House on Payne

Family Christmas card design

I designed our family Christmas card this year on a lark after receiving a holiday card discount offer from Moo.com, and I think it’s indicative of the kind of family we are.

We aren’t really into “Christmasy” bling, nor are we all that formal. I wanted to include a recent photo of the kids without it looking staged, and I wanted to include a quote that kind of sums up what we’re all about right in this moment.

Our 2012 Christmas card – designed by me

I found the background in a designer pattern pack, and I went from there. I love the bright colors and the stripes — they aren’t Christmas cliche at all. I added a stroke to the photo box and a hard edged drop shadow. I saw this effect on a site that was going for a more retro/vintage feel and I really think it works. It reminds me of the bright colors from Looney Toons in the 1960s – Chuck Jones style.

The photo was taken just a week or so ago. I had already made everyone stand in front of the camera for a family photo that we could send into the kids’ school. This was after that — I was following the kids around when I took this. Luke’s face is all weird because he had had his face painted earlier in the day, and he had wiped his own face off.

As for the quote — I was looking for something short. I googled 4-worded quotes, and I found this gem among a list on some random site. It struck me immediately, and I knew I had found the perfect one. Andy and I have been talking a lot lately about how important it is for us to nurture our kids’ – as well as our own – curiosity and wonder, and this saying from Socrates really sums it up. Plus, I love how it comes from a great philosopher – it seems like it bridges time.

I’m having this card printed by Moo – and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. I love the business cards they created for me – I always hear wonderful comments when I had out my cards – so I can’t wait to see how these cards turn out.

Tags | print design