two angelic christmas postcards

I've restored these two angels for your Christmas crafting this year; both carry trees and toys for good little girls and boys!

• Find more restored angels at my Belsnickle blog here. 

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i've restored charming christmas cards by children

This introduction by Edmund Dulac, 1922
Read his biography here.

      We have all been brought up with the superstition, that efficiency in drawing and painting is the privilege of a few adults, that it can only be achieved after a long and arduous struggle, and by means only revealed to an intellectual oligarchy.

      From time to time, however, the performance of some extraordinary child seems to throw a doubt on this belief and starts us wondering whether in face of such achievements, the result of a few tender years' work, the long efforts of maturity are not so much waste of misplaced energy.

"Santa Claus in his workshop" by Marta Zehenter

      But quite recently in a comprehensive exhibition organized in London by Mr. Hawker, we were shown not a few isolated examples, but an impressive number of works by children between the ages of 6 and 16 done in the schools directed by Professor Cizek of Vienna. These displayed not only the most vivid imagination, and uncanny power of observation, but an unusual freshness of vision, and remarkable ability.

      The importance of the problem cannot be overlooked any longer. It goes further than aesthetic pure and simple, it opens a door upon the unexplored and somewhat disturbing processes of the human mind, and the child prodigy can no longer be looked upon as a freak.

      Life, some will have it, is a never ending attempt at solving the sempiternal problems that have faced man since his first contact with realities; by seeking his knowledge through them, he evolved Science ; when he stretched his activities beyond contingencies in an endeavor to organize the forces hidden behind his consciousness, Art was born, Art, which was at the beginning Magic, and has remained Magic.

      The Artist put at man's disposal a tangible world of unrealities by means of the most illusory elements, things that have no existence outside our senses, color, lines, sound, and made him master if he wished of a world that he could conjure up at will.

      Through Art man becomes a child again, that is, his consciousness is lulled back into that sleep full of wonders from which he was tragically awakened by the phenomenon of the real world, and whose phantasmagoria lingered through his younger years.

      We forget that we had those treasures of imagination, open to our hands and eyes and that we have deliberately buried them under the burden of our growing consciousness, and all the while the child is there refusing to part with them and sometimes making them visible and tangible for us and as perfect as the sophisticated fantasies of those of more mature years!

      To our utter astonishment, he uses a technique which we associate with a training of many years, a fact most worthy of notice, for it is evident that a very good knowledge of drawing can be acquired in an incredibly short space of time, and this may lead to an extension of the methods that have accomplished such good results, not only in art, but in all branches of educational training: a different and better comprehension and use of all the different kinds of memories and associations of ideas.

"The Christmas Tree" by Bella Vichon

      We fail, in general, to realize that technique is based on memory, the regulating element of most subconscious phenomena. The artist, even in drawing from nature, is reproducing forms that are memorized between the moment he looks at his model and the moment he puts his pencil on paper. Whether the model is immediately in front of him or was, a day or a month before, the process is the same, and it should not be any more difficult to keep an impression of a form for many hours or even days than for the short space of time required in drawing from nature.

      Now, the child has this faculty developed to an extraordinary degree, because his subconscious organization is still unimpaired, and his mnemonic stimulants have not yet been completely replaced by conscious habits. The younger he is, the easier the process. Why then, should we view such accomplishments with wonder, and sometimes suspicion seeing that we take it for granted that the learning of languages, which involves a far more complicated mechanism, and is sometimes an impossibility to grown-ups, is the natural privilege of children?

      Professor Cizek has successfully demonstrated with his methods that the scope of these unspoiled memory reflexes can be enlarged, and that because a child is taught to paint, he need not necessarily have in view Art as an end and a profession. Understood in that manner, it ought merely to form part of every child's education; it should not consist any more in the drudgery of drawing plaster casts or stuffed animals, but should aim at preserving the freshness and spontaneity of the subconscious machine that is still at our disposal in the lumber room of our childhood.

      This would help us to develop a greater sense of balance between objective and subjective worlds, to lose the fear engendered by the paralyzing respect for cur own habits, and we might be able instead of taking our cue from the puzzling contingencies that surround us, to time realities to the rhythm within ourselves, and realize perhaps the perfect harmony described by the Chinese philosopher when he said:

"Last night, I dreamt I was a butterfly, and now that I am

awake, I do not know any more whether 1 am a man who dreamt

he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he is a man."
 

"The Village Church on Christmas Day" by Steffi Kraus

"A Christmas Dream" by Ine Probsta

"The Three Kings" by Herta Zuckermann

"Christmas Treasure" by Steffi Krauss

"Christmas Stockings" by Trautl Conrad

"Tired Out" by Marie Kind

"A world of toys" by Gretl Hanus

"A Christmas Feast" by Herta Zukermann

"Christmas Preparations" by Trautl Conrad

"On the Way to Church" by Herta Zuckermann

"Silent Night" by Gretl Hanus

"At the last moment" by Bella Vichon

christmas bell card

"So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

Hebrews 9:28

Description: This Christmas card is so easy to put together. All you really need is a printer, some scraps of red ribbon, white glue and a pair of scissors. I had some printed papers of fir branches already but for those of you who do not, I’ve also included an image below for this purpose.

Supplies

• scissors
• glue 
• red or green ribbon
• printed graphic of the antique glass bell by Kathy Grimm
• decorative paper (photo of pine branches)
• heavy white paper

Directions:

1. Cut a decorative paper of pine branches out to fit what ever envelopes you intend to mail for the holidays. If you don't have this type of paper and you can afford the printing, I have included a printable pine branch graphic below for this card.
2. Cut out my graphic of an antique, Christmas bell and hang it (glue it) to a branch on your card.
3. Then cut and tie a red ribbon to glue just above the bell for added dimension.
4. Cut, trim and mount the finished picture on top of a folded, heavier white paper to finish the final card. 

What kinds of written things might I include along with the card?
Quotes:

• "Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority." by W. J. Cameron
• "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" by Hamilton Wright Mabie

I've drawn a glass Christmas bell for this card.

Photograph of a pine/fir tree branches for the card.

 

candy cane card - “J” for Jesus

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep."  

John 10:11-13 

 

      This traditional Christmas Card is assembled with bright red stripped paper, large letters cut from an alternate polka-dot red paper and a real candy cane. Include also The Legend of The Candy Cane inside the card or on the back of the card if you like. Legend of The Candy Cane can be read here along with a poem.

Candy Cane Legend Christmas Cards:

• Creative Treasures candy cane card
• Candy Cane Legend bookmarks
• Praise God – Candy Cane Legend and snowman soup
• Candy Cane Legend Stocking Stuffers
• A Candy Cane Messiah (spiritsisters.wordpress.com)
• A Holly Jolly….. (tiddbitsfromdawn.typepad.com)
• Making Our Own Candy Cane Lollipops (artfulparent.com)
• Candy cane playdough (artfulparent.typepad.com)
• New Design & Paint Party Friday: Candy Canes (tiffjamaica.blogspot.com)

“star of wonder” christmas card

“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.”  

Numbers 24:17

 

Description: Strange as though it may seem to some of you who live far away, stars and snowflakes are traditional decorations used by folks here, during Christmas in the Midwestern United States. This is because Christians celebrate the Savior's birth during the colder months, even though Christ was actually born sometime during our summer according to bible many scholars.

Supplies:

• snowflake themed paper
• snowflake paper punch
• graphic of a Mexican folk nativity by Kathy Grimm
• pale blue white, and gold tissue papers
• glue
• scissors

Directions:

1. Cut the snowflake themed paper to match the size of any envelopes you may have at hand.
2. Then punch a selection of snowflakes from the white and gold papers
3. Print out the star graphic that I have included below.
4. Type and print inside of a Word Document, "Star of Wonder" and then print it out in blue ink onto pale blue paper.
5. Glue the printed Mexican folk art star on top of gold scrap tissue paper and then cut a little fringe around the outside edge of the star.
6. Glue down these elements in a pleasing design on top of the fancy snowflake paper. 
7. I then glued this entire picture on top of an additional sheet of pale blue paper to make my finished Christmas card.

What kinds of written things might I include along with the card? Quotes:

• "Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love." by Lucinda Franks
• "Selfishness makes Christmas a burden, love makes it a delight." -Unknown
• "Take Christ out of Christmas, and December becomes the bleakest and most colorless month of the year." by A. F. Wells

Poetry:

Hymns of the Feast

Your birth, O Christ our God,
dawned the light of knowledge upon the earth.
For by Your birth those who adored stars
were taught by a star
to worship You, the Sun of Justice,
and to know You, Orient from on High.
O Lord, glory to You.

Illustration:   There once lived a family in the South whose rigid rule sent the children to bed at sundown and made them rise after daylight. One of the boys grew to the age of seven years before he ever saw the stars, and when he was carried out one dark night and caught a glimpse of the glorious constellations, he exclaimed rapturously to his mother: "Look! Look! Did you ever see anything so beautiful?" 

       The return of Christmas brings into view the Star of Bethlehem. How many human eyes have never yet seen this Star!

More Links To Explore:

• When They Saw the Star
• Looking for the Star, or Coming to Adore?
• Star of Bethlehem 

      Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Everyone! Be happy and be joyful. I wish you all a wonderful season. :) -Sarah Z. For more information on Sarah visit her on facebook, at youtube and soundcloud.  Singing with me is the lovely Molly Stokes. You must check her out on Spotify and iTunes. Her latest album 'Outside the Shadows' is magnificent and pure. For more information on Molly visit her on facebook and myspace.  A very special thanks to our good friend Hannah Settle shooting the video!

a nutcracker christmas card

"Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man ? and then he will spoil his house."

Matthew 12:29

This Christmas card only requires a bit of printing,
 folding and pasting. I chose a traditional red and
 green plaid paper for the card, printed out the
 graphic below and pasted a few little corners
 onto the edges of the graphic to hold it onto the
 front of my card.

Description: Nutcrackers in the form of wooden carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have existed since at least the 15th century. These nutcrackers portray a person with a large mouth which the operator opens by lifting a lever in the back of the figurine. Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. Modern nutcrackers in this style serve mostly for decoration, mainly at Christmas time, a season of which they have long been a traditional symbol. The ballet The Nutcracker derives its name from this festive holiday decoration. The original nutcrackers were first seen in Germany and were thought to have guardian-like properties because of their strong appearance.

Supplies:

• decorative red and green plaid paper
• corner punch
• graphic of two nutcrackers by Kathy Grimm
• glue
• scissors 
• heavier white cardstock

Directions:

1.  Print the nutcracker graphic out to the size that you prefer.
2. Mount the graphic with glue on top of the decorative plaid paper.
3. Punch four embossed corners from either white, red, or green solid colored paper and then glue these at the four corners of your printed graphic.
4. Glue the picture on top of a folded sheet of heavier cardstock.
5. Below is one of many Christmas themed graphics I have produced in color pastel pencils, German nutcrackers are some of my favorite subjects to draw for holiday greetings. These two nutcrackers are very traditional, a soldier and a beer drinker dressed up in lederhosen.

These two nutcrackers are very traditional, 
a soldier and a beer drinker dressed up
 in lederhosen.

What kinds of written things might I include along with the card?
Quotes:

"Of all the toys available, none is better designed than the owner himself. A large multipurpose plaything, its parts can be made to move in almost any direction. It comes completely assembled, and it make a sound when you jump on it." by Stephen Baker

"The creative process is like music which takes root with extraordinary force and rapidity" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Illustration:  Playfulness is a more important consideration than play. The former is an attitude of mind; the latter is a passing outward manifestation if this attitude. When things are treated simply as vehicles of suggestion, what is suggested overrides the thing. Hence the playful attitude is one of freedom. The person is not bound to the physical traits of things, nor does he care whether a thing really means (as we say) what he takes it to represent. When the child plays horse with a broom and cars with chairs, the fact that the broom does not really represent a horse, or a chair a locomotive, is of no account. In order, then, that playfulness may not terminate in arbitrary fancifulness and in building up an imaginary world alongside the world of actual things, it is necessary that the play attitude should gradually pass into a work attitude. -- John Dewey, "How We Think."

More Links To Nutcracker Christmas Cards:

• Love this fold out nutcracker card
• Waltzingmouse nutcracker stamp
• Adorable nutcracker gift card holders
  

Poetry:

He begged me for the little toys at night,

That I had taken, lest he play too long,

The little broken toys-his sole delight.

I held him close in wiser arms and strong,

And sang with trembling voice the even-

song.

Reluctantly the drowsy lids drooped low,

The while he pleaded for the boon denied.

Then, when he slept, sweet dream, content

to know,

I mended then and laid them by his side

That he might find them in the early light,

And wake the gladder for this joyous sight.

So, Lord, like children, at the even fall

We weep for broken playthings, loath to

part,

While Thou, unmoved, because Thou know-

est all,

Dost fold us from the treasures of out

heart;

And we shall find them at the morning-tide

Awaiting us, unbroke and beautiful.

--Ainslee's Magazine.

Wow, that's a lot of nutcrackers!