.it’s a shutterfly kind of christmas.

Yes, sorry to be the Grinch here, but it’s time to start thinking about Christmas cards. I usually order my cards in October so I can get them sent out soon after Thanksgiving. I love sending them out pretty early and then get to enjoy receiving cards throughout the rest of the month. The hold up for me right now is having the right picture – that’s always the toughest!

I remember LOVING receiving Christmas cards growing up. I’d volunteer to get the mail in the morning so I could be the one to open the cards. It was so fun to get pictures from friends and family, near and far; read their letters and the little handwritten notes to our family. I like the personal handwritten notes so I try to include those on all my Christmas cards. Now, I love getting cards and pictures in the mail from my friends – seeing their little families and how much their children have grown in the past year. Even though Facebook, email, and other social media helps make the distance between us seem smaller, I still think sending and receiving cards are an important tradition to uphold.

Last year, I ordered cards through Shutterfly. I love the paper they use and the quality of cards they provide. There are so many options available – which I love too! You can choose cutesy, classic, religious, whimsical, or modern. I like cards that are creative with a fun font…

These are some of my favorite 2011 designs…

 

 

Shutterfly wants to help make your Christmas card sending fun and easy too – so thanks to them, I can give 25 free photo cards to the first three people to reply to this blog post or reply on Facebook! How fun is that?!

UPDATED: Giveaway is closed! Congratulations to Betsy Kohan, Stephanie Park, and Megan Baumann who commented on my Facebook link! Can't wait to see what you create!

{ quite contrary }

I just entered to win this fat quarter pack…

Click on the picture to go to the website to enter.

This fabric is designed by Jen Allyson aka The Project Girl. I’ve seen her name around the scrapbook world for a quite a few years now…and now she’s designing fabric! It would make the cutest summer quilt. I really really want to win it – which is why I entered all 5 times possible!!

You can purchase the fabric here.

...giveaway plug...

I'm in love with this giveaway. I would love love love to win.

I mean, who wouldn't?!

This giveaway is sponsored by Rachel over at {Made With Love and Glue}.
Now, I've never met Rachel, but I know many members of her family, which makes me feel like I know her too. :)

Anyhow, this giveaway ends on January 19th. Head on over for a chance to win.

Just click on the first picture for a link.

She's got some major inspiring pictures and ideas on there. I warned you.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
Those sweet ladies at Fat Quarter Shop are doing a fun activity on their blog. All I have to do is come up with a Wish List from their shop and blog about it! They said they'd send it directly to you {wink wink}.

(Ok Santa, I re-read the instructions and it seems I didn't follow the rules in my first letter, so I will try again.)

1. I want this pattern

and this line of fabric to make the whole quilt.

(Mezzanine)

2. This quilt that uses Fat Quarters

and Fat Quarter Bundles in all of these:

3. Amy Butler fabrics - any really. Santa, can you please ask Amy to sell her fabrics in pre-cut sizes? Pretty Please? I would be oh-so-happy!

4. A sprinkling of these:

5. And lots and lots of these:

Thanks Santa! I could make this list much much longer, but if I spend anymore time looking around the Fat Quarter Shop, I'm going to be late for school. (Even though we had a 2-hour delay - I'd still be late!)

-Marcie

...holly jolly blog bingo...

How fun is this? Check it out by clicking on the picture!

Here's my list of words:

advent, angel, sleigh bells, snow, family, figgy pudding, snowflake, sparkle, nativity, spirit, friends, star, O' Holy Night, cards, peace, pecan pie, table runners, celebration, quilts, traditions, holiday, White Christmas, Christmas Eve, vacation, magic

[ eden ]

Ya'll know how I love a great giveaway:

You can enter too! http://lilatuellerdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-was-just-thinkingits-time-for.html

This giveaway is for Lila Tueller's new fabric line EDEN in a jelly roll and a layer cake. I LOVE jelly rolls because I LOVE this quilt pattern:

I can't wait to make it again.

[ winner winner ]

Remember this post?

Guess what? I won!

Like I said, just what I need...another bag. It's just so cute! I can't wait for it to arrive!

[ ANOTHER giveaway ]

Can you tell from the number of giveaways I enter that I haven't won anything yet?! :) I'm just going to keep trying...

Click on the logo to enter to win this:

Totally cute, right!? Just what I need...another bag. That deserves a whole post on it's own!

[ you know how I love giveaways... ]

Yep...I'm entering another giveaway! Click on the link to enter yourself!

[ a giveaway! ]

I entered this giveaway...wish me luck!

(click on the picture to enter for yourself!)

[ another giveaway ]

I've been all about entering blog giveaways this week. Here's another lovely opportunity to dream about. Go to laniejanie's blog (http://laniejane.typepad.com/see_jane_run_go_jane_go/2009/05/a-sunburn-and-sand-in-my-pockets.html#comments) for your chance.

[ giveaway ]

I've entered this giveaway on my favorite blog:

http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify/2009/05/moda-love.html.

By her:

To win this:

So, if I post a link on my blog, I get three more entries...

go ahead girls, enter...I dare you!

(A newsy post will come in the next 48 hours...promise!)

fun fun fun

Ashley Harris was doing a giveaway on her blog of one of her beautiful cards - and I won! Thanks, Ashley! It's a bright spot in my blur of a week!