IT LOOKS LIKE CHRISTMAS...

Here it is ... Christmas Eve. the stockings are stuffed ... packages are wrapped and I've gained weight. Things are right on track.

While I sit here in a stupor caused from feasting, I want to reflect on my ... I think ... my 8th online Christmas card. It started with a simple picture and playing , "Here Comes Santa Claus" on Yoko's dulcimer. Over the year's I have explored different programs ... different methods. The common element ... at least one of them is the lack of time to do what I really want to do.

This year was no different. I started by being almost finished a month ago. I had Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present flying through London. But I wasn't happy with it. The Street scenes did not merge well enough. So I decided to go another direction.

I took "Aunt Rhodie" and changed the lyrics to a warning about her bringing fruitcake. I made the puppets in Photoshop and recorded the sound track. Then life intervened and I found me short of time and making compromises.



I can only move on and enjoy the successes I enjoyed on this year's card. In some ways it is the slickest of the cards I have done to this point. The background was painted and I animated Rhodie's hat flower. I did not get the snow done or the sophistication and detail of the animation I wanted . But the base is there and people laughed.

My current plan is to renew the push to get the first 3 Dulci-toons done and start next years card. Time will see if I can pull this off.