post your holiday cards!

[hillview]

Here is the front of our holiday card. Post yours!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6442060531_11957376b7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15018775@N00/6442060531/)

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

Love it! Very cute, where are they from? We are using Paper Culture, from the PD deal.

[sarahsthreads]

Cute! I love it! I haven't even taken a picture yet, let alone designed/ordered cards.

Sarah :)

[hillview]

Love it! Very cute, where are they from? We are using Paper Culture, from the PD deal.
minted :)

[jenmcadams]

This is the first year I didn't design ours...just used a standard design from Mixbook (used the Groupon deal from a few weeks ago). I really wanted to print on cardstock and have a message on the back this year, so for $39 for 120 cards, I'm happy :) Here's the front of our card:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g146/jenmcadams/FrontofXmasCardNameEdited.jpg

[FTMLuc]

here is ours (http://www.mixbook.com/cards/holiday/retro-snowflake-copy-6618519)

It is DD's first time on a Christmas card, I went with the traditional holiday styling.

[mariza]

http://img.tapatalk.com/47c07aa9-fead-6bba.jpg
Ours is from Shutterfly. The bottom left corner has our names printed, but I covered it up to post here.

[AnnieW625]

We had photos taken last weekend. I am still waiting for the proofs. I have also thought about making ours (I love making cards, but I need to get more paper first). I however keep getting promo emails from Shutterfly and Snapfish do I am tempted to go that route too.

Cute cards everyone!

[Nicsmom]

Let's see if this works.

OOps, did not work

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abs2bNk4bMWLko

Ok, this one worked. I wish I could post it as part of the text.

[maestramommy]

Beautiful! :heartbeat: Just ordered ours from Costco. Let's see if this works. Rats, nope. Will try scanning and posting next week.

[Twoboos]

Let's see if this works.

OOps, did not work

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abs2bNk4bMWLko

Ok, this one worked. I wish I could post it as part of the text.

That looks great - I am eyeing that card, too!

[sunshine873]

I'd love to share, because I'm in LOVE with our cards! But DHs picture is on them too & he'd be livid if I posted it on an open forum. :(

I bought them on Mixbook (used the Groupon deal from back in Oct - just like jenmcadams) $39 for 120 beautiful cards - I'm happy!

[FTMLuc]

jenmcadams I love the colors in this card, very elegant

[ha98ed14]

I'd love to share, because I'm in LOVE with our cards! But DHs picture is on them too & he'd be livid if I posted it on an open forum. :(

I bought them on Mixbook (used the Groupon deal from back in Oct - just like jenmcadams) $39 for 120 beautiful cards - I'm happy!

Can you put a walmart smilie over is mug and post temporarily? I'd love to see it!

[hillview]

Can you put a walmart smilie over is mug and post temporarily? I'd love to see it!
:yeahthat:

[ha98ed14]

Here's mine:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W6jNsfPjDnQ/Ttk1el0kDbI/AAAAAAAAElA/vS1AvYTxKh8/s288/Christmas%252520pic.jpg

also from Shutterfly.

[KpbS]

Here's mine:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W6jNsfPjDnQ/Ttk1el0kDbI/AAAAAAAAElA/vS1AvYTxKh8/s288/Christmas%252520pic.jpg

also from Shutterfly.

Beautiful pic/composition/girl! :bighand:

[g-mama]

Beautiful cards and children! Keep 'em coming.

I haven't even had our pics taken - hopefully this weekend. When I have a card, I'd love to share it!

[wendibird22]

I don't have a digital copy of our card but here are the 3 pics we used. Please excuse the giant black dot over DH...he wouldn't want me posting his pic for all to see, but he is a great looking man.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6444059501_1280e2ec82.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52147491@N03/6444059501/)
IMG_2365fx (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52147491@N03/6444059501/) by wendibird (http://www.flickr.com/people/52147491@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6444043005_194b29183c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52147491@N03/6444043005/)
IMG_2407fx (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52147491@N03/6444043005/) by wendibird (http://www.flickr.com/people/52147491@N03/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6444042157_f26fc8cf53.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52147491@N03/6444042157/)
IMG_2373fx (http://www.flickr.com/photos/52147491@N03/6444042157/) by wendibird (http://www.flickr.com/people/52147491@N03/), on Flickr

[DietCokeLover]

Wendibird, your daughters are precious!

[hillview]

Wendibird, your daughters are precious!
:yeahthat:totally!

[chozen]

Here's mine:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W6jNsfPjDnQ/Ttk1el0kDbI/AAAAAAAAElA/vS1AvYTxKh8/s288/Christmas%252520pic.jpg

also from Shutterfly.

so cute, and she's sitting still for pics again, how do you do it.

[chozen]

Here is the front of our holiday card. Post yours!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6442060531_11957376b7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15018775@N00/6442060531/)

by the looks on there faces i believe it! great pics.

[chozen]

:yeahthat:
Wendibird, your daughters are precious!

[chozen]

QUOTE=DietCokeLover;3349420]Wendibird, your daughters are precious![/QUOTE]

:yeahthat:

[chozen]

how cute!

[♥ms.pacman♥]

hillview - that is awesome, so original. caption is perfect! love those smiles!

ha98ed14 - OMG your DD is too precious!! love how the colors coordinate and everything

wendibird - your DDs are adorable!!

i am insanely jealous of all of you with kids who actually smile/pose for pics!!! that's a long lost dream here with DS... as you can see in both pics (as well as others) we've given up hope with that :)

i did mine thru mixbook, with that Groupon deal. just got them in today...they came out really nice..i love the satin finish!!

front side
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6444320265_f44f7a3bef_z.jpg

flip side
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6444320539_88ce5a81da_z.jpg

DS's face is blurry in the above picture (bc he was jumping up), but whatever. the pic i really wanted to use was this one (the ONE picture where he is actually still, looking at the camera and smiling), but it was the wrong orientation for the card. ah well!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6406283295_1e48209c4d_z.jpg

[hillview]

Pac I love those photos!! Adorable!

[lmh2402]

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/livepreview.aspx?Log=0&doc_id=1349701028&page=1&width=402&renderMode=3



ETA - whew for some reason, these were hard to post

anyway - LOVE all the cards so far! great, great photos :)

[WitMom]

Great cards and pictures everyone.

Ms.pacman- My DD loves your little girl. She came up and kissed her picture on my monitor.

[jenfromnj]

OMG, the cuteness in this thread is killing me! I'm being a huge slacker this year with my cards, but if I ever decide which design to actually finalize and send, I promise to post it!

[lmwbasye]

I'm happy to say ours are not done yet. I want to use a pic from DHs homecoming that is yet to happen. Should be soon! Feeling so blessed that this deployment was cut short as we never imagined he'd be home for Christmas. :)

[♥ms.pacman♥]

Ms.pacman- My DD loves your little girl. She came up and kissed her picture on my monitor.

aw, that's so sweet!!! :heartbeat: i have to admit, dd is my little doll. :D she loves to be photographed and actually smiles and everything.


to use a pic from DHs homecoming that is yet to happen. Should be soon! Feeling so blessed that this deployment was cut short as we never imagined he'd be home for Christmas. :)

wow, that's great news that he's coming home early and will be home for Christmas!!! :bighand: :)

[niccig]

Anyone have any deals for cards? I'll try to get DH to do it this weekend.

[nfowife]

Just ordered mine on snapfish. 50% off sitewide through tomorrow!
Here's ours:
Deleted

(freaky cropping out of DH's head using iphoto retouch!)
On the back we have a pic of the three kids and our names and "2011" underneath.

I'll probably delete in a few days.

[smilequeen]

Here's the front of ours. The inside has a picture, but also last name and I'm not a talented photoshopper...

http://media10.dropshots.com/photos/22587/20111121/134434.jpg

[fortato]

I photoshopped out the name on the box (Cutter Bug Bomb, or something like that) and all the scars and stuff on Matthew's head!

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g278/kristenkotrlik/download.jpg

I love everyone's pictures!! Such beautiful families!!!

[billysmommy]

Love all these cards!!!!

Kristen ~ I can't believe how much the boys look alike!!! Very handsome :)

[niccig]

Just ordered mine on snapfish. 50% off sitewide through tomorrow!


Ohh...I'll have to get DH on it tomorrow.

[twowhat?]

Sigh. OK. Next year. NEXT YEAR I vow to get on the ball and actually get a card made. I love looking at all of yours!

[PAfirsttimemom]

Ohh...I'll have to get DH on it tomorrow.

I just worked on mine tonight on Snapfish but haven't ordered yet. Want to figure out how many we need. 50% off seems like a great deal.

[fortato]

Love all these cards!!!!

Kristen ~ I can't believe how much the boys look alike!!! Very handsome :)

Thank you! They are awfully cute!

[candaceb]

editing to remove offer because there are lots of slackers out there who have taken my codes...

[infomama]

Thanks for starting this thread! Just took every minute of my free time today to make our card with Shutterfly.

[wendibird22]

Aw thanks everyone. I love this thread every year.

If any of you have a Clix chain in your area they are doing 40 free holiday cards with a package of 7 or more images. The package also includes 10 free sheets. We were able to "trade" in 5 sheets for 20 more cards. So for what I normally pay for our family photos I was able to get 60 free holidays cards and 5 sheets (we don't send out more than 60 thankfully). The card selection was somewhat limited but I was able to find something I liked and hey, they were free, so that made it easy for me to pick a style and be happy with it.

[new_mommy25]

Here's ours. I couldn't figure out how to share our shutterfly card so I took a screenshot of it and cropped.

Front
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6445407875_def264f334.jpg
Back
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6445410309_45a2d18bf3.jpg

[essnce629]

I'm such a procrastinator I haven't even thought about it yet, let alone taken pictures! I do this every year, but still manage to pull it all together last minute and get them sent out before Christmas! You've all inspired me to work on getting some pictures taken this week.

[almostamom]

I love this thread! I always enjoy seeing everyone's families.

Here's ours - I had to scan it, so it's a bit grainy.

Edited to remove photo.

[mctlaw]

Beautiful kids/cards, you guys! From another slacker who can only hope for next year....

[mariza]

Cuteness all around! Just wanted to mention that I chose shutterfly for a couple of reasons. 1. They had the only card I was able to find with the right orientation for the photos I wanted to include.
2. I had a $20 off coupon from DC's school pictures from Lifetouch. I was able to stack 40% off with the $20 off AND free shipping! Total was $38 for 50 cards, still a bit more than I wanted to spend but it really was the only card that had the right design for my pics. All the others cut off Pluto's head or had writing that covered the kids faces!
There's still time and discount codes, get going ;)

[Nicsmom]

I love this thread. All those lovely cards!

[MommyofAmaya]

Cuteness all around! Just wanted to mention that I chose shutterfly for a couple of reasons. 1. They had the only card I was able to find with the right orientation for the photos I wanted to include.
2. I had a $20 off coupon from DC's school pictures from Lifetouch. I was able to stack 40% off with the $20 off AND free shipping! Total was $38 for 50 cards, still a bit more than I wanted to spend but it really was the only card that had the right design for my pics. All the others cut off Pluto's head or had writing that covered the kids faces!
There's still time and discount codes, get going ;)

Thanks for reminding me about the Lifetouch code. That got me moving to get ours done! My kids had their photos made with my grandparents this year. I'm so excited that they will have have these as a little reminder of their relationship since I can't imagine that they will be able to spend many more years together. My grandfather and grandmother are 90 and 86.

http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZNWbJo5cuWWg/100c5a34-1dd5-11e1-a8c5-0ff060af4a99/p/67b0de21b3127db9a451/JPEG/1322933789000/0/

[chozen]

Thanks for reminding me about the Lifetouch code. That got me moving to get ours done! My kids had their photos made with my grandparents this year. I'm so excited that they will have have these as a little reminder of their relationship since I can't imagine that they will be able to spend many more years together. My grandfather and grandmother are 90 and 86.

http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZNWbJo5cuWWg/100c5a34-1dd5-11e1-a8c5-0ff060af4a99/p/67b0de21b3127db9a451/JPEG/1322933789000/0/

love this! how proud your grandparents must be.

[Twoboos]

Just ordered mine on snapfish. 50% off sitewide through tomorrow!


Help, where can I find this code? Looks like FS over $30 and 40% off cards?

[nfowife]

Code is cyber50.

[PAfirsttimemom]

Help, where can I find this code? Looks like FS over $30 and 40% off cards?

FYI, I'm planning to order mine at Snapfish today, and after doing the math, I believe the 40% off code is actually going to work out to be a better deal for me because shipping is free.

[PAfirsttimemom]

FYI, I'm planning to order mine at Snapfish today, and after doing the math, I believe the 40% off code is actually going to work out to be a better deal for me because shipping is free.

Also, remembered ebates at the last minute, and cash back is 20% for Snapfish right now!

[Pennylane]

Thanks for reminding me about the Lifetouch code. That got me moving to get ours done! My kids had their photos made with my grandparents this year. I'm so excited that they will have have these as a little reminder of their relationship since I can't imagine that they will be able to spend many more years together. My grandfather and grandmother are 90 and 86.

http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AZNWbJo5cuWWg/100c5a34-1dd5-11e1-a8c5-0ff060af4a99/p/67b0de21b3127db9a451/JPEG/1322933789000/0/


What a sweet card!! Mine are ordered, but have not arrived yet.

So many cute kids here!!

Ann

[candaceb]

I love seeing all the cards! We are ending up with no less than 4 different cards this year due to various deals and different needs for different people, but this one is my favorite - it's from tinyprints:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc22b3127ccefe927b0bddab00000030O08Aat2zFo0Ytg e3nwU/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc22b3127ccefe939d6efdf100000030O08Aat2zFo0Ytg e3nwU/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[marymoo86]

https://images.tinyprints.com/personalization/e5e2316d2fda7ebc6416b82a4118145e3d055bc0/width/150/height/150.png

Here are ours!

[kijip]

trying, trying, trying.

Cute cards one and all!

[kijip]

Here is ours, from Shutterfly. Ordered today.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/kijip/HolidayCard-1.jpg

[LexyLou]

So fun to see all your cards!!

Here's ours this year. Our photographer designed the cards. I paid more than I wanted but I usually go cheap for the cards and decided to just go for it this year. I have a hard time getting my oldest daughter to smile correctly for the camera. She tries so hard! You can see in the front picture. It's not the best family shot (we have a better close up one) but I thought it was such a fun shot plus you can see their full outfits so I went with that one. The other close up one will be a 16x20 in our house.

ETA:removed picture

[fauve01]

I love seeing all the beautiful people in this thread!

we haven't even taken our photos yet, LOL! we are on schedule for photos next weekend (cross your fingers for a nice sunset) and i will upload to costco and pick up our card the next day.

[mjs64]

Gorgeous cards, everyone! Here's ours (Shutterfly).

front:
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1557/13403925/23896013/399896444.jpg
back:
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL1557/13403925/23896013/399896422.jpg

[mjs64]

editing to remove offer because there are lots of slackers out there who have taken my codes...

Used yours and posted tonight! See above! (Thank you!)

[MoJo]

GREAT cards!

I'm hoping to take some pics Wednesday.

[katerinasmom]

Ooh this is fun. Here's ours. The girls got a new swing set this year. A few shots of them enjoying themselves.

Can't figure out how to get pic to load in post. So you'll have to click link to get a peek.

[billysmommy]

Our cards haven't come in yet but this is the picture we're using on them

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j28/loricaddoo/3bd8d93a.jpg

[cdlamis]

So fun to see all your cards!!

Here's ours this year. Our photographer designed the cards. I paid more than I wanted but I usually go cheap for the cards and decided to just go for it this year. I have a hard time getting my oldest daughter to smile correctly for the camera. She tries so hard! You can see in the front picture. It's not the best family shot (we have a better close up one) but I thought it was such a fun shot plus you can see their full outfits so I went with that one. The other close up one will be a 16x20 in our house.

Front

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y302/lexerella/front.jpg

Back

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y302/lexerella/back.jpg

Absolutely gorgeous! You, your girls AND the card!

[elbenn]

I love seeing everyone's cards! I just noticed someone's card was from Shutterfly and they had pictures on the back. I ordered my cards and didn't even notice there was a back side to do! I hope it looks okay with nothing on the back side. I'm bummed because I paid the same price and could have added more pictures.

[etwahl]

I just ordered mine last night!

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-front-christmas2011.jpg http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-back-christmas2011.jpg

[AnnieW625]

So cute everyone! I ordered a whole bunch of paper this morning so it is official I will be making my cards! I and am still waiting for my photos to come back from our photographer. I hope to have the cards finished in the next week. I'll post when I finally get them done.

[wendibird22]

etwahl, OMG, I love that picture. That's just the best!

[jgenie]

All the cards look great - so many good looking families!!


etwahl, OMG, I love that picture. That's just the best!

:yeahthat: Amazing!!

[etwahl]

All the cards look great - so many good looking families!!



:yeahthat: Amazing!!

Thank you! Also, thanks in part to whoever posted the deal about Santa hats from Pottery Barn Kids!!

[ha98ed14]

I just ordered mine last night!

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-front-christmas2011.jpg http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-back-christmas2011.jpg

This one takes the cake, IMO! I think b/c the kids are older, it's even doubly cute to see them being child-like. (Plus I'm sure they cooperate better for those poses! Love it!

[JTsMom]

Everyone has gorgeous cards- love them all!



This one takes the cake, IMO! I think b/c the kids are older, it's even doubly cute to see them being child-like. (Plus I'm sure they cooperate better for those poses! Love it!
:yeahthat: Very unique, and very cute!

[MommyofAmaya]

This one takes the cake, IMO! I think b/c the kids are older, it's even doubly cute to see them being child-like. (Plus I'm sure they cooperate better for those poses! Love it!

I agree.

[Green_Tea]

I just ordered mine last night!

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-front-christmas2011.jpg http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-back-christmas2011.jpg

I LOVE this!!!! Gorgeous! And your son's dimple is to die for!!

[etwahl]

I LOVE this!!!! Gorgeous! And your son's dimple is to die for!!

Thanks everyone! I do a Christmas tree picture every year, and a friend of mine did a version where his girls were on each other's shoulders - I asked him if I could borrow the pose and he said yes :) I got the template from a photography board - designed by another talented photographer. I was happy how it all came together!

[LexyLou]

Absolutely gorgeous! You, your girls AND the card!

Thank you!

etwahl-Such a cute idea! When my kids get older, I'll have to do that!

[KpbS]

I just ordered mine last night!

http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-front-christmas2011.jpg http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/small-back-christmas2011.jpg

Absolutely magical pictures and card--wow!!! :bighand:

[wencit]

Thanks everyone! I do a Christmas tree picture every year, and a friend of mine did a version where his girls were on each other's shoulders - I asked him if I could borrow the pose and he said yes :) I got the template from a photography board - designed by another talented photographer. I was happy how it all came together!Can I ask you how long your shutter speed was on that pose to get all the Christmas lights lit up like that?

Trying to calculate how many years before I can do that with my 2 wiggle worms, LOL!

Gorgeous card, BTW!

[etwahl]

Can I ask you how long your shutter speed was on that pose to get all the Christmas lights lit up like that?

Trying to calculate how many years before I can do that with my 2 wiggle worms, LOL!

Gorgeous card, BTW!

I'm happy to share how I did this!

I had two table lamps on in the room, closer to me where I was taking the photograph, just to provide a bit more ambient light.

This is a combination of two shots actually. You need that to get the lights to twinkle.

- 1st shot WITH KIDS - 1/25 sec, f/2.8, 4000 ISO (I have a good camera so I can do 4000 ISO, but many cameras would really struggle with this, so it just depends on the camera)

- 2nd shot NO KIDS (told them to get out of shot but I did NOT move my camera - I don't have a tripod, I just propped it on a stool - I also don't have a timer - I just pushed the button and let go) - 2.0 sec, 4000 ISO, f/20. Obviously on a 2.0 second shot, if you had kids in the image, they would just be one huge blur.

Then I used the shot with the kids as the main image, but I overlayed the shot with the twinkly lights and just used masks in photoshop to show ONLY the tree/garland with the lights.

[wencit]

I'm happy to share how I did this!

I had two table lamps on in the room, closer to me where I was taking the photograph, just to provide a bit more ambient light.

This is a combination of two shots actually. You need that to get the lights to twinkle.

- 1st shot WITH KIDS - 1/25 sec, f/2.8, 4000 ISO (I have a good camera so I can do 4000 ISO, but many cameras would really struggle with this, so it just depends on the camera)

- 2nd shot NO KIDS (told them to get out of shot but I did NOT move my camera - I don't have a tripod, I just propped it on a stool - I also don't have a timer - I just pushed the button and let go) - 2.0 sec, 4000 ISO, f/20. Obviously on a 2.0 second shot, if you had kids in the image, they would just be one huge blur.

Then I used the shot with the kids as the main image, but I overlayed the shot with the twinkly lights and just used masks in photoshop to show ONLY the tree/garland with the lights.Brilliant! Thank you for sharing! Will definitely file this in the back of my head for future cards.

[etwahl]

Brilliant! Thank you for sharing! Will definitely file this in the back of my head for future cards.

You don't have to wait until they are older - just do a different version. This is my last year version. Have fun with it! They do have to sit still though :)
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/tammywahl/_MG_0054.jpg

[artvandalay]

etwahl - those pictures are amazing!!

[veronica]

Hope this works!
https://www.papercoterie.com/images/project/387442/p387442s1u0_20111130192530000000.jpg

[veronica]

Hope this works!

won't let me post the back in the same response. maybe this will work
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac180/bonjovi_photo/p387442s2u0_201111301925310000001.jpg

and an extra of the babes! We used this to make stamps (yes, because I still have boxes from the fabulous walgreen's deal two years ago! we only make stamps for the holidays or special occasions!)
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac180/bonjovi_photo/IMG_3692.jpg

[♥ms.pacman♥]

I'm happy to share how I did this!

I had two table lamps on in the room, closer to me where I was taking the photograph, just to provide a bit more ambient light.

This is a combination of two shots actually. You need that to get the lights to twinkle.

- 1st shot WITH KIDS - 1/25 sec, f/2.8, 4000 ISO (I have a good camera so I can do 4000 ISO, but many cameras would really struggle with this, so it just depends on the camera)

- 2nd shot NO KIDS (told them to get out of shot but I did NOT move my camera - I don't have a tripod, I just propped it on a stool - I also don't have a timer - I just pushed the button and let go) - 2.0 sec, 4000 ISO, f/20. Obviously on a 2.0 second shot, if you had kids in the image, they would just be one huge blur.

Then I used the shot with the kids as the main image, but I overlayed the shot with the twinkly lights and just used masks in photoshop to show ONLY the tree/garland with the lights.

thank you for sharing this. this is genius. your pictures are AMAZING!!! :bowdown: they look like something out of a magazine!

[BabbyO]

Well, lets see if I can get this post to work better than our family photo for the Christmas card.

We had such a hard time getting DS1 to smile and sit still I thought it would be funny to show several of the "bad" photos trying to get to the nice one. I think there are a lot of families who can empathize! :)

Love ya DS1 never loose your spark!

ETA: Hmmm...some day I'll figure out how to get the picture in the text instead of a link.

[oneplustwo]

Thanks everyone! I do a Christmas tree picture every year, and a friend of mine did a version where his girls were on each other's shoulders - I asked him if I could borrow the pose and he said yes :) I got the template from a photography board - designed by another talented photographer. I was happy how it all came together!

I'm curious what photography board you visit ~ I'm looking for one to help me develop my skills. Count me as another who LOVES your card!

This thread has so inspired me with all the great cards that I'm finally doing ours.

[etwahl]

I'm curious what photography board you visit ~ I'm looking for one to help me develop my skills. Count me as another who LOVES your card!

This thread has so inspired me with all the great cards that I'm finally doing ours.

ilovephotography.com is a fabulous resource to learn!

[oneplustwo]

ilovephotography.com is a fabulous resource to learn!

Thank you; I'll check it out!

[Melbel]

I just love this thread every year. The families are absolutely gorgeous and I am inspired by the amazing creativity. I will have to head over to www.ilovephotography.com soon!

My proofs came in today from my etsy seller, so I have yet to edit (feel free to make any suggestions). Here it goes!

deleted for privacy

[KpbS]

Beautiful card, Melbel! Your photos and kiddos are just gorgeous! :)

I love seeing all of the great pics and happy faces in this thread :love5:
My camera just got fixed today so hopefully I can snap a few of the kids this week and put a card together.

[Melbel]

Beautiful card, Melbel! Your photos and kiddos are just gorgeous! :)



Awww thanks! I am running behind this year, but happy to finally be making progress.

[n2ou]

Computer programming - hope you found the typo too


I just love this thread every year. The families are absolutely gorgeous and I am inspired by the amazing creativity. I will have to head over to www.ilovephotography.com soon!

My proofs came in today from my etsy seller, so I have yet to edit (feel free to make any suggestions). Here it goes!

Front (with an alternate Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday version)
2187

Inside top flap (omitted bottom part with our greeting and names)
2188

Back composite
2189

[BayGirl2]

Just finished mine. I thought I had plenty of time until I saw everyone one here saying they are behind already!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6-lvI8MneG8/Tt2wLbZW-bI/AAAAAAAAEHk/ji9bM6zUo9M/s400/Card%252520Front%252520B.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O1gcKTvkgIg/Tt2wLvUiuXI/AAAAAAAAEHo/AKLZpvQ_mMU/s400/Card%252520Back.jpg

[mjs64]

Just finished mine. I thought I had plenty of time until I saw everyone one here saying they are behind already!

Love the fireplace setting. Adorable DCs.

[JoyNChrist]

Beautiful cards everyone! Love seeing all these gorgeous kiddos.

I tried to take pictures of my three this afternoon, but it was an epic fail. Think I could use a picture that's like 8 months old from before the twins were mobile? ;)

[mjs64]

Beautiful cards everyone! Love seeing all these gorgeous kiddos.

I tried to take pictures of my three this afternoon, but it was an epic fail. Think I could use a picture that's like 8 months old from before the twins were mobile? ;)

You need a helper! I had a friend over specifically to take the photos! I cooked for her and she was happy to do it. Fair trade.

[BayGirl2]

You need a helper! I had a friend over specifically to take the photos! I cooked for her and she was happy to do it. Fair trade.

Yes, in pro photography circles it's called a "baby wrangler". I make DH do that for me all the time. And it still takes 50 shots to get one good one. My DSLR really helps too, it's faster than they are.

[JoyNChrist]

Yes, in pro photography circles it's called a "baby wrangler". I make DH do that for me all the time. And it still takes 50 shots to get one good one. My DSLR really helps too, it's faster than they are.

Yeah, I have a Nikon D700 that I'm pretty handy with, but now that the babies are running around, it's hopeless. I definitely need to enlist a baby wrangler...or possibly two of them! ;)

[citymama]

I only just discovered this thread, 11 pages into it, and am working my way backwards. Your cards are AMAZING! And inspiring me to motivate, organize, and do a card as well!

A shout out to everyone who shared; I LOVE your cards! I've gotten as far as: etwahl, BabbyO, BayGirl2, veronica, Melbel, mjs64, LexyLou, kjijp, katerinasmom, billysmommy, new_mommy, candaceb, Mommy of Amaya, fortato, nfowife, smilequeen, ha98ed14, ms pacman, Nicsmom, mariza, jenmcadams, FTMLuc - and hillview....! I know I've missed someone else. All I can say is: WOW! Beautiful families.

[Melbel]

Computer programming - hope you found the typo too

Thank you! I was too tired to proof last night so I appreciate the catch!!!

[artvandalay]

A shout out to everyone who shared; I LOVE your cards! I've gotten as far as: etwahl, BabbyO, BayGirl2, veronica, Melbel, mjs64, LexyLou, kjijp, katerinasmom, billysmommy, new_mommy, candaceb, Mommy of Amaya, fortato, nfowife, smilequeen, ha98ed14, ms pacman, Nicsmom, mariza, jenmcadams, FTMLuc - and hillview....! I know I've missed someone else. All I can say is: WOW! Beautiful families.

A big 2nd... beautiful cards all of you! Love looking at all those smiling faces!

[LD92599]

Edited to removecard!

[AnnieW625]

Love all of the additions since Monday! Missed Melbel's family by an hour, but I am sure they are as gorgeous as ever.

Just got an email from my Stamping Up demonstrator and my order came in today so I will start working on them tomorrow night when the girls are at baby sitting night at daycare! Wohoo, crafting night:) I should have my photos tomorrow or Saturday.

[LD92599]

Definitely all great cards! Once I figured out what I wanted (after purusing shutterfly!) i hammered it out tonight and uploaded to Costco. They will be in the mail early next week!

Thanks for all the inspirations, as usual!

[larig]

Finally made ours today. Got Santa photo taken last Sunday, got photo Thursday from photog (who was great!)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4__pnNIEgxk/TuUmWXzehrI/AAAAAAAAACg/prxPWbixxuo/s599/screen-capture-13noname.jpg

[gordo]

Here is a modified version of ours

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b251/nnasby/HOLIDAYCARD.jpg

[Melaine]

These are awesome, I had a lot of fun looking at all of them! It makes me kind of bummed that we didn't have any great photos, and I didn't want to spend very much so I ordered collage pictures. But it's great to have ideas for the future. Next year I hope to do a nicer card.

Here is what I did, totally last minute and hoping it comes before 2012! (Tons of doll pics because of our blog!)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll113/MamaMelaine/photocard.jpg

[sarahsthreads]

Finally ordered our cards today. I always hesitate for days before I manage to pull the trigger, because I live in terror that I'm somehow going to mess up spelling someone's name or something!

http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=2196&stc=1&d=1323656777

The girls were surprisingly cooperative getting pictures this year, and it was (just barely) warm enough to do them outside - no worries about trying to find a reasonable non-cluttered background in my house!

Sarah :)

[JoyNChrist]

Here are ours, finally. They're round cards with a ribbon on top to hang on the tree like an ornament. Since the lab trims them, it was hard to get an exact picture of what they're like...this is a photoshop trim job, so just assume that they're centered and symmetrical and ignore the white border. ;)

Front:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n164/JoyNChrist/cc1.jpg

Back:

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n164/JoyNChrist/cc2.jpg

[Green_Tea]

Finally made ours today. Got Santa photo taken last Sunday, got photo Thursday from photog (who was great!)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4__pnNIEgxk/TuUmWXzehrI/AAAAAAAAACg/prxPWbixxuo/s599/screen-capture-13noname.jpg

*sigh*

That boy is so.darn.cute. Love it!!

[g-mama]

I :heartbeat: everybody's cards!!!

I made a card at minted.com but I don't know how to post it. It's a pdf and when I pull it into iPhoto and save it as a jpeg, it's so tiny you can barely see it. Is that by design so you don't copy it ? I'm so not tech-oriented. Can anyone help?

[larig]

*sigh*

That boy is so.darn.cute. Love it!!

aw, thanks. he's pretty sweet too.

I'm just amazed by the creative parents here, and the beautiful families. Clearly if they gave webbys to the best looking board this one would win, hands down. I loved seeing everyone's cards. This thread is a great tradition.

[fivi2]

How do you guys post these? I made mine at Costco.com and don't know how to move it anywhere. Do I have to scan it?


They are all adorable!

[JoyNChrist]

I :heartbeat: everybody's cards!!!

I made a card at minted.com but I don't know how to post it. It's a pdf and when I pull it into iPhoto and save it as a jpeg, it's so tiny you can barely see it. Is that by design so you don't copy it ? I'm so not tech-oriented. Can anyone help?


How do you guys post these? I made mine at Costco.com and don't know how to move it anywhere. Do I have to scan it?


They are all adorable!

Can y'all take a screenshot and post that? (might have to save it as a .jpg first...I know my iMac save screenshots as .png files)

[fivi2]

hmmm... How do I take a screen shot?

[twowhat?]

hmmm... How do I take a screen shot?

Hit the "prt scn" button - it's usually somewhere at the top of the keyboard. It could be a function key. It could be on the number pad if you have that. It could be abbreviated like above or it might have the whole words "print screen" on it. Then just paste (ctrl V) into a document (word, ppt, whatever) and then save as a jpg. If you have a large monitor, print screen will give you even better resolution than on a laptop or smaller monitor.

[twowhat?]

OK, thanks to etwahl, I learned about masks:) And figured out how to do it in photoshop elements!!! I know it's not a great pic, and the tripod totally broke so I had to hold the camera in place by hand but I am so excited about this! I took the tree pic on a long exposure and then a pic of the kids and merged them using masks. On a compact digital! :D

THANK YOU!!! Maybe I will go get these printed at Costco and mail out cards after all?!?!?!

[hillview]

TWOWHAT that came out amazingly well!!

[BayGirl2]

TWOWHAT that came out amazingly well!!

:yeahthat:Yes, great shot for not even using a DSLR!

I am totally going to use that technique to get a Christmas shot with my DCs. Just got a smokin' deal on matching Xmas PJ's for them at Gymbo, so they will look super cute.

Love seeing everyone's cards, keep posting. This board has the cutest DCs!

[♥ms.pacman♥]

just catching up on this thread...wow so many creative ideas!!

melaine - love how you got so many pictures of your girls in, like a mini-collage. i love it.

stacy - i had been waiting to see yours..i always love your pics. :) love how yours came out..that ornament idea is so cool, very original. the quote is really nice too!

twowhat? - wow that came out awesome!! love how they're both smiling :) that mask thing does sound like a cool idea, i have been meaning to try it out.

[randomkid]

OK, let's see if this works. I also used Costco.com and tried the screen shot thing, but it would copy everything on the website. I'm not tech savvy at all, so I scanned the card, using the high tech piece of paper to cover our greeting! Basically, it says "Merry Christmas from The _____ Family, our names and the newest member of our family, Henry!" in white lettering. Sorry it's so big. It was either this or too small - couldn't get a happy medium to work!

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/randomkidfl/Christmas%20card/IMG.jpg

ETA: OK, came back to this thread and my pic is resized to the size I wanted. Go figure!!

[JoyNChrist]

stacy - i had been waiting to see yours..i always love your pics. :) love how yours came out..that ornament idea is so cool, very original. the quote is really nice too!

Thanks! I really wanted a pic of all three of them together, but it was hopeless.


twowhat? - wow that came out awesome!! love how they're both smiling :) that mask thing does sound like a cool idea, i have been meaning to try it out.

I agree, very cool! Maybe next year mine will sit still...

[c&j04]

Beautiful families! Awesome cards too! :bighand:

[twowhat?]

I did it. I just placed my order at Costco.com.

You guys are totally inspiring. I would NOT have gotten this done this year had it not been for this thread. Next year the hope is to get more professional pics of the whole family:D

[randomkid]

I did it. I just placed my order at Costco.com.

You guys are totally inspiring. I would NOT have gotten this done this year had it not been for this thread. Next year the hope is to get more professional pics of the whole family:D

Very cute! Now, you just have to get them addressed and mailed out. I picked my up on Monday and they are still sitting on the counter. At least they are in the envelopes, not sealed, addressed or stamped, but they are IN the envelopes! :rotflmao:

[AnnieW625]

Here is mine! I made the card, and here is the photo of the four of us that I included. They will probably go out on Monday because I realized I am out of address labels, and I still need to finish coloring about half of the snowmen. The embossing of the snow was the hardest part. Because I had a blond moment and used dark blue paper for the card I had to hand write in the message in silver ink inside (because I didn't have a silver dye based stamp pad), which took about 2 hrs. for the 60 cards, but it was still easier than the embossing.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6527243875_d4332d32ab.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6527292637_fbb0435bc8_m.jpg

[AngelaS]

Not the whole card, but here's the picture I put on ours.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/angeladms/IMG_7905.jpg

[ha98ed14]

Angela, So cute!!! I love DD3's sweater; where'd you get it?

[AngelaS]

The brown one is Gymboree from a couple years ago. I got it at a garage sale. ;)

(actually, I think everything they're wearing came from garage sales. Well, except A's Lucky jeans, they came from Goodwill. ;))

[ZeeBaby]

All of your cards are so beautiful. It is December 17 and my plan is to get the pics done tomorrow. I am so late hat I a just going to get robbed at portrait innovations and not complain

[Pennylane]

Not the whole card, but here's the picture I put on ours.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/angeladms/IMG_7905.jpg

Beautiful!!

Ann

[Staraglimmer]

Again, not the card, but here is the picture :)


-Stephanie
Mommy to Hailey Michelle 4/08
& a new addition due 7/1/12

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

Finally got our cards yesterday! Mailed them this morning.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/SiValleySteph/2011_Card1.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p12/SiValleySteph/2011_Card2.jpg

ETA - They were lying on our pacman table when I took the (phone) pictures, so sorry for the glare on the glass!

[g-mama]

Here is our card. I'm sorry it is so HUGE. It's a miracle I figured out how to post it at all. :tongue5:

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb432/kristenv3/Screenshot2011-12-14at110303PM.png

[jent]

I love seeing everyone's card. All such cute kids!

Here's ours:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6552242965_ec4265c366.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60536363@N06/6552242965/)

[happymom]

Kristen, you have such a beautiful family!! I have to ask- how did you get the colors of the card to match your outfits so perfectly? Did you pick out the card first and then dress accordingly?

[jent]

I have to ask- how did you get the colors of the card to match your outfits so perfectly? Did you pick out the card first and then dress accordingly?

I wondered, too! My guess was that you had the card custom-designed.

[g-mama]

Kristen, you have such a beautiful family!! I have to ask- how did you get the colors of the card to match your outfits so perfectly? Did you pick out the card first and then dress accordingly?

Thank you!

I got the card at minted.com and I liked the design first in a different color scheme. Then I saw you could change the color scheme. After I'd uploaded my photo, I realized how good these colors matched our outfits. I do try to find a card each year that goes with what we're wearing. Last year, we took our photo standing in front of a pretty stone wall and were wearing mostly gray and black, so I went with a black card.

[ellies mom]

Mine are finally finished and mostly sent out. I got the "naughty, nice" idea from here and the tied up children from Pinterest (but in that picture both kids were tied up). I ended up having to make them myself in Photoshop Elements and had them printed at Costco.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/vdrapeau/ChristmasCard2011_edited-1-1.jpg

[essnce629]

LOVE everyone's cards!!!!

Being the procrastinator that I am I finally got around to taking my picture yesterday, made the card on Costco.com last night, picked them up today, and mailed them! Yay!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/essnce629/ChristmasCard2011-3.jpg

[goldenpig]

Wow I LOVE everyone's cards! Such beautiful cards and adorable families. I'm in awe of the lighted tree shots (and twowhat? your girls are so cute together) but they're all gorgeous!

OK I'm so late to the show as usual, but I just made and ordered mine tonight with Tinyprints. They are supposed to get here by Friday. With luck I can mail them on the 24th, if not I'll just send them next week. Last year I sent out three years' worth of cards including the ones that I never got around to sending in 2008 and 2009, so this will be an improvement!

We had professional pictures taken for the pictures on the front. The kids were both dressed in Tea Collection clothes, so of course I had to use a Tea Collection-designed Tinyprints card :D.

The back has some pics from our recent trip to Hawaii. I took the underwater pool shots with my point and shoot in a waterproof housing case. And DD and I are both wearing matching red Hilo Hattie Hawaiian dresses. I bought DH a blue Hawaiian shirt to match DS, but DH rebelled and refused to wear it because he thinks it's silly that I like to do matchy matchy family pictures. Oh well--I'll try again next year!

(please don't quote the pics, thanks!)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MZ59DDYSVK8/TvLpq1yPWoI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Imi7p5TXB9k/s800/christmas%2525202011%252520front.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pVnIv6QzQzo/TvL6xHT7PtI/AAAAAAAAA2s/xvVxtJOaUOg/s800/christmas%2525202011%252520back.jpg

[mjs64]

Love all the new cards! Twowhat?, the pic is great, and goldenpig, I am amazed by the quality of the underwater photos! My parents, avid divers who send pics of their excursions, would be impressed.

Gorgeous families all around!

[jent]

Still loving these cards!

GP, I love the idea of adding the text to the card as a family newsletter. And I had to smile at your DD's ambition at being a ballerina and a doctor. Mine wants to be a "princess doctor.";)

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

I'm really drawn to the minted cards! Well definitely have to check them out next year.

Love them all! :)

[cntrymoon2]

I'm really drawn to the minted cards! Well definitely have to check them out next year.

Love them all! :)

I was thinking the same thing!

[lowrioh]

We got ours from cardstore.com (thanks to someone here who recommended them) I'm pretty happy with how they came out.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PITI8F7vRqo/TvOAxsGE03I/AAAAAAAABNE/yrp5-H44-PE/s640/no%252520names.jpg

[ha98ed14]

We got ours from cardstore.com (thanks to someone here who recommended them) I'm pretty happy with how they came out.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PITI8F7vRqo/TvOAxsGE03I/AAAAAAAABNE/yrp5-H44-PE/s640/no%252520names.jpg

Nice! Your DH kinda looks like mine, too, so that helps!

[JoyNChrist]

Still loving these cards!

GP, I love the idea of adding the text to the card as a family newsletter. And I had to smile at your DD's ambition at being a ballerina and a doctor. Mine wants to be a "princess doctor.";)

Haha, my Avery wants to be a "dentist firefighter superhero" when he grows up. ;)

[nc_hope]

Here's ours. DS1 is eight. DS2 is 6 weeks old. My sister-in-law was a surrogate (specifically gestational carrier) for us this year. We feeling incredibly lucky to have this new little one.:heartbeat:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a1cc03b3127ccefeb912fdf5bd00000030O08AcuXLFm5aNQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/