Thursday, December 2, 2010

Christmas Cards




Because I love photography, I've been making my own Christmas cards for a few years now. At first, I simply attached 4x6 prints to Strathmore Photo Mount Cards. If you order your prints on sale, this can be quite a thrifty way to make a very personal card. The image above is one of the photos I used a few years ago. It was taken at my favorite park, Natirar, and edited in Photoshop to add a texture.





Last year, I also ordered some postcards (with added envelopes) from Moo. Here is one of the images I used (above) also taken at Natirar. Moo makes gorgeous quality glossy postcards. You can add text of your choice on the reverse side. I simply added a Christmas message, and then hand-signed them. This year, I have ordered some more and personalized them with our names as well.





Lately, I've been playing around in Photoshop, learning how to make cards with digital papers, layers and cutouts. I can't tell you how much fun this is! I've always been artistic, but never super crafty. Here is a creative outlet that I'm really enjoying. :)






Here are two of my favorite designs (above). I may design a few more and then order a set from Moo. (Yes, I always do my cards at the last minute.) Or maybe I will try getting them press-printed on a linen paper. I think that might look better, especially with the vintage damask papers . What do you think? I guess I'll have to check out turnaround times at printers. This might be a project for next year. :)

43 comments:

  1. Oh how very pretty!!! You do such wonderful work! And it's worth thinking about for next year! Thank you! Cathy

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  2. I think these are lovely. Funny, I'm doing this for the first time this season. My prints have just arrived and the Strathmore photo mount cards are on the way. Thanks for the Moo link. I learn so much coming here.

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  3. Wow, these are absolutely beautiful; and what a great idea to make your own Christmas cards!

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  4. Hiya Mary,
    We corresponded a few years back.
    Like you, I am also gripped by the delights of playing with images. It seems to have spread on a wave of memes :-)
    After all that is what they are for.

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  5. They are beautiful, Mary. I love the first picture of the pathway.

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  6. Really pretty, I've been toying with the idea of photoshop but keep waiting for a deal! Which program did you get and is it really complicated?
    Thanks for sharing great ideas with us.

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  7. Beautiful! Sounds like fun!
    Did the digital papers and cutouts come with photoshop, or did you have to buy that separately? Or did you find them free online??

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  8. Thanks for the inspiration Mary...
    My husband gifted me with Photoshop and a new camera before he left...
    I just need to apply myself.
    Glad Tidings to you and yours...

    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  9. Well now you've proven that you are artistic and crafty! Those are lovely. I especially like the last one.

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  10. Very beautiful cards! I make "semi homemade" Christmas Cards. I enclose a recipe every year. Last year I found a photo recipe card and used that. I love the bottom photo with the pine tree and the tag with all your names - just lovely!

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  11. sigh. They're just beautiful! I'm not crafty either. I just gape in wonder at those who are.

    I forgot that you have a "Liam", too!

    Love, Katy

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  12. Oh Mary these are just gorgeous. I have to say the photography bug has bitten me too. I have asked for a better camera for Christmas (I hope I was a good little girl, this year ;)) and I have been looking at photoshop. I have to say I am afraid to spend money on photoshop and it be too complicated??? How is it to work with?
    I have to also thank you, because you are the reason I started playing around with photos to make mosaics for your Mosaic Monday. I have not been around for a while though.
    Have a great Holiday.

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  13. Thanks, everybody!

    To answer your questions -- I have Photoshop CS3. I upgraded a few years ago from Photoshop Elements. It took awhile to get the hang of it, but there are a lot of great tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere online that help immensely. As for the digital papers and cutouts -- the cutouts were free at The Coffeeshop Blog. http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/
    and I bought the vintage papers at Florabella. http://florabellacollection.com/blog/

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  14. Someday...........I'd love to make my own cards. What an inspirational post.

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  15. Very pretty - especially like the last one.

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  16. Your christmas cards are seriously gorgeous! I really need to make a Christmas Card. I just don't know that anyone would want one of my photographs in the mail - well not sure if my friends would. I can't ever tell if they really like my work...but this is inspiring!

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  17. Really stunning Mary! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. Years ago we made our own cards -- but they are NOTHING like your gorgeous ones!

    Beautiful. And you have the perfect last name for Christmas! Good planning. :-)
    Cass

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  19. I am sure that anyone on your Christmas Card list is thrilled with your latest offerings. Beautful photos. I just did a greeting card front in photoshop and had it printed at Costco that I will insert in our cards. Maybe next year I will more creative.

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  20. Cass -- my in-laws used to sign their cards "Bart, Cis & all the little Christmas Carrolls!"

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  21. They look gorgeous! I've been inspired to do my own cards this year too! I've been taking so many winter pictures that I'm really proud of, I'd love to put them on a card. So much more personal!

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  22. They are beautiful Mary. I ordered blank cards with the intention of painting a card and then printing them off. I tried and because I love the little glitter on the card, it did not show up on the printed ones, decided to paint them all. I started a while back and have plenty of time to do them. I also have plenty of time. Not much money but plenty of time. LOL Blessed Christmas to you and family.
    QMM

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  23. What gorgeous photos. I've been thinking of ordering from MOO, just have to do it I guess. Those who receive a card from you will treasure it and take it out next year, too!

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  24. What a wonderful idea! And what lovely work you've done! As much as I enjoy taking photos and I've never thought of doing this? Well that's changing for next year! (I already got my Christmas cards done for this year)

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  25. Hi Mary! Im your newest follower and CRAAAAAAAAAAAZY about your blog! WOW! Your photography is BREATHTAKING! I must have stared at that tree for 20 minutes! GORGEOUS! I will be spending shameful amounts of time here! I wouls BEYOND ADORE it if you would visit my blog abd 14 days of xmas trees...I have a giveaway you might like! SO GLAD i found you!

    blessings xoxokara

    *ENTER CUSTOM FLORAL Give-Away Here *

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  26. Welcome, Kara, and thanks so much! :)

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  27. They are stunning! Wow...I'm impressed!

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  28. What a wonderful idea!They are beautiful - by-Ag

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  29. Fantastic, dear Mary, simply gorgeous. I haven't tried Moo because of the expense but maybe I should. I do the Strathmore photo mounts for friends and family still. They seem to love them but postcards are a great idea, too. Fabulous images, I say again! xo – g

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  30. These are simply gorgeous!! I think you should have a contest and give away a few! Or just send me one!! :)

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  31. You are such a talented photographer. I love the last picture! I would love to receive a card like this!

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  32. VEry pretty photos for cards. Have a good weekend.
    Nancy

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  33. Absolutely beautiful photos and a wonderful idea to boot.

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  34. These are gorgeous Mary, much prettier than anything in stores. Thanks for the links too. I would love to try this myself!

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  35. These are fabulous, Mary! Beautiful photos and digital papers you've selected. Thanks for the links, too.

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  36. Hey! I have an idea! I'll send you a photo, you Photoshop it for me, and send me back the photoshopped picture, then I will order my cards! What do you think of that??

    JK, Your work is fabulous. I know, I have ordered your postcards before!

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  37. Your photogrpahy is spectacular, Mary, and transfers very beautifully to make truly elegant Christmas cards!

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  38. Very, very beautiful! I wish I was on your card list.

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  39. Mary, they are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them with us....smiles.

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  40. Fabulous winter images... If I were to do seasonal cards, I'd make my own too.

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  41. Hello.Very beautiful cards. I just ordered some cards from Moo and I was very pleased. I like your photos very much:)
    Greetings from Finland

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  42. I sent a bunch of homemade postcards out to my family that's outside of my city. They loved it. I think homemade postcards are better gifts then more expensive gifts because it means more that you made it yourself.

    -zane

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