Friday, December 9, 2011

Time Out for Christmas Cards

One of my favorite traditions at Christmas time is sending and receiving cards. I love it even more in this digital age when so much of our communication is online. This year I decided to make cards.


To make the cards, I first made some simple styrofoam stamps and then have been using a combination of collage and painted wash backgrounds for the cards. An old Christmas song book has been a wonderful source of cheerful messages and beautiful design elements.


My homemade cards are not perfect, which to me is part of the allure in these times of the mass produced, perfectly polished aesthetic.





Making cards gives me an excuse to do art during a busy time, and share a small piece of my creativity with those I love. My paint party Friday friends may wonder about the actual painting involved in making these cards -- and I'll admit I've missed connecting with you and wanted to check in. Plus, I did use watercolor for the backgrounds and acrylic for the stamping!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you're all finding a way to make art in the busy holiday season!

12 comments:

  1. Smashing set of cards Debbie. Happy PPF, x

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  2. Lovely! Really like the use of the songbook - very nice touch.

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  3. I love your cards, they are adorable!! I also enjoy doing cards, but lately It hasn't been possible. I will try to make tome and do some. Happy PPF!

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  4. your cards are inspiring, what a lovely idea! And they are beautiful.

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  5. Love these handmade cards...all the layers and limited palettes. Very rich!

    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  6. Wonderfully creative cards ~ your family and friends are lucky to have you ~thanks, namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF

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  7. beautiful cards debbie. Very creative. Homemade cards for me are the sweetest and most personal. you've done a great job. :)

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  8. Very creative - I would love to receive & display one of these cards. They are so much more beautiful than the mass-produced cardshop cards.

    xox

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  9. Your cards are wonderful, and you're right, so much better than mass produced perfection.

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  10. LOVE your wonderful and creative cards! Hapy PPF!

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  11. i'm glad you shared your cards. i love the look of your cards specially because i am a very messy stamper and cannot get a clear neat image. your cards show me i don't have to have a neat image to make beautiful cards. merry Christmas and thanks for sharing!
    hugs,
    peggy aplSEEDS

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