Welcome In the New Year with Bamboo and Pine

So excited today to share this amazing New Years surprise my fabulously creative friend Lorna brought by for me on our return to work after the holidays.

Lorna created this beautiful arrangement of bamboo, pine and flowers known as "kadomatsu" (which translates to "Gate Pine"). Displaying "kadomatsu" at the front entrance of your home or business is a Japanese tradition which is supposed to ward off evil and bring good luck for the New Year. Lorna used cardstock to create the different lengths of bamboo (representing heaven, humanity and earth); added sprigs of pine (for longevity and endurance); cherry blossoms and a paper chrysanthemum (cut on her Silhouette) for a splash of color; and tied everything together with twine...just like the real thing!

But that's not all...turns out that this amazing paper kadomatsu arrangement by Lorna is more than just a display...the stand is actually a box with a drawer that slides out, filled with yummy treats! WOW, right?!!!!

And this is the lovely thank you card that came along with it.

Lorna stamped and colored up images from Dandelion Designs brand new "Teeny Weeny Garden" set to create this irresistibly kawaii scene for her adorable card...love it! Lorna's limitless imagination and talent to always come up with the funnest, one of a kind projects is truly remarkable. I'm can hardly wait to see what she'll create next!