the occasion.  The font is Gigi in The Print Shop Pro Publisher.

Thanks for stopping by during 2010 and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2011.  Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

In many ways the year 2008 will not be remembered fondly, except that I started this blog and met so many wonderful crafters. From those talented papercrafters I learned fun and fantastic techniques, discovered beautiful and whimsical stamps, and expanded my imagination a-hundred-fold.

I welcome 2009 with optimism, by choice (if I listen to the gloom and doomers I get really depressed). I look forward to much more creativity and success with my art, as I look forward to meeting more artists and crafters. Let this be a renaissance year for handmade crafts, innovation and imagination. Success in sales would be a good thing, too!

Happy New Year, everyone!