Lisa and Ella Waddell’s “Nutcracker Toys” card is on display on Church Street for Christmas Card Lane. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Lisa Waddell and her daughter Ella conspired to produce “Nutcracker Toys,” their contribution to Christmas Card Lane.

Lisa has always enjoyed drawing, painting and other creative activities. “My most in-depth training was at Georgia Tech when I took a mixed media class. I found that I really enjoyed etching/engraving and working with watercolors,” Lisa said.

Lisa and Ella’s painting, “Nutcracker Toys,” takes a nostalgic look on the classic Christmas musical. “When Ella was young, she fell in love with ‘The Nutcracker’ after I took her to a performance when she was in first grade,” Lisa said.

Lisa told Ella that they were going to paint a ‘card’ for Christmas Card Lane, and Ella started creating different designs. “Ella she told me that she remembered how she felt when she saw ‘The Nutcracker.’ She wanted to take a childhood classic and turn it into story told through a collection of children’s toys,” Lisa said.

They used acrylic paint and worked on the card about 1.5 weeks, finding time after school, work and on weekends. They painted a fairy doll with wand, snow globe, mouse, wind-up soldier music box and peppermint candies.

“I really enjoy the Christmas season and thought it would be fun to participate in a community event like Christmas Card Lane,” Lisa said. “It was also something that Ella and I could do together.”

Lisa works as a production, planning and control analyst with Jacobs in Huntsville. Ella is a sophomore at Bob Jones High School and participates in Animation Club and the Patriot Band.

Lisa’s husband, Rev. Dr. Blair Waddell, is senior pastor of Providence Baptist Church. Ella’s sisters are Mia, Olivia and Evie.

Ella is available for commissioned artwork. For more information, email to lwaddell578@gmail.com.

Christmas Card Lane is open on Church and Front streets in downtown Madison. The displays will be illuminated through Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m., founder Shrail Heinrich said.