The Simple Note

I've been sending holiday cards for the past five years. This year, I knew I wanted a card with contrast and deep color tones. I love how our family photos turned out and I needed a holiday card to reflect our favorite colors and style. 

I narrowed down my favorites to two options and allowed our girls to pick the design they loved the most. I couldn't believe they agreed on this design. Let me tell you, we ordered our cards on a Saturday, within 15 minutes from start to finish. They were delivered three days later! Talk about fast service.

These photos don't do the cards justice. We ordered 70 single sided photo-style card stock for a bold, bright, satin finish.  I wanted to make sure the colors in our photos were rich and warm when our friends and family opened our card! It's something about the feeling of family and love during the holiday's that a personalized holiday card can bring. 

If you are like me and love the holidays hurry over to their page to order. At check out use code DEC7 to receive 35% and FREE shipping off of your order. 

Here's a free tip to future tree buyers, buy a pre-lit tree! What was I thinking? The second time I thought to take it back (even after it was completely fluffed) was after my sister-in-law and I put 500 lights on. 

Design

I love classic chic tones. I used a mixture of clear, cream, and black bulbs. Instead of going with pure white, I opted for a softer tone, cream. Did I already mention my favorite color is black? 

Trimmings

I've been in full-fledged Christmas season mode since last  Christmas season. In my last post I was sure I wanted plaids and traditional red tones for the tree this year.  I went into this year not expecting to completely change my décor, but when the Hearth and Home was released at Target (my weakness) and I became inspired. I’ve never been a farmhouse, galvanized, rustic type girl, but modern tones have always sparked my interested.  In my next post you can see my tree reveal, but for now, check on these DIY Christmas ornaments I made. 

I purchased this 25 count clear ornament set from Michaels. I intended to keep half clear and paint the other half with ivory acrylic paint that I also purchased from Michaels. I love a nice natural cream color. 


The top of the bulb was very easy to remove, simply by pinching the sides to squeeze the inner wire. I dropped a small amount of ivory paint inside, placed a thin piece of paper towel over the opening, and then shook each bulb until I gained full coverage all around. I let each bulb dry overnight. Some of them required a second coat of paint because it cracked in some areas around the rims. 


After each bulb was dry, I took some 3M ScotchBlue Painter's tape purchased here and lined some bulbs in a slanted position. Using  Rust-Oleum Black Satin Spray Paint I painted the bottom section of the bulb for a cream and black chic modern look. I'm not a fan of shiny bulbs, so a satin (matte) spray paint was a must. 



I thought to test out some Faux Marble ornaments as well. Same concept, I dropped two to four drops of cream and black acrylic paint (purchased from Michaels) inside each bulb in different corners, turning the bulb as I squeezed each drop. 




 Then I covered the whole with a thin piece of paper towel and shook the bulb lightly until the paint colors mixed and swirled together. A few hard shakes will do the trick. I wasn’t too sure If I loved these ornaments, so I only made four. After they were dry, there was no question how I knew they'd add spunk to the tree. 




I must say I am excited about these looks for our tree. Here are the three designs I made. I am hoping that once I assemble the tree in the next couple of weeks that my vision comes together.