It’s time again to turn the page for a new year! 2022 had been much anticipated with the ever elusive dream of returning to normal. Perhaps with that page turn, it’s time to consider a new dream:
We can look to the beautiful bamboo plant for some lessons– or more appropriately– use it as a guide for how we approach this new year.
In Asian cultures, bamboo is symbolic of good luck, longevity, strength, health… all the things we would wish for in the new year. I felt it fitting to be the January for 2022.
One of the prominent characteristics of bamboo is that it is strongly rooted, yet flexible. This allows it to bend in the wind without breaking. I think this is good advice… Though we are all weary of the last couple of years, it’s difficult to think about approaching this coming year with this type of advice. However, if we’ve learned anything is how resilient we can be. If we can approach this new year as one with the wishes of luck and long life, however with the understanding that winds come and things change… however those things mold us and shape us into who we are meant to be. We can bend without breaking because we are rooted in the foundation of our faith, family, and friends.
For this calendar, I used Soft Suede as the backing and the bamboo stalks. I stamped off so that it would be a little lighter to see over the numbers of the calendar. I made a stencil with a scrap card stock and punched out a circle. I lined it up with my calendar and used the blender brushes to create the sun (so saffron, mango melody). Super easy but creates a nice sunset.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022. Also wishing that you are able to remain rooted and established when the trials do come.
Anne and Cheryl have also created 2022 calendars to help ring in the New Year!!
hanniejoy&co 