No matter how you celebrate the season, I wish you all kind holiday greetings.  I always make our holiday cards every year, they're often a reflection of how the year went, and of course, this was the Year of Indy. Our beloved pup is no longer with us, but remains forever in spirit, and her memory is a reminder to love and cherish every day we have. So take that blessing from our fuzzy pup as we say farewell to one year and hello to a new one! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki

A very Jaunty HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! With any luck, you've made merry, said farewell to 2012 in style, and ready to face 2013 energized... and only slightly hung over. Wooho!!! (more aspirin, please)

I wanted to share this year's holiday card design, which I hope you like. The idea came to me one day, towards the end of summer, funny enough. I thought of snow globes and how they're like the captured dreams of places and things we all wish for. And they're always full of snow, hence the name -- but what do snowmen gaze at when looking at a snow globe? Surely, they must dream of tropical beaches and sunny skies, something that seems like a lofty, but I daresay not impossible goal. 

Because nothing should be impossible, not during the beginning of a year when we are given the luxury of Dreaming Big! For generous souls who spread kindness to strangers. For the one time of year where children can believe in a little magic, and we're reminded of what that wonderful feeling was like. For wishes and dreams we can hope to fulfill in the new year. 

Don't let that holiday goodwill fade away when the chill of January arrives -- keep that generous spirit warming your heart. And continue to be inspired, energized and excited with the Jaunty world around you to power you into this bright, shiny new year ahead!

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki - Happy New Year!!

Let it never be said this Magpie's Mama never taught her little birdie the value of good correspondence and just dropping a note in the mail now and then, especially to those who may not be hip to the email and interwebs. Tis the season to renew old fashioned habits like mailing a holiday greeting or three. It doesn't have to be a big chore or a list so hefty it requires a pre-written generic letter of "What the Magpie Did This Year." Pick a few favorite people, especially family or friends who you haven't spoken to in a while or don't use the computer much, and write a little note to wish them a seasonal greeting and a hearty wish of good tidings for the new year. There is nothing more heartwarming than getting a pretty card in the mail.

To make this salutation all the more Jaunty, I couldn't help but show off some beautiful cards from this Bird's favorite place to find really unique holiday sendables, the Museum of Modern Art Design Store, aka, the MoMA Store. Along with getting a little bit of thoughtfully designed cards that are truly gifts in and of themselves, every purchase supports the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. There's several family friends who purchase their cards from the MoMA Store and I always look forward to receiving their holiday greetings every December. I keep the cards because they are so beautiful, and along with them, I keep the kind thoughts and well-wishes of the senders.

Fancy a chance to send some artistic good cheer? Take a look at these pop-up, three-dimensional card designs that caught the Magpie's eye this holiday season: {1} First Day of Christmas by Teen Liu, {2} Snowman Party by Keisuke Unosawa, {3} Kaleidoscope Baubles by Peagreen, {4} Hannukah Lights by John McDonald, {5} Winter Vista by Peagreen


Jaunty Fine Print:  card images from the MoMA Store