So the other side of all those cute nap time pictures are these….the pictures of FireCracker when I tell her to leave and let her sister sleep. Just as cute – in a FireCracker-y sort of way..jpg)
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Do you remember our family pictures from last September? (and, yes, we are going to re-create this shot soon!)
When we arrived home from China there was a package of cards waiting for me. Joy, of Brown Paper Packages, and I went to college together. She sent me the cutest cards inspired by that photo to use for all the notes she knew I’d be writing in the coming weeks. She also sent a larger print of the same image but with the words “We’ve been saving you a seat”. If I ever make it to Hobby Lobby again, I’ll be picking up a frame for it.
I ran out of the cards pretty quick. Well, I did save one for Little One – thought she might like to have it one day. Since I am avoiding all shopping right now and am at home most days, I decided to make up some more cards I can use for thank you notes or whatever else. And…because I like writing tutorials, I’m posting it here. Some bloggers write tutorials to draw readers or stuff like that. Not me. I just like to boss people around. I’ve been bossy since I was born. Ask my sister. DIY tutorials are like my way of getting to tell people what to do without being called bossy. Win-win situation
Supplies:
- Ribbon-style tags – mine are Martha Stewart, but I found them at Big Lots for CHEAP
- White gel pen
- Glue – I used Elmers because I couldn’t figure out where I moved my other glues and glue dots
- Cards – mine are 5×7 flat cards on recycled paper by Mpix.com
- Card template – I used a template from the Curated kit by Paislee Press & Kitschy Digitals
- Glitter - I used Martha Stewart glitter. You want fine glitter, not the bulky stuff
Side note: The red and orange in these photos is driving me nuts, but I don’t have time to mess with editing them to fix it.
Does anyone have any no fail Photoshop or Lightroom tips to make reds and oranges not so overly saturated.
Makes me nuts, but I don’t have time to really worry about it. I need a fast easy fix…any tips are appreciated.
For the card design: I opened the template in Photoshop. I also downloaded the 5×7 flat card template from Mpix, and opened it. I placed the Curated template into my 5×7 template, resized it to get it the look I wanted. Then I added my pictures, uploaded to mpix (diy option) and placed my order.
For the added ribbon and text:
Write your note on the right side of the ribbon tag, fold tag at an angle about 1/3 from the end
Add glue to inside, press together. Add glue to back side.
Press tags down on card. Add a dot of glue. Sprinkle a bit of glitter. Shake. Dry.
For some reason it is hard to see the card quality on these pictures, so here is a closer version. Now I just need to get organized enough to write my notes, address them and get them in the mail!
If I hide, mommy won’t know I’m here and she won’t make me leave.
Yes, FireCracker, I’m still here. Go play and let your sister sleep.
Emily - I love this idea! Thanks for linking to your templates — I never know where to look on my own.
I joke that I blog because I like handing out unsolicited advice, but I agree with you — a blog is the most constructive way to use that impulse. Perhaps I should do more tutorials and channel it that way…
Amy @ PaintWineRepeat - These pictures are adorable! And your cards are awesome.
Lori - Firecracker is a mess. An adorable mess…but her face is hilarious…when she’s pouting.I think we have the same type of personality in our daughters…very hard to talk them into doing what WE want…sigh. I am gonna start writing tut’s to. That way all my bossiness will seem very helpful, polite and really on trend! :0) Great post.
Harim - I love her expressons! =)
Ange - Quick fix for taking the saturation down (or up!) of any color in photoshop- open from Adobe Bridge into Camera Raw editing. If you open all the photos in camera raw at once, you can do a quick batch edit by selecting all the pictures first. To open in camera raw, view photos in Adobe Bridge, and right click on one or select all and right click to open them all then select “Open in Camera Raw”.
Once open in camera raw, there are little icons/tabs at the top of each edit menu on the right. Choose the 4th one, the little icon box will look like a set of sliders. Under that, choose tab that says “saturation” and pull your red and orange bars down as you like. You can also choose the “lumination” one which is right after saturation, and that will make the colors darker or lighter by adding or subtracting light.
Heather L. - Love seeing these photos of your two little girls, they sure do tell a story! Melt my heart!!!! We are in the process of adopting a little CL/CP girl from China (she is in the Gansu province, we are in the TA wait right now, trying to be patient!) and we have two boys and a little girl already at home. Your “Firecracker” reminds me a lot of mine!!!! I’m praying that our little girls share an initial bond as yours have! So, speaking of bossing people around ~ you should do a post on what to bring / not to bring to China
This is absorbing me right now as we try to occupy ourselves while we wait. Keep writing and sharing, I love popping over every day to see how your family is adjusting! Heather
meghan - I love mpix. A lot!! I love when I get their e mails and firecracker is in them:). What a perfect poster child. Your so inspiring to stay creative even in the crazy of life. Thanks for always sharing, Ashley!
Alice H - Geez…why won’t you just let her play with her sister? Who needs sleep anyways? LOL! I am totally kidding in case someone thinks I am being mean. Does Firecracker not nap anymore? I am so grateful that my almost 3 year old still loves his 2 hour naps. Love these pics and I love those cards. I am bossy also. I think it is an older sister thing!
Natalie - Those thank you cards your friend made are absolutely perfect. I got chills when I read “we’ve been saving you a seat.”. Definitely frame! And yours, as always, are adorable. Thanks for the idea!
Jen W - thanks – I love these! I found your blog through another – we are adopting a little boy with CL/CP and loved finding your story just as you were traveling! it is ok to be bossy – says me – NOT my sister -you must be the oldest
Kassondra - Those cards made from your family picture idea is ADORABLE!!!
MG Atwood - Oh these make me laugh! she is too cute! Love the hiding from you. What adorable thank you card!! Really nice! If you get a spare second (ha) please check out this blog post http://tutusshots.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-empty-chair-is-waiting.html
Life with Kaishon - That is pretty freakin’ impressive! Love your family picture. Adorable for sure!
Joy - Oh Ashley! I love that you saved a card for littest one! Again, I so wish I had sent more – but LOOK WHAT BEAUTIFUL CREATIVITY your need inspired! love the thank you’s you made! AND so grateful for the clear answer to prayer in your daughters’ bond – beautiful to see!
Darcie - My 4-year old daughter makes that exact same face. At least FireCracker did it quietly? And didn’t wake sister up?
Lindsay - Great tip Ange, I haven’t tried that before but will now! Another way I would do this for individual pictures, where you can keep the original untouched, is to add an adjustment layer in Photoshop called Selective Color. Then you can adjust down/up each color as needed. Just choose the color you want to change then move the CMYK sliders to decrease/increase the color. I like having this as a separate layer so I can compare the original to the edited version to make sure I like the way it turned out.
sarah k - That print is adorable, and FireCracker equally so, even with the pouty face!
Brittaney - Those cards are so adorable! What a sweet friend to do that for you! And Firecracker is such an awesome big sister! I think you guys should have some more kiddos, so that she can be a big sister to more than one child;)
Kendahl - okay – I give. My eyes are playing tricks on me with this one — are the picture printed on the cards???? Is that a dumb question or what? I’m sure they are but the shadows and ribbon/pin all look so real!! Please share how you get that effect to look so real!!!!
Love your creativity, as always!
Stoich91 - Firecracker’s hair is getting so long, and those pix are so cute! Redonk adorbs in large amounts! Thanks for sharing!!
Such is life with a bunch of toddlers at naptime…it’s like the chain reaction or something.
jenny - LOVE these photos of Firecracker-adorable! I have some very similar faces made around here, also by a cute little girl.
Oh and those cards are really cute. I really like that template.
Jenny B. - Ha! I laughed when I read your comment about writing tutorials. I’m the same way. I write tutorials in my head just about every day… “I’m blow drying my hair. If you want to put your hair up in a clip like this, then make sure blah blah blah.” That’s seriously what goes on inside my head. HA!
How CUTE are those cards!? Both the ones your friend made and the ones you made. I have to tell you, I think of you every time I see the Curated Kit. When it came out, I really wanted to email you and tell you that you should get it. Maybe I actually did? Can’t remember. Anyway, it is SO YOU. Fun! 
jami nao - i have now died from cuteness. just all around.
able mabel - Oh Loves! Such a sweet pout!
giozi - Your cards are really beauties and the other, the chairs one too, love them. You friend is really kind.
Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis - You aren’t done making us cry yet?!?!?! That card from your friend Joy pared with the sweet saying just did me in. Gosh, I am so happy for y’all. Wish I could be a fly on the wall in your home for just one day;)
amber - So totally cute. All of it
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beth cupitt - lovely tutorial, but you haven’t addressed the most serious and obvious question! where in the world is firecracker’s dress from?!
maggie may - oh my gracious…i feel like i’m cheating. i just found your blog three days ago and have been reading the adoption posts non-stop since then. i’m almost through them. i love learning your story. i’ve started referring to you by name to my husband, which he thinks is hilarious. we have four children through adoption, and i love hearing people’s stories. i feel like i’m cheating, though, because i was holding off looking ahead at the pictures of your newest one until i finished all the posts but i just couldn’t take it any longer! and isn’t she beautiful!!!! congratulations to you and your wonderful family. i have been so encouraged through your blog this weekend. thank you for sharing your experiences with your readers! isn’t God good?
jared. {beckynovacekphotography} Senior High School Photographer. Fremont Nebraska. » Becky Novacek Photography - [...] this diy. Her blog inspires me. Even though my life is completely different, I enjoy her perspective and her homespun crafting. I like that she uses what she has and keeps it simple. Her home is so cozy and visually appealing. [...]