Classic Amy Joanne

Here is a little tid-bit of how-to create your own Christmas Cards and Gift Tags using your own photos ~ it makes it oh-so personal!

First gather the goods ~ a favorite bowl, greens and berries from the yard, ribbon, a wrapped gift, a painting, a favorite family photo, anything that strikes your fancy…..include a piece of the wrapping paper in the photo to coordinate the gift wrapping with the cards and gift tags….just a little hint of something fun.

When setting the ‘stage’ be sure to arrange for the camera lens and not the eye by moving objects closer together. Take several photos from all different angles….you would be surprised what you can capture by turning the camera just a little bit. Use whatever camera you have available ~ even your i-phone. It truly is what you capture in the photo and not the camera itself.

Then drop your photos into your computer and edit within fun editing programs like http://www.picmonkey.com. On your i-phone you can find Apps for Pic Monkey or Snap Seed. Most come with a free version. Play around with different crops and edits….this is after-all for a card so the images don’t need to be crisp and clear. I love to use ‘Posterize’ within Pic Monkey, it adds a watercolor like effect.

You can add ‘wording’ within the editing program ~ or choose to add the ‘wording’ when placing the order thru the ordering program.

Save your photo and you are ready to place an order for the perfect Christmas Card and Gift Tags. I use sites like http://www.snapfish.com or http://www.vistaprint.com.

Add the photo to the site and begin editing once again. Align the image within the card ‘lines’ then add your ‘wording’ within their program. Be sure to preview to make sure all is correct. You can even add photos and wording to the inside and backside of the card ~ makin’ it even more personal!

Then place your order!

Adding the gift tag to a wrapped gift using the same elements as within the card design…..it takes some planning and coordinating ~ but it makes the giving extra special!

And the Chrismtas Card writing extra special too…

Did you see the ‘Oh Deer’ Classic Cling Rubber Stamp within the cards and then stamped the tissue paper? ….insert wink.

There is Joy in the giving….with a little planning and coordinating the wrapping, gift tags and card giving can be extra special!

It’s all in the Presentation after-all!

Wishing you the Merriest of Christmas ~ all wrapped up!

~*~

Coming Soon ~ Homespun and Heartfelt, It’s A Wrap, New Beginnings!