2011 Calendar Round-Up: Part 1

It's that time of year, and to keep tradition around here I'm rounding up the best of the best calendars for the coming year (and some Advent Calendars for this year) just as I have now since 2006. When I started this column, no one was rounding up calendars but I had this wonky idea to do it and hey, it caught on! Why do I do this year after year? I want these amazing artists to have their work promoted and their calendars purchased so I figure a great big 'ole round-up is the best way to do it.  If you have a blog and want to round-up some calendars of your own, by all means go for it! Share -- this is a community built on sharing (blogging is all about each of us taking part in a global, online conversation) so link to this post, write your own calendar round-up, spread the love people and let's help these artists sell their calendars for the coming year!

Maria Helena calendar, love!

Here how it will work... Today and tomorrow I'm going to post several calendar posts because I'm trying to include as many as I can -- there is no favorite, no best calendar, and certainly no order to these posts -- I'm simply going to show you all of the calendars that I can possibly squeeze in and then it's up to you to decide on those that you'll display with pride in your home. I cannot include ALL of the submissions in my inbox (I received hundreds!) but I'll do the best that I can to include as many as possible to appeal to all tastes and budgets.

Uusi Advent Calendar, Calendar Plate by Le Papier Studio (limited copies).

Field Study and Modern Whimsy calendars from Emmylu. Pistachio Press letterpress Fabulous calendar.

Custom calendars from Stephanie Levy and illustrated calendar by Flora Douville.

Ink + Wit Totem Animals At Play and Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar Calendar.

Three By Sea tea towel calendars and Jane Davenport's Sea Party.

DIY paper calendar by Smil and Paintings by Cathy Nichols.

Fresh Flowers + Creatures of the Deep calendars by Gallardo Works and desktop calendar by Grace Hester Designs.

Miss Moose, Right Brained Gal Designs and printable calendars by Mufn Inc.

Good Old Dog Days Calendar by Donna Geissler, Rincon Road, Tanya Gilmartin and Eigenwerk.

Calendars make lovely gifts and there is really no limit -- you don't need only one in the home, you can add one in the rooms that you find yourself needing them the most. I like to put one in the kitchen, my office and in the hallway. Where do you display your calendar/s?

MORE TO COME! This is just the first batch...

(images: linked to their sources above)