Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Recently I visited a dear friend's home for lunch. Visiting her home is always a treat in more ways than one. She is a warm and caring person who has a way of making her friends feel welcomed when they walk through her door. But, she also has an artistic and creative way of decorating that fascinates me. She quickly denies this acclaim that I give to her whenever I mention it. I happen to be one of those people who first of all, most always carries a camera with her, and secondly, I love to take pictures of a hostess's decorative touches in her home and photos of food that is served to me. On this visit I felt a need to bring out my camera.





Here is the fruit and cheese platter that she served to us. Look at the fruit kabobs on the crystal plate. She used wooden skewers from the grocery store and added fresh fruit. The unique pretzels and slices of different cheeses made a beautiful presentation of a simple combination of foods. So you see I just had to take a picture of this simple beauty.

On her kitchen counter and windowsill was a display of mercury glass pieces. Here she had added some greens from the garden. I always admire the windowsill above her sink and find myself looking forward to seeing each vignette she displays there. With each visit I find a and different arrangement on the windowsill, as she uses things she already has in her home, and creates a new look.








Beside her sink was this silver tray where she displayed simple pieces from her kitchen, along with a rosemary plant. I thought it looked great how she had it and found myself taking a picture of that also.(with her permission of course)




Now, I am going to share another aspect of my taking pictures. My way of creating thank you notes and sometimes birthday cards, is to use the pictures that I take. I buy a pack of plain white cards at Johann's Fabrics or any craft store.



I take a pad of decorative papers also from the craft stores. I find a pad like this comes in handy in so many ways, and lasts a long time.






I run off a 3 x 5, or 4 x 6 color(or black and white) copy of the photo that I took from my visit. I use rubber cement glue and glue the picture to a coodinating piece of the decorative paper from the pad, pictured above. I think it personalizes the card, it reflects the recipient's creative touches, and it is a very inexpensive way to send cards.




Inside I stamped a "thank you" with black ink, and added a touch of glitter with a tiny sticker from the dollar store(that I keep on hand).



Here a close-up photo that I took of the fruit kabobs. I think that when someone goes to the work of creating beauty like this out of food, it should be photographed.






Here is another illustration of how I copied a 3 x 5 picture on my copier, cut it out, glued it onto a decorative paper from the pad pictured above, and had another simple, yet personal card that I could have used for a thank you note to my friend.


I have been doing this for a few years, when I have my camera with me and the situation allows me to do it. I find it is a fun way for me to say my heartfelt "thank you" to those whose homes I visit, whether it is just for a cup of coffee, or a meal.


Just thought I would share this quick, easy and inexpensive idea with you.

Thank you for your visits to this blog and for all of the comments that you share. It means so much to me.


21 comments:

Kim said...

Yet another example of why I love your blog. I read something like this post and feel like "Well, yea Kim. It makes sense". Then why didn't I ever think of it myself. Love this one and plan to use it often. Thank you!!

Kim

southerninspiration said...

Oh she does have a creative touch and I can see why you enjoy visiting with her....and I can see you have an equally as creative touch and you can understand why I like visiting YOU!!! ;)
Thanks for sharing your wonderfully creative idea today!

Suzanne

Linda said...

oh, Judy! What a great idea! I love the personal touch. How pleasing to the eye your cards look! Thanks for sharing your creativity.

Debbie said...

Ok Judy; I'm a card maker but this idea is just too good. Thanks for sharing that. I do a lot of photography, but I am a little lazy when it come to printing pictures:) I just blog them. But this is a wonderful way to show your enthusiasm and compliments to someone who goes out of their way to be a good hostess. It really shows that you noticed their hard work. I'm glad you shared. Now, where is that print paper!
Debbie

Judy said...

A great post...full of wonderful ideas yet again. I have used photos for making personalized cards for years...but have never thought of sending 'thank-you' cards with photos of the food. When someone sends me flowers...I always take a photo and make a thank-you card with the picture. I'm taking notes here...and my cards will look better in the future! Thanks for sharing from your storehouse of ideas.

Lovella ♥ said...

This is such a wonderful idea. I often take photos in homes I'm invited to but I've never thought of making thank you cards for the hostess.
YOu are right...your friend has a special decorating touch.
Thank you Judy.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Judy~
What a GREAT idea for Thank-you notes!!! Wow..that is very creative!

Again, you BLOW me away by your example!! Seriously!!

Blessing on your day my friend.

Barb said...

Judy, just a gorgeous post. Goodness, how it fed my spirit. I love your blog!!

Barb ♥

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This is a wonderful idea Judy! Another blogger I read. "Junie Moon," took a photo of every gift she received at Christmas and used that photo for her thank you cards very much like you did here. It is a wonderful personalized touch.

It is also a nice way to see the beauty in everything ..a fruit kabob or a kitchen sink arrangement becomes a work of art!

Mammy said...

Boy, she really is talented, isn't she? Beautiful! And what a great idea for cards. Sounds like you and your friend are well suited.

lindsey said...

Judy, your photo's are lovely and thats a great 'Thank you' for your host. I buy plain cards here in the UK and use photo's, sometimes cutting them into smaller pieces, to make cards. It is so much more personal than shop bought cards. The fruit kebabs made my mouth water!!

Melinda said...

Very creative--both of you.
The food looks delish and the pics of her house and food are lovely
too.
I like the way you made up the cards.

Melinda

Love Being A Nonny said...

What a wonderful, personal idea! I always have my camera with me...so, I will do this from now on. One of my favorite ideas...ever!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Well how creative, and what a great idea! I think this one will be copied by many of your readers, me for one!

Beautiful posting!

Sonja

Happy@Home said...

I can see why you enjoy visiting your friend's home. It looks beautiful and the food looks so tasty too. I particularly like the silver tray on her kitchen counter.
I am continually amazed at the creative ideas you come up with. This one is really great. I think I could even do it and plan to try it soon.

Linda said...

This is something that is so special and personal and something I've meant to do for a long time as well. I bought my paper and envelopes but just haven't given it a try yet. Thank you for the reminder!

I have a girlfriend who does this with all of her thank you notes. She takes a picture of the gift she's received and puts it on the front of the card. I love this idea!

Stacey said...

Judy you are so smart. I came by the other day just to sit and look at all of your gift giving ideas. It was so much fun. I love the way you seem to collect what you need over time and then pull it together. So smart and thoughtful. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh what a wonderful hostess. That is a great idea. Those picture you took are so good and would make great personal cards. I just might want to try that myself. I usually paint all my own cards, but that gives me another idea. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
QMM

Tracy said...

What a wonderful blessing for you AND for her! I love her fruit kabobs. Your photo note cards look especially beautiful and were no doubt a wonderful surprise for your friend. = ) Thanks for sharing this special day and this wonderful idea!

Blessings,
Tracy

Kathleen said...

Wow ... even your friends have caught your creative flare! That settles it; I'm moving in next door!

Blessings & hugs,
Kathleen

Kathleen said...

This is such a good idea! I'm not a card maker but I do appreciate hand-made cards. However , I do take lots of photos so this might just be the first hand-made card I try my hand at. Thank you for sharing this idea.

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