Before Creative Thursday was even an idea, before setting aside a day a week for creativity ever occurred to me, I would set aside one time a year for creativity. And that time of year was now, when I would hand make my personal holiday cards. Even though I worked in "creative" jobs, this was still the one project I had all year, that was complete, pure, creative freedom.

To this day it is still one of the creations that I look forward to all year, and now I get to create them for you too! Honestly when I put it into that kind of perspective, I’m still amazed that I get to do this for a living.

This has always been my favorite season, so I think the creativity naturally flows on over drive during these months. The hardest part for me is choosing which designs I want to use. This year I made 4 designs and chose two and I also had them offset printed for the second time ~ as I used to print them all to order...having them printed is quite a bit easier on my work load, but now when they are gone, they will be gone. Also, I created an option where you can purchase both designs together if you’d like ~ if you can’t decide between the two, like me. Ooh and I almost forgot, that for the first time I have packaged these in "GREEN" biodegradable cellophane sleeves!

This holiday season I am also trying out the concept of being prepared. Bj left a comment in the blog discussions a few weeks ago that has really stayed with me where she said  "I still don’t have time to keep the house immaculate, create & sell a crazy amount of art and whip up a zillion crafts for each holiday. However, careful planning ahead could make it look that way." And that’s the secret folks. Careful planning. The secret to peace and the impression that you create like a crazy person. Really, this is the first year I started planning ahead of time, and I STILL  could have used more time. You see I always have to "get in the spirit" of the season to create for any holiday. Painting Christmas designs in the heat of the summer just doesn’t sound appealing ~ and painting them a year ahead of time, feels too far out as I like the creations and creating process to feel fresh to me ~ although now I’m thinking a year ahead of time may not be such a bad idea... :) Either way, this year I am more prepared than in years past ~and I have to say it has already made things easier. Maybe my usual "under pressure", "deadlines", style of creating is better left behind. It worked ok as a student, but not as a business owner, and not really as the kind of person I am wanting to become, a generally less hectic, more peaceful person. So, to summon the creative holiday spirit a few months ahead of time, I just listened to Christmas music in October and the spirit arrived!

Ok then, they’re here, the holiday cards! And a little early this year, so you have plenty of time to send your holiday greetings ~ and did I mention that each holiday card order will be accompanied by these bookmarks that I had made? I’m always using my own business cards as bookmarks and since the company I print with also prints bookmarks, I thought ~ it’s time for bookmarks!! Here, Here for Holiday time, preparation and experiencing extreme cuteness while READING!