When she arrived, Kathleen shared with me several samples of her business calling cards.  They are adorably wrapped as presents on one side (handmade!), and on the other is a description of her services.

(Yes, that is a tape measure bottom front, left — and super glue sticking up with a blue cap behind the tape!  Who knew the tools that would be useful to Ms. Elf!)

The text on her card reads:

“Gift-Wrapping right at your home…

If you need help with gift-wrapping ,I am the elf who can help you.  With experiences at Woodward & Lothrop and Hecht’s Department Stores, I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed in giving away your lovely gift-wrapped presents to your loved ones.  You can watch me and perhaps you’ll learn some tips from me.

All the materials (wrapping papers, ribbons*, bows, and gift tags) will be provided at the prices listed below.  There will be choices of formal, contemporary, or children’s wrapping papers.  Plus, a minimum of $10 an hour in wrapping.  If you prefer to use your own wrapping supplies then a flat fee is $10 per hour.

extra small (jewelry sized box) – $1.50
small (lingeries or socks sized box) – $2.50
medium (shirt sized box) – $3.50
large (robe or sweater sized box) – $4.50
extra large (Plasma TV or larger sized box) – $10.00 and up

Email Ms. Elf at giftwrapper2011(at)yahoo.com for questions or to set appointments.  In the meantime, enjoy the holidays!
*Ribbons may be charged additional depending on the quality and how much has been used.“

Above – “Ms. Elf”, aka Kathleen Miller, at work.  Finished product below:

Here are a few of the other gifts I watched her wrap today.

So, if you’re a little stressed this holiday season, you don’t want to miss out on this affordable, and time-saving way to make your gifts look beautiful!

For other posts about Theresa Jeanne’s art:

Theresa Jeanne Paintings

Theresa Jeanne Custom Paintings | Charlottesville, VA Photographer

Here’s to yesterday — a beautiful, almost 60 degree day in the middle of January here in Bethesda.  Whoever would have guessed?!  Today’s a good day to be posting pictures because there’s a wind warning — less than ideal to be chasing those beautiful wine glass charms down the street. 

Here’s an example of a package I just finished wrapping for another soon-to-be client!

If you’re too far away for me to deliver or you to pick up the package before Christmas, I can still email you gift certificate you can print and present.

Gift certificates can be for any denomination, though I always recommend a certificate for my Simplicity Session; the $95- value of the session can be applied by the recipient to any other session or product I offer as well, or redeemed as a quick photography session including the image file for the client’s favorite image and two desk prints (8×10 and smaller) of that image.

Should you choose a gift of $200 or more, you and the recipient both qualify for my referral policy as well — in other words, your $200 gift becomes $250 AND you have a $50 credit as well.

For more information, or to verify for updates, please see my referrals and gifts page!  And Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah during this exceptional year when the two overlap!

- Danie Smallwood, Bethesda MD child and engagement photographer

The cover is printed with metallic finish to really bring it to life; the interior pages all have a UV coating to give them just a little extra strength.You can see how thick these pages are, right?  They’re thick and sturdy the way a child’s board book would be, but a little more elegant. There are different options for the cover, but I like the covers with photos all the way around, so the album itself can be displayed as art in your home.

This is the album that comes with the “Day in the Life” session.

Here, however, I can, at long last, show you the results of my “A Morning in School” project.  The goal? As with all lifestyle sessions, I wanted to create a series of images that captured the details of a typical morning in preschool.  Beautiful portraits are wonderful, but when I think about what I, as a mother, really want to look back at when my children are grown, I’ve realized that it’s the little things we do every single day that I’ll want to remember the most.  So my idea was to capture those details, and hand them to my client in a beautiful custom-designed album.

I think the pictures will largely speak for themselves!  Images of the album to come soon!

Stay tuned for images of the album — they don’t do it justice, but you’ll get a little glimpse.

I’m trying to write less so I have time to show more, but just have to add — this next image stole my heart as I was editing.  Just as I opened this image, the soundtrack to “August Rush” started playing on my computer, opening with the words,  ”I believe in music the way that some people believe in fairy tales.”  Ummm…how appropriate for this image!  You can just feel the soundtrack that is running through this child’s mind!

- Danie Smallwood, family photographer