Holiday Cards — a look back.

Thought I'd share how my Christmas cards have evolved over the years 

as well as my inspirations that helped create them.

2010 Inspiration: Paper and Cake

Copy: I had "Wizard of Oz" in my head

Printed using: UPrinting.com

2009 Inspiration: Minted.com

Copy: inspired by the rare picture captured of my sons hugging each other.

Challenge: I couldn't find the bubble font used on the Minted cards so I created it myself. Tedious.
(The bubble font is actually called "Budmo" free on dafont.com)

Printed using: vistaprint.com

2008 Inspiration: the Photobooth outside of Monkey Joe's on International Drive.

Printed using: my inkjet printer

Assembly required: trimmed each card and glued ribbon

2007 Inspiration: All the fun pictures of the kids. I couldn't pick just one!

Printed using: Walgreens Photo

 2006 Inspiration: Again, all the funny pictures of the kids.

Copy: Jackson wasn't talking at all yet, but I just knew this is what he was thinking.

Printed using: Walgreens

Assembly required: glued the letter to the back of each card.

2005 Inspiration: My need to keep up with the Joneses and do an expensive card.
Purchased from: Exposures with pre-printed greeting on the inside.
Lesson Learned: Too expensive. Decided I could have done it better myself.

2004 Inspiration: I was scrapbooking at the time, hence the paint, stamps and embellishments.

2003 is a blur. 

2002 Inspiration: The year I discovered Paper Source.
This was my first talking baby. I was going for a Forrest Gump feel.

An heirloom to treasure.

This past November, my kids' school held their annual Fall Festival and Silent Auction. I donated my services as a Silent Auction Item— offering a "ewe"nique opportunity for someone to buy a mixed media reproduction of their own home. 

David White and his wife Kelly bid on my item and won! I gave them the painting all wrapped up on Christmas Eve. Here is their home.

The White's House

11"x14" Mixed-Media Acrylic on Stretch Canvas 

The thoughtful details:

• Pages from an old book wrap the walls of the home;

• balsa wood columns add dimension to the front porch;

• a painted burlap matt is a welcoming added detail, while the fabric window simplifies the look;

• felted wool, yarn, pom-poms and buttons depict the lush landscape;

• the exaggerated roof was created using molding paste, acrylics and a pallet knife;

• masking tape and acrylics create a subdued sky.

• and finally, paper pulp was used to create a 3D tree that embraces the home; 

The meaning behind the expressionist style:

I drew a distorted home with exaggerated lines and angles, and added colorful accents to simplify the look and make it fun. At first glance, it's a simple home, but as you look more closely the thoughtful details are revealed. To me it almost looks like someone has given the home a big hug with a tight squeeze (just like my kids give to me). I'm sure the White's house has a lot of love in it. That's what makes a house a "Home".

What Christmas means to me.

Well, on the surface,
it's hustling and bustling from morning to night.
It's shopping and spending
'til our credit card balances reach new highs.

I've had fun holiday crafting and painting
and wrapping presents galore.
I've gone overboard baking
and eating Christmas cookies until I think I'll burst,
and then... maybe just one more:)

It's our little elf on a Shelf who's been visiting us each day.
And my son Jackson who, on Christmas Eve,
cried when he found out (our elf) "Pluto" had to go away.
Back up to the North Pole we told Jackson
as his eyes welled up with tears.
He said sadly, "I will miss him
and I don't want to wait to see him another year."

It's the Christmas Eve worship service
that moved my heart to sing.
Oh thank God for giving us Jesus our King!

Beyond all the tree trimming and presents and decorations
Christmas is really about love and joy and celebration.

Carolers came to our door tonight bringing good cheer.
We all gathered around to listen
and I thanked God right then for such a precious moment
to remember why we're all here.

Yes, Christmas is about being with family and friends
and giving and receiving thoughtful cards and gifts.
I can't wait til next year so we can do it all again!

But truly the greatest gift we've been given is life.
And the way we choose to live it is our gift to Him.

Merry Christmas.

The Holly Jolly Holiday Party!

 I'm happy to report that Addie's Holly Jolly Holiday Party was a smashing success! The girls had a delightful "Crafternoon" making yarn wreaths. The perfect craft for a lively group of 7 year olds. We'll have to do this again next year!

Simple Holiday Decor— Day 5

I'm keeping the decorations simple for the holidays this year. I got this handmade Merry Christmas garland last January on sale at Anthropologie. I just love it and couldn't wait to hang it eleven months later. The red lacquer wreath is from the Magnolia Company. My old high school friend, Matt Roth, runs the Magnolia Company and his red lacquer wreath was hung in the White House in 2009! Thanks Matt— your wreath made it to MY mantel this year!

My favorite little birds were on a shelf in another room. I made little polka-dot scarves for them and set up a wintery scene with twigs and branches and light-up trees. The stars on the stairwell were hung outside last year. I like them better inside!

Hope you have as much fun decorating as I have! 

Mixed-Media Holiday Workshop— Day 9

"Joy"

18"x24" Mixed-Media on wood

Ok, so none of my friends are the creative types, but I thank my lucky stars that their daughters are! Way back in October the extremely talented Jennifer McCully hosted a VERY FUN Mixed-Media Mom's Night Out holiday workshop  and I couldn't wait to attend with my friend Shona's daughter—Claire. We used wrapping papers, scrapbook papers, acrylics and any other embellishments we brought along to make these adorable wall hangings. Loved every minute of it! Thanks for joining me Claire! Everyone created such wonderful pieces, I just had to share.

Host a Holly Jolly Holiday Party— Day 13

Tis' the Season— I'm hosting a Holly Jolly Holiday Party for my friend Carolyn's daughter— Addie. Addie is in first grade and loves making crafts! So she and five of her closest (and luckiest) friends are going to spend a Holly Jolly Holiday Crafternoon with me on December 21st. We're going to make special gifts for Mom and Dad while snacking on cupcakes and punch. Be sure to check back on party day for details and party pictures:)

Christmas Tree Painting— Day 17

"Christmas Tree" Painting by Jackson Crownover

I was out in my studio on Sunday night painting after dinner when Jackson came in and announced that he wanted to paint a picture with me. I was thrilled! My sons never want to do anything crafty with or without me! So I seized the opportunity and quickly got him all set up at the table with paints, brushes and the works. I turned on some cartoons and he happily painted the Christmas tree I sketched for him. When I could see he was starting to lose interest, I pulled out some candy canes to give him a little surge of energy and then helped him finish up the project. He was very proud when he finished and said, "Mommy, I fink you should put dis on your bwog."... so I did.

I made the fuzzy yarn retro light wreath on Sunday too. Wrapped some floral wire around the wreath and added the felt light cutouts. Another easy project to do with kids (if they're interested in crafty stuff— which mine are not.)

Be merry!

Count-Down Calendars—Day 22

A Christmas Countdown Calendar made using toilet paper rolls. Yes, really! I've been collecting TP rolls for a long time because I know Jackson's kindergarten teacher will be asking for them at some point for a school craft, but mostly because I've always felt like there was something really creative I could do with them. Such lovely little cardboard cylinders. I hate to even recycle them. And I finally found it! I got this great idea for a Christmas count-down calendar from the very talented Maya over at Maya Made. Genius, I tell you! And it was so fun to make. Thanks Maya for the inspiration!

Here are a couple of shots of my work in progress. Plus, I'm giving away the countdown numbers below as well! If you're a fellow TP hoarder, hop on over to the Maya Made bog for complete instructions on the Countdown Calendar how to.

Count-Down Calendar numbers just for you!

And now for the Christmas Countdown Calendar the kids love...

The Lego City Advent Calendar is a HUGE hit at our house this year! The boys can't wait to wake up and find out what Lego prize they get to put together each day. It's a hot commodity this year!  I called every Toys R Us and Target in Orlando looking for it and finally found it for $34.99 at Target. There are several different versions to choose from online. We just love it!

Be jolly!