New Beginnings

I hadn't managed to get a desk calendar for this year, but I hadn't thought of making one until I was inspired by seeing this fab easel card calendar on my lovely friend Helen's blog. After that I suddenly seemed to see quite few lovely ones, such as these by Carol and Sharon. Whilst musing on what style of image, colours etc. to use I saw a beautiful easel card in my local craft shop Edwin Allen, and that convinced me that a butterfly image was the way to go... plus they had some little packs of Anita's calendars in stock - so I couldn't resist any longer. So yesterday afternoon I sat down for a session, and decided to make one each for me and two of my female colleagues. Here's the results ....


Hope you'll excuse the poor lighting ... strange isn't it that there is so much sparkling white snow out there, but the light conditions are still so terribly grey.

Here is a closer view of two of the calendars ... the only reason they aren't totally identical is that I only had enough paper to make two cards with a "border" of paper on the base, so on the third I used some lace instead; also I didn't have enough iridescent pink card for the matting, so used a mixture of pink and white.



I would like to enter these for a few challenges, namely

Stampin' for the Weekend - New Beginnings
Papertake Weekly - New Beginnings (2nd entry)
Pile It On #31 - Welcome 2010
Fussy & Fancy #1 - New (2nd entry) - I have used a new rubber stamp + new die cut shapes for my matting;
Cute Card Thursday #94 - All New
Flutterby Wednesdays #91 - New + a fairy, butterfly or angel
Everybody-Art-Challenge #72 - Favourite colour combo ... I definitely think mine is pink + green.
One Stop Craft Challenge #62 - A Night at the Movies. Well I think these calendars would fit any of the following films .... "Papillon", "The Butterfly Effect or even "2010". :-)
Paperplay - Precious Metals
Crafty Ann's Challenge #5 - New Year, New Inspiration
Your Next Stamp #7 - Embossing

Recipe:
Main image: buttefly by "Autumn leaves" from Edwin Allen, heat embossed with silver and coloured with Twinkling H2O's;
Papers: Kaisercrafts;
Supplies: hydrangea flowers by Prima; pearl brads from The Hobby House; mini "Anita's" calendars from Edwin Allen; ribbon and various spacers from my stash;
Tools: scalloped circles (matting) - dies by Nellie Snedden (from Edwin Allen); Leone Em Ash Branch leaf punch.

I've been battling a stinking cold for the past couple of days, and i think today it has really taken hold, so i doubt i'll get any crafting done this afternoon ... I'll just have to snuggle up and chill out! Hope you're having a good weekend and keeping warm.