adoption announcement--opinions

[holliam]

Hi mams,

I am planning on using this for our adoption announcement. I'm going to print it in 4x6 and put it on simple natural linen cards. What do you think?

http://www.holliam.org/images/final2.jpg

Also, since you can't really see her face, I'm going to also enclose a 4x6 collage of a bunch of pics. Does that seem like over kill?

http://www.holliam.org/images/collage.jpg

I am also including a little note/story about our adoption and life for the past 18 months because we hibernated from friends/family during a lot of that time and I am trying to re-connect.

Holli

[mudder17]

That is the sweetest picture! I love how her dresses complements the dandelion she's about to grab!

I love the idea of enclosing a collage and the story of your adoption, but have you tried putting a light colored border between each of the pictures to see how it looks? It's hard for me to separate some of the pictures from each other because the backgrounds kind of blend in. Alternatively, maybe you could put a "dreamy/faded" border between each one so that the faces show up very well, but we don't pay attention to the background at all. Does that make sense? I will say that I LOVE your choice of pictures, though. And even better, I love how you included at least one picture of Mari with Daddy and Mommy.


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[holliam]

Thanks, Eileen! Can you guess what diaper cover she had on underneath? ;)

I thought about doing a border, but I'm trying to cram so many in on 4x6 that it was taking up some precious room. I'll play with it some more.

Holli

[jk3]

I think the announcement is beautiful!

Jenn
DS 6/3/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

[mudder17]

Oh geez, I'm guessing a cute wool cover with a matching dandelion, but if I could take a peek at your current collection, I'd know for sure! ;)


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[american_mama]

Holli, so cute! I would consider "Dreams do come true..." because I think it sounds better, but it might not be your taste.

Alos, is that you in the photo? I NEVER imagined you with long hair and glasses! I thought you were a dark brunette like me. And I thought your DH looked very different in one of the diaper pictures; didn't he have very straight dark hair in one?

Also, do you want to put her middle name in?

I like the whole thing.

[holliam]

I am playing on the whole "making wishes" by blowing on the dandelion seed thing.. is this not universal? LOL

Yep, that's me, and DH has always had those curls! He was a redhead in his youth. ;)

Her name is complicated, and I was going to explain it inside. Her full name is actually "Wendy Marisol", and her birth mama named her. Our last name is entirely too anglo that Wendy didn't fit her.

When we first started our adoption journey, I had a dream that our daughter's name would be Marisol. It means "sea & sun", and I have never know anyone with the name; it just came out, and I even journaled about it. This was on NY Eve 2003/2004. (I have since even found a book about a little girl named Marisol who is adopted from Guatemala, but I digress... ) At some point I then realized that nearly my whole life I had a dream about a daughter named Mari.

That's when we decided to keep her birthname but call her a nickname based on her middle name, Mari. As bizarre as it sounds, several people in DH's family do this.

So, I originally had "Wendy Marisol 'Mari'" and it was just too long and confusing.

You gals are good, though! You're finding all the things I was struggling with! lol

Holli

[JElaineB]

Mari is beautiful, Holli! I love the main picture of her grabbing the dandelion! I think what you are sending sounds great. I'm sure your friends and family will be happy to hear your story and see all the pics.

Jennifer
mom to Jacob 9/27/02

[RwnMayfair]

I love that picture! It's great! I do agree with Eileen about the collage though - all of those pictures are great too, but without some sort of border between them, I almost get lost at first. Of course, since you want to fit it on the 4x6 card, a border might be kind of hard...

But anyway, that announcement and the picture of her with the dandelion are just adorable. :)

-Melissa

Taran, November 20, 2003

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif - Eighteen months!
http://lilypie.com/baby2/031120/0/5/0/-5/.png
http://lilypie.com/days/050821/4/0/0/-5/.png

[COElizabeth]

I love the announcement and the collage! I'm sure all your family and friends will be delighted to get both of them and your adoption story.

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02
and Charlotte, 11-04-04

[DebbieJ]

Looks great. Mari is of course gorgeous. I love the collage and letter/note idea.

I am all goose-bumpy. :)

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

[bostonsmama]

Holli, your announcement is so beautiful! You're quite the photographer to have captured such a pic...it really does say it all. If I were receiving the announcement from a friend, I'd be thrilled to receive so many pics (above and beyond the call of duty, IMHO, but in a good way:) ). The collage not having borders is only an issue with the pics 2 up from the bottom on the left...otherwise it looks just fine.

You all make such a beautiful family. I can totally see your souls in her eyes. I'm sure everyone will be so happy to reconnect!


Larissa
who is still trying to give birth so she can have more to say

[buddyleebaby]

I think it's gorgeous...
Perfect.

[HannaAddict]

Maris is beautiful and the photos are all wonderful. Love the collage, and I would love to get the note about the last 18 months in such an announcement. Great job and congrats again. It is perfect.

Kimberly
DS 3/18/04

[beckyr88]

I absolutely love the whole thing!! How incredibly sweet. And I will go against the grain and say I think the collage would be too busy with borders!!

Thanks for sharing!

[Melanie]

Oh my goodness...I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dandelion picture, and the wording/font etc.!

I think the collage is also a nice bonus. ITA, that you might want to try redoing and leaving a teensy bit of background space between each photo for separation.

I don't think it's overkill, but who cares if someone does! You could always make the collage part of your story/letter. Like print it in the center with the text floating around it if you wanted to cut down on inserts.

[SweetTooth]

Absolutely beautiful! I would be thrilled to receive such an announement w/extra pictures & a story - how fabulous!!

[lisams]

That announcment is breathtaking! If I recieved the announcment with the extra pictures and story I would be so touched and happy! I can't imagine anyone not wanting to see them or know about your story!

Your family is so beautiful and all three of you are glowing with happiness! I'm so glad I peaked at this thread, it made me smile :-)

[mudder17]

I love the origin of her name, as well as your dream about it (I read your old blogs). I think it's wonderful! As I go by my middle name so I definitely approve. :P


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[mudder17]

What if instead of background space, you just made the pictures look like the borders are filmy? Does that make any sense? That would give more space between the pics without actually having to separate out the pics. Or will this just look too busy? It's hard to tell without doing it, unfortunately. In any case, I'm sure your family and friends would LOVE the collage as is!


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif , 16 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[mama2kyla]

I love it Holli :)

[darby24]

Wow, that is beautiful! Excellent photography as well.

I personally like the collage the way it is. The colours of the pictures are similar (maroon is in a number of the pictures) and they just melt together. I guess it's just up to personal taste.

Job *very* well done!

[rrosen]

I think it is perfect the way it is! Love it!

[jd11365]

Wow Holli. It really does take your breath away. The title is absolutely perfect and matches the theme of the dandelions. I love the idea of the collage as well. Your friends/family are going to want to see what you've been waiting so long and hard for! And, may I just say, she's just stunning. I especially love the ones with mommy and dadddy! :)

[muskiesusan]

ITA with everything Melanie said. I just love it!

Susan
Mom to Nick 10/01
& Alex 04/04

[kristine_elen]

Congratulations on your daughter.

I think it all looks great. I think the collage is just fine as is. I know I'd want to see lots of photos.

[Toba]

I think your pictures are incredibly sweet and I don't think I would change a thing! Your daughter is beautiful and I love her name! Congrats on becoming a forever family!


~Kimberly Anne~
Noah Nevan, March 12, 2004
*the light of my life*

[amp]

That picture for the announcement is perfect! I love it!

And adding a collage is a nice idea too, but I think it's a bit busy. I might use fewer pics and then make them each a bit larger.

[TraciG]

The announcement is BEAUTIFUL, congratulations

[lmintzer]

I love, love, love it! It's absolutely perfect. You guys look so happy, and Mari is beautiful. : ) I followed your story on the Adoptions board. You seem like wonderful people and you deserve such happiness. : )

[SummerBaby]

I honestly think that is the most beautiful birth announcement I've seen! Mari is beautiful and you are clearly very talented!

Val
Mom to Madeline
7/28/04

[marinkitty]

Holli - the announcement is absolutely precious and I like the addition of the collage and story included. This has been such a journey for your whole family, I think people will be thrilled to get it!

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03) and baby brother Jack (3.23.05)

[laretce6]

Holli, I think that picture is precious. You do a beautiful job capturing great shots of Mari.

Caroline
Mama to Eleanor Katherine 8.2.04

[octmom]

What a cutie!!! I love it all and would be *thrilled* to receive such a wonderful announcement in the mail! :) The collage and adoption story are not overkill at all!

Jerilyn
DS, Sean 10/03

"Baby makes days shorter, nights longer, home happier, and love stronger."

[MelissaTC]

Holli- I just love it! I think it is all perfect the way it is. Having had the pleasure of meeting Mari and your DH, I must say that all of your beauty shines through in these photos. You are one lucky mama, to have such a wonderful family!!

[aliceinwonderland]

that is all I can say. i love the collage, but that picture of Mari on the grass is just stunning.

[jpang]

Holli,

I think your adoption announcement is the loveliest I've seen. Mari reaching for the dandelion-- it's just too cute.

I also love the collage photos, espeically the one of her hanging upside down.

[Corie]

Holli,

I love both the announcement and the collage exactly the
way they are! :)

You did a fabulous job!! Plus, Mari is just too cute! :)

[brittone2]

Totally goosebumpy here too Holli, so I think it is safe to say it is a job well done :) The pic of her with the dandelion is totally totally precious.

FWIW, I realize I think I've been pronouncing Mari's name wrong...I think I say it like "marry" but with your explanation of her full name, it should rhyme more with "sorry" I guess? (for lack of a better choice of word to rhyme it with).

Chris pointed this out to me after we met you guys...that I was saying it wrong. I never picked up on it while I was with you all. So....fwiw my apologies for my mispronunciation!!!

Love that you dreamt that would be your daughter's name. Incredible.

[steph2003]

I would LOVE to receive this announcement. I think it highlights her personality so well - seriously, is she ever not happy?! Such a delightful, beautiful baby girl!

ETA - FWIW I totally "got" the dandelion/wish thing & thought that was so clever!

[AngelaS]

I love it and I totally got the significance of using 'wishes'.

If I got a card in the mail like that, I would LOVE to read the story of Mari and the background of how she came to you. :D

[kransden]

Ok I think the collage is a little over-kill, but SO WHAT??? What is the point of being a proud parent if you can't do stuff like that lol! I would have done the same thing if I would have thought about it, and more importantly my pictures would have looked that good :)

I think you did an outstanding job on both pictures. I know your friends and family will think so too!

Karin and Katie 10/24/02

[holliam]

Oh mamas, thank you so much. I have had a hard day, and your comments just made my day. It's my family that is making me bonkers so right now I'd rather just send these to all of you rather than them! :P

I meant to also say that I am about 3 months late in getting these sent which is also why I wanted to include some photos of her time at home. I'll play with the collage a little more.

Beth, I totally didn't notice if you mispronounced her name. So, no worries! But, yes, sorry is just about the only English word I can think of that it rhymes with!

Thanks again,
Holli

[sidmand]

Holli,

I think the announcement is beautiful. I like the borderless interior, but I usually like the opposite of what most people like!

I can see how it might be confusing, but I think everything is great and it's so good to hear that your family is happy and healthy.

I'm glad your wishes did come true.

Sorry for any typos--typing with kiddo onboard.

Debbie

Mom to Sawyer!
http://lilypie.com/baby1/060607/0/3/1/-5/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[jec2]

It's just magical! And, no, a baby's smiling face is never overkill! Send them both :)

[caridura]

I love it! I don't think it's overkill at all to include the collage in addition to the announcement. I love all the pictures.

[hez]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for letting us take a look!

[momtoemma]

Fabulous job Holli! I love both the announcement and the collage!

[Tracey]

I think it's perfect---absolutely perfect. Also, I think you deserve to do a little bragging about your beautiful family. Keep the photo insert!

[Zana]

That is an awesome invite! I would keep everything exactly as it is. Mari is too cute :)

Zana

[hjdong]

She's beautiful.

[starrynight]

Beautiful announcement! And no, it's not overkill at all :).

[smomom]

Oh Holli, it is absolutely beautiful. I love the announcement and the collage. I smiled and got tears the moment I saw the announcement photo. I think it's perfect!!!