Happy Christmas 2017

For this year’s Christmas card design I wanted to try to produce a “stained glass window effect”. I have done this on at least two occasions in the past, if you take a squizz at the full collection of previous years’ cards, starting here. This time I used Procreate on the iPad again, taking advantage of the layers to make up for the fact that I failed “colouring in” in kindergarten, and using the different brushes and pens to get the leadlight and glass effect. I think I am now becoming a bit more fluent with this app, and may try something a bit more ambitious next year (although, in all likelihood, I’ll probably (a) forget this intention, (b) be pushed for time and be wanting to produce something in a screaming hurry as usual, and (c) come up with a design idea that needs some other approach entirely!). Oh, and in case no one notices the subtle symbolism, the lamb and Jesus’ swaddling clothes are the same colour. And, for the pedants out there, yes, I know the wise men are likely to get lost since the star in the picture is really not being much help as a navigation aid for the stable … even though it is generally agreed that the wise men probably came a year or so later, and thus did not visit the stable, and the shepherds were following the angel’s instructions on the GPS (“at the next roundabout, take the third exit”!) instead of relying on astronavigation (it’s the end of a long year, and my sense of humour has lost the plot!).

Even though Christmas card sending is a tradition in decline I still enjoy designing and sending cards each year, even if it adds a little to the end-of-year demands. It is nice to take some time to do something creative, and it is particularly enjoyable to reflect upon my friends and the blessings they are in my life. May you be blessed with happiness and surrounded by love this Christmas, and may 2018 be a totally awesome year, with an abundance of peace and blessings.

As mentioned earlier, the full collection of previous years’ cards can be observed by clicking here.