Christmas cuties
This was a little impromptu photo session we had the week before Christmas. I blatantly lifted my insanely talented friend Susan's idea of making Christmas CD's for the kids' teachers (see one version of hers on our Holiday Inspiration blog). These were the pics I put on the case cover, inside, and on the actual CD. From what I hear, the teachers really loved them. I also made them for my mom and sisters and they were a big hit.
Speaking of my insanely talented friend, if you haven't seen her amazing recipe book in the Shutterfly gallery, you absolutely must. Susan lost her mom when she was young and this book is a tribute to the recipes she used to make. So touching, and a beautiful piece of art as well.
One of the other projects I did this season was a family history tree. I bought some photo frame ornaments from Hobby Lobby and printed pictures of our family from each year since Kenzie was born, then I put them on a small tree on the entry table in our foyer/living room. Made me smile every time I went past it.
One thing about this tree that didn't have me smiling were the battery operated lights I put on it (since it's in the middle of the room, nowhere near an outlet). I think they worked for about an hour before dying out. Anyone else have trouble with them this season?
And while we're on a crafting roll, here is the xmas card/letter we sent this year. I had the 4x6 photos printed at Ritz and would NOT recommend them to anyone. I used to use them all the time in my film days and don't ever remember the quality of the prints being as bad as they were this time around. I really missed my VistaPrint letter copies, too. They do an amazing job on those.
I used Quick Fill #18 for the letter and was really happy with how that turned out. So fun for including pics of us throughout the year along with some highlights on each of us.
My design team and I were chatting before xmas and decided that a Christmas in July event might not be such a bad idea. It always crosses my mind, but then the thought of xmas in the summer makes me nauseous and I usually don't give it a second thought - lol. I really do need to start that early to finish up everything that I hope to, though. Maybe a couple of projects that early wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Love your family history tree. I am so going to do that next year. I am with you on the thought of having snow in July but yes, I really should start all my planning early too.
Off to see if I can find some family movie night ideas for "A Bug's Life" on your blog. I thought I remembered you guys watching it a while back. Hopefully you have those in a category.
Take Care!
Posted by: Jamie | January 06, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Love that family photo tree, Heather! Beautiful frames too!
Posted by: Kasie | January 06, 2009 at 12:01 PM
I intended to do the photo tree thing, but had to scratch that off my list. I am actually thinking (if I can muster up the energy) of doing a few Christmas projects now--something about it being cold outside does help. We'll see how that goes! :)
Posted by: Emily | January 06, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I think it depends on the Ritz/Wolf you go to. The one in Wheaton/Danada area on Butterfield had been pretty good; although, I wanted folded 5x7 cards this year. I went with Shutterfly and was hugely disappointed. They color corrected my layout and it took on a yellow/brownish hue. It was okay to everyone else, but I knew what was supposed to be white and that the photos were supposed to be b&w, not sepia. I emailed them, but haven't heard back yet.
Personally, I love the idea of Christmas in July...I TOTALLY need the time to get things done. I actually didn't buy anything digi-scrap related from anyone this year because it seemed like it all came out too late. That said, we don't plan to send out paper cards next year. We are going to move to a "greener" idea and send out a printable letter via email. It will be high resolution b&w and probably 8.5x11 so the average person can print it if they want a hard copy. Still toying with the idea, so we might also send a color version.
The idea of the CD is so nice! I love it. My printer can print on CDs, too, but they always come out dark. I havne't quite perfected that yet.
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Alis in Wnderlnd | January 06, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I loved those letter templates you made last year and really missed them this year. I hope you add them to your to-do list for July!
Posted by: Deanna | January 06, 2009 at 02:03 PM
I love the family history tree as well. I will have to try that next year myself. As you mentioned though, I need to start early to get that one done with everything else. I usually go on a scrapbook weekend retreat in August, and that might be a perfect thing to get a jump on. :o)
The photos of the kids for the CDs are wonderful. I bet the teachers really loved them. Who wouldn't?
I don't have any experience with Ritz/Wolf. I use my printer at home for all of my printing needs.
Posted by: Su | January 06, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Everything is so cute! :o)
Posted by: Holly Child | January 06, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Love all the adorable projects Heather! Gotta second that motion of getting a head start on Christmas projects- I like Emily's idea of starting some now while its still cold. (I'm practically buried in with 4 ft of snow outside, might as well get crafty!)
Posted by: Jenni | January 06, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Heather -
Love your 365 project + the way you have it set up with each photo displaying on the calendar.
Can I ask you? Did you choose the timeline or the calendar design to create that? I'm trying to mimic yours + can't figure out how to display the small photo on each day of the calendar.
Any help would be appreciated. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Debra | January 06, 2009 at 04:03 PM
oh i'm so glad to see you posting again! I've read your blog for years and really enjoy it! :} That was a cute christmas card! I thought about doing the newsletter last year i even looked it up on your site but never got around to it!
Lisa
Posted by: LisaLisa | January 06, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Where did you get that cute bird that is on your card?? It's sooo cute!
Posted by: MaryRuth Francks | January 06, 2009 at 09:53 PM
You never cease to amaze me with your talent Heather! Love the pictures, and the Christmas card. Happy New Year!
Lyndsey
Posted by: Lyndsey | January 07, 2009 at 07:12 AM
The family history tree is such a great idea! Love it! :)
Posted by: Kris | January 07, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Awwww, your cd turned out so cute! I'm always jealous of the light in your house. Mine is like a cave in comparison!
Posted by: Susan | January 07, 2009 at 11:41 AM
The pictures are adorable and the card is so nice! So glad to have you back posting! I also did the CD for teacher gifts, grandma's and aunts alike. They were a hit and lots of fun to put together.
Posted by: Jill | January 07, 2009 at 12:32 PM
great ideas and fabulous models. gosh the girls look like twins and jack oh my gosh you are in trouble.
Posted by: Dee | January 07, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Heather I have a totally different question.. I remember reading on one of the 20 blogs I read a little thing about iphone back grounds could have swore it was you but I cant find the post... Was it you?? I picture a background with your little ones on it but i could be totally wrong!!! Let me know if i am dead wrong I am just wondering the dimensions?? Thats all!! Thanks hun!!
Karidan
Posted by: Karidan Chapman | January 07, 2009 at 04:38 PM
CUTE Christmas photos!! I've actually never had anything printed at Ritz, but we did just order a cute little camera over Christmas and have had a nightmare with them charging us the wrong amount and then refusing to refund, etc. Seriously ridiculous!
Posted by: Melissa | January 07, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Oh I love the vintage frames!! I have a question on the teacher gift (I am always looking for new ideas!). When you purchase the songs for the CDs, do you purchase and download them multiple times for the number of teachers, or do you just purchase once? I've never bought anything off of iTunes since we don't use IPODS. Thanks!! Love all your stuff here, such a great photo shoot, I wish I could just get my kids to sit down and stay somewhat still!!
Posted by: KimG | January 08, 2009 at 05:00 AM
I am "borrowing" all of these ideas for next year! Adorable card and I love the newsletter. Amazing idea for the family history tree too!
So glad you are back to posting after a much-deserved break.
Posted by: Heather D | January 08, 2009 at 06:02 AM
Darling photo CD. What a wonderful gift. I bet the teachers loved them :) And that recipe book of Susan's made me speechless. What great ideas! Hope you are doing well.
Annie
Posted by: Annie | January 11, 2009 at 05:15 PM