Christmas is rapidly approaching and many people send cards, either real ones or virtual. This thread is an opportunity to create your own Christmas or holiday card and then post it to send greetings to all your friends at Drawspace.

I had considered the option of a real exchange of cards, but know that the extra expense to individuals would perhaps make it more difficult, especially at that time of year. Also it would have to be limited to 20 people to keep costs down, so a virtual exchange will take place instead.

THE RULES

1. The card should be a creation of your own, not a copy of an existing holiday card.
2. You may use any medium that you choose. Draw, paint, use anything you want to create your holiday card.
3. There is no limit to the numbers of people who may take part. Everyone is welcome to join in and at every level of experience.
4. There will be no critiques of work, your card will be simply an expression of the season, whatever that means to you and is there to be enjoyed by everyone.
5. The timeline for completion of the cards is December 15th. Cards should not be posted onto the thread before that date. On December 15th, all cards will be posted.

No registration is required, just join in if you want! So start thinking holiday season!

Jeanette ....That is such a cool idea ..I LOVE this ...what better way to say Merry Christmas to someone ...all I can say is i will be thinking what to draw .. and one question .. if the card opens do we post the outside and inside like two seperate pictures ?

Yes, you can post an inside and outside if you have them. Just keep them in the same post.

shame that we couldnt send them in the post as that would be so cool but i love so many people on here would take me ages!! and i dont have much money its a real shame!!

I thinks its a great idea too. thanks islander.
Lori

Bumping this up so more people may be inspired to get involved in this project!

Fantastic idea!

I have a couple of seasonal oil paintings to add to the fun! Thank you Jeanette! You rock!

Big hug,
Brenda

Oh perfect Brenda! I can't wait to see them! You're a gem, as always.

This sounds like a wonderful idea. thank you Jeanette.
Paulette

what way is best to send the card? Mail, Scan & email, fax?

You should attach it to a post in this thread Brother Wolf. If you need help attaching photos, please let me know and I'll explain how to do it.

wowowowowow

i love this idea!!!!!!!!
come on people, come on!!!!!!!!
sharpen ur pecils,
dip ur brushes in molten snow
its merry christmas
and a happy new year

Great that you're enthused about it lovefire! Can't wait to see the submissions for this thread in December!

I'm psyched (sp?) about this project too & have been planning the card in my mind. Great idea!

J

You know i usually only go all out for Christmas decorations. I haven't gotten into all of the others and don't decorate for them. I can't wait til the weekend after Thanksgiving when I do major clean up and put up my decorations. I am sure once I get it all done I can take many a digital pictures to come up with the best still life drawing for a perfect card.

Are man its my birthday before Christmas its next week an year older umm

You know Jeanette I learned some cool tricks for making Christmas cards with water colors today and got so excited about it I decided to keep doing it after my class. So I finished it and look and we can't post before the 15th!??? That sucks!!! LOL
I hate, hate, hate waiting. I am VERY inpatient. Did I ever tell you all that I named my youngest daughter Patience to remind myself I contantly need to use Patience more? LOL her name is Patience Marie. All well I guess I have to wait another OMG a month from yesterday!!!! Ok I am cooling it. I will try to hide it somewhere where it will receive no damage and HOPE I do not forget about it and lose it..
Toodles....

cant wait to see it venus, i know it will be beautiful. Patience is a beautiful name. that is a awesome story.
Lori

I think this is a great idea.

If any of you make extra cards, you might want to think about sending some overseas to the troops. The scrapbook store that I go to is collecting cards to send over there. It makes me feel good to think that I'm not selfishly making the cards for just me. Those guys really appreciate anything from home!

Good idea painter48. If you have any contact information perhaps you can let people know if they should get in touch with you to find out where they could send cards for troops.

If anyone is interested, you can pm me and I will get back to you with the information. Thanks....Joane

I am turning off the computer right now, so I can get started... I too wish we could send them snail mail, do to the fact that this is my first Christmas away from family and receiving mail is about the most exciting thing on this island. This is such a brilliant idea, without breaking our pocket books.

I agree painter48! Sending holiday greetings to our troops is a wonderful idea and very close to my heart.

My son is serving in Afghanistan, and I know first hand how very precious sentiments from home are to him and his friends over there. I’ve been trying to figure out how to get greeting to the troops, but so far have had little luck. The general consensus from those with whom I have spoken is to simply drop off cards to your nearest military base and they take care of sending them on from there at no charge to you. This apparently works for Canada, but I suspect each country has its own dissemination methods.

If anyone has information on how to get cards to troops (of any country) overseas, please feel free to post the information here. Also, keep in mind that diverse religions celebrate holidays other than Christmas during this time of year. A non-specific Happy Holidays greeting can also be created for those who are of other faiths.

Brenda (with three boxes of Christmas stuff heading overseas to my son tomorrow)

We did this last year (in another forum) for the troops but I can't find the addy of the woman who mailed them for us. However, I did find the following:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?arti...281474976810709

Scroll down just past the first paragraph or so to get to the information.

We can send cards to Joane's club and maybe even adopt a soldier from that link to keep on supporting if anyone wants to.

J

I love this idea even if I am new . Sign me up:D.

You're on Pammy!

tyvm

A little reminder that anyone who has a Christmas or holiday greeting that they wish to share can be posted in this thread starting tomorrow. If you miss a day or two, that's fine, just post before December 25th.

I can't wait to see what people have created. Oh the excitement!!!

Its 12:38 A.M. My time LOL ....so I guess I am the first to put my card up ....I did two things with this drawing ... one I took Jeanettes advice and went outside my comfort zone big time .. cause there is a tree .. and I just dont do trees LOL ...and two A house ...so this have been a learning and fun card all around .

I do want to say .. that so many of you here at DS have been just super sweet and I am wishing you today to have a merry Christmas .. but the days after I wish you good health and happiness ...Love you all ...Kim

Kim, you've found a new comfort zone! The tree sure looks like a tree to me and those pines/spruce/fir with snow are soooooo difficult to do.

Its a lovely card, I hope you print it and send it to family and friends.

kim your card is so beautiful. i really love it. i would buy that in a store for sure. great job. you do magic with those pencils.
well here is my card. i tried painting the letters and messed them up a little and the color of the bulbs isnt right because i couldnt see them when i painted them and i am not very good at painting yet so...
Lori

Merry Christmas to all of drawspace. It's been a great two months, I've learned so much from all of you. Your dedication and kindness are beyond compare. Thank you for being here.
Paulette[attachmentid=1283]

Kim and Lori,
Your cards are beautiful! I love the house Kim. Lori your Santa looks so kind and I love the lights arond your words.
Paulette

Nice job everyone! Kim, I don't think there's a subject you can't draw. Lori, your santa is kind looking and the subject is so typically Christmas! Paulette, what a great bell/ornament on that tree. Very wll done, all of you!

Here is mine - the cat was done in colored pencils, the tree branch and ribbon were hand-drawn but done digitally. The text is from the computer.




Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy & prosperous New Year to all!

J

Beautiful J-Lynn, you must have a tree climbing cat. Ours like to hide under it, but luckily don't climb.
Paulette

Wow! I'll be checking this page throughout today and enjoying all the fantabulous greetings. These cards look VERY professional! We have the best art community in the world! You guys are amazing!

My offerings are done in oil. The first is my daughter's dog Shadow, who really does have one brown eye and one blue eye (However the antlers are not part of the real dog - duhhhh) (Grin)! The second is a little elf based on a childhood photo of one of my former students.

As anyone can see by looking at the cards posted earlier, the best part of honing one's technical drawing skills is being comfortable with taking an otherwise mundane subject, and transforming it into something from your imagination.

The kitty is Purrrrr-fect (I couldn't resist)! Gee, I love being in a community with artists!

Brenda

Hi,
Kim your snow scene is great! Racedolls and Paulette your cards are wonderful. J-Lynn I love the cat!

Here is my effort, I drew it freehand with colored pencils using three separate coloring book pictures for reference. I then laminated the drawing and placed it in my office window as a Christmas card for my co-workers.

I would like to wish all of the Drawsapce family a heartfelt Merry Christmas. Since joining the site you guys have inspired me to draw more than I ever have! I am drawing now practically every day and I can see an improvement in my skills.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[attachmentid=1290]

Brenda,
You are an inspiration to us all! Your daughter must be very pleased with her dog.
Twincedar,
Your cats made me laugh. I'm sure your co-workers have been delighted seeing them.
Paulette

I love seeing everyone's different cards. Each one is beautiful in its own right.

Lori, the Santa and girl are lovely. They reflect the spirit of the season.
Paulette, I love the ornament, so simple and classic.
J-lynn - the cat in the tree is wonderful. I love how thee eyes reflect the colour of the greenery.
Brenda, that dog is something else! Its precious. And the elf girl - those eyes just pull me right into the picture. Georgeous work.
Twincedar, those singing cats are just perfect. What a great image!

Here is mine. This was drawn from a little glass ornament that I have on my tree each year. Its done in pen and ink with a little coloured pencil.

[attachmentid=1292]

thanks everyone and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Paulette-- that is a beautiful card. you did a great job.
J-lynn nice job as usual, i love the kitty and how you incorporated your letters. it all fits great.
brenda simply amazing. i really love both cards. you are an inspiration for sure.
twicedar that is awesome. i really loved it--looks so fun and snowy.
Jeanette- really beautiful, i love snowmen, i think they are great.
Lori

Paulette, the cat is from a WetCanvas drawing challenge as my cat died a couple of years ago & I just don't have the heart to get another one. I didn't have a lot of time for making a card so chose the recently finished cat.

Brenda, I love both of your paintings but must say that I've seen the little elf before & have always loved it. As a matter of fact, searching for the artist behind her led me to your website. You're just terrific!

Twincedar! How cute! I had to refresh a couple of times to see your drawing but it was worth the wait! Know your co-workers love it too! How thoughtful of you!

Jeanette, I love the stippling on your drawing! I can't imagine having the patience for that. It's unique and so very well-done! (as if you would do less!)

Can't wait to see the rest of the cards!

J

HI everyone and Merry Christmas!!!!!

WOW It's great to see such beautiful cards they are precious.....It's amazing to see how everybody "feels" Christmas..
Brenda the elf is gorgeous.....
Kim...I jus love the tree...it's perfect..
Lori HO HO HO... Like Jeanett said...exacly the spirit of this holiday
Paulette It's great..I don't have any words to describe...they are all fantastic...
J-Lynn...the eyes are so expressive...love them
Twincedar..I laughed so hard...it's perfect...THe joy of christmas..I'll bet that everyone at work loved it
Jeanett how did you do that? I think you worket a lot on that with tose dots....superb...

I just want to wish everyone MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

And my drawing......(my first original drawing...so be gentle...)

[attachmentid=1295]

I really wanted to contribute to this because it crystalizes my wishes to everyone here in this artistic community for peace and hope in this holiday season and in the coming brand new year. As usual, I was multitasking as I wanted to find out what my unused watercolor pencils could do, so this is a "Grandma Moses" effect but with sincere wishes to you all.

[attachmentid=1296]

Ho ho ho!!!!
Maire

Jeanette,
Very classic, I love the pen and coloured pencils together.
Deea,
No need to be gentle, she is adorable, good job!
Maire,
You've caught the essence of the holiday.... Laughing children. I can't get over how vibrant the colours are with the water colour pencils.
Paulette

Thanks J, doing stippling is quite relaxing actually. You get into a rhythm and it doesn't take forever to do, but I love the effect it gives.

Deea, thank you. how did I do the stippling? Lots and lots of dots. This was a .30 pen but I usually use a smaller one such as an .18 or even .13 to get fine detail, but I was in a hurry with this one. Your drawing is beautiful, don't doubt it. It has an illustrative look to it that works well.

Maire, the colours and busyness of the image is perfect and captures the season beautifully.

Thanks Paulette. Yes a little colour with the pen and ink seems to work, doesn't it?

I finally this morning broke down and put up the Christmas tree for the little woman. It looked so cute I took a picture of it(#1).So this will be my C'tmas card to all you guys and gals here.".It's amazing to see how everybody "feels" Christmas.. "Funny you should say that! This is how the same tree looked after the second cup of eggnod(#2)
#1[attachmentid=1298]
#2[attachmentid=1299]

That's just so pretty Ted. Thanks for putting it up and thanks for sharing it with everyone. It looks very Christmassy. I still have yet to get out any decorations...this weekend...

You know, you could have a whole series of 'eggnog images' It could be a real hit!

OMGOSH !!! I do not know where to begin ....they are all so prefect ... we are a talented bunch lol .
Lori ...your santa is very nice .. cheerful looking and I love it
Paulette I love the graphite bell ....and the reason for the season engraved like on the front ...very nice
J Lynn ....I so am in love with that card ... so very sweet ..excellent job hun
Brenda ...I really love the dog ... he is so cute ... beautiful work
Lori T ....the cats are so sweet ... i love the one holding the giant candy cane lol .. very cute .
Jeanette I really enjoyed your card ... and it looks like a old style drawing .. make christmas warmer if that makes any sense lol
Deea....your girl santa is soo very cute I love her she looks like she stepped out of a coloring book
Marie ....gotta love the kids with santa ....the scene is so happy looking .. nice job
Tehobu.....lovely Christmas tree

Merry Christmas everyone ....

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope the Holidays treat each and every member of Draw Space with love, kindness, family, and joyous feelings throughout the whole of the Holiday season. May your Children be home, your families safe, and your Holidays be WONDERFUL!

WOW! We did good I'm so glad we all did this! Lovely work ya'll. It feels like Christmas on here. LOL

This was such a great idea! I have really enjoyed it! Thanks Islander for coming up with the idea and your card was wonderful! How many hours of work went into it? Breanda's paintings were terrific! I loved the dog!
Maire, Tehobu, Pammy, Kim, Paulette4, your cards were great! If I haven't mentioned your card in a previous reply and left you out of this one I apologize but all of the cards were great and hopefully many more will be submitted!

Tehobu,
You have a lovely Christmas tree.
Pammy,
Your sleigh looks ready to be hitched up, I knew you coould pull it off. I love the added snow.
Paulette