I think I have a thing against scrapbooking. I'm not a big fan of the fact that you need so many expensive supplies, and I feel like I need to preface this post with that because all of you gung-ho scrapbookers are going to groan at the fact that I used a sharpie and some tape (acid-free? I have no clue!) to make this beauty!
I'm sure it could be a gazillion times more cute if one of you had made this for me, but I'm working with a teensy bit of spare time between feedings and wiping pb&j hands, so this is what you get!
I wanted a place where I could save the Christmas card that we sent out that year, any funny memories, gifts we gave, invitations from parties we threw, and make notes to myself about next year. This was really more of a practical resource than a pretty one, but we've already had the best time going back and looking at the cards from previous years... like from our first year of marriage.
and the invitation to the Christmas Cookie Exchange I hosted. (I wrote out each of the invitations on recipe cards.) It's also funny to see what we gave everyone each year.
Then there's the practical notes to myself for next year..."Don't forget to buy a couple more strands of lights at the after Christmas sales" and "Kyle's dad doesn't like desserts with peanut butter and prefers his cookies crispy."
I think I'll also start saving Owen and Trey's notes to Santa here when they are old enough to write them. It may not be pretty, but it gets the job done well!
So now the next question is what to do with everyone else's Christmas cards, I don't have the heart to throw them away. Any ideas?
Even though you're a non-scrapbooker, you could make a little scrapbook like this cute idea: http://kennyanderin.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-card-pages.html
ReplyDeleteBy the way, not only do I love your blog, but was so excited to see that you are in Raleigh! I'm a former Raleigh girl (living west of Winston now) and my parents still live there, so I visit often.
I have a friend who does the same thing with old cards received. She takes a 3 ring binder with sheet protectors and slips the letter in and tapes the card to an 8.5x11 piece of paper on the other side. If it's just a picture/card, tape it to the paper. VOILA! Simple and cute!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute idea! I'm going to give that a try this year! Thanks for the great tip!
ReplyDelete-Sarah
What youv'e done is a really cute idea! For all the other cards, you could just punch holes and put them on binder rings. I do that each year, add a chipboard cover (scrapbooked but it doesn't have to be) with the year and then they all go on display in a basket with all the other Christmas stuff. Here's a link to mine last year.
ReplyDeletehttp://scrapfreak.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/christmas-card-mini.html
Very simple and easy.
Great idea about your christmas cards. I wish I would have thought of that earlier, not sure I have a copy of all of our cards now.
ReplyDeleteThis year I am planning on using family pictures from people's christmas cards as a way to pray for our friends and family. I'll just have a basket and each day we'll pull a new picture of who we are praying for that day.
Merry Christmas
I'm a real scrapbooker and I think you did a great job! For me it's more that you got your memories into a book you'll enjoy looking at rather than how you went about it! There's much to be said about using what you have anyway.
ReplyDeleteFor your cards from others I would do something very similar. Just use a larger notebook since you have so many cards. Have fun!
I make business cards out of the old cards we received last year: I print my own business cards on pre-perforated sheets that come from the office supplies store, but I find them a little on the flimsy side, so I back them with cut up cards.
ReplyDeleteI make two batches a year: a batch out of last year's birthday cards (whenever I run out), and then another batch right before the Christmas craft fair season with the Christmas cards specifically. There are always some left of plain white pieces, which are good for neutral business cards, but I love the images that appear when you chop up full images into smaller parts - sometimes completely different!
My mother has kept all of my sister's and my letters to Santa, we go back and read them sometimes (usually after a few too many eggnogs!) and they're just hilarious!!
Sarah! You and I have a lot in common! I am a crafter and party planner at heart who isn't so much into scrapbooking. I live in NC and my name is Sarah and my husbands name is Kyle!! I have a 2 year old boy. Weird.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I love this "scrapbook" idea. I was thinking I needed soemthing like this and then here it is on your blog. Thanks for all of the inspiration!
Merry Christmas!
Sarah
borrow my tag-shaped puncher (psssh as if you don't have one!) and make cute to/from tags with all the old cards! ps-seriously we must be from the same craft pod, did you see my quickie christmas card album on leaf & letter? http://leafandletterhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/12/quick-easy-1-christmas-card-scrapbook.html
ReplyDeleteI stumbled on your blog a little more than a year ago while searching for a new project to work on. Your crafts are inspiring! When we are done with our cards, we ship them off to St. Jude Children's Hospital to be "recycled." The address and information about their card projects are on their website. It is a truly awesome way to re-use cards for others to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI saw a post on another blog where the woman took all the cards from that year and put them on a piece of card stock or construction paper and wrote the names of who the people are and how they are related or connected. If the cards are photo cards.. great... if not.. you could add photos of them on the same page if you have pics. then laminate and have them bound at kinko's or staples. The books can be kept in with your child's books so that he can look through them each year. She said how her kids loved seeing the difference in the photos each year.
ReplyDeletesuper cute! Hope you don't mind I am totally stalking you but I love this idea! Also i came across this idea to make a little booklet of your Christmas cards here is the link
ReplyDeletehttp://thecreativeplace.blogspot.com/2010/01/tuesday-tutorial-christmas-card-saver.html
if you are still looking for ideas of what to do with your Christmas cards...
Beckie, love that idea! Thanks
ReplyDelete-Sarah
What to do with all the cards you've received? My little boy received an ABC book of Christmas made from old cards. I don't have a picture to post but it was super easy. On an 8 1/2 X 11 page of paper you can print out "A" and using a card with an angel write something to the effect of: A is for the Christmas angels singing on earth...it was so creative and they just used the picture part of the card and glued it on the page.
ReplyDeleteI save mine in a photo album...since most are photo cards anyway. It's a way to see good friends. Especially living far away. I even have one of your sweet fam in there!!
ReplyDeletemuch love,
Brandy
I know this is a really late comment, but...
ReplyDeleteAn idea for the cards from other people...
I like to cut off the pretty pictures and use spray adhesive and glue them onto an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. I think the givers of the cards would like that the cards will be enjoyed by a less fortunate child :)