I have a little Christmas character who seems to have made himself quite at home in my artwork over the years.
Meet Mr Gnome.
He's popped up in various guises before — baking, skiing, ice skating, shopping and generally getting himself involved in the sort of festive activities that keep a small gnome surprisingly busy.
And this Christmas, he's back.
This time I've created six colourful Mr Gnome Christmas card designs, divided between his cosy indoor Christmas and his rather more adventurous outdoor pursuits.
He's a very industrious little chappy!
Mr Gnome at home
There are three designs showing Mr Gnome getting on with Christmas preparations in the comfort of his sitting room. He has the Christmas tree and the decorations up inside already.
First, he's busy writing his Christmas cards — which seems particularly appropriate considering that he's now appearing on some of mine!
And, of course, there's the wrapping of the presents.
I'm not entirely sure how neat his wrapping is, but he looks as though he's enjoying himself with all that lovely bow and eating sweeties all the way. I think he's gifting sweeties to everyone too. He must really love them..
Then comes the really important bit of Christmas Day...
Putting his feet up.
Mr Gnome is pictured enjoying a little post-dinner television from the comfort of his sofa, with his glass of vino and some sweeties close at hand.
I think he's earned them.
These three make up my Winter Inside selection. You get two of each of the three designs — six cards altogether — for €10.
They're the cosy ones. The ones for people who like Christmas best when they're tucked up somewhere warm with the tree twinkling and the kettle not too far away.
Mr Gnome ventures outside
But Mr Gnome isn't content to stay indoors all Christmas.
He has things to do.
There are trees to decorate, snowmen to build and, apparently, sledging disasters to endure.
In the first outdoor scene, he's busy decorating the Christmas tree outside.
Then he's made himself a snowman and is proudly posing alongside his handiwork in the snow.
And finally...
Well.
Let's just say the little sledge doesn't appear to have gone entirely according to plan.
Mr Gnome has gone head over heels.
These are my Winter Outside designs — again, two of each of the three designs, making six cards for €10.
They're a little more energetic than the indoor set.
Although, judging by the sledge incident, perhaps Mr Gnome needs to take a little more care with his outdoor pursuits!
Or you can have the whole gang
If you can't decide which Mr Gnome adventures you like best, I've made that decision a little easier.
There's a complete set of all six designs, with one of each card, supplied with lovely red envelopes, for €12.
All six cards are 5 x 7 inches and each has Happy Christmas on the front.
Inside, having done a little bit of research, I've kept things deliberately simple. Sometimes having a specific printed message inside upsets your own expression so to speak. You might like to write 'To xxxxx, wishing you a very happy Christmas....' and then it's printed again...very annoying. Of course the other side is that perhaps you like to have it printed and you then just have to say 'To xxxxx from xxxx.' I went with a little holly sticker. If you have any strong thoughts I'd love to hear them. Comment below if you would like to share them.
So inside my cards there's a little holly sticker, leaving you plenty of room to write your own personal Christmas message.
I really like cards that leave you space to actually say something.
After all, that's rather the point of sending a Christmas card, isn't it?
A little bit of Mr Gnome from my painting days
Mr Gnome actually began life in my artwork rather than as a Christmas card character.
I've always enjoyed giving my paintings little stories and characters, and he has gradually become one of those recurring figures who seems to wander back into my creative life when Christmas comes around.
I painted him getting ready for a beach day once, too — because apparently even gnomes need a holiday.
So when I was thinking about this year's Christmas cards, it seemed only natural that he should make another appearance.
This time I wanted to make the designs really colourful, cheerful and full of movement, while still keeping that slightly whimsical feeling that I enjoy in my work.
They're not meant to be terribly serious Christmas cards.
They're meant to make someone smile.
And there's another Christmas card coming...
Mr Gnome doesn't have the Christmas card stage entirely to himself this year.
I've also got another design on the way — and this time it's a Christmas fairy tucked into a tree.
She's colourful too, but she's a little different from Mr Gnome and this card will be slightly larger, at A5 size.
The card itself will be red, with a lovely natural beige/wood-coloured envelope. I think that combination is going to give it a rather lovely crafty, arty feel.
The artwork is finished and I'm currently waiting for the prints to arrive, so I'm hoping to have the listing ready next week.
I'm tempted to give you a little peek now...so here's a cropped version...
Because I rather like the idea of leaving a tiny chink in the door and letting you see what's coming next.
The fairy card will also have Happy Christmas on the front and a little holly sticker inside, so you can add your own message.
I'll share the finished card properly once it's ready.
Christmas, but handmade
I always enjoy making Christmas cards because they're such a small way of sending a little bit of artwork out into the world.
Someone chooses a card.
They write a few words.
It goes into an envelope and travels somewhere.
And suddenly something that began as an idea, a sketch or a painting in my craft room is sitting on somebody else's mantelpiece or being opened at the kitchen table.
I rather like that.
So this year, Mr Gnome is off on his Christmas adventures again — indoors, outdoors, up trees, building snowmen and occasionally landing upside down in the snow.
I hope one of his adventures makes you smile.
And if you'd like to meet the whole gang, you can find the Mr Gnome Christmas Card Collection here.
Until next time, take care, Amanda
