What I Used
I used an old picture that we didn't like and just painted over it. I used the cheap brushes and acrylic paints from Walmart.
For the cards, I used canvas paper and the same paints and brushes. I also used a blow dryer to help dry the paint.
My Inspiration
I live in Wisconsin, and for the first time that I can remember, we did NOT have snow for Thanksgiving yet. My four boys were begging me to paint something with snowmen to hang up. This was the first picture I have done with out using a reference picture (and for me it was very difficult, because I had nothing to guide me).
The picture was such a hit at Thanksgiving, that I decided to make Christmas cards from the snowman portion. I made seven cards, almost all the same... except each one had a unique fixture.
My mom loves owls, so hers had an owl in the trees. My brother is a huge Packer fan, so his snowman had a Packer helmet. My brother in law is a huge hunter, so his snowman had blaze orange jacket on. My sister and brother in law are both active in the Air Force, so they had an American Flag near their snowman. My Mother-in-law just got back from a trip to Hawaii and was missing it, so I made her snowman with a hula skirt. My Father in law is a chef, so his snowman had an apron on it. Our family card is the plain snowman next to the tree....I don't think it is finished yet.
Advice
- Have fun with it... it will never be perfect, but it will always be unique.
- Try gearing it towards your audience. If they love/miss something, try sneaking it in the picture.
- Give people something to talk about. Make sure it is something that they will remember for the next year and want to keep around all year.
