This summer is no joke. We've got so much going on... I don't even know where to start. June was a complete BLUR with a vacation to Charleston, a board meeting, me not feeling good (since March, I might add) and prepping for a procedure, getting asked to serve on ANOTHER board, and (virtually) attending a week-long national conference. But July will be equally as CRAY! The girls will go to the beach with their Dad, when they get back I'm taking them to my Dad's for a week, and I'm planning for a baby shower for the end of the month. And August isn't going to be outdone, so let's not forget that Maggie will start her sophomore year in high school the same week we'll be hosting 5 college-age girls for RUSH (RUSH is scheduled BEFORE they can move into their apartment), the next week Abby starts her sophomore year at Auburn, I've got another conference to attend (the weekend Abby can move into her apartment, so THAT'S fun), AND our first grandchild is due at the end of August. And I've not even MENTIONED all the birthdays we have to celebrate in July/August.  Suffice it to say - this summer will be EPIC (and not in a relaxing "sit on the beach and sip pina coladas" way).

And before you know it, it will be time to start thinking about Christmas!

Ugh… I mean, “YAY!”

Now, I usually start my Christmas shopping in early fall... I like to buy things gradually so I'm not scrambling at the last minute. I start early thinking about the food we’re going to cook, people we plan on having over (if this year is “normal”)... and I CAN’T forget about sending Christmas cards! We live in the South - we send and receive Christmas cards. TONS of cards...  Our list has grown exponentially over the years - I think we sent 150 last year. But we HAVE to send a bunch because my husband has legislators, staff, and board members that we send a personal card to (as well as our personal friend/family list). And when you send SO MANY CARDS, you have to get them ordered way in advance so you (I mean "me") have plenty of time to address them.

Click here to read about how we save our cards from year-to-year and use them in our Christmas decorations.

One thing I have always DREADED about the holidays is looking for some rando picture I have in my camera roll that will look half-way decent on a Christmas card. I mean, not only are family portrait sessions expensive (and totally predictable), but they're extremely difficult to coordinate. I mean, how in the world am I going to coordinate everyone being off work (during daylight) and able to come spend the afternoon getting pictures taken when we’ve got a college-age daughter who rarely graces us with her presence, a dad who works 347 hours every week, and 2 grown kids who work full time AND have their own life to live? And (for argument’s sake) if we DO get everyone in the same room for pictures: “this photo looks great of me and Abby, but Alex has a weird look on his face” <or> “I like the layout of this one but Maggie isn't smiling”. UGH, it's EXHAUSTING just thinking about it! 

That's why a custom illustrated family portrait is EXACTLY what you need! Can't get everyone in the same room for more than 5 minutes? That doesn't matter - just send me separate pics of everyone and I'll group them all together!

See what I mean?

And your custom illustrated portrait doesn't have to be used just for Christmas cards! Look at some of these unique gift ideas:

Wouldn't Granny LOVE a kitchen towel with your family portrait on it? Or what about giving PawPaw a baseball cap with all his grandkids on it?

Later this month I'm having a Christmas in July Sale on all custom illustrations!

You can order your family portrait any time by clicking the button below, but if you order between July 29th and July 31st, you'll get 25% off your illustration! That's a savings of $37.50! And one lucky person who orders during my Christmas in July sale will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card! That’s almost like you're getting your custom illustration for only  $62.50 (that's a 58% discount)! So mark July 29-31 in your calendar... I can't wait to see what y'all want illustrated! 

And drop me a comment to let me know if you have any questions about custom illustrations that I can answer!