What better way to get in mode than a CD size calendar? Compact enough for any room of the house, and easy to modify with color and photos once I get the layout set up. And, I'm not the kind of person easily satisfied with simplicity, so while I used a template for a challenge, I modified it and also learned how to use masks WOOHOO! I finally got brave enough to step out of the box LOL. Here is the calendar cover and credits for digital art follows it.
I thought about adding text but if I consider using this cover for multiple calendars to give to family and friends then I need to think of what would be multi-purpose and still personal. The awesome mask is by HollyAnn which you can find at GoDigitalScrapbooking as a set of two masks and currently is half price, but even full price is only $1.50 and they are worth it. I also stumbled upon some great tutorials for GIMP users. I needed to know how to use the mask, and voila! http://pascalea.com/blog/alphas-and-clipping-masks-gimp-tutorial-freebie/ She is also a fabulous designer and there is a free mask and word for beach photos with the tutorial.
For the year I used Autumn Blush Alpha by Marcie at Digital Design Den where I am a member and also got the Think Fall Kit as a daily download, both were free, and the alpha still currently is. DDD is a fantastic digital community to be a member of.
The photo of us is actually a still (screenshot) of a video we took on a vacation to Pipestem Resort here in WV. We were a little late for colors there as a very windy couple of rainy days took most of the leaves off the trees on the mountains but there were still plenty of colors to be seen in the lower valleys. I love living in the mountains and being north enough to have beautiful seasons!
Well, that about sums it up. I hope some of this was useful to you and you enjoyed visiting. I'd love to know if you followed any links and made use of the freebies I shared.
Many Blessings, Deborah/JoyfullyOrange