What? Thinking about Christmas in summer?! That’s right! Every year, HSF sends Christmas cards to widows who have received curriculum assistance from the Foundation. But we need to start now to have the cards prepared. This summer, HSF offers you the opportunity to design the artwork for this special greeting card!

Themes

For each entry, select a category:

Category 1: Christmas Memories
Category 2: Seasonal Beauty of God’s Creation
Category 3: Christ’s Birth: The First Christmas

There is no limit to the number of submissions under one or multiple categories.

Important Perspective: Keep in mind that the purpose of the artwork is for use on the front of Christmas greeting cards. We encourage you to submit artwork or photography that is elegant and creative, filled with meaning and warmth. The goal is a finished product that will bless the hearts of the widows who will receive it. In keeping with this goal, you are welcome to use computer enhancement on artwork or photography. Have fun making it beautiful, but remember not to copy or use anyone else’s work in the process.

Who

Any homeschooling student, parent, or teacher that is 15 years old or older as of January 1, 2013.

Prizes!

Three 1st place winners, one from each category. In addition to a box of 12 of their cards with artist acknowledgement on the back, each winner will receive their option of a $25 HSLDA Bookstore gift card or an additional prize, to be announced in June. Stay tuned!

Fee?

Free!!

Sounds great! How do I submit?

• All aspects of each entry must be completely original, to avoid copyright infringement. And besides, we would rather offer these dear widows something special, created just for them.
• Artwork and photography accepted in digital format (jpg, bmp, gif, tif)
• For artwork, please submit as a picture in digital form (for specific instructions, see below). Please do not have artwork frame or matting in the photo.
• File size must be a minimum of 300dpi/ppi in a color or black & white digital photograph of the artwork (or scanned photo if you do not own a digital camera)
• Send electronic file of the artwork to contests@hslda.org with “Christmas Card Contest” in the subject line. Include the following information in the email with your entry: Name, email address, phone number, address, HSLDA member number if applicable, date of birth, and theme category (1, 2, or 3).

How long do I have?

• Email deadline: August 1, 2013
• Winners will be notified by letter and/or email and announced on HSF’s website and through HSLDA’s e-lert service by September 30th, 2012.

Other Information

• Judges will select a winner from each category. Judging will be made based on subject, creativity, composition, and general appeal. The decision of the judges is final.
• Any proceeds from the cards will go to the Home School Foundation’s Compassion Fund
• Photographs/artwork becomes the property of HSLDA and will not be returned. Entry in the contest constitutes permission for HSLDA to use the prints for publication at its discretion.

Questions? Suggestions? Contact our Contest Coordinator at contests@hslda.org. We love to hear from you!