Canadian Icon Ornament Announced
In addition to the previously announced Canadian exclusive repaint of Patriotic Pals, 12th and Final in the Happiness is PEANUTS® All Year Long monthly series, Hallmark will be issuing the 3rd and Final in the Ann of Green Gables series.
Ann of Green Gables
3rd and final in the series
2014 Final in series
NEWS FLASH! …SANTA TO STOP VISITING WITH ANIMALS – While the North Pole may be a magical place, that doesn’t mean it isn’t effected by the global economy.
An inside source, who wishes to remain elfnonymous, has reported that Santa Claus has been forced to make cuts, and not just in milk and cookies… The source went on to say that Santa has come to the realization that making a single Certified piece each year isn’t enough to correct for the faltering demand for traditional toys as more kids are wanting electronic media.
Late last year Santa was reportedly faced with having to cut back on his elfin staff budget and assume greater responsibility of the day to day operations of the workshop, including making many of the toys himself. As a result of having to take on these increased responsibilities he will no longer have the time to visit with the animals.
A Visit from Santa
6th and Final in the series
In preparation for this eventuality, last fall the Jolly Old Elf gathered five of his closest animal friends to mark the anniversary of the start of these visits and share with them that they shouldn’t be expecting a “Visit from Santa” every year anymore. He softened the news by telling them that he would do one final visit in 2014, but after that, his new duties would make future trips impossible.
Santa left the animals with treats and in a hopeful sentiment said, “I will always be with you in spirit.” Upon departing, he suggested that maybe in the future he might be able to visit with them again, just perhaps in a different setting.
Reveal: Big-Top Bear
One of this years new ornament series is based on vintage tin toys. For this series Keepsake Artist Tom Best drew upon his fond childhood memories of playing with his older brothers’ hand-me-downs toys.
Big-Top Bear
1st in the Tin Toys series
Each ornament in this series will feature a crafted metal design inspired by antique tin toys. Ornament is made of pressed tin and ball turns.
Final New 2013 Series Revealed
Christmas Commemorative
1st in the series
Two Series to End in 2013
BREAKING NEWS! – With the successful release of last years ‘Kringleville Fire Station’ and the much anticipated release of a fourth structure, many believed that the little town of Kringelville was on solid footing. This has proven not to be the case, as it has just been announced, that all future construction in this merry little town, the place Santa calls home, will be ceased after 2013. We attempted to contact the town architect, Ken Crow, for comment but he was unavailable as of the time of this posting.
1225 KRINGLEVILLE DRIVE
4th and Final in the Kringleville series.
Features a house with a bay window.
Slide lever to see Santa pop up and down the
chimney. Attach to a light string for optional
lighting effect. By Ken Crow. 4⅜” h.
$17.95 USA QX9025
Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive
In other news today, collectors have unilaterally shown remorse over the passing of yet another short lived Disney series. With only 5 characters represented, it was reported today that “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”, the once promising series featuring different character from the animated holiday classic of the same name, would become part of Christmas Past.
Bob Cratchet and Tiny Tim
5th and Final in the Mickey’s Christmas Carol series.
Features Bob Cratchet (Mickey Mouse) with his arms
outstretched holding Tiny Tim (Morty Fieldmouse)
in the air. By Nello Williams. 3½” w.
$17.95 USA QX9145
Holiday Salutations From the KOC
North Pole Tree Trimmers
1st in the series
Once again Hallmark has included a sneak peek of one of the forthcoming Keepsake Ornament series on the holiday card they are sending to Keepsake Ornament Club (KOC) members this year.
The front of the card depicts snow covered hills with a cluster of trees on the horizon. The first-in-a-series ‘North Pole Tree Trimmers’ ornament by Tracy Larsen is shown in the foreground at the end of a string of Christmas lights. The lights tapper off into the background and terminate on a tree being decorated.
Each ornament in the series will feature a different member of Santa’s elite tree-trimming team.
The ornament is also shown on the back of the card along with a few lines about the artist.
COVER:
Get out the light strings
and test each light.
Each one of them needs
to be shining bright.
Spread twinkling color
on glistening snow.
Switch on that wonderful
holiday glow!
INSIDE:
Hope you’re having a wonderful time making
the season shine for your family and friends!
INSIDE BOTTOM:
Dear ,
This Christmas, we’re celebrating twenty-five wonderful years of sharing the holidays with ornament lovers like you, and we look forward to many more. Thanks for making Keepsake Ornaments part of your holiday traditions.
Your friends at the Keepsake Ornament Club
BACK:
Look for this first-in-a-series
North Pole Tree Trimmers Ornament
at Ornament Premiere 2013!
Each Ornament in the series
will feature a different member
of Santa’s elite tree-trimming team.
CREATED ESPECIALLY FOR
Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club Members
The ornament featured on this card is the first in an all-new Keepsake Ornament series. It was created by Keepsake Ornament artist Tracy Larsen, who has certainly come a long way since his days as a preschooler preoccupied by art. Back then, rather than watch cartoons, he actually spent his time studying them and drawing his favorite characters! Today, Tracy uses both traditional sculpture and the world of high-tech virtual sculpture to continue the cherished tradition of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments.
INSERT:
Reveal: Heavenly Belles
Nothing says “Christmas” like the sound of bells-and this new series will ring in the season with style!
Each ornament in this series will feature a childlike angel paired with favorite holiday icons.
Heavenly Belles
1st in the series
Two Turtle Doves Pulled From Shelves
Due to a non-safety-related quality concern affecting it’s aesthetics, Two Turtle Doves, 2nd in the Twelve Days of Christmas series, has been pulled from store shelves and placed back in production.
As a result of this unexpected quality issue, this ornament will not be released until October 6.
Two Turtle Doves
2nd in the Twelve Days of Christmas series
UPDATE (7.15.12):
Although Hallmark has not released specifics regarding the aesthetic concerns that prompted them to pull the Two Turtle Doves late last week, here are some of the predominant quality issues that have been observed:
- The registration on the bird’s eyes is off (the paint doesn’t align with the sculpt).
- The gold paint, applied to accent the title and verse engraved into the birds bodies (which should have been wiped off) was left on and appears thick and blotchy.
- The lavender paint on the birds heads and tails is smudged and finger prints appear in the paint.
- The pink under paint on the birds necks and breasts is absence with the darker over spray applied directly to the unpainted piece.
- From Digital Dreambook user marylynn, “I boldly ‘went behind the curtain’ at my Hallmark store yesterday, and while I loved the sculpt, the colors were exceedingly pale – almost like a paint wash. It was a huge contrast from the bold colors of the Partridge last year. It took me a while to come to love the boldness of the Partridge’s non-traditional colors, but I did. I was expecting the same ‘tone’ this year, and was mildly disappointed. I did not see any other defects – certainly nothing to warrent a recall.”
Crystals return to the Birds
Last year, in an attempt to keep manufacturing cost down, and thus be able to maintain the $14.95 price point of the Beauty of Birds series, Hallmark decided to replace the stylistic rhinestones with glitter spots.
Almost immediately collector began to voice their discontent with this substitution. In addition to posting on Hallmark’s Facebook page and in on-line forms, collectors took their upset with them to last years “KOC 25th Class reunion” national event. In both the Sneak Peek and Artist seminar’s they asked both the artist (Edythe Kegrize) and the Retail Merchandise Manager about the change and pleaded for the return of the crystals.
As a result of this overwhelming response, Hallmark has restored the gems on this popular series. Look for them on this years Painted Bunting which will arrive in stores in time for Ornament Premiere.
Painted Bunting
8th in the Beauty of Birds series
Last year, in an attempt to keep manufacturing cost down, and thus be able to maintain the $14.95 price point of the Beauty of Birds series, Hallmark decided to replace the stylistic rhinestones with glitter spots.
Almost immediately collector began to voice their discontent with this substitution. In addition to posting on Hallmark’s Facebook page and in on-line forms, collectors took their upset with them to last years “KOC 25th Class reunion” national event. In both the Sneak Peek and Artist seminar’s they asked both the artist (Edythe Kegrize) and the Retail Merchandise Manager about the change and pleaded for the return of the crystals.
As a result of this overwhelming response, Hallmark has restored the gems on this popular series. Look for them on this years Painted Bunting which will arrive in stores in time for Ornament Premiere.
Sweet Seas Ahead
For the second time in the history of the Santa’s Sweet Ride series, Santa takes to the sea to deliver his colored sugar cube gifts, with icing bows. As with each new edition, I am always eager to find out just what sugary snacks Keepsake studio Senior Sculptor Tammy Haddix has imaginatively used to create his latest vehicle. As such I contacted her. Here are the details she shared with me.
Santa is maneuvering his lemon drop (head) submarine with Lime Jelly Slice fins, when he happens upon a Jelly (Swedish) Fish. There is red licorice vines around the hatch, white icing around the port holes and Mike and Ike’s fruit chews on the bow. An orange gumdrop and Red (Hot) hard candy propeller completes the design.
Now if that doesn’t ignite a craving in you, I don’t know what will!
Santa’s Sweet Ride
6th in the series