Need Help with Christmas Card

[August Mom]

I'm working on our Christmas card, still holding out hope that I might get it done before all the on-line sales expire.

The idea was to get a 4x8 card, but to have a collage instead of just 1 photo. I put this together. I'm generally happy with the photo arrangement, I think. But, I'm afraid that the background is too stark for a Christmas card. What color do you think would be best? Also, if I try to match the background to the border of a 4x8 card, is there anyway to tell whether it's a true match?

Finally, I think I should soften the edges of the photos. I was originally thinking that a postcard look (pinking the edges) or torn paper might work. But, is there an easy way to do that sort of thing in Photoshop Elements. And, is that something that has to be done before the layers are moved onto the background?

TIA for your help.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17848.gif

[Karenn]

August Mom,
I have absolutely no idea what to tell you about your Christmas card. (I've got very little artistic sense!)

But I had to tell you how GROWN UP (and cute!) Justin looks! It's been so long since I've seen a picture of him! The pictures are great!

[jec2]

How about doing a very light grey (slate) with a slightly contrasting snowflake as the background. You could faintly layer a large, perhaps off-centered snowflake behind the pics of your cutie pie. I think I just used the "blur" tool around the edges of my photo (see my post from earlier today) and that gave me the softening that I was after.

Also, you could use a pretty font and type in red somthing like "happy holidays!" Nothing screams chritmas card like that :)

[August Mom]

I may need to do the wording and everything on this card. If I do that as a 4x6, where do I get envelopes to fit?

In years past, we've done the 4x8 with the wording on the 2 inches without the photo. I'm not sure if that will work this year or not.

Here's the photo with grey and a beveled edge applied.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17850.gif

[August Mom]

Here's another version with a red background. I would use this scheme if this were a stand alone card. I could add Happy Holidays below the photos (and move them up a little) and forget the 4x8 deal, I suppose. With the 4x8, I'm a little nervous that the red background will clash with the rest of the card.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17851.gif

[new_mommy25]

You can get cards to fit 4x6 everywhere. I got some really pretty blue ones from a paperie store when I did Noah's invitation. For an inexpensive route you can go to Office Depot and get a pack of 100 for about $8 but they usually only come in white. the bonus of the envelopes from Office Depot is that they have an adhesive closure.

[papal]

If you do get a 4x8, perhaps you want to get a contrasting colour on the non-pic side (or a neutral colour, to make sure there are no colour-matching issues.
Many places lilke Shutterfly offer a border and text with the 4x8 so if you are going that route then definitely no text would be better or it would look too cluttered imo.

Anyway, here is a quick draft... blurred edges and lined up straight... ignore grey stripes.. just messing around.
Like I said, for a 4x8, simpler is better... i would even say maybe just one picture would look good?

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17852.jpg

[steph2003]

I like the gray backgound w/beveled edges better then the red. The red seems almost too much red? I do like the way Rashmi blurred the pics/edges on the red, a bit more subtle.

How sweet looking is your little boy? That blond hair & blue eyes!

[mudder17]

First off, what a cutie Justin is! He looks so grown up! I like the grey with the blurred edges, but I'm thinking that maybe just one picture would work well, and you could put the message next to it. Or if you prefer 3 lined up pictures like Rashmi did it, you could put the message below the pictures.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://www.babysfirstsite.org/newtickers/ticker/16994.birthday.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amber_9m.gif Breastfed 9 months and counting

[jec2]

I do! Check Michael's, a stationary store, or a scrapbooking store for envelopes.