I was reminded this morning that Christmas is only 47 days away! Now before panic sets in with all of the things you need to do before this holiday season, let me share with you something I’m going to do differently this year. First I need to let you in on a little secret: I always get frustrated when I am shopping for Christmas cards. I can never really find a card that says exactly what I want to say. And when I’m buying them in bulk to send out to my friends and family, I want them to have a personalized touch. Last year, I attempted to make all of my cards. I was very ambitious and started a few, but never finished the entire batch and therefore I didn’t send them out! I was recently on the Shutterfly Web site and found they not only had really cute new Christmas card designs that you can personalize, they also have an option for creating your own. They come in different sizes, and as you can see, I had fun playing with both of the options. Just think about ordering cards that already say exactly what you want to so you don’t even have to write a thing! They are a perfect solution, and if you start now, it will be one less thing on your list before Christmas arrives in 47 days!
Okay, I’ll stop saying that because it’s stressing me out too!

Create something. Inspire everyone.
GinaMarie

Supplies for Digital Card:
Scrapartist.com: all digital paper designed by Aja Abney (My Wish for You collection) and
all digital elements designed by Sarah Batdorf and Angie Briggs (Whimsy Style collection).
Edited picture at picnik.com
Compiled the entire card in Photoshop Elements.

I rarely create two-page layouts. Normally, I use one or two photos on a piece of 8½x11 cardstock. During a weekend-crafting spree, however, I decided to make a two-page spread because I wanted to use a number of photos so I could truly illustrate the extent of my book obsession.

I created the card pocket using cardstock, and the index card pulls out to reveal hidden journaling. The journaling above the title reads: "To get a true sense of [a] book, I have to spend a few moments inside. I'll glance at the first couple pages, then flip around to somewhere in the middle, see if the laungage matches me somehow. It's like dating, only with sentences. Some sentences, no matter how well-dressed or nice, just don't do it for me. Others I click with instantly. It could be something as simple yet weirdly potent as a single word choice (tangerine). We're meant to be, that sentence and me. And when it happens, you just know."
—From Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Supplies:
Cardstock, kraft cardstock
Patterned paper (American Crafts, Prima, Scenic Route)
Letter stickers (Making Memories)

P.S. I'm always looking to add to my reading list, so leave me a comment with your favorite book or author or poet!

Have a happy Monday, everyone!

—Katie