TGIF...

It's Friday and a beautiful overcast day here in LA. It's a perfect day to work on some new card concepts. I will show them to you soon! As always, I love to get feedback on them :)

Persian New Year Tradition...

Persian New Year (Norooz) is upon us today/tomorrow and I wanted to share with you my Haft-Sin display. "Haft" means 7 and "Sin" means the "S" sound. These items are symbolic and are displayed to mean health, prosperity and abundance for the new year.

1. Sabzeh (Wheatgrass)

2. Sib (Apple) and 

3. Samanu (Sweet paste made from germinated wheat)

4. Sonbol (Hyacinth)

5. Sir (Garlic) and 

6. Somagh (spice from the grated skin of a dark berry with a slightly acidic flavor)

7. Sekkeh (coins)

Persian New Year Cards (cont'd)...

Here is the 2nd in the series of my Persian New Year (a.k.a. Norooz) Cards. I chose to show a classic image of a Haft Sin. How do you like it? It is called "Haft Sin Flourish".

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Inspiration Image Used: 19th Century painting of a Qajar family sitting around the Haft Sin

The stain glass windows in Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Shiraz, Iran) are quite similar to the ones in the painting.

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The cards below are a couple designs I made to give to my family when I see them on Norooz. I designed them for my parents and my brother. They are original designs as all of my cards are. They have been stamped with the message using my new favorite thing: alphabet stamps! They are great because you can customize your sayings. Let's face it, not every saying is going to be made into a ready-made stamp. Especially a message like "Happy Norooz"!

 Vessel design with a burst of floral motif

 Ancient Golden Sphinx with hologram floral motif

 Embellished envelope using stamps and dabs of glitter.

Embellished envelope using stamps and dabs of glitter.

Persian New Year Cards...

Persian New Year "Norooz" is a holiday from the ancient Zoroastrian calendar. It takes place annually on March 20th, marked by the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated by Persians all around the world (originally from Iran and some colonies of the ancient Persian Empire). Every year, families and friends gather around the Haft-Sin, a table displayed with symbolic items to ring in the new year. Afterwards, gifts and well-wishes are exchanged (much like having Christmas and New Year's Eve combined!)

Giving a gift from the heart is always a kind gesture. Why not add some Ancient Persian flair with a unique handmade card designed for the occasion? Here is the first of many Persian-Themed cards to come. This one is called "Sphinx and Vessel".

I always welcome feedback on my posts!
Enjoy and thanks for visiting! :)

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Inspiration Image Used: Winged Human-Faced Lion Guardian - Palace of Persepolis, Shiraz, Iran.

First Birthday Card...

This was a card I made recently for a baby boy who recently celebrated his 1st birthday. I used his initial as the main decorative element. For an added touch, I made a sticker indicating the "first birthday". For the envelope, I wanted it to also carry the decorative feel of the card so I created a seal to coordinate.