Goodbye, 2020! Hello, 2021!

I’m an optimistic person. No matter how terrible things might feel at a given moment, I firmly believe they can get better. It might not be easy to get there, but with hard work and a good attitude, we can always arrive in a better place. 2020 has not been an easy year (understatement of the year, no?). While there have been some great things this year, the horrors of 2020 have always lurked around the next corner. Nothing will change overnight (there’s no guarantee 2021 will be better), but I have to believe we can do better and be better next year. Even if you don’t believe things will get better, please tell me that – constantly and consistently. Thanks.

To mark the end of 2020 and our new beginning in 2021, I decided to represent the new year with a card. Here’s my Happy New Year’s card (which is also a “Goodbye, 2020!” card):

Family Party, Stampin Up!, Brian King

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

  • Family Party. When I purchased the Family Party Photopolymer stamp set some time ago, I picked it up because of the variety of relatives listed int he set – mothers and brothers and wives and nephews are all represented! The first time I have inked it up, though, was to use the numbers in the set. Yay! I am so happy to have had it here – gave me just what I needed to complete my see-ya card to 2020. Here’s a look at the sentiments in this set: Family Party, Stampin Up! 149379I designed this card to show the split between the darkness of one year and the bright possibilities of the other. It was all thought out, but I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized it didn’t quite represent what I wanted…
  • It’s Not What You Think. As I sat back to photograph my card, I giggled. I wanted to contrast the darkness of 2020 and the brightness of 2021 in my card (and I used some fun techniques to get there), but I [completely unintentionally] created “darkness” that looks a bit like “poo” (I probably should have used black or gray). I see it now, but I totally wasn’t going there. Still, I think it’s quite pretty. Here’s a closer look at the 2020 panel: Family Party, Stampin Up!, Brian KingOn my panel of Early Espresso, I stamped one the watercolored flower images from To a Wild Rose over and over to create a cloud of brown (again, to represent the darkness of this year). It’s murky and dark. Here’s a look at the 2021 panel: Family Party, Stampin Up!, Brian KingI stamped the stars from Peace & Joy stamp set in Daffodil Delight ink on Daffodil Delight cardstock to showcase the brightness to come. I colored some Rhinestone Basic Jewels with a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blend and added them to the center of each. So bright! So uplifting.
  • Gorgeous Color Combination. My 2020 and 2021 panels were mounted on a Crumb Cake card base. If you love this mix of Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso as much as I do, please save this graphic for future reference: Stampin Up! Color Inspiration - Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Stamp Sets: Family Party, To a Wild Rose, Peace & Joy  Papers: Daffodil Delight, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White  Inks: Daffodil Delight, Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends, Early Espresso, Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories: Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Supply List

Every year’s wish is that the new year will be better than the last. It feels a little more poignant this year. I sincerely hope your 2021 is better than 202o. Remember, though – 2020 isn’t a complete dumpster fire. Let’s not forget all the progress we’ve made this year. We’ve grown, and there’s some good in that.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

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I’ve launched my Product Shares and Designer Series Paper Swatch Books from Stampin’ Up!’s January – June 2021 Mini Catalog. If you missed out or want to learn more, please click on the photo below:

Jan-Jun 2021 Designer Series Paper Swatchbooks, Stampin Up!, Brian KingI would love to include you in the shares – sign up today!


Year-End Closeout

Stampin’ Up! kicked off the year-end last week – all of the retiring products are being sold until January 4 or until they sell out. AND many of them are discounted. YAY! For a recap of this sale, CLICK HERE. To shop this sale, CLICK HERE.


Shop with Brian Host CodePlacing an order today?  Of course you are! If you are placing an order for $150 or more, I want you to enjoy all of the Host Rewards you have earned.  If your order is less than $150, I’d love for you please add this Host Code – CG7UZWF9 when prompted. Thank you!

28 Comments

  1. Such a brilliant concept and full of hope! Love the bling!

  2. To be honest, poo works pretty well to describe 2020. LOL. Here’s to a bright and shining 2021.

  3. Suzanne Patt Cullen

    Happy New Year’s Eve, Brian!
    I was sitting here smiling as I read your blog this morning with your description of your card. There certainly have been times during 2020 when times felt like “poo” … but the brightness of your 2021 side of this card gives us great hope for a brighter 2021! Your choice of Daffodil Delight cardstock and coordinating Blends’ colored Rhinestone Gems shows bright hope for 2021. 🎉Happy New Year! 🎉

    • Thanks so much, Suzie! This year has DEFINITELY had its mix of ups and downs, huh? So glad you like the card – it was a fun one to make. I’m so hopeful that 2021 will be filled with so many more ups. Happy new year to you, my friend! ♥

  4. What a lovely card to ring in 2021 with!

  5. Love it. Creative and humorous.

  6. Absolutely perfect! Even with the poo…in fact I agree! Double poo…which is really “poo-poo” and that also describes this year. But, I’m with you on being optimistic. I’m thankful every day that I get to wake up and experience whatever each day holds. Happy New Year to us all! Great card!♥️

  7. Perfect way to end 2020. Your card is a welcome site for what I’m thinking will be a FABULOUS year in 2021. Happy New Year my friend.

  8. Actually a cool card…love the brown on the left side! Happy last day of 2020 and wishing you a happy 2021! Hugs!

  9. Your card and explanation are bringing lots of smiles/giggles today. It’s so nice to be at the end of this year and have great hope for the new year. Great color combination, too. Happy New Year’s Eve!

  10. Wonderfully artistic concept of what 2020 has been like and the hope that lies in 2021. Wishing you and all your blog friends the happiest,
    healthiest new year ever.

  11. What a great way to show leaving 2020 and going into a sparkly new 2021! Happy New Year Brian! Wishing you the best year ever!

  12. You are so funny ,but SPOT ON !! I am basically optimistic about all things BUT boy we have been given a doozie ! Love your bright 2021 side and that is what we can all look forward to DAFFODIL DELIGHT DAYS that sparkle !!
    Happy New Year to you filled with love and giggles !!

    • Always love to hear from you, Sonny – and you often make me giggle. I’m happy when I can make you giggle. 🙂 Hope your 2021 is filled to the brim with Daffodil Delight Days and sparkly sequins. Lots of love to you!

  13. Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, as a fellow optimist I appreciate it. I love that 2020 looks like poop because there were many days that is how it felt. I believe that out of chaos comes opportunity. Here’s to acting on opportunities, like you did, all through the new year. Your blog posts uplift me everyday. Thanks.

    • That’s so wonderful to hear, Sher! Thanks so much! I’m happy to share my thoughts, but I’m even happier to know my posts uplift others. You are the best! Thanks for letting me know. ♥

  14. Love how you have put this together and the thought behind it. A Wonderful card.
    Keep safe
    Happy New Year.

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