Every year I promise my future self not to get in the same bind that I seem to find myself in every December.  I love to send out Christmas cards, but it also tends to put me over the edge each year.  There are some things I could do to make the process easier, like planning further ahead.  I think ordering before Oct. 1st is perfect.

So, let’s all make a promise: go ahead and plan for cards NOW.  Plan, plan, plan now and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy December later.

Before we talk cards, let’s talk pictures – because a card needs a picture!   Two photo sessions just opened up with Ashley Hylbert (www.ashleyhylbert.com).  Ashley took our pictures in the “About Us” section and she has helped us out many times on StyleBlueprint.  She has a great eye and is a delight to work with.

Here is what she has put together:

“I will being doing a photo day on October 10th and November 7th at Momshell Fitness.  People can schedule an hour shoot either inside at Momshell against a plain background, with studio light, or they can choose outside photos across the street at Sevier Park.

It is $250 for the sitting that includes a disc with all of the high res images.  No additional fees are paid to me — they will own all images and be able to get them printed at various places around town or online.”

– Ashley [email protected]

Plain Jane:

Jane has a wonderful website, http://pjcarrot.com, so both Nashville and out of town readers alike can really get a great idea about her design philosophy.  The symbol for her line is a carrot, and as she says it’s  “… a perfect ambassador for my designs: cozy, fresh and pleasantly plain.”  You can pick from her available designs or have Jane custom create your very own card.  It’s up to you.  Here are some examples of note cards and Christmas gift tags.

Trabeautiful Designs:

Elizabeth Trabue, www.trabeautifuldesigns.com, is known especially well in Nashville, Atlanta and New York City for her beautiful and often vintage inspired stationary.  She picks out wonderful thick stock – many of which are Italian – and custom designs the card of your dreams.  As she is a dear friend, I can attest to her kindness and promise you that you will fully enjoy your Christmas card experience with Elizabeth at the helm.

by hand by hannah:

Hannah Lavey has been hand drawing cards for the past ten years.  Her whimsical designs are in a word: FUN.  She often is the creative force behind the cards that make me smile or laugh when I’m lucky enough to receive one.  Her fun approach has created a huge following and may have you understanding why a “by hand” card may just be exactly what you are looking for.  The raised ink she has the printing company use for her cards is perfect.  Hannah is instantly like-able and you will enjoy getting to know her through your card order!  For more information, contact Hannah directly at [email protected].

Hatch Show Prints:

Hatch is known throughout the entire country for their cool letterpress designs. We had our third child’s birth announcement designed here and I promise you that several people said to us, “That birth announcement was so awesome it almost makes me want to have another child just to copy it!” Strong words, but it’s true: they are just that cool. But, another child you do not need as they also will custom make you a Christmas card. Here is example of the Hatch look:

Now, get on it and mark those cards off your TO DO list!