Winter Thaw - New Beginnings

I've had the most compelling morning designing this project with the new downloadable 2011 Calendars by Flourishes.  First of all, it will be for my sister-in-law's Birthday in January.  She always wants me to create cards for her as a present, that she can give throughout the year, and I thought I'd do a series of cards with the Year in Flowers sets and create a calendar page for each one too.  So, this is just the beginning.   Just so you know I've given you the link to A Year in Flowers I, but there are sets II, and III available as well to complete the year.  

And what a beautiful compelling image for the beginning of the year.  Crocuses are the most hardy and yet delicate of flowers, and though we won't see them here in Canada in January they really are a sign of winter thaw and spring coming...new beginnings.  I love seeing them pop up through the snow.

I was listening to one of my favourite artists while designing.  Often I have it quiet when I design, but today I felt like listening to this new CD we bought from Matthew West - The Story of Your Life .  He wrote the CD after asking people to write in and tell him their stories, stories of hope and healing and God at work in them....and each song is based on one or more of those stories.  I don't quite know if I can quite describe how this album has touched me right in my spirit.  I highly recommend it, he's seriously awesome.   So, this whole theme of hope and beginnings was conveyed through the music and this piece!

Here is the Calendar, it's 5.5 inches x 8.25 inches.  I've stamped the Crocuses 2 times and then added a last single blossom popped up.   Remember you can click on any of the pictures if you want to see them larger.  

Coloring is done with Copics in light BG's (BG0000, BG01, BG11, B12) and BV's (BV00, BV04) as well as some soft greens (G12, G40, G82).  And I added some grass with the Copics to fill in the design a little along the soil line.

Above is the card, I kept a somewhat similar theme in the card too with the ruffles and Nesties Shape, as well as the metallic glitter velvet ribbon.  Perfect for that feeling of snow.  

These gorgeous Iridescent Crystal gems go perfectly with a color palette like this!   

I'll be showing you the rest of the months I've made in the weeks ahead!

The rest of the Flourishes Girls want to show off some beautiful Calendar Ideas today too....This calendar is now DOWNLOADABLE HERE :)  

• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber 
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan

Recipe:  Stamps - Flourishes A Year in Flowers I;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  SU! Always Amethyst, Soft Sky, Flourishes Classic White, Memory Box Enchanted DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels 14, Lacey Circles and Foliage Frame Nestabilities, 1 inch Circle Punch, Zva Rhinestones, Glitter Metallic Velvet Ribbon, Large Scallop Punch, Scor Pal, Scor Tape, Dimensionals, Copic Markers. 

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Winter Thaw - New Beginnings