Creating my family Christmas card is seldom easy. Some years have taken more time than others.
The simpler, early years.
And more Christmas cards.



But after days of sketching, inking, cutting, pasting, and a little bloodletting—what was with the papercuts this year?—I had an AHA moment.
What if I used Photoshop next year? Wouldn’t dropping an image into a program be easier than all of this cutting and pasting? Hmmm. I have twelve months to figure it out.
Sometimes, my family tradition becomes a nightmare.
This year my printer decided to print the cover in landscape. Just like that! All of a sudden! I couldn’t override the orientation. Then it hit me—I had placed an index board over the vellum. It thought it was smarter than me. Ha! Stupid computer brain.
No more procrastinating. I’m taking a cleansing breath. Wheeeeeeew.
It’s time to reveal this year’s Christmas card…
May Your Days Be Merry and Bright,
Can you guess what we are doing now?
And May All Your Christmas Moments be Instagrammable.
As the family gathers around a campfire to roast marshmallows and drink hot chocolate, Toad, the cat, ruins the Instagrammable moment. Roxy is a trash bandit in real life. She always gets into someone’s candy at Christmas. I almost drew her head INSIDE the bag.
This card includes another family tradition. Can you make out the title of the book?
Ichabod and the Elves.
Some of our greatest memories have taken place around a fire while making up Ichabod Crane stories. Danny used to terrify the kids before bed too!
I think they can handle it now, don’t you?
The winner this year is … Audrey Kalman! She guessed that the activity would have something to do with pets. Yep. They stole the show this year. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few years ago in person.
I drew a few more out of my straw hat:
Robert Hookey, AKA The Terrible Hook. Come on down!
And Al from The Cvillean! After two botched attempts, we plan to meet someday.
All three are amazing bloggers and published authors. Check out their blogs and their books.
If you are a winner, Yay! Please email your address to me at susielindau@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a card.
Thank you to everyone who guessed and to the readers who stop by throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Now, I can finish my TV series pilot.
I wonder if it’s too late to ask Santa for Photoshop?
What do you want for Christmas this year? Have you sent any cards? Do you ever dabble in art?
Happy Holidays!
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Happy Holidays to you too!
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You have and always will be one of my heroes, Susie.
Your eternal optimism in the face of adversity has been a source of inspiration these last few months.
“Thank you” doesn’t begin to cover it – but it’s all I can afford these days, my dear friend.
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That is so nice to hear! Thank you, Hook!
I’m glad you won. Be sure to send me your address so you receive the card in Canada before Easter. LOLOLOL!
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Sending you a Twitter DM now…
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Got it!
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I ❤ the christmas card, its so fun and I bet it represents your family perfectly. I wonder what type of printer do you use? I’m needing to buy one, its a tad tricky though as I need one that takes greeting card,
thickness (220gsm) Good luck with the T.V series pilot and have a wonderful Christmas 😄
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Thank you, Linda!
Mine is a discontinued Brother printer, and now I know why they aren’t making it anymore! As long as it’s not a small inkjet, you’ll probably be okay. I would check with a sales assistant to make sure. You make your cards too? Cool!
Merry Christmas!
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A terrific card, Susie. Happy Holidays
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Thanks, John! Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays to you!
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Such a festive display of creativity and imagination! thanks for taking us along on your process!
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Thank you, John! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
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How wonderful! The pets are amazing. I love the card for this year. Congrats to the winners!!
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Thank you so much and for guessing, Darlene!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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As usual, you’ve put the rest of us to shame. Well, maybe not everyone else, but certainly me. They are always very creative and clever.
I hope to also meet Al some day. We’ve spoken on the phone but never met in person. I hope to change that some day.
Take care with those paper cuts.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Thank you so much, Patricia! They take a lot of time but are worth every minute. That said, I’m looking forward to saving some time next year. LOL!
Covid messed up our first visit, and a nasty case of laryngitis—which lasted more than a month—ruined our second attempt. The third try will be the charm, I just know it!
Those paper cuts ruined at least three cards! That has never happened before. 🤣
Merry Christmas! 🎄🤩
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I love the art, Susie, the details are amazing! Wishing you guys a wonderful and blessed Christmas! ☺️❤️
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Thanks so much, John! Merry Christmas to you. ❤️ 🎄
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☺️
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That’s a beautiful card, as they are every year! Great job on the picture. All the best, Susie!
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Thanks so much, Anneli, and for guessing!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄🌟
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Another amazing card – may be the cutest one yet! Love the inside picture and the tag line!
(I thought of you last night and wondered how this year’s production was going – some just work best under pressure, right? )
Hope your holidays are merry and bright!
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Hey Phil. Thank you so much!
I finished writing the TV pilot at 5:00 PM, so that’s a wrap. I’m ready to dive into Christmas. Whew!! 🎄❤️🎄
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Your cards are delightful and I’m guessing people appreciate a hand-created card. I’ve gone completely digital to where I email the cards! Happy Holidays and pet adventures Susie!
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That’s a great way to go, Writing to Freedom! Keep life hassle-free. I should take my own advice. 🤣
The kids and their pets will descend next week. It will definitely be an adventure!
Happy Holidays to you!
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Cheers!
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Wow! So excited to be a winner–I can’t remember the last time I won anything 🙂
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I’m so glad, Audrey! Shoot me an email with your address, and I’ll send you one tomorrow.
Happy Holidays! 🎄❤️🎄
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LOVE your card – oh so creative and so much FUN too – ahhhh the memories and those partners in adventure/crime right alongside ya 🙂 Merry Holidays & a Happy New Year!
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Thanks so much, Renee!
I hope it’s not a pemonition. LOLOLOL!
Merry Merry to you and yours!!
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Thank you, Siobhan! My apologies for such a slow response this week. Life has bit a bit crazy. I’m delighted you like the spider web. That was such a surprise finding it off the parking lot at work! Have a great weekend.:https://www.richsalary.com
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Thanks for stopping by, Faxabo!
Happy Holidays!
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Merry Christmas to you and the family Susie!
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Thanks so much, Kevin, and to you and yours!
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Love your cards
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Thanks so much for stopping by, DM! Happy Holidays!
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As always, incredible work, Susie! BTW I cannot “Like” your posts. I click, it blinks, nothing happens. Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Thanks so much, Frank! I edited both comments. Merry Christmas! 🎄❤️🎄
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F. P. Dorchak.
It posted by itself as I was filling out the blanks! I also cannot “Like” your posts. I thought it was because of an update, but I still can’t Like…and the system seems to think I’m not signed in…but I am, which was why it was asking for me TO sign in…not sure what’s going on….
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So weird! I admire your persistence, Frank. Got your email! Merry Christmas!🎄❤️🎄
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Well, you’re welcome! I have my moments. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
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