Every year I scrounge for an idea for the family card, and this year it came to me while at the movies. I saw three pairs of little feet sticking out the bottom of a photo booth and heard lots of high pitched laughter. ‘Made me smile and voila’…our card process began.
Always gotta feature the zoo on the black…they are so animated and funny, that they make the card fun for me.
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I’ve been interested in Photoshop composite images lately, which is what the Christmas card is. I’m fascinated by creating something that isn’t really there, but adding in elements that have meaning. One of my favorite composite-making photographers lives in Austin–his name is Eric Dogget and his work is really clever and inspiring. The trick with composite work is to have it appear real looking (also “larger than life”) and have some kind of message or humor. Eric is the master with the humor. His Christmas cards are fabulous and it gave me some ideas of my own for next year!
My “Keeper of the Birds” images were composites that took forever to make, but it was a process I really enjoyed. I feel like an artist with my Wacom table and pen–it’s like painting. 
If you’re a photographer and don’t work with one of these bad boys, I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve been doing all photo editing with a Wacom for 12 years, and working with a mouse now feels like moving a rock over the screen.
There are some really great PS composite books out there–I seem to have a library full. I love:
By the master, Matt K. :
and this one by the composite pioneer, Katrin Eismann:
Interesting stuff!
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I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday week, lovelies, and that you’ll get some time to relax and just enjoy the family time. We’re having our annual holiday tea with Sainta Maria and her girls over here today…It’s a tradition we all really enjoy. Love gettin’ those teacups out!
OX.
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We love your card. Hello to Maria! Holly
Love your card! A beautiful family! Hugs! Florence
Love the card and of course we can’t wait for our tea partay!!
Lara –
I always look forward to seeing your card and design next year. Great job again. I wanted to share this designer’s site in which he has catalogued his Christmas Card efforts over the years. I think you would appreciate the creativity and designs. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
http://camerasim.com/creative-christmas-cards/
Ryon
Great card!!
Happy Holidays!
Sam
so fun! merry christmas to all of you!
I love this. Absolutely too cute! Oh my goodness. Wishing you a lovely and blessed Christmas dear one! You are a gift in my life! Warmest warmest wishes!
I wanna be you…. Your talent amazes me…. Sending you loving warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a year full of all your favorite things my sweet friend! ox
What a treat… We just got it today…photo booths are such a Thing for us. I have a collection of our family shots taken in every booth we pass – so much fun. They are under the glass on my dresser and everyday I start my morning looking at the three of us making funny faces. My favorite card of the year!! Xo
Love the card, love your talent! Merry Christmas!!!!
Hi Lauren -
Great job on the card! I love the idea. And I love the fun/carnival look to the back too. You’ve got some obedient (looking) dogs
Eric
Love the card!