Again, I know I’m taking the week off to work on Mankind Mag [it's looking SPECTACULAR, by the way], but I couldn’t help but post this sweet little illo I received from Sarajo this morning.

Hello, 2009! You’re almost here!

Link: Sarajo Frieden.

I know I said I wouldn’t be posting for the week, but Bernard [left] and George [right] have been nagging me all morning to share this photo with you.

One of our Christmas gifts to our parents was a 2009 calendar full of monthly photo shoots of our dogs [clearly, we have no children yet]. And in case you’re wondering, yes, the photo shoot took quite a bit of time and an endless supply of crackers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Link: January on Flickr

Time to call it a year! I’ve got loads of surprises in store for you in 2009 and can’t wait to share them with you, but first, I’ll be taking some much needed time off to prepare for the re-brand release of Mankind! I’ll return January 5th, so until then, be sure to take some time off yourself and enjoy your friends/families. Stay away from that Google Reader!

I can’t thank you enough for such a fantastic 2008 and am so so thrilled to be joining you in inspiring this lovely community in 2009.

As a TINY token of my thanks, The Husband has designed a cute little holiday video from our home to yours, inspired by Gemma’s pattern in Issue Six of Mankind Mag.

Enjoy our small gift of appreciation and we’ll see you in 2009! Love to you all.

If you know someone resolving to save a nest egg for 2009, this is the perfect gift! Comment below to win a lovely ceramic egg bank [I totally love this!], valued at $85.

Good luck to all giveaway entries— winners will be notified via email!

Link: Spunky Sprout

Oooh, this is a goodie. Tilman has kindly donated my very favorite print from his collection— comment below to win! Remember– WHO would you gift this print to and WHY?

Thanks, Tilman!

Link: Tilman Faelker

Yay! Second giveaway today— ‘Beer and Laundry’ print, graciously donated by Viewville [$150 value!]— I sort of want to keep this one for myself, so if anyone needs a gift recipient, you know who to comment for. ;)

Link: Viewville.com

Oh, wall decals. Can’t live without them, especially if you’re a very fickle renter. Good news! Brazil-based decal pros Gecko are offering a Design for Mankind reader their choice of ANY wall decal from Gecko’s site. Choose your decal and comment below who you’d like to gift it to!

Winner will be notified via email— good luck!

Link: GECKO

…if you love free stuff! Today is giveaway day with FOUR final freebies for you! Check back from 10am-1pm to enter, and good luck!

Link: Flickr

I’m having a rough bout with food poisoning and can barely type this out, so I’ll be out for the day. If you’ve commented in the last few days, I’ll respond as soon as I can, and thank you so much for your emails! They absolutely make my day. :)

Have a wonderful weekend— I’ll be nursing myself back to health for a hopeful Monday return!

Link: Ping Pong

Yay! Thursday of another fun giveaway week, and today’s product is kindly donated by my fine friends at Knock Knock, which is the funnest place for gifts EVER!

For the practical gift-givers, we’re offering a $21 Greeting Card Organizer [which I happen to love dearly!]. Comment below to win— WHO would you gift this to and WHY?

Good luck! Winners will be contacted via email!

Link: Knock Knock.