starting the new year with a blank palette

There's something refreshing about starting the New Year with an empty sketchbook or journal. That's why I decided to give my clients a "blank palette" or a special marigold journal as their holiday gift this year. It's a perfect size to fit in a briefcase or purse—to jot down ideas or to-do lists. I don't know about you but I can't survive my week without having a to-do list sitting beside my computer!

As you all know, I tend to obsess over my holiday gift every year. It has to be extra special because my clients are extra special! Last year's gift was a calendar based on a color wheel. It was very unique but not very practical. But it looked great hanging on a wall and it won a Silver ADDY locally and in district. I don't know if I can top that but that's OK because I think this year's gift is just as special and a bit more practical!

The journal is simple and elegant with only the embossed marigold's mark on the front—nothing else. It is enclosed within a belly wrap and mailed in an orange (marigold's signature color) square envelope and sealed with a marigold sticker.

The main message is on a separate tag and tied with an orange ribbon to the coil binding on the inside. The tag could be used as a book marker. It contains various icons on the back—simply drawn to represent inspirational things such as planning a trip, writing, drawing, etc.

I hope my clients enjoy their special journal and I'm already thinking about next year's holiday gift. But in the meantime, here's to new beginnings in 2012!

Happy 2012!

May you find simple pleasures throughout the new year!

Wishing you a very happy 2012!

Merry Christmas!

 

home for the holidays...

My daughter will be home in one week and I can't wait! Last year at this time, I was in Florida helping her get settled into her new apartment. It was not easy returning home and celebrating Christmas without her. So you can imagine how excited I am this year to have her home for the holidays.

Work has been crazy busy for the past few months. So I have been decorating the house whenever I can spare a few moments during the day or evening. Here's a peek of our country home, all decked out and waiting...

 

the first snowfall...

I love waking up to freshly fallen snow, especially the first snowfall of the season. Winters are long here in NE Ohio so I'm sure in the next few months, I will feel differently. But in the meantime, I'm going to take a few moments from my hectic work schedule to enjoy this winter wonderland! 

Have a wonderful weekend!

giving thanks...

 

 Marigold Design would like to say "thank you" with this special gift that you can download and enjoy in your home or office. The letters spelling "Happy Thanksgiving" are ganged up, four-up on a sheet for easy printing. There are two color versions, one with brown and green [shown hanging] and the second one in gray and gold [shown below].

   

Print, cut on the dotted line and then use a hole-puncher in each corner for the ribbon—it's that simple! I printed mine on French Paper Speckletone and tied the letters with a off-white satin ribbon. Other than fresh flowers on the table and leaves on the mantle, this is the only other decoration I have for Thanksgiving. It does add a festive touch!

  

Click here to download the pdf in brown and green. 

Click here to download the pdf in yellow and gray.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

finding inspiration in cemeteries

Tombstones at a cemetery in Poland [via istockphoto]

I am not the type of person to hang out in cemeteries. The only things I love about Halloween are carving pumpkins, making costumes for my children when they were young and accompanying them on their trick or treat adventures which did NOT include haunted houses or cemeteries! I went to a haunted house once and it scarred me for life. So you can imagine how I felt about cemeteries! But that all changed years ago when I was in Europe, visiting my daughter in Luxembourg. She had a week off from school and we decided to travel to Poland so she could finally meet her great aunt and cousins on my mother's side of the family. Needless to say, it was a very emotional trip in more ways than one.

candles in a Polish cemetery on All Saint's Day [via istockphoto]

We were still in Poland on November 1, All Saint's Day (Dzień Wszystkich Świętych). This day along with All Soul's Day (Dzień Zaduszny) on November 2 are dedicated to prayer and paying tribute to the deceased by visiting their graves. So when my cousins asked if we wanted to go with them to the cemetery, I couldn't say no even though I wanted to. So off we went, stopping first at the store to purchase flowers and candles to place on the graves. Of course, the fear was building up inside of me as we got closer and closer to the cemetery. I had no idea what to expect upon arrival. I just knew that I was not looking forward to visiting dead relatives!

a cemetery in Poland on All Saint's day [via istockphoto]

We entered the cemetery and to my surprise, it wasn't a scary place at all! There were flowers, candles and people everywhere—praying, talking, and laughing as they reminisced about their relatives that have passed away. Hundred of candles were glowing and casting beautiful shadows on the tombstones and the air was filled with the heavenly smell of flowers and incense. The whole place was very tranquil and peaceful—something I never expected to find in a cemetery! And to my amazement, my fear quickly disappeared.

Cemeteries still aren't my favorite places to visit but I no longer fear them as I did. And I might even visit them from time to time, looking for inspiration!  

Happy Halloween and All Saint's Day!