Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I need your advice!!

 Okay so I have a couple dilemmas I need your advice on. 1. which photo? 2. which card?
This photo (above) I love, but I am not looking, which is fine to me, but maybe not to the recipients? and Olivia isn't smiling...
This photo is perfect BUT its blurry. And I am not talking about the texture I layered overtop to make it look vintage, but the actual photo was slightly blurry! DANG IT. yes there were about a bazillion other photos taken but this is THE only one where everyone is looking and smiling (we didn't have these done profesh, its just a snapshot on my camera). If you guys choose neither then I will look back at my photos again...

Dilemma TWO: Which card do I choose?? I have decided to go with Shutterfly because they gave me a deal I can't refuse:) And I have had good experience with them and cards before....
Okay this isn't me (its a stock photo), but I had a bunch of these types of "All Occasion" cards made by shutterfly when we got back from our Europe trip. I put photos from the trip on the insides and outsides and I use them to entertain Olivia at church. The quality of the paper and the photo are superb. Better than I had even expected. So I totally trust Shutterfly with my Christmas cards, I just need to decide which one fits my personality the best, and would look the best with out photo.

Now as you look at these cards picture our photo not the photo on the card at the moment....
option #1 cheerful and bold
option #2 cool and simple
#3 (this one would look completely different with our photo behind it)
not very Christmas-y but I like the design....

There are things I like about them all! Seriously though, there are waaaay too many choices on Shutterfly (which is a good thing!), and I didn't even get to all the pages. I like the flat style because it does the job all on one surface. I have never ever been good at sending out Christmas cards (I've only done it once and that was because it doubled as Olivia's birth announcement--she was 5 months already), so I am hoping that by doing it this way I will actually do this thang!

I always put this pressure on myself to create these totally original artistic cards and therefore I never get them made or mailed. So this year, much like my holiday decorating (which I just did today by the way), I am K.I.S.S Keeping it Simple.... silly.
And P.S. isn't this address label cool? I am a sucker for that font... I don't know what its called but it kind of like Engravers MT, which is a basic font but I love it. And of course the bright colors on this thing are calling my name.

P.S.S. (If you want to know the awesome deal I am getting check my facebook status  to learn how you can get it too....)

22 comments:

Between Blue and Yellow said...

I like option #3 with the pic of all of you smiling. Both pics are cute, but a smiley one is best for an x-mas card. Hope this helps!

Teddi said...

ok for your christmas card i would choose 2nd pic, (though i think top pic is more artsy looking). to go with the theme, photo colors, & portrait style the christmas tree card. you know whatever you choose is gonna be great. get the one that YOU like the most, because YOUR card is a reflection of YOU not my lame-o opinion. :)

Brooke said...

I like photo 2 and card 3, but card 1 was a close second.

Anonymous said...

Hmm...I say neither. I don't like what you are wearing at all...the waistline sits really weird and then your husband is pretty much holding your boob in place for you...Just a thought...

Jessica said...

none of what anon said is true...

I say for christmas cards, always go with the picture the child is cutest in, which is #2. You guys are both cute too, and you can't really tell it's blurry with that texture on it. I like card #3 because it's the only one that would go with the vintage looking picture. The rest seem too clean and modern for that kind of thing. Choose what you love best though!

blue butterflies said...

to add my ten pence worth, i really like picture 1, your face is full of love for your daughter and its an endearing picture of you all. picture 2, ok has you all smiling but just doesn't have the same depth or personality of the first. i agree with others though, option 3 from the printers. hope this helps!

Courtney said...

Katie, Go with the first pic. Clear pics are always better, no matter what - and I am always a fan of showing a little personality in your card. And go with the design with the red blurb - there is so much going on with the effect of the pic, the simple will really pop. the others would be too busy. So yeah - listen to me I know best:) haha.

sarah marie. said...

for sure the second family picture and number 3 for the card.

Ashley said...

My first thought that you were caught blinking in the first shot but a blurry photo isn't a good option either.

I'm no help.

Emily said...

2 and 2, girl! I can't tell that second pic is blurry (and most likely peeps will think it's supposed to be that way since you're artsy;) and the second card (with the red blurb) style looks like it would go best with the style of photo you have. Let us know what you choose and don't stress too much- you're doing a great thing just by sending out a card. I don't think I've sent a card out at all in my adult life!

Anonymous said...

Totally and completely picture No.1. More natural and so more interesting. The Christmas cards - I think Courtney is right about the one with the red blurb only. Your picture is the most important thing and you don't want it overshadowed, right? Shutterfly should hire you to create some cards for them! Love you! MOM xxooo kiss Olivia for me!

Emma Jane said...

I love picture #2 with card #3! It's a great picture of a beautiful family! And I love what you're wearing.

Ashley said...

I like pic 2 and card 3.

Unknown said...

I love picture number 1. Even though you aren't looking, you are looking at your daughter who is the main priority right now. Which I love. And I love the playful card (the girl on the beach), because I think it encompasses your family and your playfulness! Love it!

Andrea said...

I kind of like photo 1, because you're looking at your daughter...that being said, everyone looks great in photo 2, and you can't really tell it's blurry.

Either way, I like the bold Merry Christmas speech bubble for the card...it'd make a great contrast with the vintage effects you've applied to the photos.

papercrow said...

I vote picture 1 because it tells a story.

Amy said...

I vote picture 2 with card 2 - but that's how I'd chose it. Honestly I think either photo is a good choice and card 2 because, to me, it goes well with the vintage wash you gave the photos.

Lori Collett said...

Picture #1, and card #1.... I love the first pic! I know you aren't looking, and Olivia isn't smiling, but to me, it just seems like you guys. Fransisco, always happy... Olivia ready to steal your sucker at a moments notice... and you, all attention on your sweet daughter! I love it!
Plus, I'm like you, and just can't do a blurry picture, no matter how great it is! I'm happy to take another one for you this Sunday... just for fun!

Anonymous said...

My vote: 2nd photo (though, I see your charm about #1 ... #2 is a very contagious smile from your baby :), AND ... 3rd option for your very cool picture - that will look so nice!

Anonymous said...

Photo 2 and choice ... 4 (the colors match your photo and it says a Holiday greeting on it).
Jesus is the Reason of the Season!

Margret said...

option 3, pic 2... you can't tell it is blurry at all, good luck choosing!

Livin’ The Yeh Life’s said...

Photo number 1 with card option #2... just a thought :) Love the fun outfits and vintage look!