Saturday, 15 December 2012

Christmas card

Ever since youngest son's children have been able to hold a pencil the whole family have created their own christmas card. They decide on a theme - snowmen, christmas trees, or robins for example, and then each contribute to the card.
At first we could pick out who had done what, and then as the children got older it became more and more difficult, until now it is really a matter of guess work. We shall be able to check up with them in person at Christmas.
Christmas card 2012 on a theme of owls - the three grandchildrens' ages range from 14 years to 19 years

60 comments:

  1. That's super, Rosemary. What a talented family.

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    1. Dear Perpetua - I have kept all the cards going back over the years, it is interesting to see how they have developed.

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  2. How lovely, personal and artful! Special - like everything on your blog! xxx Christa

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    1. I love receiving their card each year Christa to what they have done.

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  3. Hello Rosemary, this is such a creative and fun activity. Your grandchildren chose the right theme because Owls are so popular in design and in the stores this season. Have a wonderful weekend. Pamela

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    1. Hello Pamela - people do love owls, I know from the Antique Roadshow that owls made out of silver during the Victorian age make a lot of money.

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  4. Dear Rosemary,
    What a beautiful Christmas card, love it!
    How talented your grandchildren are.
    Hope you're having a great weekend.
    Mette

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    1. Thank you Mette - you may be interested to hear about my daughter-in-law and the big storm in Norway. She went with her work colleagues for a 90 minute journey on the tiniest of passenger ferries to a small island (Nord Hidle) on the farthest side of Stavanger bay for a 'Julebord" to celebrate Christmas. They then spent the return journey counting each gigantic wave and I think feeling very queasy.

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    2. Oh my, I wouldn't have been on a small ferry during the storm.
      It's normal weather here again (rain) and the roads around here are open again. The snow is melting and we're hoping it will stay warmer until the snow is gone.
      Have a great Sunday, Rosemary.
      Mette

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    3. You have reaffirmed what I thought - I think perhaps they were a bit daring or foolhardy!!!
      Glad the snow is melting - today we have a Spring like day with sunshine - I have even been outside cleaning the car.

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  5. I adore owls, and these are the most charming ones, Rosemary! And I love the idea of the family coming together to create something so special, personal and fun for the holidays. What a talented family!
    Warm greetings,
    Loi

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    1. I think that it is a lovely idea Loi, and I have quite a collection of them now from over the years. I always wonder whether they will have time to do it in the midst of their busy lives, but so far they have always managed it. Sending Christmas greetings to you and Tom.

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  6. Hello Rosemary, I think that this works because your family is a lot more artistically talented than mine. Except for my mother, we totally lack the drawing or creative gene.

    I like the variety of owls drawn here, from very natural, to cartoons, to what looks like a 1970's flashback.
    --Road to Parnassus

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    1. Dear Jim - hope that you are now fully recovered from being under the weather.
      It is interesting the variety of owls depicted. H and I keep changing our minds as to who has done what.

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  7. This is a most charming Christmas card with so much teamwork and talent in it. It is a great idea, something which I would like to adopt later. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I do think that your observations about teamwork are correct. First of all it is necessary to agree on a subject, then each has to give their own individual interpretation, which is finally followed by placing them all into a single image. I am glad that you like the idea and may consider adopting it at some time in the future. It is a nice thing to do as a family.

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  8. All super images of the owls..all telling us a tale. I looked at them a couple of times. I would like to think who drew which one..from age upwards.. but its hard to tell. Talent is also in the younger children too.
    Talented grandchildren ..and great teamwork effort.
    What a lovely card to receive Rosemary.
    Will you be going to see them Rosemary? or are they coming to see you?
    I cant believe we only have a week left.

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    1. Dear Val - I always look forward to their card, and as I mentioned, time was when I could tell who had done what, but not anymore. H and I have both guessed but come up with different answers.
      They are coming to me for Christmas this year, and then in the New Year we are off to Norway to stay with our eldest son and his family.

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  9. What a lovely idea for a great family Christmas tradition. Your card for this year is beautiful.

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    1. Dear Paula - this is a little family tradition that my son and his wife started for themselves, and no doubt the grandchildren will continue it in the future.

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  10. Dear Rosemary - Yes, this is a great piece of teamwork, and establishing a theme that successfully allows for both individuality and unity is key. I love the distinct personalities of each owl. I hope you have a Christmas card scrapbook!

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    1. Dear Mark - I do have all of the previous cards but not in a scrapbook. I hope that the little family have them stored safely in a scrapbook. My daughter-in-law is very methodical with photographs so I am sure that she does the same with their cards. It is interesting how each owl is so distinctive.

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  11. An absolutely brilliant and unique idea Rosemary, one I've not seen before and so much nicer thatn anything you could ever buy.

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    1. One of the things that I really enjoy about their cards is the fact that they have all given thought to it and made a contribution to something that is a one off.

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  12. That's such a lovely idea and also something to treasure.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah - I have been surprised how much people have enjoyed seeing it.

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  13. So much talent in your family - just love that card.

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    1. They are a great little family Susan - so pleased you enjoyed seeing the card.

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  14. Such talent in your family and I adore the owls! x

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    1. Dear Suzy - the owls are good fun, each one its own little character - thank you for your kind comment.

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  15. What an amazingly creative idea, Rosemary!!

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    1. A little family project that they do each year Kate.

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  16. What a very charming idea, a shared Christmas card artistic project. They are a very talented family, and you must be very proud of them Rosemary. I have also been looking and trying to interpret by age group - impossible! x

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    1. Dear Patricia - yes, it is difficult for even me to interpret too, and I know them.

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  17. What a beautiful Christmas card, i love it!
    How talented your grandchildren are Rosemary!I love owls !!!Wishing you a lovely weekend my friend!
    (my daughter is visiting Australia for first time with her Aussie boyfriend,my brother and father lives there) !
    Dimi..

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    1. Thank you for letting me know about your daughter. Hope that she has arrived safely and has a happy trip. Presumably that means that you are half Greek and half Australian.
      Glad you liked the card.

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    1. Thanks for your visit Elena - so pleased that you found the card cheery.

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  19. So beautiful! And such a great idea. Your sons family is a creative one! I bet you're always looking forward to the Christmas card each year, I know I would.
    Bye,
    have a great sunday,
    Marian

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    1. Dear Marian -you are right I always look forward to seeing what they have done. It is a nice collective family thing to do and I am sure that they enjoy putting it together.

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  20. What a great idea. Such a lot of talent! I'd hate to think what our family's would look like if we tried! x

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    1. You might surprise yourselves and find that you came up with a combination that was good. Thanks for calling.

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  21. This card is great Rosemary! I love the expressions on their faces and the way they are all sitting/standing on bare branches. I think you may have at least one girl amongst your grandchildren:)

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    1. You are correct Betty - two of them are girls, and of course one was done by their mother.

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  22. Dear Rosemary, We must give credit to you and to the parents of your very talented grandchildren. I'm looking at the owls and I see that they have each been painted by a talented artist. Even the eyes of each owl are alive and focused. Thanks for sharing. ox, Gina

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    1. Dear Gina - that is indeed a lovely compliment from you - such a talented artist yourself - thank you.

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  23. What a talent in the family. The card is just amazing.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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    1. Thank you Filip and Kristel, and glad you enjoyed seeing it.

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  24. I love the idea of a joint card and wouldn't dream of trying to "guess the age" of the artists. Sadly, out of my four sons, the artistic pair have no children, so no wonderful handmade cards like yours have come from my grandchildren - yet!

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    1. Dear Nilly - what a lot of boys you have, I had two sons. However, I have 4 granddaughters and 1 grandson. They are all very creative and we love receiving things that they have made. I am sure that in time handmade cards will come your way, children love making them.

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  25. There is certainly a lot of talent in the family! oh! Rosemary so nice you'll visit them!

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    1. Thank Demie - actually they are coming here, and then we shall be in Norway in the New Year for a few days with eldest son and family.

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  26. What a lovely card it is Rosemary! My compliments to your grandchildren!

    Have a lovely new week!

    Madelief x

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    1. Dear Madelief - thank you very much - sending you and your family my Christmas wishes.

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  27. Beautiful post,
    congratulations and a big hug

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    1. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Antonio and thank you for your kind comment.

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  28. A really beautiful card Rosemary....such a lovely idea, and such talent. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Jx

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    1. Dear Janice - The joint family venture is a lovely idea, I agree.
      It was good to have contact with you again today. Enjoy being with the family at this festive time.

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  29. I love it! So much character in each owl, probably says a lot about each one of the artists :)

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    1. I am sure it does Rosemary, but I am actually having difficulty being certain as to who did what.

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