Special offer

“I can save $220' in Ink costs and put happy smiles on holiday faces!"

By
Real Estate Agent with Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty

As a Realtor and freelance graphic designer, it is no joke about how much $ I spend on ink. On a regular basis, I design and print my own flyers; print my listings, print freelance graphic designs, and print and share copies of photos. I am also a giver, who volunteers and does lots of design work for the school district and community. With the yearly sum I spend, I could use a $220 break!

What would I do with the $220? Besides the donations I give on a yearly basis (that will continue), I want to share what comes natural to me, More Designing!

You see, last year my parents wanted to send out a Christmas card with all 16 grandkids and themselves on it. That was impossible to schedule, and try getting everyone to be happy with their photo. So I solicited my 5 sisters to each send me photos of their kids that they approved of. I creatively collaged them and printed over 200 cards for my parents (my mom, known as an angel, keeps in touch with everyone). This was way more expensive than if my parents had one or a few photo’s to put into a prepared template and give to the photo department in a discount store. My mother offered to pay me but under no circumstances would I tell her what it cost, and refused her money. My dad, who has progressive Alzheimer’s, treasures that I put all the kids in age order so he can more easily tell who they are.

 

This year the dollars are tighter than ever. Without a doubt I would use the $220 towards many of my volunteer projects and mostly toward designing a new Christmas card for my parents again this year. Knowing how many she sends out, think of how many people who will get a piece of the $220, and an even greater Kodak Memories keepsake. I’ll even throw in the stamps!

 

“This post is for the ActiveRain 'I could save $220 with Kodak Contest. I have a chance to win a free Kodak Printer, $$220 in cash to use for the idea in my blog post, and an extra $100 to use toward ink!”

 

 

Tammy Pearce
Haute Realty 214-994-6474 - Dallas, TX
Tammy Pearce

That card is priceless Ellen!  All the grandkids will cherish it for years after the grandparents pass away.  Best wishes in the contest.

Nov 08, 2010 12:10 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Tammy, I'm already thinking about Ideas for this year. Like I said my dad is having a hard time with memory and this card means a lot to him. He keeps it taped near his computer. The grandkids test him on who is who. My mom beams for all her grandkids!!!

Nov 08, 2010 12:21 PM
Laura S. Baker
First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI
Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

Hey Ellen ~ I'm rooting for ya!  That Christmas card is fantastic.  A wonderful thing you did for your parents. 

Nov 08, 2010 12:35 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Laura, I'd love to surprise them, without them asking. I really do love to do creative projects like this all year for others. Flyers, programs, Playbills and posters for the school, and menus, signs and logos for family businesses all volunteer...my ink use is about $1200 a year. This will help so I can give back.

Nov 08, 2010 12:56 PM
Valerie Sagheddu
Apostle Art Home Staging & Design - Stroudsburg, PA
~Home Staging Professional, Poconos, PA

That's a gorgeous looking bunch!! Which of those little angels are yours??

Nov 08, 2010 01:53 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Valerie, Thanks! if you count left to right and top down, mine are girl #5, and boy#8 and girl #9.

Nov 08, 2010 02:00 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Ellen, very creative with the card.  I like the way you put this post together using colored fonts.  Good luck with the contest.

Nov 08, 2010 02:02 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Nick, it took me several months to figure out how to make the text bigger and more colorful...a real necessity for me as a designer.

Nov 08, 2010 02:05 PM
Valerie Sagheddu
Apostle Art Home Staging & Design - Stroudsburg, PA
~Home Staging Professional, Poconos, PA

They are knockouts all of them!!! But then again...look at their Mom!!!

 

Nov 08, 2010 02:30 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Valerie, we are so blessed to have a beautiful family!

Nov 08, 2010 10:21 PM
Joshua Zargari
MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY
MJ Decorators Workshop

Hi Ellen, you are very creative...

Your family looks great.

Have a nice day!

Nov 08, 2010 11:42 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Josh, We are blessed!

Nov 09, 2010 12:04 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Josh, We are blessed!

Nov 09, 2010 12:04 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

What a beautiful family!  I love the design of the card and the fact that it is also useful to your dad... that is just a bonus!  Good luck, I hope you win the grand prize!

Nov 09, 2010 03:12 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Thanks Sharon... I'd love to do a new card for them this year...funds have been tight but I'll find a way (winning will be even better).

Nov 09, 2010 05:42 AM
JoAnn Moore
The Mortgage Market of Delaware - Georgetown, DE
Home Loans in Delaware

Neat card! I saw a commercial on TV where the Mom was trying to get a family photo doe where everyone looked alright. Then it shows her doing some sort of photo shop changing and swapping around each person and came up with a photo that worked. 

Nov 09, 2010 11:26 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

JoAnn, I saw that commercial too. This was more original and personal, and I'll do it again!

Nov 09, 2010 01:17 PM