Now is the time to think about making your own personal Christmas Cards, an example of a previous year is in my gallery. I usually paint mine on A4 paper and then it is easy to scan. The "Christmas Greetings" was printed first and then the illustration of the building in the snow with the candle was drawn in black Pitt pen and watercolour was then used to complete it. Your original painting can then be copied and used in "Paint" or Fix in the photo section. Some time ago I installed "Irfanview" on my computer following an article by John Mitchell in "The Artist" Several items have proved useful. I often use "Picnik" (which is available free) and this enables one to vignette, change colours, put frames and insert lettering on the masterpiece! This enables you to do several different versions. Yet another way of decorative lettering is to buy peel-off lettering in gold or silver from your local craft shop or stationers. I like to print my pictures on matt photo paper whether they are Christmas, Birthday or Thank you cards.Use spray glue to stick them to standard size cards supplied with envelopes. The inserts are designed with appropriate words and suitable type faces together with a credit line "From a painting by . . ." usually set in 10 point type. Some cards I give a deckle edge by carefully beating round the edge of the card with a sharp-edged ruler. I hope this will encourage fellow artists to adapt or improve on these ideas to produce cards with a personal touch which are not too hard on the pocket!