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Oh, I love, love this photo. It's the perfect action shot, but better yet, the most precious reality of the love siblings have for one another.

Hey, you know, a card would have been nice, and people may ask you for it. But, the photo is what I think you'll treasure most down the road. And you could always do the card after the holidays for those special someones, you know, extend the Spirit of the season for a really good New Year!

I'm blowing off the Christmas cards too. I don't feel like having a card cramming session either, and they just didn't get done earlier with everything I had going for school. Oh well!

And the photo is so sweet! It's all about finding the one that best shows who they are.

I was looking at my aunt and uncle's family photo outtakes. They have kids in college, and there was one where all 4 of them are flipping off the camera, and it sort of seemed like who they are too! So funny!

Beautiful job with the sweaters!!! I especially love the darker blue vest! Good job!!!

Tina J.

Ha! At my house it's worse, with four kids, but what can you do? We went to a studio (twice!) and I know that I have not one picture where they are all smiling. But at the same time, it captures life at your house, which is probably a good thing, too. Love the knitting, though!

Oh, and don't worry about blowing off the cards. I've done that many a year.

Christmas cards have ben blown off for the last few years here at maison Frogdancer. It's the end of the school year here when Christmas is around (last day today hooray!!!!) and there's just too much else to do.

I LOVE how Libby's sweater looks. The blue vest isn't bad, either....

What a gorgeous photo, I like the natural ones best too - that capture the 'realness'. I look forward to when you write up the pattern for the sweater.

Merry Christmas xx

A beautiful shot. Full of life and happiness and a little bit of mischief!

Ah ha! I'm totally with you on ducking out on cards this year. I made a conscious decision a few days ago that I was too late to get started, had some guilt at the mailbox as the cards start rolling in, but why stress? I'm thinking if I'm feeling abitious during the actualy holidays I may do a seasonal card but its unlikely!

Great photo and the sweaters look wonderful, too:) Christmas cards are always a challenge around here, too. It's so hard to squeeze them in with everything else going on.

We haven't sent Christmas Cards for a few years now - a combination of eco friendliness and disorganisation.

And you know what? Hardly anyone has noticed that we don't send them a card!

It's so dear a photo to keep, christmas card or not. Those three kids looks naturally happy together!

Send them as Happy New Year cards!!! The photo and sweaters are too good not to share...

i think, in a way, this blog serves as a daily delivery of cheer, a year-round christmas card in its own right. the sweaters are very sweet, thank you for sharing them with us.

Yeah for the Friendsters!

This is such a sweet photo and a has a lovely 'family' feel! Don't blame you for sacking the cards at this point in time though! Are you done with the advent yet?

Just too cute for words! Fabulous shot!

Leslie!
You take THE best pictures. Darling shot and of course, terrific sweaters.

Merry Christmas!
Tanya

...and I have Christmas cards still in the boxes to address - maybe next year.

What a wonderful memory. The photo is absolutely lovely!! It's worth a 1000 words and nicer then any cards sent out. The knits and photos are priceless.

They all look terrific!!
and that's okay about the Christmas cards...you can only do so much, there is no need to make the holidays more stressful! I'm sure people will understand!

Great shot! I love candid pictures, especially ones with handknit items in them, LOL!

I'm with you on ditching the card thing. My favorite thing about Christmas cards is hearing from everyone, getting pictures and seeing how their doing. I feel like I should do my part by sending out cards and pictures. But I didn't get any card-worthy pictures this year, and you know what? My blog serves the same purpose. If people want to know how I am doing, they can read my blog. It's far more interesting and fun than a lone Christmas card sent once a year. Call me Scrooge...

Tana
www.life.tanapageler.com

I love this photo, you can feel the fun and closeness between your children. It's beautiful.

I'm not doing Christmas cards this year either, I'm planning on 'Welcome to the New Year cards' instead. The plan is to send them in the first week of January wishing everyone the best for the 2009 year and sharing a little about my Christmas/New Year celebrations. I thought this would be a nice thing to do once the rush of Christmas preparation is over. I can't claim credit for the idea, I'm pretty sure it's a Japanese tradition.

Very very happy you are planning on writing up the Libby cardigan. It's beautiful and I would love to knit it for my niece.

Okay, I wasn't really panicked just yet until I read your post. EIGHT DAYS?! How did that escape my consciousness? EIGHT?! Seriously? OMG! OMG!!!!!

I am with you on the cards. I have received the fewest number of cards ever this year. I think TG was way too late (or something....).

seriously cute.

Love the picture! This year I resorted to e-cards...let's you be last minute and you can include a photo. I use Blue Mountain's website and they have some nice options. Maybe that will help in your efforts! :) Just think of all the trees you are saving!

Downloaded the dreaded Advent mitten pattern yesterday. I think I'll start now so it is ready for next advent!

What a wonderful photo! I am so happy you are writing up the Libby sweater pattern--my 12 year old has just asked me to make her one!

I love the photo. I cant wait for the pattern either as my 7 year old just loves it too.

Love this photo...I really like Charlie's arm around Libby...so protectively sweet. I hear you on the Christmas cards...I don't even have a photo to use yet. I'm thinking about New Year's cards. We'll see.

Such a fun, heartwarming shot. What a handsome bunch in their beautiful handknits. Your Libby obviously inherited her mom's good looks!

I still haven't done my cards either. I may not get to it. The sucky thing about not doing cards is it ruins the receiving of them. I feel bad when I get another one in the mail, reminding me of what an underachiever I really am.

That is a terrific photo.

I'm being very lazy about this holiday. Cookies and candies in tins are what I'm giving out as gifts (especially no bake cookies), and I'm not doing cards. It just felt too much like work!

I love libbys sweather. the big buttons are a great detail!

good for you- knowing your limits and stopping when something is just too much!

this photo is wonderful. add it to to a favorite frame and pull it out each year (just like your other when they were younger. the memories will last from year to year, while the card will be long forgotten.

Why not make it a Happy New Year card instead?
-Vanessa

Love seeing all three of them in their knits! My older son saw the picture of Charlie's vest, and now thinks I should knit him one. Looking forward to the Libby pattern! :0)

I went overboard with the cards this year. I bought a package of six.

The point is that you should do what you feel comfortable doing. Personally, I think trying to rush dozens of cards out the door is madness that you can easily avoid.

By the way, your lovely children are growing up so fast. And there's nothing wrong with a pinch of naughty :o)

I feel in the minority actually sending some this year - but not without moping around about spending the money on something so lame:) I feel like with the advent of e-mail, sadly (or not) the paper mail has become obsolete - and really, it's not a treat getting a holiday card with names scrawled and that's it! That's not catching up...Your picture is so cute though, your kiddos look like so much fun! And yes, get that Libby sweater written - :)

I love the photo, kids never do what you want ESPECIALLY if you're trying to get a photo of it. I think it's a law of physics or something. I love the pink sweater too!

tis the perfect Christmas picture!. That's what it's all about! Family! LOVE IT!

well you can always just send an email with their pic attached :)
I love the photo, can't wait for the pattern to be available, I'd really like to make that for Kristen.
And is Christmas really only 8 days away, gosh I hadn't even realized!! :-0

no cards from this place either,this year. and I'm with Kim...received the fewest amount ever...everyone must be on the same wave length.

what a great photo, and forget the cards! the whole point is for the entire project, from knitting to mailing to be fun...and if you are not feeling it then forget em! or maybe email the picture as a substitute since that knitting is too pretty not to share! i hope the libby can be adjusted to fit people bigger than libby who love the sweater too! :)

What a great picture! And great knits. I may do the same re: the cards -- I think a lot of people are just not into cards this year. Not sure if it's that the holidays came up so quick after a late Thanksgiving or that it's one expense that people are just saying "no" to --

It's just perfect.

I never do cards - I always mean to and never do. There's always a New Year card to take off the pressure.

what a fantastic photo -- your daughter has a stunning & contagious smile!

I always thought that New Years cards would be more appropriate anyway...(if I ever sent cards out! lol)

Yes, this is a great picture indeed! All three sweaters look awesome! Happy Holidays!

Those sweaters look great! Your daughter has a great smile. :) People will forgive you for skipping cards this one year to get the advent mittens done!

i LOVE this photo.

I've skipped my christmas cards for the past several years.

good luck finishing your mittens!!!

The Libby sweater is beautiful. I hope you write the pattern in adult sizes, too. I quit sending out Christmas cards 7 years ago and never looked back. Absolutely no one has ever mentioned that they noticed or even missed them.

Such a great photo and completely fitting of three kids. Have a happy holiday!

gorgeous!!

I swear I'm blowing off the cards every year and one year I actually did. The only problem? Pete got calls asking why they were taken off our card list!

I actually like receiving cards the week after Christmas. There's something nice about extending the holiday past the 25th. So I've stopped stressing about getting them done before the 25th. There have been many years when I sent them out a week or two after Christmas -- and only with the help of Pete and the kids. Make it a family affair and do it at a time of YOUR choosing.

I still love this photo and if I received it in a card, I would think it was the best holiday photo EVER. So much more fun than the stiff posed shots.

And if you blow them off completely this year, more power to you!

Oh, I'm so with you on the cards... I, who may possibly be the most anal person alive, has YET TO EVEN TAKE A PICTURE! Usually they are stamped and mailed in the first week. I just don't have it in me this year. But your photography is excellent! And the picture looks like it would be a great one (an un-beheaded version, I'm assuming) and even if you choose not to send it to the 125 people on your list, your kids and you will have it forever, and that probably counts more. Maybe no one will even remember you didn't send it!

I love the fact that you took 500 shots and are thinking of not using them for cards. I have done the same thing many times!

I still have not come up with the perfect shot this year, we are thinking Happy New Year Cards - starting the year off right.

I often like the picture that shows the true kids . . .

new year's card. enlist the kids' help once school is out. kate did all my stamping and i still haven't sent mine out. it'll happen, though.

love love love the photo.

what a great picture - it really captures their personalities a bit!

No cards here either - time just ran out this year!

They are gorgeous, the sweaters and the children! I appear to be not doing Christmas cards this year too, I felt a little better about it after reading this.

Can't wait for that pattern, I keep thinking about it.

It does seem like Christmas crept up on us this year! I'm with you on the cards. I just don't think it is at the top of the priority list this year. The picture is so sweet, and their knits are beautiful! Merry Christmas, and a happy, peaceful New Year to you and your family!

Such a great photo! Your handy work looks just fabulous on the gorgeous crew.

Adorable photo. And yes please write up the Libby pattern. I want one for myself!

No cards this year for me either.

I'm thinking of email Christmas cards this year.

Quick and easy. No guilt.

:)

Pretty sweaters!!!

Just wanted to thank you for the free pattern for "Those Mitts" I have made several pair for gifts this year, I know everyone will love them and am so proud to be able to give them a handmade gift.
Thanks Again, from a new knitting addict- Cyndi

Oh, little brothers are such a pain. :)

What a sweet photo!

What a great photo!

We are skipping cards this year and I think others are doing the same because we received about 1/3 of what we usually get.

The picture is great! I love Libby's sweater. I only have sons, so please, please include sizing or even notes to be able to make it for me - an Adult S/M :) I really enjoy reading your blog. I also want to make the Ruffle Coat and Slouchy cardigan - you're such an inspiration! Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

What a joyful photo. And considering I just squeaked my cards into the mail this morning with crossed fingers - you'll get judgement from this direction. It's good to know limits sometimes! And the most important this is the tradition and the picture - which you'll always have.

Cute photo. That made me laugh. The same things happen around our house when we take pictures.

I would love to have the Libby pattern! Can't wait until you have it available.

Coming out of lurkdom to tell you how adorable that photo is! The kids' personalities are really apparent! Just a suggestion...you could always do New Years cards, rather than Christmas cards. I think they're especially nice to receive after the onslaught of Christmas cards.

Looking forward to the Libby sweater pattern! I'd totally wear that myself, too!

Happy Holiday1
Margie

love that you are blowing off the cards. i have not sent them out in so long. it feels kind of good, i think.
I love seeing all of the sweaters together! gorgeous!

I love the sweaters and the photo is priceless.
I've blown off the cards for a couple years now. Card cramming is no fun at all.

yea no cards here either. I have the photo but am thinking maybe a Happy New Year card might be the ticket to buy me some more time.

Love the picture, love the sweaters, and good for you about the cards.

Jolly good show on the sweaters and an even jollier good show on not doing the Christmas cards. I am boycotting the Christmas card thing this year also--there's just not enough time. I love your photo!

It's liberating to just say NO! Don't feel bad - beautiful sweaters.

Gorgeous pic!!! Happy holidays to you!

I've missed the tranquility of your blog =)

I love those sweaters! That is a great photo...my Christmas cards will just have to wait until next year.

Ha, yeah, sometimes all the rules have to go right out the window. Here I wasn't thinking I couldn't do Christmas cards this year. At the last minute I got them all mailed out.That would be ummm, yesterday and a few more today:)
These kiddos are too cute and fab sweaters.

LOVE the photo! I say you could use it for cards as it really captures the moment and you can see the happiness in it.

Can't wait for the pattern write up :O)

Have great holidays, I am sure you will with your lovely children! Libbys sweater is fab.
Life is to short to write cards when there is other stuff to do, I wouldn't worry. I wrote a few this year until I ran out of cards and then that was that. i am not going to buy any more!!

Your work is beautiful; your family is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I was lurking for a time, then following and now I just have to comment, too. Thank you for the toast and toasty patterns. I think I'll tear out the ones I have almost finished and make yours. . . just like the simplicity better. I also adore the Thanksgiving skirt. I never make anything for me, but that might have to be a project I put together. I've only been knitting for a couple of years, but love the zen of it. Blessings to you.

It's a beautiful photo. And not just to show off the knits, although it does that very well. But more importantly, what a fabulous family portrait. Well worth the 499 others!

And I so agree with you about the cards. We've really pared it down over the years too.

Just do New Year's cards. People love getting them they are unexpected. That will give you more time.

Debbie

Is the feeling contagious? I'm blowing off Christmas cards this year also. Too late! I'm guessing Christmas is coming in spite of it all....

These are just fantastic! I dread trying to take pictures of all 4 of my kids at once. Hundreds of shots can go by and not one of them having all 4 looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. This is an amazing shot though. You can just see the love they have for each other and your daughter has the sweetest smile!

Sweet photo, I love it.
Take care & happy knitting!

Happy Kids ! Wonderful Mom!

Lovely children's knits; so neatly executed. I aspire to knit neatly!
I especially love - and so does my granddaughter- the fabulous Libby Sweater - cant wait to see the pattern. Id would gladly buy one.

i am so behind on my blog reading. SO behind. but i love this picture. and that you blew off the christmas cards. doesn't it feel wonderful to release something you thought you had to do?

Hi -- I am a new knitter and finding myself quickly addicted! I remember seeing the vest you did for your sons back in December and when I backtracked, I did not see a pattern or which book you got if from? I would like to start one for my son and husband for a gift.

Thank you in advance for your help!

And, I love your blog...I read it at least once a week and it always inspires LOTS in me! Thank you.

hi kristin!
i have no way of responding to you other than here... i sure hope you read this. please e-mail me at
lesliecla@comcast.net.
i can get you the information you need.
leslie

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