For Cole's hockey team, I am the "official" photographer. I think that simply translates to me being the mum with the biggest camera obsession. I have hundreds of photos of the boys on his team this year and decided to use this wealth of imagery and turn a select few into their Christmas gifts.
This project became more of an undertaking when I decided that a simple photo wasn't enough. I wanted quotes which reflected each player embedded into the photo (so yes, I learned Photoshop; the text tool, anyway). One of the coaches, thank goodness, agreed to choose the appropriate quote to match the personality of each boy. I know each boy on a superficial level: I can recognize them with or without their helmet on. The coach knows each boy, their real character in the change room, on the ice, before and after games.
I chose some action photos for some kids, and mixed them up with some off-ice shots. One of the mums really wanted a nice recent photo of her son and requested a non-action shot. So it didn't stand out (kids notice these things), I made sure a few of the boys received similar shots as their gift. Maybe at the end of the year I can make up something which will flip the off-ice, on-ice representation. I wouldn't things to be considered unfair or not equal.
Hockey quotes are hard to find. Well, hard to find when you don't want reference to blood or fighting! This is what ended up on each photo:
LD: You've got to chase your dreams.
AC: Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him. ~Jesse Jackson
CO: It's not how big you are, it's how big you play.
CD: Winning is about heart, not just legs, it's got to be in the right place. ~Lance Armstrong
CE: Losers quit when they're tired. Winners quit when they've won.
MB: Sports to not build character. They reveal it. ~John Wooden
JM: The only way around is through. ~Sigmund Freud
LC: Act as though it were impossible to fail.
AA: He's the magic man; he's got magic hands. ~Heart, 1976
RB: Cooperation is spelled with two letters: WE.
MF: When we have the puck, they can't score. ~Paul Coffey
RF: I figure practice puts your brains in your muscles.
BW: The breakfast of champions is not cereal, it's the opposition. ~Nick Seitz
NJ: A puck is a hard rubber disc that hockey players strike when they can't hit one another. ~Jimmy Cannon
TL: You've got to go to the net if you want to score. ~Tom McVie
JD: Champions keep playing until they get it right.AS: It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness. ~Seneca
I got them all assembled and I'm pretty much pleased with how they turned out. I still have a bit to learn on Photoshop! The best part ... having "elf" help putting them together.
I decided on simple tags (found here: write.click.scrapbook by the lovely Rebecca Cooper) and ribbon in lieu of wrapping (and mess).
And here's the final product, simple, displayable, giveable:
What do you think? Nice, eh?
The hockey party is being held at one of the player homes at the same time as we have our family Christmas so Cole has to miss the festivities. He's a bit upset, but what can you do? This time of year things get a bit out of hand and you get pulled in every direction.
At any rate, there is my quick(ish) gift idea if you need to make something for a team of budding athletes, dance troupe, choir, or any group where you are on a limited (read: almost non-existent) budget. Perfect.
