12.02.2011

Friday Fun

Back in August I had a custom illustration made for our Christmas cards this year.  A very talented artist from Boston created our family in a wonderful winter setting based on photos that I sent her via email.  As you can see she's drawn Robert and I standing together with Rio beside me, Jimmy is beside Rio (stealing a bauble from the tree), Casper is popping out half way up the tree and Archie and Ben are standing beside Robert with their tails entwined in a heart.  I received an 8x10 illustration for framing and the Christmas cards, inside the cards was a printed sentiment in beautiful script that said
Merry Christmas!!!
With love from
Cat, Rob, Rio,
Casper, Benjamin, Archie
and Jimmy
  I was thrilled!

biggify for full effect :-)

Then something happened...we adopted Kip.  Sadly Kip would not be included in the illustration but I could hand write his name inside the cards and at least he would be part of the sentiment.  I had asked Ann from Zoolatry to make a Christmas header for me using my illustration and when she read on my blog that Kip had been adopted she contacted me and said when we decide on a name she would revise our header to add him in.  How kind, at least he would be mentioned and that was something.  What I didn't realize at the time is that Ann, using her magic photoshop skills, managed to put Kip into the picture!  If you look to the left of my blog header you will see Kip peeking out from behind an evergreen tree!!!!  Oh Ann I can't thank you enough.  Kip won't be on our cards this year but thanks to your ingenuity and thoughtfulness he is on the blog, I am so happy :-)

PS - Ann made our Christmas wallpaper too!!!

36 comments:

Sunny's Mommy said...

Thank you for your comforting words.

Sunny's Mommy

Angel Simba said...

How super! The card is wonderful, and the header is just perfect with little Kip in there too.

Now we need a guest post by Rio!!

Clooney said...

So cool, love your header. And Ann is mighty fantastic! Have a great weekend kitties. Tiri sends special cuddles to her Ginger Snap.

Hannah and Lucy said...

How wonderful for Kip to be put on your header - Ann is a treasure.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Marg said...

That is such a wonderful card and also a terrific header with Kip peeking out. It can't get any better than that. That Ann is something else. She sure does a good job. Hope everyone has a great week end.

Rene said...

That is just darling, and very cool that she could add Kip to the graphic! I wouldn't have even seen him if you hadn't pointed him out.

Fuzzy Tales said...

What a darling illustration! It looks fantastic as your header and we're glad Kip made it in too, courtesy of Ann!

Admiral Hestorb said...

It's beautifully done..and Ann is way past excellent in all she does.

Brian's Home Blog said...

That is beautiful and I am so happy Kip is included here!!!

Unknown said...

What a fabulous Christmas card! And Ann putting Kip in your header is just too marvelous for words!
Kisses
to yous all!
Nellie

My Mind's Eye said...

OMC Mom is speechless and trust me that rarely happens to a Southern gal. What a lovely original card turned into a family header. Just beautiful I'd keep it up 12 months of the year!!
Hugs Madi and the speechless one

Katnip Lounge said...

Fabulous! We don't send cards, but we do enjoy looking at them...and we think Kip is gonna be so BUSY with his first Catmas that he'll never even notice he's not on your card...

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Absolutly awesome! Wow, love the original but how sweet that Kip could be added! What a sweet family you have there!

Becky said...

I love it!So creative.Little kip fits in just perfect.I love their tails,lol.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

What a beautiful card!
And what a wonderful header, we just love that Anne was able to add Kip in and now the family is complete!

purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That is a lovely card and header and it is perfect that Kip could be added to the header for Christmas.

Avalon's Garden and Mewsings of Garden Cottage Cats said...

Your card iz Wonderful,how Fun,
and your headrer iz efen Betterer cauze Kip iz dere ^..^
How Great Kip waz able to be added :))))))&:)

Sparkle said...

The card and art are awesome! And then Ann comes along and makes the header even awesomer - how cool!

The Island Cats said...

We love love love your card!! And what Ann did was awesome too!!

Mickey's Musings said...

That is a purrfect card :)
Makes a nice header too!!
Purrs Tillie & Georgia,
Tiger,Treasure & JJ

Mama Bear said...

Having Kip in the blog header is so appropriate...we met him here first and this is where we will come back to learn even more about him as he continues to show us how he truly belongs in your family (one of those "meant to be" events.)

Ann's thoughtfulness pops up in so many places!

The Adventures of Scarlett and Melly said...

That is such a beautiful family picture!

Bekkie Sanchez said...

Loved the idea for the card and it's something your family will remember for years to come. So tuck it away somewhere (or frame it) after Christmas. An early Merry Christmas to you and your family! ♥

weaverpat said...

That is such a cute card!
How cool that Kip made it to the header.
I love that you are using original artwork for your cards. It adds such a personal touch to your Christmas greetings.

Cory said...

Love it! I know Kip is thrilled to be a part of the blog and your family!

Jacqueline said...

Fun, festive card and header!!...Congratulations on the new family addition=Kip is a handsome sweetheart and we are happy he was so quickly accepted into your precious family...You all are very lucky to have each other!...Happy weekend, sweet friends...xoxo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

Tamago said...

What a cute Christmas card!! And perfect with Kip in the card - Ann is so talented! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!!

Teddy Westlife said...

Ann is very talented. Your christmas card is wonderful!

meowmeowmans said...

We love, love, love your card! And we are so glad that Kip is included! :)

That Ann is such an wonderful friend, isn't she?

Jans Funny Farm said...

Ann is so very talented! That's a lovely card and we like your header and background too.

We came by to remind you to contact Kat's Kat's human. Jimmy and Cameron tied for 2nd place in the sleeping contest and she's waiting to hear from us to make us a graphic. The email addy is in the post.

you need to contact Kat's Kats' human so she can make you a badge. You won 3rd place in the sleeping contest recently. The contact email addy is here -

http://katskatsnews.blogspot.com/2011/12/march-madness-provided-by.html

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

The header and card are just beautiful. We're so glad Kip was included! xx

Anonymous said...

That is such a gorgeous card! So sweet! I also have some of my Christmas art up on my blog at the moment too if you'd like to take a peek ;o)
Purrs,
xo

Alasandra, The Cats and Dogs said...

Ann, as always has done a pawsome job, the blog looks beautiful.

No wonder Arty and Casper are soul mates they both like being in trees.

LP said...

Lovely Christmas card Cat!All of you together make for a beautiful family. How kind of Ann to add little Kip to the mix on the header. Sweet! Lovely as a header too :)

the critters in The Cottage xo

CCL Wendy said...

How wonderful! And yes, I noticed Kip in the header, so now your little family is completely pictured in time for Christmas. Ann is so kind to help out (as always).

Have you adopted those reindeer, too or are they just for staging?

Catherine said...

How cute indeed! And how wonderful that no furry friends were left out! Perfect!
xo Catherine