HOMEMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Byline: Karen McCowan The Register-Guard

CORRECTION (ran 12/16/03): The work of artist Edward Gorey was not attributed in a story Sunday on homemade holiday greeting cards. Mike and Merry Fix of Junction City used a drawing by the late artist in a card, published on Page G2, satirizing ballet parents such as themselves.

Confession: I approached this topic with all the optimism of Ebeneezer Scrooge.

When assigned a story on homemade holiday cards, I feared Slim Pickin's. Who has time these days to even address and sign cards, much less make their own?

Plenty of Register-Guard readers, God bless you, every one!

More than 300 original designs flooded our Features Department mailbox after we published a call for homemade cards. Opening them was like Christmas morning, come early. The big challenge turned out to be choosing which handful of cards to display.

The submissions were funny and beautiful, intricate and personal, historical and counter-cultural. They were made by folks as young as 2 and as old as 82. Some submissions were part of a decades-old tradition.

Eugene resident Vicki Maxon sent 25 years of pen-and-ink cards sketched by her father and hand-colored by her mother. "Considering they send out 50 to 75 cards each year, it's quite time-consuming," she wrote.

Andy Maxon, who once hosted the local "Let's Go Fishing" show, has depicted everything from Bible verses to current events - his 2001 card, "United at Christmas!" featured Santa holding an American flag.

For most card submitters, the impetus was wanting to send something personal.

Lynn Liontos of Eugene began making her own cards 25 years ago, "Because store-bought cards didn't often say what I wanted to say, or were too 'sing-songy.' '

Nancy Karp of Springfield said friends and family members have come to count on her elegant, hand-printed, peace-themed designs.

"One year, I sent out UNICEF cards and my recipients let me know that my originals were missed!" she reported.

Many card-makers enjoy the process as much as the product.

"I love to put on holiday music in early December and create my design, then get cozy and paint," explained Alison Nina of Eugene, who hand-paints each of the 85 cards she sends.

"It's not great art, but it's mine, and the pleasure of quiet time creating at the busiest time of the year is a peaceful respite," she said.

Some of the cards we received were created decades ago.

Fred Hase of Eugene sent an original Christmas card he made his sister in 1937. The retired Register-Guard printer used his press access to print a mock check from "The Bank of Friendship" in the amount of "$365 days of Health, Happiness and Prosperity."

But "most historical" honors go to the card designed this year by Kathy and Keith Wolf of Junction City. Going through old family correspondence, the couple found a 1921 "letter from Santa" to Keith's mother, Mary Backhert.

The Wolfs photocopied and framed the yellowed letter for their 2003 Christmas card cover. With a Toyland dateline, it reads:

"Dear Mary. Your dear little letter received yesterday and note what you say about being at Grandma's at Christmas time. ... Be a good little girl and be good to Sister and Dorothy and I will leave your presents at Grandma's Christmas Eve.

Good Bye,

Santa Claus"

Inside the card are photos (circa 1920) of Mary and her father, Harry "Santa Claus" Backert.

Irene Dover of Florence embroiders the covers of all 50 Christmas cards she sends each year.

"I can do three or four a night while I sit and watch TV," the retiree and grandmother said.

Many cards were funny.

Perhaps most clever: The "Fiedler Bureau of Investigation - 4 Most Wanted List" Christmas greeting created in 1996 by Al and Becky Fiedler of Eugene. In sullen mug shots, their children held signs reading "Merry," "Christmas," "Happy" and "New Year." Below 10-year-old Katherina's photo: "Wanted for excessive horseback riding."

Jeff and Susan Gusinow's latest Hannukah card simultaneously shares a family milestone and lampoons a California politician.

Their mock Time magazine "2003 Biggest Stories" cover proclaims: "It's a Toss Up: Ahnold vs. Gusinow Bar Mitzvah." Digital image manipulation places Schwarzengger behind the smiling Eugene family, his hand on Susan's hip.

Open the card, and there's another punchline: "Reach out and touch someone this holiday season."

Photo cards were popular. Close friends of Karen Hartman and Bob Bloeser are receiving an R-rated departure from the formal card going out to relatives. The self-portrait features the couple skinny-dipping in their hot tub. It was snapped from a ladder by a camera with a timer. The hard part, Karen wrote, was scrambling into the water in the 10 seconds before the shutter clicked.

Several cards were downright puzzling. Florence resident Nancy Johnson created a three-way crossword that recipients must solve to decipher her card's greeting.

Along a similar vein, Thomas and Janet Burg of Eugene crafted a "word search," inviting readers to find phrases revealing highlights of their year, such as 45TH KLAMATH UNION HS REUNION.

Because they are descendants of John Alden, the pilgrim, John and Kathy Alden of Springfield have made a 20-year tradition of sending Thanksgiving rather than Christmas cards. Their grown children still help design the cards, which always feature a turkey.

"Over the years, he has announced new babies, told about trips and weddings, and this year is blessing our troops," the family wrote.

Birds also figure in a card by Janet Roberts of Springfield - one that would hit home in many of Oregon's extended families.

Above cartoon beavers and ducks happily playing together, she penned: "In the wild they were natural enemies, but at Christmas they were family."

"I am legally blind but I continue my love of art in the best way I know how," she wrote.

The Register-Guard will return all cards submitted with self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Other cards may be picked up at the newspaper by contacting Karen McCowan at 338-2422 or [e-mail].

CAPTION(S):

Scott Barkhurst, musician and actor, got painfully literal. Barbara Anheluk of Fall Creek adds custom touches, such as the Arts heading glued to the angel she sent us. "Kounter Klause" cards are by Karl Stumpf and Janette Eichler. Jefferson student McKenzy Luell designed this for a fund-raiser. This mini-origami Santa was created by Pat Brasch of Eugene. Charlotte Lingo of Junction City makes all of her greeting cards, including this hand-stamped Christmas card. Jeff, Susan, Sander and Alex Gusinow of Eugene create photo parodies, including this "Hannukah at the Osbournes" card, for their Hannukah greetings. McKenzie and Kelsea Schmidt of Eugene appear as pop-up photos in the manger scene drawn by Mom, Alexis Schmidt. Nancy Karp of Springfield creates original designs that are printed from linoleum or plastic plates. Florence resident Irene Dover makes her point with needle and thread, embroidering each card she sends. "Official Cheer!" says the inside of a card by Mac Court equipment assistant (and referee) Karen Meats. Junction City residents Mike and Merry Fix envision life as perennial ballet parents in this cartoon greeting card. Cynthia Friedman of Eugene draws on her own family's activities and adventures for her annual holiday cards. "It's not great art, but it's mine, and the pleasure of quiet time creating at the busiest time of the year is a peaceful respite." - ALISON NINA, MAKES HER OWN HOLIDAY CARDS The punchline inside Elmira artist Paul Bougault's fly-fishing Santa card: "May there be no limit to your holiday joy." This elk card, by Nancy Karp of Springfield, reflects her preference for themes that are "nonreligious, to accommodate all faiths." Robert and Amy Adams-Schauer and their daughters contorted themselves to create a card spoofing popular vodka ads.