Holidays

Every year I like to make my own Christmas cards. I love drawing Christmas images so it’s always a fun affair! This year I decided to draw the Nativity. Now that Isaac is getting a bit older, I really want to start explaining to him the real meaning of Christmas, so it’s inspired me to remove a bit of the Santa, snowmen, and Christmas trees from the scene and bring in some meaningful imagery.

My plan for the card is to add some subtle clear glitter around the star and baby Jesus. I am then inserting some colourful holiday paper inside the white card to match the colours of the illustration. I’m considering some 3D elements for the outside of the card as well, but I need to play around with it a bit! I will have to post the final card once it’s all said and done. I also thought it might be nice to hang this illustration in Isaac’s playroom during the holiday season :)

If you’re interested in buying the print yourself or would like a card set for your own family and friends, I’ve made the illustration available in my Etsy store!

Illustration Friday
This illustration also fits perfectly with this week’s Illustration Friday theme of ‘burning’. The star that led the wise men was burning bright!

It’s time to take down your pumpkins and put up those coloured lights! Christmas is here …well, almost! But it’s definitely time to start thinking about planning parties, shopping for presents, and getting those Christmas cards organised. My mission from Wonderbra this week is to sell a custom holiday card in my Etsy store where all proceeds go to charity. I love this mission! There is such a great spirit to it and it allows me to give back using my art. The charity I’ve chosen to support is Compassion International. My work is centered around children and so is this charity. “Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.” My son is so blessed to be born into a comfortable life where all his needs are met. As a mother, I cannot imagine the feeling of not being able to provide for my child. This charity means a lot to me so I hope you are able to help out!

How to WIN a Customized and Signed Set of Cards!
I am selling this skating card featuring two fun-spirited children enjoying the winter wonderland that surrounds them. The card is sold in a pack of 5 for $15 (plus shipping) in my Etsy store. And as a bonus, for each person that purchases a set (before Dec 1st), their name will go into a draw to win an extra set of cards that have been glittered and signed by yours truly :) The cards will be on sale until the end of the holiday season but the draw for the bonus set will be made on December 1st and express shipped to the winner. And again, all proceeds from the sale of this card set will go to Compassion International.

The other night at the dining room table, I asked asked Isaac what he wanted for Christmas and we concluded that he wanted a puppy, candy, and the moon! Well I can provide ONE of those three things :)

I like to start my Christmas shopping early so I don’t get left waiting in long lineups. I also imagine I’ll be doing a lot of my Christmas shopping with Isaac by my side, and as a toddler who has less patience for shopping than my hubby (this is a scary thought), I need to be quick and efficient with every trip. I have a couple friends who have already completed their Christmas shopping – amazing is all I can say! I can only really begin to wrap my head around the idea nearing the end of October.

So what’s on Isaac’s wish list this year besides a puppy, candy, and the moon? Well I’m sure if he could talk a bit more he’d ask for all kinds of other toys but thankfully I’m still mostly in control of what enters this little kid’s world :) I want to keep things well rounded so I’m getting him one ‘toy’, one book, one creative activity, and one article of clothing. We try to keep things simple for Christmas so we can remember to reflect on the real reason for this time of year. I’m being a bit unconventional with his toy this year. I’m going to be buying him the Plan Toys Chalet Dollhouse. He’s a very boyish boy and loves his trucks and trains but he is also super creative and imaginative and has already begun making up little stories with characters and scenes. I think this ‘chalet’ would be a perfect outlet for creative stories with little characters (and not to mention that he already has a TON of trucks and trains!).

What’s on your kid’s Christmas wish lists this year?

Special Note! To help out with your gift giving, I am going to be announcing a HUGE art print sale in my Etsy store this week, just in time to get started on your Christmas shopping. Be sure to check back mid week to get more details!

This is my submission for this week’s Illustration Friday‘s theme, ‘Spooky’. I’m debating whether or not to take my little guy out for trick or treating this year. He’ll be turning two on November 1st but I still don’t think he’ll really understand what’s going on and I don’t really want to expose him to the ‘scary’ side of Halloween. We’ve walked in a few stores lately with goary zombies and body parts laying around and he seems a bit cautious of it all. I’d like to keep it simple and fun for him so we might end up attending a kiddy halloween party instead where everyone will be dressed in cute/happy costumes :)

What age did you start bringing your little ones out for trick or treating?

The most wonderful time of year is just around the corner so it’s about time to get started on those Christmas cards! Paperworks Co. and I have collaborated on a new collection of 6 Christmas stamps. This collection is getting some great feedback so I really hope you like them. I’d love to hear which is your favorite. I think I’m particularly drawn to the little girl holding the snow globe :)

I also wanted to post this beautiful card designed by Sylvia over at Mabie Stampin’. I was drawn to the delicate colours and simplicity of the design! If you’ve made a card with one of my Christmas stamps, I’d love for you to post a link in the comments.

And if you act fast, you can receive an additional 10% off any of the stamps in the collection if you order this weekend! Simply enter the promo code “PWCOXMAS” when you checkout. This offer is valid until Monday night (Oct 18th).