Getting carded: The holiday card post

Confession: I love holiday cards. Truly, madly deeply adore the whole shebang. I love creating them, writing them, love finding them in the mailbox, reading them and, yes, love being entertained by them at times when they get out of hand in the braggery or too-much-information department. I know some people are a bit ambivalent about holiday cards (too much hassle, too expensive, social media alternatives) but I am not one of them. I am firmly in the pro-card column.

The ideal holiday card for me is a little funny, a little original, something that captures the family's spirit and gives a little news. Pictures, please, preferably of the whole family, not just your kids. It doesn't have to pricey or fancy, though. 

Our cards have run the gamut.  Some years we just managed to take a photobooth shot and stick it to some paper, too late even to find any red or green paper to use:

Christmas 2007

Other years we used the cheesy roller coaster photo from our vacation. It still makes me laugh. It was a completely unstaged keeper: 

Christmas 2004

But sometimes, when I have time to let my mind run wild, I like coming up with something a bit different, like this library book slip format we tucked into a photo card:

Christmas 2010

I've been moseying around the internet looking for some card inspiration lately.  We haven't had professional photos taken this year so I know we'll be going with a more home grown approach so I've been collecting good ideas. Here are some trends and ideas I've collected that I thought you might like, too: 

I love the originality of this stacked box idea. They did their individual and some group shots each taken in one box and then used photo editing to make the 4x4 cube. Of course, this could also be the way to do that Brady Bunch card of your dreams:

I also love a photo with personality. This book shot is great: 

Someday we're going to do an outdoor window shot. I mean, I might have to locate a a french provincial mansion owner who won't mind an impromptu photo shoot but it's Going To Happen. 

I really like the infographic design trend. Such a perfect way to get a lot of information on one card. (Judging from how many versions of this you can find on Pinterest, lots of other people like it, too!)

by Amanda Jane Jones

I can see many fun ways to incorporate this idea of using thought bubbles as backgrounds for a photo on a card: 

Here's a twist on the photo card. What about a photo envelope?

If you use Instagram (or just have a representative shot from every month) I really like this simple layout. Sorry; the link was broken but it looks like photo/idea credit goes to Little Deer:

Looking for more inspiration? I love this article from an old issue of Smithsonian magazine, exhibiting artists' Christmas cards over the years. Lots of great ideas and creativity there. 

And what to do with all those cards after the holidays? What about this idea: take a phone photo of your friends' cards and make it their contact photo on your phone.

. . . 

Okay, now. You get the idea.
How 'bout you? What's your card philosophy?
Your favorite card you've sent or received? 

Present planning

I roll my eyes at holiday displays in October (ugh! don't rush me, Costco!). But, I'll admit it, my Christmas gifting wheels are beginning to turn. I'm definitely not one of those organized souls who has everything all bought and wrapped by July 31st but I do like to bookmark potential gifts all year round. (We just watched What About Bob here and I think I'm going to take a Bob approach to the holidays this year: "baby steps to Christmas, baby steps to Christmas")

October's the time when I start making some decisions, especially if I want to (a) make any of the presents or (b) order from websites like Etsy. With that in mind, I thought I'd share a few of the gift ideas I've bookmarked lately. (Ahem. If you are MY KIDS, click away from here. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.)  

. . . 

First of all, if I were an expert quilter I would make this polaroid quilt for one of (all of?) my kids. You know those good ol' keepsake memory quilts made from old team/school tshirts? How about doing something a little more design-y while still honoring the trip down memory lane? (Tutorial here.) The beauty is that you could put pretty much anything inside the polaroid photo frames: embroidered words, fabric images (like the one below), abstract designs, or--how about this?--have all the kids draw a picture of themselves and then transfer the images and stitch over them in the polaroid frames for a perfect grandparent gift. I'm telling you, I'm going to learn to quilt JUST TO MAKE THIS project.

Photo via Freshly Picked

For avid reader and book lovers, I'm sold on anything from the Literary Gift company. I mean. A handbag from a book?  

A typewriter pin for $8? 

See also: the novel posters (where the entire text of the book is hidden in the poster), book cover posters, and literary maps. 

Speaking of maps, this writeable globe is pretty cool. I love its look and can see it being used for years of geography studying and globe challenges.

Know anyone who owns a gadget? Anyone at all? This cordito from Etsy seller This is Ground is such a beautiful solution to carrying all those cords and chargers around. They've got lots of other cool leather things: cord tacos, phone cases, folders.

I already mentioned the Forever Young locket I got Maddy last year as a special keepsake. I think this fortune cookie necklace from Etsy seller Christina Kober would be another lovely option for a nice, heartfelt gift for a teen. I think I might send something like this to Lauren, who will be far away (whimper) for the next two Christmases. I love that you can personalize the fortune, too, that hangs down from the clasp at the nape of the neck. What would yours say?

Who doesn't love a pair of funky socks? It looks like Sock It To Me has kind of cornered the market on distinctive, fun socks. In addition to this American Gothic pair I spied on Pinterest, they also have a Chat Noir, a Starry Night one, and many more.  Including super stripes.

I adore the Timex Weekender series. Great for teen guys or gals. (Or moms named Annie.)  Handsome, colorful, and inexpensive.

And I think this scratch-off map is fun to keep track of your family's travels (at Restoration Hardware; their stocking stuffer section always has a good bunch of options).

When I attended my cousin Lindsey's beautiful wedding, I noticed so many lovely details. They had birch place card holders at each plate and I have loved using mine here at home as a holder for a rotating gang of art postcards. I thought it would make a great gift for the girls I work with at church, paired with a small inspiration poster. Or they could make great friend gifts for teen girls to give with some fun card or ticket or photo. Etsy seller Vermont Branch Company sells 10 birch stump place card holders for $12.50. Or, if you're handy with a saw and have access to some gorgeous branches, you could make these yourself. (By the way, if you're trying to find a good friend gift, wedding sites are a good resource for ideas. Their favors tend to be classy and relatively inexpensive.)

What's on your list of gift ideas this year? How do you plan your family gifting? Though I don't follow it strictly, I really like the guidelines my mom told me many years ago: 

Something to wear
Something to read*
Something to play with
Something you need. 

I'm too rebellious of a shopper to abide by it completely but it does help guide me for the sake of variety and fairness. 

p.s. I promise not to overdo the whole Christmas in October thing, but I do have a post on holiday card ideas in the works. Don't stress. No worries. We've still got all the time in the world. Baby steps. 

*I promise we'll cover books another time. 

---

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A project

Sometimes I just need a project -- a work-with-my-hands, manipulate real-life materials project. I typically get this feeling ESPECIALLY when I have a lot of writing or desk work going on, so I'll readily admit my need to MAKE SOMETHING is part creative drive and part procrastination technique. But I'm trying to love my procrastinating self just as much as I love my uptight, get-things-done self. Because we are all the SAME SELF. Goodness, I hope someone quotes me on that.

I may have mentioned here that Rebecca asked for a room redo for her birthday present. She moved into Jordan's room a little over a year ago (because it's bigger and has a bigger bed). So she's been forced to live with Jordan's bedding and decor choices. I've definitely been dragging my feet over redoing that bedroom because I have other really important and significant things to do. Like watch Netflix. And obsessively read Google News. Also, decorating costs money, and as many times as I've hinted . . . I've yet to receive any anonymous checks in the mail in support of my decorating fund. Also, there's been no movement on the chocolate donut fund. Or the really expensive hair products fund. But those are all first world problems, so let's move on.

My point here is that I MADE SOMETHING. Guys, I used to be so, so crafty. I had like a decade-long painting, sewing, quilting phase where I made a ton of stuff. But then I somehow, some way, lost the will to craft. I did have a brief period of buying craft supplies -- without actually making anything with them. But now I'm done with that too.  Is this a mid-stage thing? Anyone else out there lost the will to craft? Is there help available?

My goal in this particular project was to create a focal point above the bed. Something cool and modern and BIG. When I saw this string-art project on Vintage Revivals I was awestruck. In the tenth grade my geometry teacher assigned us a string art project. We used black poster board and neon-colored embroidery floss and made spirograph-like designs by punching holes in geometric patterns. Man, I loved that project. This is kinda like that. Except it's messy. And random. I was never super good at geometry anyway.

Vintage Revivals has all the pertinent details (and I don't want to steal her tutorial thunder). I should tell you that when I printed out the letters for LOVE, I used about a 650 point font. Also, for the love of all things non-complicated, use birch plywood for this project. Birch plywood is smooth (and sand-able) and will make the spray painting a thousand times easier. When I went to buy the wood there was no birch in the 4' x 4' size I needed. But I figured the regular plywood would work. And it did. But it's definitely more of a textured, woodsy look. Also, let's address the hanging. The finished project weighs roughly 273 pounds. Sterling and I discussed a number of hanging options (including drilling a bolt through all four corners), but in the end we put screws in both sides and used heavy-duty picture wire . . . and then put two bolts into the studs. 

It's actually a fun and satisfying project to create. I did the whole thing on the sly, so it would be a surprise on Becca's actual birthday. I laid out a big fluffy comforter on my bedroom floor and watched HGTV while nailing in a WHOLE BUNCH of tiny nails. Even though I knew it was physically impossible, I kept having horrifying mental images of me nailing the plywood to the wood floor beneath. So I kept checking. Like obsessively. Other than that . . . good clean fun. 

And that's the story of how I revived my crafty-self for an entire three hours.  

A few good gems

I'm SO happy it is October. There is a promised cold front due in on Sunday where we are expecting a high of 78 and a low of 51, and I'm holding The Weather Channel's feet to the fire. I'd better get my 51 or heads are going to roll!!  While I'm watching the weather with pumpkin-flavored-baited-breath, here's a few good gems to peruse:

- I saw this quote (pictured above) over on the Liz Marie Blog. I can't find the original source, but I'm thinking about framing this quote and giving it to all of my loved ones for Christmas. I'm not even kidding. It's SO true. Right?

-  My friend Andrea sent me a link to The Guardian's article on "Ten Tips to Help Our Daughters Change the World." These 'tips' are about teaching and encouraging skills necessary for girls to enter the political scene, and particularly about how they can make a difference from where they are -- drawing upon their own personal interests, situations, and skill sets. Rowena Davis, a 28 year old MP candidate, explains, "Young women are no longer prepared to suppress their personalities or compromise their values in order to take part in political life. 'There is a sense of compassion, an ability to value relationships, family, nurturing, caring, but mixing that with aspiration, thriving and leadership.'"

-The New York Times published a fascinating article, "Harvard Business School Case Study: Gender Equity," detailing a gender experiment (focusing on the class of 2013) in which curriculum, grading, and social practices were purposely studied and altered to promote female success. The results are an interesting mix of sociological observations and unintended consequences. What I don't think the experiment was really able to tackle is the long-standing denigration of ambitious women -- meaning women felt they needed to "tone down" aggressive practices in class in order to be socially acceptable. The author writes, "Judging from comments from male friends about other women ('She’s kind of hot, but she’s so assertive') [one of the students], Ms. Navab, feared that seeming too ambitious could hurt what she half-jokingly called her 'social cap,' referring to capitalization." Now. I'm no Harvard MBA. But when I was working on my Master's Thesis (and was arguing an important point), one of the male members of my committee responded to my passionate argument with, "Well, isn't she a fiesty little thing?" Ahem. 

- While doing some academic work this week, I read a critical article that talked about the idea of home in E. M. Forster's novel, Howards End. I haven't read Howard's End (1910) in a bazillion years, so I felt the need to reacquaint myself. I've only read the first 50 pages or so, but I'm already delighted. I love this line about Meg: "Away she hurried, not beautiful, not supremely brilliant, but filled with something that took the place of both qualities--something best described as a profound vivacity, a continual and sincere response to all that she encountered in her path through life." Come on. Read it with me.

- If you are feeling especially bookish, then I've got the perfect tool for you. Many years ago I purchased a book weight (much like this one). I use it practically everyday -- sometimes to hold a book open while I'm taking notes, sometimes to hold my book open when I'm eating a BIG bowl of ice cream (don't tell!) and, really, countless other strange situations I seem to find myself in where I JUST NEED MY BOOK TO STAY OPEN.

-I'm thinking about making this salad this week.  And I REALLY want to make this chalkboard runner for my long kitchen table. And just maybe, if I'm feeling ambitious (but not in a socially crippling way), I'll make some Halloween silhouettes for above my fireplace.

Or, maybe I'll just curl up with Howards End.  

Happy Fall everyone! 

A few good gems

Hello there, last weekend in September! How'd you get here so fast?

I'm off in a few hours to take four teenage girls on an overnight roadtrip to a regional church ball in Sydney tonight. I'm anticipating lots of hilarity, music, snacks, and stories but not a whole lot of sleep. After we get back tomorrow afternoon, though, I'm putting in a request for some laid-back weekending for the second half. Mama needs her rest.

What are you up to this weekend?  How about a few gems to start it off right?

- This speech by George Saunders  to Syracuse University class of 2013 is a keeper. He talks about erring in the direction of kindness. It's a gem no matter your season or situation.

- My cousin has a knack for bringing the fun; in fact, I'd say he's a professional fun bringer when he's channeling his alter ego Fresh Big Mouf. He's got a cool Beat Scout video serieswhere he makes music from found sounds in places like a diner, an industrial park, metro station, or a church. Check out this one with Kina Grannis, covering "Royals":

and this week's episode, "You Can't Hurry Love."  Also, it's just a great idea for an idle Saturday afternoon--you could have your kids try a Beat Scout video of their own.

- This essay gave me some good food for thought in the midst of a stressful week. 

- Kudos (though belated) to this 15-year-old winner (and his mom, who drove him every night after school to a university lab to test his theory) for creating a cheaper, more accurate and sensitive early-stage pancreatic cancer sensor and winning the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair this year. His uncle died of pancreatic cancer and Jack came up with the idea in biology class. (Also? His unbridled reaction to the win makes me cry.)  Kids are awesome.

- The man who buried his treasure in a poem.  Fascinating! (via Longreads)

- I can think of so very many ways to use this ^ poster-making template! The site has other turn-a-quote-into-a-masterpiece template options, too. (Like the fortune cookie one, above.) Brilliant!

- I have found a new favorite skincare product: Fresh Sugar Face Polish. It's kinda spendy but a little goes a lonnng way and you just use it a few times a week. I'm a new fan! 

- Finally, this well-done Portrait of a Ten-Year-Old Girl includes some terrific insights and observations about this typically in-between age (via Longreads).

Go embrace that weekend, everyone! See you here on Monday.

Sixteen years -- a collage

I'm not entirely certain how this tradition began. I think I might have been in a framing store just before my oldest's sixteenth birthday when I happened upon a collage frame with exactly sixteen openings. And there it was -- sixteen frames for sixteen years. I'm real quick like that. 

So, I bought that frame and carefully combed through sixteen years of photos, trying my best to represent each year of her life. Not only was it fun to reminisce through all of those first day of school, and Easter, and messy-spaghetti-face pictures, but in the end I had this little time capsule of my baby's life. 

So, when Madison turned sixteen I made another. And boom! A tradition! Guys, how lucky am I that Aaron Brothers has been making the same frame for three and a half years? I know I should have bought four frames from the start, but I wasn't thinking ahead. And when I went to buy Madison's . . . there was only one frame in stock. And, two weeks ago, when I went to buy Rebecca's . . . there was only one frame in stock. I think it's like a magical agreement between me and Aaron Brother's. 

I have Jordan and Madison's hanging in the landing on our stairs. But now that my collection contains three frames, I'm going to pull them down and hang them three across on the long wall at the top of the stairs. I present the finished frame to my kids on their birthdays, but really -- they are for me. I love looking at them! My own little trip down memory lane. 

Here's the deal, if I can get all of those frames hung in the next week I'm going to give myself a big treat. I might be known for letting frames sit, leaning against the wall, for months. Unless I can get my husband to hang them FOR me. Yes. That's my plan. I'll report back soon. 

A few good gems

via NationalGeographic

{Note: Picture above is what I imagine Fall to be like. Pictures are all I have. Sniff.} 

Temps are still in the 90s here in the Lone Star State, and yet, I've fallen to the dastardly machinations of a head cold. My throat hurts, my nose is stuffy, and by mid afternoon? I'm toast -- so, so tired. I know. I'm whiney. It's part of what makes me, "ME". 

I just think if I'm going to cough and wheeze I should be wrapped in a warm blanket and scarf, with a steaming cup of hot cocoa. I should NOT be in shorts and a t-shirt, madly turning up the AC. It's not right. I need someone to FIX IT. 

Even in my mucus-laden state, I've managed to spend a considerable amount of time surfing the net. Just for you. I only do it for you. Otherwise, I'd be studiously reading and writing and doing laundry and baking homemade cookies for my children. But nope. Just surfing the net. Like it's my job. 

You'll thank me later. 

Have you seen this "informative rant" about why American health care is so expensive? It's not a partisan thing, so everyone calm down. Basically, it's about supply and demand -- but it's delivered in such an entertaining way! Also, Sterling and I recently paid upwards of $2000 OUT OF POCKET for a brief trip to the ER that required no technology or testing WHATSOEVER. I have to quit writing about this now before my caps lock key is STUCK FOREVER. 

My new favorite contemporary book just might be "Where'd You Go, Bernadette."  Guys, I polished off this novel in about 3.5 hours. I couldn't put it down. I'll have to read it once or twice more to really decided if it's my "favorite," but I can tell you this right now -- so entertaining. And not scholarly and boring. But not super fluffy. It's just about right.

I heard about goldbely.com on the radio this morning (while I was making my second trip to drop off kids at 6:30 this morning). Basically, Goldbely is a service that ships famous eats from around the US. You can get bagels from Zabar's in NYC, Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza from Chicago, and even Blue Bell ice cream from Brenham, Texas. I'm a big fan of food in general. Also, I can't imagine living away from a freezer-full of Blue Bell. But be warned -- four 1/2 gallon containers of Blue Bell runs $129 (shipping included). I currently pay approximately $6 per 1/2 gallon containers, which would put my cost (before shipping) at around $24. But, if you are desperate, THERE YOU GO.

Before I dissertate today, I'm seriously considering making this. 

OR maybe these pumpkin snickerdoodles. 

Also, don't tell Becca, but I'm working on something like this for her birthday. She wanted a bedroom-refresh for her gift. Pictures to come. 

And that's it folks. Happy weekending to you.