Monday, November 26, 2012

Holiday card indecision

It’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving as I write this and it sure feels like winter today. It’s even snowing out there right now, tiny little flakes ~ but nothing’s coming of it, really.

On this cold day, the day before I return to reality and my job, I’m doing some laundry and working on some images I’ve taken lately. I also pulled up a few that could be used for our holiday card this year. I used only photos that I’ve taken in the past year and although I’m no expert in digital graphics, I think I’ve pieced together at least one that would be worthy of using for my holiday mailing list this year.

And although I like some of these a lot, and it was a fun way to pass a few hours today, I think I need to go back to the drawing board.

 

Holiday Card 2012 - 1 copy 2

This male cardinal is festive-looking. But it doesn’t scream holiday card. Then again, I prefer a quiet card to begin with.

 

Holiday Card 2012 - 2 copy 2

I had trouble with this one as a card. But I wouldn’t mind having a print of it for my wall.

 

Holiday Card 2012 -3 copy 2

I made these last year, getting the idea from Pinterest. They would make a different kind of card now, wouldn’t they?

 

Holiday Card 2012 -4 copy 2

I like this one a lot for many reasons. It was taken in the upstairs foyer here at the manor house on an early evening during the holidays last year and it had just begun snowing. Maybe it would work if the words were ‘Silent Night’.

 

Holiday Card 2012 -5 copy 2

I was given this amaryllis bulb as a gift last year and was rewarded with blooms that kept me and my macro lens entertained for weeks following the holidays.

 

Holiday Card 2012 -6 funny' copy 2

Just making sure you’re still paying attention here and haven’t nodded off.

:   :   :

Obviously, I wrote this yesterday and never posted it until now (Monday).

But you get the drift.

I really want a simple holiday season this year, without the hype and the ensuing debt caused by careless spending. That would be nice now, wouldn’t it?

123 Signature[5]

48 comments:

Cloudia said...

Each one is PERFECT; and I do like the cardinal and winter birches!


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Candace said...

They're all beautiful; I know you didn't ask for a vote but I do like the candle and the cardinal the best, I think. Cardinals do seem to be featured often on holiday cards and I always think of them as festive. It's hard in AZ, as I look back over the past year, to find anything even vaguely Christmas-y that I could use. I would love to make my own cards.

Country Gal said...

Lovely photos for cards . I have just finished a photo card for a friends birthday coming up . I am never bored of your posts . This year for our Christmas will be a simple one as well , the way Papa and I like it . We are making our own photo calendars for gifts and going simple on our decorating this year . I am in the midst of collecting pine cones and woodsy things from around our area for my table . Have a good evening !

spindrift,maine said...

They are all lovely. I vote for every one, except the sushi. I have it on good authority that Santa doesn't like sushi. xo

Hilary said...

I like the one with the lamp...
but they are all beautiful.
Yes, Christmas with no debt......I think it's silly that so many feel that going into debt is necessary.

Hilary said...

I can almost smell those oranges. It makes a fine card as does the one right after it.

Meryl Baer said...

All beautiful and appropriately festive, but i vote for the first one - cardinal and branch.

Low Tide High Style said...

I like them all for different reasons...even the sushi one! ;) But my favorite is the same as yours, it makes a lovely card I think!

Kat

Sheila said...

I love the B&W photo card; it's just beautiful! I agree with wanting a "simple holiday season". As I get older, I get closer to accomplishing just that kind of holiday.

michelle said...

I love the oranges and the candle images the best, but the cardinal really reflects who you are (at least on this blog!). Mostly.....I think a card with George would be perfect!

Anonymous said...

Everyone should live within their means when it comes to Christmas.

I like the quietness of the photo taken in your upstairs foyer. It gets my vote...if I get a vote. LOL

Lee Owenby said...

The winter birches would make beautiful wall art, but for a Christmas card I like the cardinal and the organges best. They are all great - well, maybe not the sushi.

Christie - Fine Lines said...

Happy week after Thanksgiving. I like all your cards, but the black and white trees and the oranges really speak to me. I almost always make clove studded oranges during the holidays, so perhaps I am biased:)

Deb said...

Your photos are gorgeous and my favorite is the trees. That, to me, is a beautiful card. Second favorite is the lamp.
I would love to keep it simple this year and I am starting with not buying any new ornaments and only using those that I have. So far, it's working and I'm saving money. Now...the gift buying, well, that's another story. Hugs, Deb

JaneK said...

ok, I was looking for you to ask us to vote but you didn't but your adoring fans just have to do it anyway and I'm glad I am not the only one "voting!" Of course, they are all spectacular... really. But I like the trees as my fave..... so peaceful and quiet and just..... sigh.... and then I like the oranges: fun and citrusy! You can almost smell the wonderful holiday aroma! And quite frankly the sushi one would be a hoot! Kind of "in your face to the commercialism of Christmas" kind of thing.... but honestly, with so many beautiful, peaceful shots to choose from, it probably should just be something fun to think about. :) Thanks for sharing, Kate!!!!

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

They are all beautiful, even the last one LOL! But if yor're secretly asking. . . I LOVE the candle in the foyer! Stunning!

Devon said...

So many of those card choices were great! My fav is the up stairs with the candle (sounds like a game of clue).

How about a black and white photo of George with his nose photoshopped red?

Unknown said...

Kate, sensational cards. My favorite is the second.Nice to meet you. Eleonora

Em Parkinson said...

I like the birches best.....perhaps it would look more festive with a plain white border? Tell me to stop interfering!

BB said...

You make me laugh... Happy Sushi to YOU! My fave is the light one in the foyer... Tell us what you go with!
:-)
BB

Daryl said...

your greeting needs to be proportionally larger so it doesn't get lost in the image OR no outside greeting .. put it on the inside .. you're welcome, I have been making my holiday cards fa-evah

Sharon said...

Why not do them all? You can use moo.com or Persnickety Prints to get affording cards without having to print large amounts.

Mental P Mama said...

Love!! I am having the same holiday, too. But I am going to spend it with special people. I hope.

Marian said...

I'll tell you Kay, those oranges are really talking to me. They are so appealing.

Marian said...

I'll tell you Kay, those oranges are really talking to me. They are so appealing.

thotlady said...

I think the fourth one would be lovely.

thecatalanway said...

All lovely but my favourite is the first one - is it a cardinal? The colours are very festive and also warm for this chilly time of year. The amaryllis is good too but really the bird is magificent.
funnily enough I too am thinking of card making today. don't have the wonderful photos you have to chose from but as people don't send cards here in Spain there is not an option of buying a bundle so I will get to work.
Kx

The JR said...

Yum, sushi.....

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

I love the oranges and the one beneath it, if I were voting.

I really love Happy Sushi. Now I am hungry.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I love the snowy trees one and would adore someone sending me that for Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Why choose just one card? They're all so pretty, even the sushi!

Print out the whole bunch. I vote for all of them!

Dawn Gross said...

I love 'em all!

Mr. Black said...

Oh, I just love putting in my two cents. Love giving unsolicited opinions and/or advice.

My favorites: the beaded votive candle with the pine cones and window in background, followed by the clove-studded oranges. I really like the cardinal, but I would like to see it cropped to focus on the bird and the tree trunk.

mrs mediocrity said...

You always make me smile! I love the one of the oranges, and also the candle. But really, I think you should go with the Sushi. :)

GailO said...

Looks like you are getting a vote whether or not you wanted one! I am totally in love with the snowy trees....and I think it would work beautifully as a Christmas card. Love the oranges too...As a child I made those with my mother every winter but she had us cover the entire orange with those cloves...it took forever:)

I started working on the three calendars I always make and I'm feeling pretty good about it because I usually wait until literally the last minute:)

Anonymous said...

I'm partial to the sushi--my favorite food in the world so far! I love the oranges for the card, but I also LOVE the trees! I think it would make a beautiful card!
Trudy

Andi said...

The oranges! The oranges!

sharon said...

I love the woods, but yet the oranges add a little spice to life, although the serenity of the "Silent Night" has a very calming effect. I guess I would have to go with.... wait for it..... Happy Sushi! LOL
It adds a Christmas flare in such a unique way! :)

JMCD said...

I would buy the Silent Night cards if you made them available on Etsy or however :) Beautiful and peaceful.

beth said...

how lucky you are to have so many choices....that's what happens to one when one is a fabulous photographer !!....xo

Donna S. said...

The candle & tree line are my favorite. I would love either of them to be my card (which I don't know if I am even doing this year)!!

Anonymous said...

"Silent Night" would be perfect for a holiday card. You could say Happy Holidays inside? Maybe?

Happy choosing

Donna

altar ego said...

I like them all, but the oranges and cloves made me perk up. I can SMELL them!

Dianne said...

I like the trees
a lot! :)
they're all lovely
even the sushi hehehehehe

I too want a simple holiday
my family is experiencing drama overload this year and I'm just too old for all that

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love every one, you can't make a wrong decision. The oranges, for some reason, speak to me loudest.

Simple is beautiful, a worthy goal.

Kerri Farley said...

These are SUPER! My favorite is the oranges though..... when you posted that I remembered thinking how fantastic that was! and they look like little Christmas Ornaments!

Linda Powers said...

Regardless of the occasion or holiday, happy or sad, work day or vacation, your blog is real. Your photos are lovely. Your heart is sincere. Thanks for the Chronicles!

Lili said...

You're almost making me want to send out cards again...almost. Haven't done that for years and I admit I don't miss it, but I do love the idea of making them up from images taken during the year. Any one of your cards would be most appropriate for the holidays. The sushi one reminded me a little of the "sushi to go" sign over in Wonsqueak Hbr. xo