Christmas Card Parade: The Final Installment

I was originally thinking I was going to post these throughout the week but, I am just ready to move on!  So here are a few more from this year...

First up, the double sided ones:

 

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On this card {above} my friend had done some studio pics for her in-laws for Christmas.  She wasn't thrilled with having to do studio pics, but we took actual pictures of the pictures & then edited them to make them work.  Surprisingly, it worked well & we both liked the vintage look they took! 

 

This may or may not have been my favorite Christmas picture this year.  We printed these on pearl paper & they were topping my list of cutest.

 

And onto some single-sided...

 

 

 

  

 

 

And with that...I am considering Christmas a wrap.

Until next year.

Christmas 2011

 

I feel like I am just coming out of my Christmas haze.  This weekend was a complete whirlwind of activity.

On Saturday {Christmas Eve} one of my brother's best friends was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And that is a whole separate post.  My brother & dad spoke, my mom hosted an Open House afterwards, then we cleaned up & did Christmas Eve dinner & the family talent show and then got ready for Christmas morning.  Needless to say we were all tired & the fun hadn't even started yet!

Christmas morning found us at my parent's house.  You are probably wondering when I am ever going to grow up & do my own Christmas...and the answer is next year.  I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas morning at my parents.  I love being there & the added bonus of my parents & Kevin make it so much more fun.  I hate the transporting of gifts {like really detest} & the sleeping over with kids that won't sleep.  This year,  I am happy to report they actually both slept great...it was just my pregnant self that did not.  So it is a trade-off.  But this year was Kevin's last Christmas before he leaves on his mission.  So to mother's house we went & I am so very glad that Scot & Scoobs insisted we be there instead of home by ourselves.

Something that I have come to learn these past couple of weeks since my brother has been home from school over Thanksgiving & Christmas is this: Scoobs adores him.  And by adores I mean is within 6 inches of him at all times, in all places.  And even moreso, I've realized they are actually the same person, in two different bodies.  Scoobs competitiveness?  Kevin too.  Scoobs size?  Kevin too.  Scoobs sarcasm?  Kevin too.  The list goes on & on & on...which actually makes my life pretty darn easy because I feel like I have a good handle on what to watch out for & what to not worry too much about.

Back to Christmas morning.  My kids were really fun this year.  A few hi-lights:

The Lady slept with our Baby Jesus 2 nights prior to Christmas so she could be sure he was well taken care of -- pretty sure she'll be a big help when this baby comes.

Scoobs was worried to tears on Christmas Eve when I was tucking him in that he would be on the 'naughty' list.  Trust me...he had reason to worry with his smart mouth the week before!  It was so sad & funny at the same time!  Don't worry I was Mother of the Year & pretended like I didn't see any presents for him before he came in the room the next morning...

Scoobs was ticked that the Lady had the biggest present {a doll house}.  And he was like Ralphie on a Christmas Story looking for a gift about the size of a Nintendo DS.  Too bad it was hidden just for that reason!  He was pretty intense {shocker} about the whole thing, which made it all worth it.

 

pretty sure he was on the nice list this year.

And my favorite?  This little Lady trying on all her dress ups one after the other & then taking to the streets on her new tricycle. 

 

And while I know it is not about the presents, hearing her ask, "Do I have more presthents?" with big surprised eyes & a little lisp makes those presents oh so fun.  Soon enough they will realize that the greatest gift of all was the birth of our Savior...

Merry Christmas.

Parading: The VW Bus

This is one of my best friends, which is a good thing, because if she weren't, I'd probably hate her.  Shoot did I say that out loud?  But I mean, c'mon, could these pictures be any cuter?!?  I honestly love the way it all came together.

 

The yellow bus comes from her in-laws & her & my sister had schemed up this photo shoot for weeks.  I've decided that Krista & my sister are a match made in creative photography heaven.  And admittingly, I couldn't wait to get my hands on these pictures for Christmas cards.  The only problem was choosing which ones to use.

 

Go eat your heart out at the rest of the photos here. 

And going back to my thoughts on the pictures being about the photographer as much as the people in them, I heard from both sides little Cash man was a tough cookie to crack in this shoot...I believe them, but the photos give no evidence to that fact.

And remember how I said, this year was the year of the boys...well, I wasn't lying!

Parading: Houndstooth

Every year there seems to be a pattern I am itching to get on a card.  This year, it was hounds tooth.  Not sure why, but I wanted it everywhere & managed to get it on two different client's cards, that I knew wouldn't overlap in their mailing lists.

The first one, was a double-sided square on pearl with rounded corners.  She mailed these in the brown kraft paper envelopes, which really put it over-the-top.

 

 The second one, was a folded 5x7 on linen paper & both were at the top of my favorite list this year.

 

Tomorrow?  My favorite photo shoot of the season.  Really.  I wanted to cry when I saw it only because I wished it were my idea & my pictures.

Next year, when I'm not pregnant, right?

Parading: The Photo Card

This year, it was tough to beat the photo card price through Costco & while I love me a nice linen or pearl double-sided paper, sometimes we have to remember it's just a Christmas card!  And so in that case, photo makes sense.  That, and Costco's come with lined envelopes, which I'm sure you remember I love.

So here's to some of the photo cards I did from 2011...

 

Does this one look familiar?  Yes...we just switched up the colors.

I always love seeing these things actually come to life.  I work on the files & then send them off & then they show back up in my mailbox all printed & pretty.

Merry Christmas...To You from Me.

Last year I made the mistake of designing everyone's Christmas card prior to my own & then hating both designs I did for myself.  Yes, that's right, there were two & they were both lousy.  This year, I was not going to let that happen because there is nothing more annoying than your own card being lackluster.  I have a hard time designing for myself anyway & after I design 50 cards & then come to my own, I've usually used up all my good ideas & I have nothing left in the tank.  So, this year, I had a plan & I stuck to it & I have to say, I actually like my own card, which is a rarity.  So let us celebrate that...and one other thing...

{notice the empty shoes}

it's a boy, in case you hadn't already heard...and we are all really excited.

And if I'm keeping it real, photos by Lindsey...on a random Sunday morning.  My kids' outfits were chosen 15 minutes prior & my sister forgot we had talked about doing pics that morning {the day before} and I went & yanked her from her family in her pjs for our little session...whatever it takes right?

You should also know, that she had to move a head {I think she moved the Lady's} to get that super cute picture of both my kids on the back.  This year I've decided that good pics are rarely the result of the actual people in them & moreso the talent of the photographer.  More on that later.

Let the Parade Begin: Christmas Cards 2011

 

This is was a take on the Ribbon Design from this year & for whatever reason, I kind of fell in love with these cute boys!  My husband grew up on the beach in Southern California & we spend a lot of time there each summer & frankly, these two are just extra cute. 

I was talking with my sister {the photographer} and we decided this was the year of the boys.  She too had so many cute boys showing up on her computer screen.  Maybe it is them, or maybe it is that we both have boys about this age, not sure but for whatever reason, we were loving the little boys this season!

My Christmas Present to You.

 

If you're like me, you've mailed your cards, your inches away from being completely DONE on Christmas shopping & maybe you've even tackled your neighbor gifts...and now it is time to wrap, wrap, wrap.  I love wrapping!  Each year, I get together with some friends & we wrap most everything in one night.  We usually take advantage of my mom's huge upstairs loft that comes with plenty of space & an over-the-top tv/movie set up.  We put on our jammies, dish up some treats, pop in a holiday chick flick & make a night of it...and best of all, we don't have to worry about any little eyes peeping around the corner!

I had to make these tags earlier in the week for a neighborhood party & thought since I had already done all the design work, you should have them too.  My way of saying thank you for a fabulous Christmas season.  I've loved all your cute photos & cards!  

I had my tags professionally printed {because I needed so many} but I've also printed them at home on white cardstock & they have worked great!  Cute & simple.  I might love them.

Your file will look like this {sans watermark}, so you can leave them as rectangles or angle the tops like I did.  Then hole punch & tie.  Easy.

Want yours?

Leave your email & I will send you the file tonight, as many of you that want them, they're yours.

Merry Christmas.

Next week...the parade of this year's Christmas cards begins!

Christmas Bag Tags

Neighbor gifts.  Love them or hate them?  I think most of us have a love/hate relationship with them, right?  Please tell me I am not the only one carrying around the 'hate' portion.  Growing up, I remember my mom doing all sorts of different things for neighbor gifts.  When I was really little, I remember it being popcorn balls.  My mom made a mean popcorn ball.  However, as I got older we did about a million different things.  I have a few favorites that we did & more than a few favorites that we received.  I was, and have been, always amazed at people's thoughtfulness -- that is the love part.

The hate part, is drumming up my own idea & then actually carrying through on it.

We received our first 'neighbor' gift this year & it was such a cute idea, I had to re-create it & post it here.

The idea is one I vaguely remember passing in stores & it is so simple I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  So here it is...put your favorite treat in an ordinary ol' ziploc sandwich bag & then tag with your own A-frame tag.

 

I just printed the file.  Cut it out, then folded & stapled twice.  And done.

I put popcorn in mine, because that is one of our favorite snacks & your should know I make a mean homemade popcorn {I know...it takes incredible talent to do so.} So you still need a neighbor gift idea?

Great.  You know the drill...first 3 comments get the file for free.

Otherwise you can find it here.

Oh and I am beyond excited to use these for Valentine's day...really, my life just got so easy.

Christmas 2011: Diagonal Ribbon

 

New & in the shop now!

This might be one of my new favorite ones.

Coming soon...some more Christmas tags & such.

Check back Monday, you might just be able to score them for nada.

Christmas 2011: Chevron Tags

This year, I am all about presentation.  Really.  Pinterest has done me {and my poor husband} in with all the oodles of ideas.  My Christmas cards have taken on a life of their own.  And my gift wrapping is beginning to quickly get out of control as well.  What's most funny, is I keep thinking, 'I just want it simple.' And then, promptly kill myself in pursuing simplicity.

Who said the look of simplicity is simple at all?  Not I.  Not I.

BUT I do have some printable tags in the shop {new today!} that actually might simplify & beautify your holiday wrappings.

I am picturing them on a package like this:

 

{source}

More colors & designs coming...but for the first 3 comments {please leave your email!} I will send you the file for free.  Just cause I think your Christmas should be 'simple' too.

Christmas Cards 2011: Believe

 

This might just be my new favorite.  My favorite part of Christmas is kids belief in Santa Claus.  I know that has nothing to do with the birth of our Savior, but that element of pure belief captures a child's perfect faith & I love it.

I remember one year when Scoobs was little {okay he still is, but I think he was 2 1/2} and we were out jumping on the trampoline late one night {as in past his bedtime}.  As we were jumping we could see over the fence to a huge truck, pulling a huge trailer filled to the brim with carolers.  The bed of the truck held Santa & Mrs. Claus up on a platform with spotlights on them.  It was equipped with speakers & a megaphone announcing their arrival.  To say it is an awesome set up is an understatement.

As we are jumping I am looking at this & it takes me a minute to realize what is going on...I know, I'm slow.  But I see them turn the corner & realize they will be on our street in 2 seconds.  I rushed Scoobs off the tramp & out front.

I cannot tell you the look on his face when he saw that Santa & trailer filled with carolers singing our favorite Christmas tunes.  Magic.  He was stunned speechless.  I was surprised he was that impressed until he looked up at with me stars in his eyes & said, "Mom, Santa came to see me."

He was dead serious & felt so very special.

I about died.

What more is there to love?

 

Christmas Cards 2011: Merry & Bright

 

Christmas Cards 2011: Damask

I realize the above picture has a gray line & a blue line in it -- that is not part of the design but a blogger frustration that I can't spend time remedying right this very moment! 

Not much time for commentary today...the Christmas season is fully upon me & I realize there is Thanksgiving in there too, which is another thing...the menu!  Oh...and it is wedding season again.  Can't wait to show you everything...in due time.  Sleep a couple extra hours for me tonight?  please?

You should know I love it.

And you should know my sister & friend produced the most beautiful family pictures I have ever seen.  Really.  I about cried & my friend actually did.  I cannot wait for her cards.  I will not post any here, but you might know where to look for them.

Sleep an extra hour for me tonight will you?  And pray my sore throat doesn't get any worse...

Christmas Cards 2011: Ribbons

 

I love a good picture on a Christmas photo card -- like really love.  So when you have a great picture -- capitalize on it & make it the entire focus of your card.  This was one of my favorite family pictures from last year.  One I like the peeps in it {hi Amy!} and two, I thought the colors & location were just a little different from the norm.  I also like the angle of the shot.  The photographer {who was not my sister...but not sure who} was right on their level but further back, giving you the aspect of the pavers in the forefront. 

So again, when you have a great picture, make the picture your entire card.  This ribbon could be rearranged in color & wording a million different ways, but hopefully you get the idea. 

Here are a few other cards that focus on the picture that we've received over the years.  Excuse the pics, I just snapped them with my phone.

 

I love this new baby shot!  Keeping it simple with the red & white is so perfect because it allows you to focus on those babies!  These are my cousins kids & his wife is quite the photographer.

 

She did it again with this great shot last year.  I love the little kissing pic up top.

 

This is my old boss & his family...they are some of my favorite people, not to mention a great looking family.  So I guess what I am saying is when you are all this good looking, just send me a picture of your mug.

More ideas tomorrow.

Time for cartoons & breakfast.

This was what was happening yesterday morning at this time {7am!}:

 

Today?  It was a sword fight at, you guessed it, 7 am.

Try not to be jealous.

Christmas Cards 2011

 

Remember how I said I wasn't going to get any new designs pre-made for this year?  Well, I lied.  I really like having some pre-made designs for people to pull from.  So hopefully I can get up 1 a day this week.  These pre-designed cards work really great for photo cards.  They typically have 1 spot for a picture and a simple message.

I sell my pre-designed photo card designs for $15 & they will be personalized with your own message & picture.  The colors can also be tweaked to work with your family's photo.  I will do the designing & you will do the printing.  Remember that Costco deal?  I can't find a better deal out there.

If you want to add a backside to any pre-made design we can do that too.  Backsides are fully custom & typically included another picture as well as a longer message or letter. Those are $35 + the cost of printing which varies based on what you choose in regards to shapes & papers.

For the photo card version of this one simply go here.

Check back tomorrow for more designs.