Thursday, October 27, 2011

Our 2011 Christmas Card {A Sneak Peek!}

The colder weather has really put me in the mood for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanksgiving is a bit of a dark cloud, however, as we will spend it alone in Detroit. But, like the song says, "I'll be home for Christmas!"

I've been hand making hundreds of Christmas cards every year for the last 10 years {our entire married life} and love to plan them, design them, and construct them lovingly night after night. When I taught 5th grade for 6 years, I always finished them in the summer, since I had the time off.
But, now, I can start them in September/October.

This is the color scheme for this year- black and white houndstooth with turquoise. Though my paper cutters hate slick wrapping paper, I chose this wrapping paper roll as the base.



And this large bolt of slick ribbon to coordinate.



This design included two printed photos, which is a first for me!


When I showed my mom the design, she made Harbor a coordinating longall in houndstooth and monogrammed it with an "H" in turquoise!

Is she an amazing seamstress, or what??


His outfit matches the theme of the card so well! Thanks, Mom!
I can't wait to reveal the photo shoot and final card.  : )


These pictures are from our Christmas card photo shoot at the end of September. And would you believe that I have my cards about 85% finished? All 160 of them! So happy!

In other news, David finished remodeling and tiling the back steps off of our back porch.


And we purchased Harbor's first pair of outdoor ice skates! We have several outdoor rinks here in Detroit, and are looking forward to a few family outings on the ice. I know Harbor will outgrow these toddler size 8 skates so soon that they were probably not worth buying, but they are so small I justified using them in Christmas decor later down the road.  : )




It rains here every other day. It feels like Seattle or Portland weather. I guess when it is cold enough, it will all be snow. We have had so, so many rainy days that we have just put on rain boots and gone out anyway. : )



Harbor's and Mommy's rain boots


Heading out to the library for some rainy day fun!
With all the rain, we are usually desperate for an adventure!


Later that day, Harbor and David had a little soccer game on the driveway.



And Harbor found and picked the last remaining rose of the season. And gave it to me. : )


As I found a place to display it {in the kitchen on the fruit platter,} I couldn't help but wonder, looking outside through the kitchen window at all the rain and wind, how we will handle this first winter. 

Winter looms over us, full of snow and with it, a promise of adventure.
The kitchen is warm and cozy, but that last remaining rose makes me wonder what is around the bend.


Hope you are warm and happy and full of thanksgiving!
We love you, friends and family {and blog readers, too!}

11 comments:

  1. Sweet photos--I love that they had a driveway soccer game. And I'm so impressed that you're almost done with your Christmas cards!

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  2. I hope you enjoy the winter. I've been in Michigan my whole life and love the snow. We live on the west side of the state, so we get a lot of snow. I love a snow day where my daughters and I stay in our PJs all day and play in the snow and come in for hot cocoa. I will admit that by mid February, I am ready for the snow to go away:-)

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  3. Hi Jessica, Can't wait to see your cards. Those are some of my favorite prints and colors too. Your post today reminded me of a Little House on the Prairie book. Love it and wonder what your first winter will look like. Pam

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  4. You are so creative! I can't wait to see the final product. I also can't wait to hear about the ice skating outside!

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  5. I love the color scheme for the cards!! Super cute! It is cold and rainy here today. I am not ready for winter yet (although ours will be nothing compared to yours). I am sure you will have some beautiful pictures to post!

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  6. wow, i bet those christmas cards are going to be beautiful!

    we just redid our oldest son's bedroom with hints of gray houndstooth. :)

    those ice skates are precious!!

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  7. Those cards are looking really cute!!! I love getting in crafty moods, you're much better about keeping up with it than I am!! Little Harbor is getting big! :)
    Kelli

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  8. Hey girl, I know your cards will be awesome! Harbor's outfit is the cutest thing ever. Your mom is amazing.

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  9. I know you are getting exciting about having your Christmas cards already finished.I'm so glad we made the time to do the photo shot when Dad & I came to vist. You really had allot of good photo's to choose from & you even narrowed it down to which photo will be the cover & which one would go inside & had them copied off before we took the Amtrack train back to Michigan.(Jessica had her xmas card photo's packed in her suitcase on the train,ha) You really got allot done with your projects & with visting friends & family while you were home(Arkansas). Harbor will look so precious in his ice skates this winter even if its only for pictures. Maybe he can catch on better than I did, ice skateing isn't easy.I heard on the local weather tonight that we are suppose to have a cold snowy winter here in Arkansas this year. So I bet you guys will too. Good thing you have 3 levels to your house gives Harbor & you lots of room to play to pass those cold snowy months ahead.I know Harbor is ready because Gigi already mailed him snow suit & snow boots :) Miss & love you all. MOM

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  10. I love the boots! How wonderful that he gave you the last flower.

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  11. Love the pictures! Harbor is growing up so much! I live in Southern Ohio. Our winters aren't quite as cold/snowy as where you are but.......have you bought a sled yet? They had them at Lowe's. Hubs and I bought two today.....one for our grandson, the other for our nephew. We bought them for Christmas but if we have a big snow before then, I know I'll have to give them to them :) Once it snows, it won't be as easy to find sleds. Just an idea. Take care.

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