I’ve been busy drawing, cutting, pasting and folding this year’s Christmas card. I think I’ve listened to almost every corny holiday movie between the Lifetime and Hallmark channel.
Every year has its challenges. In the past, I sent out my cards after more than sixty hours of work and they boomeranged back for more postage! Last year I had to add extra postage for weight. This year I thought I had it handled, but the post office was closed, so I couldn’t check the weight. I was about to throw them in the mailbox, then I decided to take them home just in case.
Some of my older cards. The newer ones are popups.
Good thing! I found a major quality control problem. This Santa’s elf has been overworked and hasn’t ever made a cent. There are four illustrations in this card and after I stuffed all the envelopes and glued them shut, I noticed one of the extra cards had duplicated illustrations. Danny and I were on the left and the right. What was I thinking? Another had Kelly and Courtney on both sides. GAH!!!! I had to open every card and check each one. Six cards were screwed up! Thank God I caught the error. They would have been super weird.
I’m blaming all of it on the Lifetime and Hallmark channels.
I would love to send you one of my homemade cards. Want to win one? Leave a comment and my husband, Danny, will pick names from a hat. On Friday, I’ll announce the winners and will link up their blogs.
Merry Merry!
Tweet this out and I’ll ask my 9,000 followers to follow you!
Do you send holiday cards?
My Christmas Cards unveiled HERE!
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Wow! Your cards sound special! I would love to get one of your cards! Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Thanks Sue! I’ll add your name to the hat.
Happy holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am very impressed. I’ve gone the other direction in recent years, to no cards at all. I used to have a large list and write notes in each one. But I just can’t find the time anymore!
LikeLike
Thank you so much Cassandra!! 🙂
I picked up a writing project less than a week ago and have been working constantly. I told Danny last night, “It’s tough not being normal.” I think I may blog about it sometime. I am waaaaaay outside normal range. The good news is both will be done this morning! I think this is the earliest I’ve had my cards done. Woohoo!
LikeLike
Congrats!
LikeLike
It feels really good. Thanks! Now I can volunteer at the Denver Santa Claus shop and bake cookies like a normal person. 🙂
LikeLike
God Bless your determination and drive, Susie! I am one of the lucky ones that has received a creation of yours and they truly are works of art and sweat and joy.
I do send cards but they are simple photo cards of my kiddos. Every once in a while if I am NOT feeling like a most rotund Christmas peanut butter ball, I send out a family pic. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much Maria!
I thought I simplified them this year and they still took a week! 🙂
I think it’s so great to have those family portraits. My family has always been off the hook.I’ll have to set up the self-timer this Christmas!
LikeLike
Amazing cards, Susie. But it sounds like quite the project. I use Picaboo and print some of my photos. This year was a tropical theme from some of our dive trips. including Bonaire and Belize.
LikeLike
NICE!!! I bet they’re beautiful.
It is a humongous project. Not as bad as last year’s. I would have been done sooner had I let the OCD in me come out and check all of the cards. I guess that’s a good thing and a bad thing. 🙂
Thanks so much Cathy!
LikeLike
Did you guys get snow yesterday? We got just a dusting. Fortunately, the mountains are getting it, though.
LikeLike
It’s barely covering the grass. That’s good to hear about the mountains! I would love a good snowstorm. I better start snow dancing!
LikeLike
I’m on it! 🙂
LikeLike
11 inches in Vail! 🙂
LikeLike
Merry Christmas Susie! Hope you have a fantastic holiday 🙂
LikeLike
Merry Christmas to you Pink! Thanks for stopping by the Wild Ride. 🙂
LikeLike
Your homemade cards are lovely! How lucky your friends are to receive them. Such a special touch.
LikeLike
It’s a tradition I started when Danny and I were first married. It’s my interpretation of a brag letter. Thanks Carrie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually it’s not a bad idea. Who wants to open up a boring Christmas card anyway. Making one is much more creative and personal 🙂
LikeLike
Somehow I missed your comment.
Thank you so much! They are a lot of work, but worth it. I enjoy sending them out! Thanks for entering!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats ah bummer really ! Youre an awesome artist #inspire
LikeLike
Awww! Thank you. Next year!!!
LikeLike
Those are pretty awesome! Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Jinxie! I’m so glad you entered. Merry Christmas to you!
LikeLike
Your cards rock, Susie and I can’t believe how much time and effort goes into them. Since I just lamented on the dying art of sending Christmas cards, please throw my name in the hat. From one elf to another, Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Christmas elves UNITE!! I think I’ll blog about how abnormal I really am. It would be so much easier if I didn’t live my life in hyperdrive, but then I wouldn’t be me!
Thanks so much Jessica!
Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Those are amazing cards. I’m impressed that you have the energy and take the time make cards. I just don’t send out cards. I just can’t get organized enough this time of year to do it.
LikeLike
It takes more than a week, but they are DONE, so I am happy dancing around my kitchen, (kinda hard with a laptop.)
Thanks for entering Timothy!
LikeLike
The two on my list are the newer “Miracle on 34th Street” and “The Christmas Hope”.
Seen those yet? 😉
LikeLike
I think so. I’ll definitely check them out. I just saw The Wishing Tree. LOVED it! I think that’s when I got the innard skinnards all mixed up on my cards…
Thanks for entering, Daya!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only mentioned those two because my sweetpea is in them. I am SUCH a cheater. xD
LikeLike
Who’s the sweatpea?
LikeLike
James Remar, lately of State of Affairs. 😀
(Minor character in 34, male lead in Hope.)
LikeLike
Oh! A celebrity crush! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
As someone who once got to have and hold one of your craft museum-worthy cards, I know what a labor they are for you to produce. It’s an impressive effort. As for me, I bought a box of 12 on small business Saturday but I have yet to send one. At this snail slow rate, I’m thinking I’ll get around to sending them for July 4th.
LikeLike
You always make me laugh. Thanks so much! Last year’s card didn’t come off the way I planned, but I LOVED dancing on 2013’s grave! You know me and dancing.
I didn’t realize this was a HUGE mailing day. I sat in two lines at the post office! I’m sure your friends and family will appreciate your cards whenever they get them. 🙂
LikeLike
Wow – you go all out! That’s amazing – most years (this year included) I don’t even manage to get out the Christmas cards I bought with the specific purpose of mailing out. Kudos to you!
Happy Holidays!
LikeLike
Thanks Brittany! I must have an extra gene that keeps me going like the Eveready Bunny this time of year. I’ll crash big time in January. Ha!
Happy Holidays to you. Thanks for entering!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They sound fun! I would love to get one. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! I’ll add your name to the hat!
Happy Holidays!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so ingenious and industrious. In our dotage, Sharon and I have started using Blue Mountain for all our cards, avoiding the card shops and the post office. *sigh*
LikeLike
I got my first Christmas card via email last night. It looked like a lot of work even though she didn’t have to stamp it!
Merry Christmas David! Give Sharon a hug for us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy sending Holiday cards with a brief personal message. I don’t enjoy cards I receive that have a novelette enclosed detailing every bit of useless, boring information about the whole Famn Damily.
Sorry if I identified anyone out there, but it’s probably my biggest pet peeve.
What are everyone’s thoughts?
I know I’m ugly, but am I insensitive too?
Let me know… -Jim H.
LikeLike
Hahaha! I’m with you on that, if the cards truly only brag about GPA etc. A while back, I wanted to write a fake one for my family with insane accolades. I thought it would be hysterical, but I risked insulting everyone who wrote brag letters.
Mine is a brag illustration!
Thanks for entering, Jim!
LikeLike
I remember being impressed by your cards last year. You have amazing talent and a lot of patience. I’m sure you feel very pleased with the results of your work. The cards are lovely!
LikeLike
Oh, thank you, Anneli! You are so nice to say that and made my day!
I work pretty hard on them. I was bracing myself for all the work a few weeks ago. My dad who’s an artist and hanging in there at 88 years-old. said, “Everyone always looks forward to your cards.” That was all I needed. That’s when I started illustrating my blog posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your cards do indeed look special! Wow. On my blog, I have The Great Christmas Card Exchange going. This is my second year, kind of. It’s a great way to stay in touch with other bloggers on Christmas. I love your idea of handmade cards, but fear I’m just too lazy to do it. 😉
LikeLike
That is very cool I will check it out! It is a tremendous amount of work, especially since I make 80 of them!!!
Thanks so much Jackie!
LikeLike
I can just imagine how much work, but they are keepsakes also!
LikeLike
Thank you! I think there is one year where I sent them all out! I don’t have any for myself!
LikeLike
Damn, you drew all those? Nice work!
I don’t really send Christmas cards, but my wife does. Kinda weird, cause we’re atheists…
LikeLike
Hahaha! Most people celebrate Christmas in some way. I’m sure your friends and family love receiving your cards.
Thanks so much Ensis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a nice and neat idea!
LikeLike
Thanks Ari! Nice to meet you!
Happy Holidays. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved your blog. Nice to meet you too!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Ari! I’m glad you entered in the contest.
LikeLike
Sure… blame a hapless TV Channel. It wouldn’t be, perhaps, that you have to be the most active multi-tasker in the United States, nay, The World! Hope your present for the DJ is under control this year.
LikeLike
p.s. I see your pop-up has a tree in it this year…
LikeLike
Shhhhhhh!!!!! Tee hee!
LikeLike
Right? I couldn’t believe I did that! I’m putting Danny in charge of quality control next year. 🙂 I went to breakfast with the DJ and he finally gave me his list. Good thing he lives in town!
Merry Christmas Ted! Thanks for entering!
LikeLike
Glad you’re in the ho-ho-ho spirit I always like seeing your Xmas card post pretty funny. Have a good week!
LikeLike
Thanks Guat! I finished that writing project just moments ago too. Whew! What a week! I’m so glad they’re both done. It’s always a challenge, but somehow I always make more work for myself! Sheesh!d
I’m glad you entered!
LikeLike
Word! I wouldn’t have minded to get a Xmas card that you thought was craft-challenged … two Susie pop-up drawings in one card…double the awesome 🙂 Have a good week.
LikeLike
Thanks Guat! 🙂 They were very odd. Trust me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These look amazing!
LikeLike
Thanks Susie! This year’s is a pop up and will be revealed on Friday. All done!!!!!!!!
Thanks for entering!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sending out only a few this year… Christmas just isn’t the same.. your cards are spectacular
LikeLike
I totally understand. This has been a tough year for you.
Thanks so much Linda! Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
Amazing! You certainly have some creative skillz! Maybe time to start a new side biz?
I sent out a tweet for ya too. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
LikeLike
Thanks so much Phil! They are a lot of work, but worth it. This is my most insane Christmas tradition. Thanks for entering and for the tweet out!
LikeLike