New Shop Treats {Christmas Cards Too!}

I am soooo excited to get to share some new shop treats today!  There is a super exciting and eager time lapse between drawing up new cards, adding color, designing the card to great specifications (makes your brain hurt), sending them out to be professionally printed and waiting to receive them.  It is a nerve wracking (in a good way), exciting time..

We make our canvas prints in house, using pigment inks.  So, I get to see prints as soon as they are designed (by me) and ready to be printed.

Although, I have been sitting with my little deer, waiting for the cards to arrive, so I could share both print and cards at the same time.

I had a lovely deer following me around for several months, wanting to be put onto paper, but I didn't know if I could convey the gentleness in the eyes, the kindness.  There was also this enchanting vine and these curious berries floating around in my thoughts.  So, I finally sat down with my pencil...

  I think that the drawn version is exactly as I saw sweet deer in my mind's eye.  I added some color, and fabric print to the body...

This is the finished piece -

Lovely Deer, Print.

After I drew this piece, I really wanted to turn it into a postcard.  So, I began the process of designing the card.

I decided to have the cards made extra large, in 5" x 7" with a glossy finish.

(Note - my "afancifultwist.com" watermark does not appear on the actual cards)

The back of the card has the look of an old piece of paper, but in pink and purple tones, yumms.

There is a beautiful glossy sheen to the front of the card (the back is satin).

And as I said, these are a larger 5" x 7" card, sold with envelopes.

I am so tickled with the size.

I think that these can be used for so many occasions, even as a holiday or winter card, with a twist.

Speaking of holiday cards...

I have been beyond itching to share this year's full fledged Christmas cards.  Owlie and Mousie begged and begged to be this year's card loves.

So, I agreed..

Owlie and Mousie Christmas!

(my "afancifultwist.com" watermark does not appear on the actual cards)

The extra fun thing is that, these are fold open cards...

They come with envelopes and measure 5.5" x 4.25"

The outside of the card has a glossy finish, and the inside is a white matte finish.

I also created a print version of Owlie and Mousie Christmas, below...

I am crazy about holiday art in my house, so, I just had to have them as a print.

Oh and, I also made one more card, in the Winter Wonderland realm...

I want to live in that image forever!  Well, as long as there is a warm cabin hiding around.

Winter Wonderland Snow, Glossy finish front, 4" x 6" (satin back)

All of my cards, postcards included, are sold with envelopes.

My shop is now bursting with Holiday Cards (commercial quality cards)!

There is a section called "Christmas Cards" in the left hand side bar of my shop, where you will find all of the Christmas holiday related cards.

So, that is some shop fun.  I wish I could show them to you in person.

Oh oh, I best not forget, I drew a name for the giveaway in the last post.  Actually, I used a random number generator ;)

The winner is Rita, Rita in Rome! Yay Rita, I will e-mail you today!

I am so glad when you all join in for giveaway fun and such.  It makes me want to do it more often!  And I just might ;)

OKay well, off I go for now!!

 

Love, Vanessa

 

 

ps:  Have you ever wondered what on earth canvas prints in my shop are like? 

I have gotten more and more questions about them lately, so, I thought I would take a moment to give some examples and details.

The canvas I use to make prints is an archival poly/cotton canvas, specially made for printing on with archival pigment inks (which we use).  It comes in large rolls, which I hand-cut to print size. 

As you can see, the canvas is the shape of a piece of paper, but is canvas.

The canvas easily bends, and feels like a super sturdy piece of fabric.

The canvas has a smooth texture, and a rich matte finish.

Because the material is in fact a canvas with canvas texture, folks often mistake prints for originals when they see them framed and in person.

After trying many different products, I came to the realization, that the only way to reproduce my work in the best way possible, was through canvas prints.

As an example, the piece below has a print image measuring 8" x 10" (standard frame size in the U.S). There are white borders, which I trim as thin as possible, leaving enough edging that you can easily mat/frame your print.

The amazing 3-d effect of the prints often throws people off.  Prints are flat, and do not have raised texture.  I often get that question.  Alas, all prints are flat.

I have had people walk up to a framed print in my house, and stub their finger on the glass trying to touch the 3-d dress effect.  Funny indeed ;)

But, a good sign I do believe?  :)

So, if you were ever wondering exactly what a canvas print in my shop is, that is the super detailed version of my explanation ;)

Comments

[GG Pinkster]

Lovely and the deer is so very sweet.

[cathy]

love love love the cards - off to your shop to take a look!

[A Forest Frolic]

Love the new deer one Vanessa...so lovely!! You know I'll have to snag some soon. And yes, yes, your canvas prints are wonderful and look so 3D for sure. I've also had many people think that they are originals, tee hee. The color is amazing on the canvas too.

Hugs,
p.s. congrats to Rita!

Jamie :)

[Jessica]

Dear V,

I love the reindeer! He is so cute! And I am really glad that you described the canvas print because that was a question of mine as well.

Lovely Christmas cards! Truly adorable!

xoxo Jessica
A Woodland Fantasy

P.S. Do you know when you will have the "Le Theatre de Petit Gateau" painting as a print? I wanted to get the original, but someone beat me to the punch!

[Jessica]

P.S. I would really enjoy more giveaways! I want to test my luck...so far I have entered every one and not prevailed, but I am not giving up yet!

P.S.S. Congrats, Rita! Enjoy your special package!

xoxo

[Tracy Martinez]

Lovely new Christmas art, especially the deer!
I have one of your Frida Kahlo canvas prints and it is just gorgeous and looks like a real painting hanging in my living room, I LOVE it!

Best to you and yours this holiday season!
Cheers!

Tracy M.

[Linda Diane]

This new artwork is just beautiful, Vanessa! I know you must have so much fun when you sit down to do it.

May I chime in and say that I have 3 of Vanessa's canvas prints, and they are amaaazing quality with gorgeous colors.

[Jenn]

I must say Vanessa, your prints are completely one of a kind. I have ordered many gorgeous prints but yours are special. The canvas is truly incredible. It is honestly my favourite thing on my wall. I love it! I love your new art, it's gorgeous as always!

[Cameron]

Your images sure do help one get in the Spirit!
Pretty, pretty!

[Kim / Gerushia's New World]

Vanessa:

I am over the moon in love with all your Christmas and snowy goodness. Your cards are beautiful.

Also...let me say that I can vouch for the very high quality and 3-d effect of your canvas prints. I own one and I adore it!

Thank you for making this weird, electronic world so warm and real!

xoxo
Kim
Gerushia's New World

[Rita]

Thank you soooo much! What a wonderful surprise. I'm so happy, I love the way you communicate by art.
Kisses,
Rì

[patty biermans]

Congratulations Rita!! And I like the deer and the christmascards OOOOHHH so much!! hugzz...peebee

[Miss Linda]

Oh, Miss Vanessa these are all so very beautiful. I love all the new Christmas cards. The deer reminds me of the ones that pass through my yard looking for apples. I had four in my yard last night. Your cards make me smile.

[Lisa K]

I love your sweet dear! Thanks for the explaination with the prints, what a great idea, they do look amazing!

[Charis]

Your deer design is absolutely beautiful Vanessa!

[Theresa]

Here am I! Late to the party, as always. Congrats to your lucky giveaway winner, Vanessa! I actually saw these beautiful new treats in your shop before I actually read your post! hee hee hee I am in LOVE with deer. He is so sweet. Everything you've created for the holiday is so bright and happy!!! xoxo

[Queenie Believe]

The new Chrstmas cards are festively fabooo! I really enjoyed learning about the canvas printing... How wonderful to have 3-D effect!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

[Lavender Dreams]

They are all so beautiful! Happy holidays, my friend! ♥