Christmas card and wishes

Good morning friends!

Time seems to be hurtling towards Christmas.. and so today I thought I'd share a card with you, to wish you all a very merry Christmas.
I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Christmas Card 2015

Making and painting a card using Saunders Waterford paper

Do you still write letters, or do you only stay in contact via email?
I still like to write a letter every now and then.
So when I do, I paint a little card to go along with it, to make it extra special.

I take a piece of Saunders Waterford paper 140lb, Rough. Size wise - about 8x 11inches.
Fold it in half and run a ruler down the fold line to make a proper crease, that works like a hinge. Then the card will sit flat when you pop it in an envelope - and stand up like a bought card when the recipient opens it.

Once that's done, I tape it down to my drawing board, like so

The reason for this, is once you paint the card and take the tape off, it leaves a lovely neat edge which enhances the painting.
The tape is low tack masking tape, specifically designed for painters. 

Something like this:

and somewhere in the world, someone will be opening a card like this, very soon.
Why not make your own and send it out in the world? I know it'll be appreciated. 

A few painted cards

Good morning my blogger friends!

Gosh, it's been hectic round here. There's been a book launch and birthday party (see HERE ) and now I'm posting out some thank you cards.

So what have I got to show you on the painting front?
I've got a few painted cards that I made, that I can show you, because they have arrived at their destination. I have no non card related paintings. I do hope you'll enjoy these - and once Christmas is all over, I hope to get back into my blogging routine!

This card was made as a 'thank you' to the ebookpartners, Matt and Diana Horner, who helped me get my novel out there, ready for sale.

and a thank you card for my editor, Diane

a birthday card for a good friend, Hayley

Then, a Christmas card for the wonderful illustrator, Teresa Palomar Lois, who designed the cover of my novel, All in the Leaves.

and finally, a card for my Painting Friend - in our Christmas card exchange.

I hope you've enjoyed viewing my recent artistic efforts. I'm looking forward to seeing yours, soon x

MissyCard

Good morning friends!
It's the time of year to be painting my Christmas cards, which means there isn't a lot of painting to show you!

But, I can show you one - that's because it's going to be the card for my OH.

Here it is - loosely based on our darling Missy

MissyCard

Card Exchange

We've recently had a card exchange over at Painting Friends. 
We have two, Autumn (Fall) and Christmas.

We all paint a card and then are given a Friend to exchange with.
This year, I was fortunate to receive two cards: Bonnie when she was given my name, decided a big pot of soup (and the recipe inside the card) was just right for me. It was! I love to cook from scratch, so this was perfect. I'm buying the ingredients this weekend.

Then, because she was on holiday in New England at the time, she painted a scene of the colour changes in that area. Simply beautiful.

Wasn't I the fortunate one? :)

For my part of the Exchange, I painted a scene from the Serpentine in Hyde Park and included a little history about the area too.
I'm not too good at painting small, so this picture (card) was approx 8" x 10" :)

Autumn at the Serpentine

Autumn -  one of my favourite times of year.  I love the colour changes and the crisp, ideal walking weather.  I've been out and away from the computer lots, because before long winter will be here, when the weather will no doubt conspire to keep us all indoors more!

Enjoy your autumn (fall) as much as I do. xx

A few more cards

Today I thought I'd show you a few more of the cards I've painted.

All for Christmas and soon to be in the mail !

Surprise!

Today I received a great surprise in the mail!

One of my blogging friends,  Tonya, sent me a card.

Here  it is

I'm truly blessed to have made such friends.

and here's a link to Tonya's blog :

Hillbilly Handiworks

Missy on Christmas

I had to give mummy a severe talking to about her Christmas cards. 

I told her, don't you know, if it had me on there, it would naturally be a winner.

I am pleased to say she took my advice - and this card is better by far!

Christmas is coming...

and I thought - cards! Why not try and paint some for Christmas?
So I ordered a pack of 10, not because of that few friends, but because I wasn't sure how well my small paintings would come out.
These cards were only 5x3 inches, you see!

Christmas cards should have some religious theme - after all, its the reason for the season, yes?

So on with the painting.. the barn, the crib, the infant Jesus, the Holy Family, the animals, a feed trough, three kings, a star, a starry night sky with aurora effects and shrubbery in the landscape. Everything but the kitchen sink!

I stepped back from the painting and laughed - it looks to me as if a complete novice has painted it! It is not my best!
So I show it to you, my blogging friends, just so you know, some days, the painting doesn't quite come out on paper as you had it in your head! :lol: