There's a little Chickpea in my belly. Estimated date of arrival May 18, 2009. We are happy beyond words.
...to me. Today is my 35th Birthday. Astrologically speaking, this is a golden year, a solar return. You only get approximately seven of these years in a lifetime. I don't follow astrology too closely, but if the sun, moon and stars are sprinkling a little extra magical stardust on my tribe of Aquariuses and I, I gladly welcome it. Who couldn't use a little extra magical stardust now and then? So today I will celebrate what I hope will be a magical year. We'll light our red Birthday candle, go out for a surprise, and I'll cherish the only Birthday gift I ever want - cards. Being the card lover that I am, this is the best gift. John and I have a tradition of cards and a surprise for Birthdays. My dear friend Miss A actually illustrates my Birthday cards, and they are amazing. Sort of a look back on the year past in the most endearing style. Birthdays, like New Year's, are a nice time to look both ways. Where have you come from, and where are you headed. 35 is going to be a leap into the unknown for me, but I've got my eyes closed, a smile on my face, and I'm ready to jump.
The new year brings out new Everyday designs (Birthday, Baby, Wedding, etc.) This is our new general Birthday tableware design. My favorite part of the design process is solving the problem, or 'concepting.' I think I approach all of our projects this way because I was a Graphic Designer first. Graphic Design is all about solving visual problems. In the social expression industry, the 'problems' are usually the same. How do you say Birthday in a new way? What hasn't been done? Nothing. Still, I try to come at the subject with a slightly new twist. The best feeling is that moment, that instant, when a solution flashes in your mind. It feels especially wonderful if you've been wracking your brain over it, in the shower, in your sleep, and even when you don't realize it. That single moment is my favorite part of the creative process. With 'Birthday Notes' we thought about the birthday song, the one we all sing at every birthday. It's something very common, so we had to try and find an uncommon solution. We hope it appeals to you, and makes you hum the notes when you see it.
Everyone enjoyed them, and I blew out the design to include the entire alphabet A-Z. I showed the design on a few different products (bags, tableware) and placed it in the portfolio. For the next 4 years, everyone laughed, smiled and awwed at the design. The loved it, but were not sure. Could they really place it? Finally, this past year, the great people at Design Design Inc decided that they needed to give the Crazy Critters a home. I think it was a perfect match, and I knew they would be in good hands. 
The samples just came in, and they look wonderful. Sometimes a design just takes awhile to find the right home. I believed those Crazy Critters would make it out of the portfolio one day, and soon they'll be running amock in a store near you.
One year, while in Spain over the holidays, we came upon this wishing tree. It wasn't in the center of town, but in a small courtyard, a treasure for those who stumbled upon it. I loved the way it looked when we walked up to it. I loved it even more when we realized what it was. At its base were little cards and pencils, and you were supposed to write your wish for the New Year and hang it in the tree's branches. When the wind blew through, it would hopefully carry those wishes into the New Year. I was in love with all of it. Just this year I realized what a beautiful tradition this could be. On New Year's Day we hung our own wishes on Henry's branches (our Christmas tree). When Henry goes over to the Mulchfest on Saturday, our wishes will be transfered to our Wish Box (we really are a wishful family.) And a new tradition is born...
The theme for this year's calendar is birds, and the idea of 'taking flight'. Sometimes we sit on the branch of life too long, waiting for that perfect moment, that perfect wind that will make our first flight easy and grand. First flights are never perfect. I remember seeing a video once of a momma bird pushing her reluctant chick off the branch. It was so scary, because the young chick had to take a few hard falls. But with each trip off the branch, the chick was learning, wider wingspan catches more air. So eventually, with enough flapping, he was finally flying. The wind swept under his wings, and he naturally did what he was made to do. If he never stepped off the branch, he would not have survived. I think this is a good theme for a new year. What are you waiting on the branch of life for? The young chick showed willingness to grow, despite discomfort, to ask more of himself, despite fear, to ask 'why not' instead of 'why'. The moment, as always, is now.
