I gotta tell ya, I’m not a fan of the whole holiday season. I think it’s overextended, overhyped and these days almost entirely nothing to do with why it started in the first place. I think there’s a lot of pressure to be happy and family oriented {when many people don’t have access to either and the pressure makes it worse}, to spend a lot of money, overeat, overdrink {yes that’s a word}, and do a bunch of things you quite frankly, if you were really honest about it, don’t care about a whole lot. {Office party, anyone?} Not to mention that round these parts it tends to be very cold and well, wintry, which just isn’t ‘my’ season, you know? I’m a summer girl through and through.
So I’m bypassing the OTT decorations, shops full of deals and offers and bright lights, nerve-jangling adverts about the ‘must have’ things to buy, and sending a hundred cards that are just going to end up in the bin. I’m not going to buy a tree or spend more than probably one day at home with my family.
BUT, before you slap me down as a bah humbug Scrooge type person, I also believe that beauty can be found everywhere if you look discerningly enough and make choices that feed you. I did feel myself going down the cynical misery-and-despair route for a while there, but then I thought, I can just pick out and make the most of the bits I do like, and leave the rest. {Little life lesson there.} After all, this is really about just one day.
So I’m making a few cards for family and very close friends, I’m making or buying a few very specific gifts for them {without going anywhere near a high street ~ internet I love you so}, and the time I do spend with my family I intend to keep short and enjoy every minute. This year I’m not bowing to obligation or ‘shoulds’ and it’s not because I don’t care, it’s because I do.
Rant over.
Here are the cards I’ve been making. I used the same process as before {well, if you have a good idea you may as well run with it}.
First I painted a piece of watercolour paper with blues and teals.
Then I stamped over it using a snowflake stamp I made last year and gesso.The brayer was covered in paint from a previous project and made this interesting pattern. It does not always behoove us to clean up, evidently. {Amen to that.}
Then I cut up the snowflakes and stuck them onto blank cards. That’s pretty much it.
This is such a ridiculously quick and satisfying thing to do. I recommend.
Et voila.
An entire post about a certain day without mentioning said day. {We don’t use the C word round here. Well, not til it’s actually here, anyway.}
ay-freakin’-men, sistah!
i am hearing you loud and clear on this one.
this year i have given myself permission to NOT do so many Things-Relating-To-The-C-Word and quite frankly, it’s improved my outlook on The Holidays immensely.
i do think i’ll have a go at those cards, though…..
xo
Fantastic! I love this idea. And here’s to keeping the holidays simple!
I really love these! They inspire me! Thank you!
Loving the simplicity of these.
I’m another who enjoys the spirit of the season, but can’t get into the hype. I no longer make loads of cards, I donate the cash to a charity instead, and just make a couple of cards for special people.
The cards are just beautiful1 what amazing textures!
I totally agree! I’m all for keeping Christmas a simple affair. I also love the cards you are creating…very special!
I really like your technique and the resulting cards are very pretty and unique…lovely!
Gwen xx
I love your cards! I’m making my own cards this year using scrapbooking paper and stencils, but next year … I’m stealing your idea! I love it!
I think you are thinking right! I am so glad I read this post because it really spoke to me and I’m going to take some of your advice. Particularly with the cards and the visits. I always feel as if I am turning myself inside out, for what?
WOW great post. And those cards are amazing.
Totally agree with you! One way we cut down on the stress was to visit out of town people AFTER the holidays. That way gifts were cheaper and the stress was gone. So instead of spending most of a day in a car to see people for a few hours during the holidays when time seems so much more precious (or overbooked) we do it in January. So much nicer then! Your snowflakes rock!
You’ve made a lot of great points here! I found you through AEDM (congrats on being the first to sign in) and love your style. Your cards are beautiful and I appreciate you sharing the process with great pics!
Well said, and lovely cards.
these cards are so pretty! Happy AEDM!
The meaning has definitely got lost amongst all the glitz and tinsel….love your cards, very simple and very effective. Blessings, Amanda
Great idea. I’ll have to have a go at this. Can totally see how Christmas can become overwhelming and so consumerist now. I’m looking forward to my first Christmas in Germany where it seems to be much more about old traditions, light, handcrafts and gluhwein than mad shopping for things no one wants!
I love how deliciously cold and frosty these look. Gorgeous!
While I appreciate your rant and can appreciate the sentiment, I do love my Christmas traditions! 🙂 I love putting up my tree and unwrapping those ornaments from my mom and that I’ve collected over the years. I have a Santa collection that’s 30 years old and I treasure putting them out for a month and remembering where each one of the 60 Santas came from. I absolutely adore having my grown boys come over Christmas morning to have breakfast, exchange gifts and play games all day. I thoroughly enjoy making most of my gifts and can’t wait to give them.
That said, I totally agree that all the commercialization and hype and sales and ads are just out of control. I ignore them. The last couple years I’ve made digital cards and emailed them, but this year I’m considering hand making a few for close friends and family since I’ve become newly invigorated with my arty self. Love your hand carved stamp – certainly not something I’ve attempted yet!
Pretty cards, great thoughts and I agree!
The cards are beautiful and I am sure you will have an amazing Christmas with the new plan in place…we actually stepped back a few years ago now and follow a different path as a family and we love our quiet restful christmas… hope it works for you as well
Lovely little cards. I love that “wet” texture gives the snowflakes that frost effect like you see in windows during the winter. In places that get cold. Unlike my neck of the woods, where today it was 80 degrees!
Hi Tara – really enjoyed reading your post – love your homemade card. Going to give it a go myself – never made a stamper before so should be fun 🙂 -thanks for the inspiration x
Your cards are really gorgeous!! Lucky recipients.
Coincidentally I’ve just blogged about the C word too lol! We’re opting out this year and going away which will be a real treat. I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments about Christmas – far too materialistic and it is NOT the reason for the season!!