Sunday, December 16, 2012

I'm taking care of my procrastination issues...

...really, I am. But, it's a constant battle. 

Christmas always sneaks up on me. Ever since 1999, when the 10th of the month brought a bouncing baby girl into my life, I've struggled with time management in December. Growing up, I had a cousin and a couple of friends with December birthdays. I remember how they'd complain about being gypped having a birthday so close to Christmas. Therefore, when my little Emma Rose came along, I vowed I'd do everything I could to prevent her from feeling the same. So, my self-imposed rules are: no tree until after her birthday. No inside Christmas decorations until after her birthday. A special friends-only party that is separate from the "family" party. So far, I think we've succeeded (you'd have to ask her for sure), but the downside is that starting on December 11, every year, I start the mad scramble to get everything done in time.

One of the tasks that's traditionally left to the last minute is the family Christmas card. Every year, somewhere around Halloween, I have big dreams and grand ideas about what our card should look like. With family spread all over the U.S., I like the card to feature a photo of the 5 of us, or, more often than not, the 3 kids. As a papercrafter, I prefer handmade cards...not those Wal-mart photo cards (not that there's anything wrong with them, just a personal preference)...so the family photo is incorporated into a hand-made, hand-stamped card. Of course, when you wait until the last-minute, what's a girl to do?

Wyngaard Family Christmas Card 2011
Enter Club Scrap's Digital Holiday Cards! Just like our QDDL scrapbook pages, these cards have all the artwork done for you. So easy! All I have to do is choose a photo (or photos), drop 'em in, and print. For my card, I simply matte the print, add it to the front of a 5x7 pre-scored card, stamp a sentiment on the inside, and I'm golden! I like that most of the design work is done for me and that my friends and relatives will receive a card that's still got that little something extra. Whatdya think?

"Rough Draft" of Wyngaard Family Christmas Card 2012
So, now you know my secret. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to give the digital photo cards a try (there are even Valentines!) And, if you need a last-minute holiday gift, I highly recommend the Club Scrap 2013 Printable Digital Calendar. Same process...just add photos and print...for a wonderful, personalized gift for that someone special. You don't even have to leave the house!

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And now, it's Day Five of Club Scrap Creates "12 Days of Giveaways"! Today's prize is a Just Dandy Club Stamp Kit with Project. To qualify, simply leave a comment below no later than midnight tonight (CS/Central time). In your comment, tell me if you're a "planner" or a "procrastinator" (You already know which one I am, lol.) I'll randomly draw one name from the list of those who commented, and that lucky person will receive this awesome kit for FREE! The winner will be announced in the comments section here some time on Sunday. Good luck!

Creatively (and procrastinating-ly) yours,

Karen

57 comments:

  1. Great card! Happy belated birthday to Emma and happy holidays to your family!

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  2. Great cards, Karen and i love seeing them from every year with the kids on it, that is great for scrapping. As I am also not so fond of the digital cards, I must say with pictures for the family on cards, it is a fun and decorative way to do. Looking forward to see what you will do next year! ;-)

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  3. I give you credit for separating your daughters birthday. I am sure she appreciates the fact that you do. I have looked at the digi side of Club Scrap, but can't bring myself there yet. Something about have the paper in my hand that just makes my day. Thanks for sharing the cards... your family is beautiful.

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  4. My youngest son's BD is Dec. 21st...I know how it is Karen. Congrats to you for keeping Emma's BD special. Eric's is a bit harder to do..on the 21st and all.

    Love the digi card ideas...one of these days I just might give it a try. Maybe I can get tech wise Eric to help me!

    Pat Czaplicki

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  5. I'm definitely a "procrastinator"....thanks for sharing the cards and your family. I didnt realize that CS had the cards available.

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  6. I'm a December baby, too.... the 19th... so we always put the tree up on my birthday as I was growing up. Now - I like to enjoy all the decorations... and I can put things up early since we use an artificial tree (since we have a fireplace in the same room) ... I used to start making gifts as early as October... I still do some of that... and I buy gifts throughout the year, if I see something special.

    So - I'm a planner.... sometimes time gets away from me... but I try to have things done by my birthday, now... so I can relax and enjoy the holiday. Next year, I'll definitely be planning... since the house will be fully renovated and I'll want to host a big Christmas party. (back to wrapping presents, now!!)

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  7. I am also a planner - I try to have at least all the gifts done by the beginning of the month but most years it does not work that way.

    The digi cards are awesome and I do use them for my overseas friends and family.

    Merry Christmas to you all.

    AnnetteD

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  8. I am a definate procrastinaor--to the point that I am sitting down today to hopefully get the few cards that I do send out done and in the mail tomorrow morning. I love the ideas and will definately check out the digital card ideas.-Barbara Lamoree

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  9. Great job on the cards Karen. And kudos to you for trying (successfully it sounds) to make your daughter feel special during December.

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  10. Great card. Love the photos. Hope you have a lovely family holidays.

    BTW I'm usually a planner but sometimes (really just sometimes) things don't go as planned ;-) This year I'm all good with cards, but a little behind on presents ;-)

    Hugs, Keti

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  11. Oh, my. Your kids are growing up, too fast. Lovely family and I really like your cards, last year's and this year's. TFS
    Elizabeth

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  12. From someone with a December birthday congratulations on keeping the 2 separate. My main objective today is to get the Christmas cards started.

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  13. The digi calendars totally helped me in pinch this year with Christmas gifts! I love all of the Quick Drop Digi Layout's that CS provides. Thank you!

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  14. I wish I had seen your ideas for cards earlier this year ... maybe next year? I have been gluing, cutting, blinding cards for weeks... and I am still not done... You inspire me!

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  15. I am both a planner and a procrastinator. I have always got all these great ideas planned out in my head or written down somewhere. However I always wait until the very last minute to do them. - Wendy C

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  16. I am a planner. My handmade cards went out Dec 1st. I love the digi calendar! I made some years ago. I am glad to see them back.

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  17. Your cards are beautiful Karen=:)

    I am usually a planner but this year I have not been feeling well for months, so my cards are not finished. Should have them done by next week...LOL.

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  18. Karen I love your card for this year. I still have to get my cards done! Christmas really seemed to sneak up on me this year!

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  19. Karen, I am sure your daughter appreciates the special treatment.
    I am happy to say that I handmade all 60 of my Christmas cards this year with photos included. It took me from Feb - Dec to do this, but it got done. :) I love your 2012 card! Love the fact that CS provides such lovely card giving options.

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  20. I'm such a procrastinator that this entry if for friday's giveaway!

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  21. I alternate between planner and procrastinator - it all depends on the subject! Karen, your card looks great - wanna do mine?

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  22. Great cards! I'm definitely a procrastinator. I'm easily distracted away from the must do's to the I wanna do's!

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  23. My daughter's a Dec baby too - Zoe turns 10 tomorrow (17th)! Ack! I do try to keep her party separate but I don't wait to put the tree/decorations up. Too much stress to wait. Question - what do you print your cards on? Cardstock or photo paper? Or do you upload them to a printer like Walgreens/Sam's Club/Costco/etc?

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    1. We specifically designed the digital cards at a 4x6" ratio for easy local printing. No need to pay extra for the 4x8" cards or envies. Just print at your 4x6" discount rate, and mail! Love it! (That's what I'll be doing this year, Pam . . . better get busy!)

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    2. Yep...the fact that CS already has them sized for 4x6 printing is so convenient. I sent mine over to Walgreens with a 40% off coupon...had 'em the next day! I can also print extras on my home printer if I "forget" someone, lol. But since I send over 40 cards each year, the bulk are sent to Walgreens. :0)

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  24. I am the Queen of the procrastinators. I always say, I will do it tomorrow, am still waiting for tomorrow.

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  25. I am a procrastinator most of the time. I have truly enjoyed reading this blog and love that everyone at club scrap shares their personal lives with everyone.

    Merry Christmas everyone,
    Beth

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  26. definitely a procrastinator ... which is why I haven't sent Christmas cards in years ... I go to address them early in November, decide it's too early and the next thing I know it's December 20th :(

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  27. Love the digital cards and awesome picture of your kids too!
    Cathy Gray

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  28. Yes, indeed -- those digital card templates just keep getting better and better! Looking forward to more of them in the future!

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  29. I have plans.... But I mostly succeed at procrastinating. So tough to get everything fitted into a short period of time. Haven't done my cards yet but I do think your digital photo is brilliant and maybe doable.

    Penelope H

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  30. As another proscratinater, I'm not thinking of New Year's cards. Maybe the digital cards would work . . . IF I had current photos.

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    1. You have some heritage photos don't you, Ruth Ann? It might be fun to do baby pics of you and Fred on a card?

      You notice how I used 3 separate photos of the kids? LOL...I've had to do that for years because getting all 3 to cooperate at once in a single photo is a HUGE challenge!

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  31. I never think about digi cards, this is beautiful! I hope I remember this idea next year. I finished up all of my cards this year with the lodge kit! Just have to get them in the mail, that's my procrastination. Thanks for sharing.
    Jamie

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  32. I used that card too - just had them printed yesterday and hoping to send tomorrow! I used the one with the big square space to make my Mom's cards too.

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  33. What a great idea to save for the next holiday -- perhaps for Valentine's Day.

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  34. Your kids are such cuties! And you're a good mom.

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  35. Karen, that is such a great idea, great way to send to friends I don't have addresses for. I may just play around tonight. Thanks for the great idea.

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  36. We have 3 birthdays in December! I start Christmas prep in September and try to have it all done by December. Some years it happens other years it doesn't. What counts is what you DO get done. Your kids are cute! Love how you mat the photo card onto a card. I think I'll have to try that one next year.

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  37. Well...I plan all the details in my head and on paper, then procrastinate putting my plans in action, so I guess I'm both. I think I'm afraid I'll come up with an even better idea if I start too soon. ;-) Your card is great, though how could it be anything less with such cuties as your subject matter?

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  38. Every year I think I 'll get my cards out early . But NO. They go out later each year. Maybe I should start on 2013 now? Merry Christmas to all!
    Marian Biegel

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  39. I definitly am a "procrastinater", always with good intentions though :) I really love your digi cards and would love to try this. I also think it'd be a quick way of getting things done for a procrastinater-I haven't experienced to much in the digital area yet, but am willing, just need alittle alone time to figure it out.

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  40. I'm both - I plan, make the list, then spemd a lot of time "revamping" the list, AKA procrastinating, LOL! Merry Christmas!

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  41. Ummm, since I don't really have any Christmas shopping done yet, I'm going to have to put myself in the "procrastinator" category. Love your Christmas cards, Karen!

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  42. I think as soon as that calendar turns to December I'm already 2 months behind. I'm not sure I have ever gotten everything I wanted to done. This year I've had to except the fact that I cannot get it all accomplished so what does get done will be a blessing.
    Marcia Coleman

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    1. That's an excellent reminder about blessings, Marcia!

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  43. I'm a bit of both... I plan everything out, with deadlines along the way. And then completely ignore that entire plan and end running around like a mad woman at the end because I've procrastinated too long! :)

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  44. I love that you make Emma's birthday special by putting off Christmas until after her birthday. It must be so hard to do now when stores start Christmas the day after Halloween. Love the cards too!
    Lisa K.

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  45. I'm right there with you, Karen!

    Love the CS QDP cards this year!

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  46. My Mom's is the 19th and her Sis the 26th. Depression babies. They got nuttin' for birthdays. I can empathize.

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