I know… Christmas cards are so last month, right? Well, this year I was really behind on my cards (I didn’t mail them until Christmas EVE!) They were well received on Instagram so I thought I’d share them here today!
Last year I became enamored with this Year in Review trend. In November I began listing out facts and scouring Pinterest for inspiration. You would not believe how many wonderful versions of this there are out there!
Clockwise: Amanda Jane Jones | Aprile Elcich | A Pair of Pairs | Amanda Jane Jones: Sharp Family | Amanda Jane Jones: Priscilla Gragg | Minted
I picked three fonts, two colors, and went with it! I used the silhouettes that I had used for our wedding, and I ordered an assortment of washi tape and some kraft envelopes. My mom and I are always strategizing about our cards, and she was the one who discovered the Jessica Hische Love stamps and stocked up on some for me. I printed the infographic on cardstock, and the photo strips on photo paper that I got at Target. I grabbed some paper clips from Target at the last minute, and we were all set!
After working on them for over a month, they finally came together! Brian and my mom were nice enough to help me out with assembly so that I could get them postmarked before Christmas.
I felt like I couldn’t leave my clients out in the cold, so I decided to send a few client cards for New Years. After having trouble finding places that would print custom square cards, and I wound up getting them printed at Zazzle and was pleasantly surprised by how well they turned out! I got my business cards and stickers printed at Moo, and had my stamp made by Simon Stamps (after reading a post by Jen Serafini!)
I had a lot of fun doing these. In retrospect, I think I got the map idea from Amanda Genther‘s cover photo. I’m feeling really inspired to send more snail mail in 2013!
Do you send out Christmas cards? They’re one of my favorite things about the season. If you posted about yours, leave the link in the comments- I’d love to check them out!
I didn’t have room to include all the examples that I found, but I also loved these from October Ink, Em for Marvelous, and Honeysuckle Blog. You can also check out my stationery board for more ideas!
Got your client card in the mail yesterday! Such a sweet surprise!
These are too cute! We did something similar for our Christmas cards but not nearly as perfect as yours! You are fantastic!!! xo
These cards are so precious! Thanks for sharing!:)
These are fantastic! Love all your branding materials :)
Oh my gosh, these are absolutely adorable Kate! I’m so having you do our cards next year :) I did year in review cards last year, but they weren’t nearly as cute as these. Thanks for sharing! xoxo
These turned out great, Kate! I think I need to start sending out more mail!
Oh my goodness! These are amazing, I love how you designed yours! I am pinning this for the future :) I think this would be a wonderful tradition.
Thanks Milynn! It definitely made me reflect on what we did this past year.
Michael Crichton is one of my favorite authors. I believe he really was a teacher. I always learned a lot reading his books. James Rollins is similar to him. Where do you get that tape you put on your envelops?
I’ll have to pass that along to Brian- he’s always looking for new authors to read! The links to the Etsy shops that I ordered the tape from are on the words washi and tape under the inspiration board :)
I got your client card in the mail yesterday and I absolutely love it!! You are seriously so talented Kate!
These cards are soooo cute! I will have to make one for next Christmas :)
Thanks! It was fun to look back on everything that we did this year, and hopefully it will help me remember 2012 better in the future!
P.S. For some reason your comments had all gone to spam, but I think I rescued all of them :) Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the card!!! It was such a lovely surprise. And I loved seeing this process (putting it in the idea bank for sure for our card next year). Happy 2013!!!!!
Hi Kate!
Looks like you had an awesome year! You kicked 2012 off with helping me with my blog design and I am so thankful for that! I get so many compliments on how lovely it is! Thank you for your card and I wish you a wonderful new year and may your business continue to blossom! :) You are awesome!
Elvira
I love this year in review idea! I haven’t seen any Christmas cards like that, but I definitely want to do something similar when I have my own family. :)
I saw this on instagram!! It turned out SO well… I just love them! I want to do one next year :)
I LOVE these!! The Year in Review is so adorable, and I love how you put your client cards together. Feeling inspired to stock up on mail supplies for my clients this year!
I’ve seen the year in review infographs alot lately and I love them! :)
These all look so amazing! Fantastic work!!
Well, aren’t these just the coolest?! Great job on these, and I loved reading the little facts. :)
x
I love those review cards! I read that you went to Natural Bridge. I LOVE it there. I live on the coast near Williamsburg and miss that side of the state sooooo badly. Also: I see you also design for WordPress blogs? I’ve been trying to get someone to help redesign my blog for WP but the girl I’ve been talking to only does Blogger and wants me to switch. I bought my domain through WP so I can’t really switch. But I desperately want to spruce up my blog. I’d like a rustic/southern/vintage style, if that makes sense. How much do you charge?
Yay, I love meeting other VA bloggers! I do design blogs for WordPress, but only ones that are self-hosted (as opposed to WordPress.com) I’m currently in the process of redoing my rates, but I do know someone who does WP.com templates- if you want to email me I’ll send you the link!
Thanks for the Zazzle rec- was messing around in PS tonight making Valentine’s for some friends, but had no idea where to get them printed, since I’m fairly certain my home printer would not make it through printing cards! Your little stickers are so cute, too!
No problem- I was really pleasantly surprised by how nicely they turned out! It didn’t look very good on the preview, but it was the only place I could find that would print square for some reason.
I know I’m really late seeing this post, but your work is amazing. It’s crisp, fresh, beautiful, and fun! Great job, Kate!
What an awesome idea! Your designs are fantastic, Katelyn. I wish I had your design talent!
Thank you so much, Lauren! I spent a lot of time on these so it especially means a lot to me that you like them! :)
Hello! I love these cards! I’ve been reading and re-reading and browsing your blog and design sites. I will certainly be coming back to your website again! I have been working on putting together a health blog myself that I know will benefit from very much from your design recommendations @ thehappylife.org. I think I might just ask for a business stamp for Christmas! My QUESTION though is what is the sizing of the card-stock you used to print the year at a glance on? Blessings!
Thanks Michelle! I printed the year in review (the personal ones) on just regular 8.5 x 11 inch card stock. I think the business year in review cards were 8 inch squares, but I didn’t print those myself. The stamp is 1 x 3 inches. Hope that helps!
Another question, How big is your stamp? :) thank you!