Saturday, December 24, 2011

Season's Greetings


2003


For years I made my Christmas Cards by hand. Then I started buying them, but always on the hunt for the most magical card I could find. Then in 2000 I decided to do a photo card, as a sort of goodbye to my car that I loved. I know it sounds crazy but when you have a vintage car, you get that way about it. I was selling it, and it had to be in my Christmas picture!

I couldn't quite stand there seriously next to my 63 Falcon, so this was the result ...


The photo at the top of the post was from a photo shoot with an old photographer friend, Howard. If I had sent it out in the original format I would just be a big dork (which still may be the case!), so I added the snow flakes (stickers!) and glued on photos of my birds which are obviously not that huge, so it made it funny and festive and less "modely." My dad scanned it and that was the result. Very high tech with the glue!

In 04 my friend John was going to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara and had an assignment. He was to shoot, as if it were for a magazine cover, for Santa Barbara magazine. He was using one of those huge old fashioned box cameras, on a tri-pod, with a big hood that goes over the photographers head, circa 1900. Now imagine we were in the water and the waves start coming ...

2004


Fortunately, we saved the camera from going in for a swim!

I'm not sure what made me think of Frieda except that she is someone who had animals and I already had the shirt and jewelry ... and the birds! My birds were actually at the "photo shoot" in my parents' backyard. The monkeys were obviously added later and very necessary for the comedic effect I was going for.

2005
With Beatrice and Shakti-Bird


In 2006 my Mom had gotten a beautiful Kimono and I thought, "I want my picture taken in that!" So, out came the fan and the 20 dollar black bobbed wig! After I cut myself out and glued myself on a page from my Japanese woodcut calendar, I thought it looked pretty festive!

2006


When I saw this dress (below) in my Grandma's costume collection, I knew. Christmas!! The photo was taken in the kitchen/dining room of my apartment in my new 20 dollar platinum wig and green false eyelashes. The earrings were a last minute addition, in line with the whole "not taking myself to seriously" objective. My friend John also took this photo as well as the kimono photo.

2007


I was too busy in 2008 during the holidays and for the first time in years ... no card! Then in 09 and 10 I just sent pictures of me looking healthy so people could rest easy after all my health craziness.

But this year? Back to fun ... and a wink to my love (and some would say obsession!) with Italy and Rome. Here it is! Roman Holiday 2.0!

2011


"Buon Natale!

And may all you New Year Dreams come true!"


For a little more holiday cheer ...



This one has my favorite! Frank's super swinin' version of Santa Clause is Coming to Town ...




I posted this writing from Marianne last year
but I think it's something worth reminding ourselves of every year ...


Life is sweeter, as millions of people throughout the world
consider the possibility that a higher love exists.
For one day we lay aside our cynicism- if not completely, then enough.
We lay aside our faithlessness and our judgments and our blame.

We embrace the notion of a light at the center of things
that casts out darkness and cast out fear.
Millions of people think thoughts of love on Christmas.
That is why it is an important day.
That is why it gives us joy.
That is why it is such a blessing on the world.

~Marianne Williamson


Merry Christmas!
Buon Natale!
Feliz Navidad!
Joyeux Noel!
Feliz Natal
God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
Froehliche Weihnachten
Kala Christouyenna
Mele Kalikimaka
Nadolig Llawen
God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar
Krismasi Njema
Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom
Craciun Fericit
Merry Keshmish
Linksmu Kaledu
Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Hyvaa joulua
Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Sawat Dee Wan Kritsamas
Bara Din Mubarak Ho
Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Selamat Hari Natal

O.K., I sort of lost track of where I was there, but you get the idea!
(and I hope they were correct!)


Blessings and light
Love, joy and peace
To all of you, my friends
And to those who live in your hearts!!

In gratitude,
Lucinda


21 comments:

Victoria said...

Yay!! HUgs..what a FABULOUS post..you are magnificent Lu..it has been wonderful getting to know you and your magical contagious spirit...you are a shining star in blogland and a beautiful soul..and i think you are amazing! hugs and blessings kindred!
Buon Natale!
Wishing you a new year full of mega-sparkles and lots of new magical adventures!!
Victoria
xox

Franz said...

A great post,congrats!!
Merry Christmas !!

bondearte said...

Hey Cobalt Violet:
I think this idea of ​​making our own Christmas cards, awesome, very good!
You was very well dressed like Frida Kahlo, you were perfect :)))))
I really enjoyed all your cards Natalinos!
I also do my cards, I tried your email but did not found,
This year I used one of my posts to create the card, if you want to receive it
send me an email (paulo@bfpolymeros.com.br) and I send a Christmas card.
I hope that you and all your family have a Christmas full of peace and harmony and that the new year bring much success in all your projects!
big hug
Kiss
Paul

Xurde Radío said...

Great post, I enjoyed very much reading it, and watching those fabulous Christmas cards. It´s a good idea to make your own cards, they are much more original than the ones you can buy.
Have a merry Christmas, and best wishes for 2012.
Greetings from Asturias, Spain.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh, this was SO much fun! You really know how to live life and enjoy every moment! I absolutely LOVE your Roman Holiday pic! That's where I want to be! ♥ Merry Christmas ♥

erin's art and gardens said...

hi lucinda! mery, merry, merry to you and yours! wowza! i just love all of your cards, but this latest is my favorite! really fun, dahling!
erin
xxoo

Joop Zand said...

I WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY VERY NICE CHRISTMAS DAYS AND ALL THE BEST FOR 2012...IN GOOD HEALTH.

WARM X-MAS GREETINGS, JOOP

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cindy said...

loved your post, your very creative. wishing you a Merry Christmas. hugs.

ArtSparker said...

Great series!

shayndel said...

How fun! I love your playful cards.
I love the Japanese view and you in the kimono!
Happy Holidays, a beautiful and radiant season to you,
xo and Yo-i O-toshi-o !
(have a happy new year♡)

Ola said...

Merry Christmas!
I must admit you are very creative!

Style, She Wrote said...

Amazing, amazing cards~! You are super talented! Hope your Christmas was merry and bright! xo style, she wrote

Oh my Dior! said...

I just found your blog is beautiful! I am your new follower via google friend connect hope you can follow back so we can keep in touch!

http://www.ohmydior.org

koralee said...

What FUN!!!! Hope your Christmas was magical and the joy continues all week long! xoxo

koralee said...

ps....forgot to tell you how adorable I think you are! xoxo

Michele Hancock said...

Buon Natale! I just love your Christmas cards!

Punctuation Mark said...

wishing you the best this holiday season!!!

Unknown said...

Very clever, the cards are fantastic! My favourites are the Falcon and Frida. So cool!
Wish you all the best for 2012.

Cobalt Violet said...

Thanks for all the fun, super sweet comments everyone! Hope you all had a very joyous Christmas!!!

Marisa said...

Great post, and your cards are just brilliant. I feel very dull and uninspired just sending shop-bought ones. Have a wonderful New Year.