Congratulations to Sara Dykes, yourBloopers Grand Prize Winner

We are very proud indeed to announce that Sara and her trusty sidekick, Orson are the reigning yourBloopers Grand Prize Winners! We couldn't resist Orson's lovable face when we first saw Sara's card, and it looks like America loved it just as much. Either that or we all have an inexplicably strong love of cheese puffs. That's pretty likely, too. Congrats, Sara and Orson. Long may you reign and long may you crunch.



Inside:
It’s your day.
You can be as silly as you want!
Happy Birthday!

A yourBloopers Blooper

A few Hallmark fans have made us privy to the fact that yourBloopers cards are showing up in their local stores already. We realize that's a few weeks shy of the June 22 date they were supposed to be available in stores.

To make a long story short, the Bloopers cards are supposed to be displayed after the Father's Day cards are taken down because that's the space on the shelf that they are supposed to use, but some stores got so excited about the winning cards that they put them out early (and we can't blame them). Just wanted to ensure you that this is absolutely A.O.K. with the contest rules as all sales starting May 4 count as votes.

If the cards aren't in a store near you yet, have no fear. You can always find them on Hallmark.com while you're counting down to June 22.

It's yourBloopers Grand Prize Contest Time!

If you haven't already laughed your way through the yourBloopers cards, go do it. All 60 have different versions of funny for your chortling pleasure. And while you're at it, vote for your favorite bit o' funny in the Grand Prize Contest. How, you ask? Each card purchased counts as a vote for that card. 1 card = 1 vote, no limits. So get out there, get laughing and get voting. The Grand Prize depends on it.

In the News

Check out the Mother's Day press release that went out and check out the incredible call-out that the 16 Mother's Day YourParenthood finalists received (click on it to make it readable or click here to be redirected). This will probably be picked up by publications all over the country!


Lots of love for the Bloopers finalists in the pressroom, too! Check it out.


Can't wait to see many of your bright shining faces in the newspaper and on TV! If your local media does a story on your card, we'd love for you to share it with us!

Introducing Joanna Ives, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



One little baby. One big pumpkin. Joanna Ives, an optician, could clearly see the cute waiting to happen. She loves to make people laugh...but no one cracks her up more than her husband, about whom she says, “We’re like peanut butter and jelly. We’re made for each other.”


Occasion: Baby Congrats

Inside:
Congratulations
on your new little pumpkin!

Introducing Jackie Wright, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Jackie knew right away which photo she wanted to choose for the contest. Her daughter had spiffed herself up one morning and announced that she was going to the store. There are just some moments that are too precious to let get away—and this was one of them; so busy mom Jackie dropped everything and snapped the photo. Jackie's two daughters keep her hopping, but they keep her laughing and loving life at its craziest and fullest, too.


Occasion: Baby Congrats

Inside:
Checklist for frazzled new moms
before leaving home:
Glasses, check.
Stroller, check.
Keys, check.
Baby, check.
Congratulations
on your new adventure!

Introducing Deana Williams, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Deana is a dog lover and photographer of dogs and people. Her chocolate lab Sophie took direction well while posing for this photo. Other clients, however, are not so easy. “For some reason,” Deana says, “my human clients get offended when I tell them to sit and stay.”


Occasion: Thank You

Inside:
I couldn’t fit the dog
in the envelope,
so I hope this card will do.
Just wanted to say a big
thank you!

Introducing Sara Smith, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Sara may have a master’s degree in counseling psychology, but that hasn’t stopped her two daughters from outsmarting her daily. One thing Sara never learned in school is that four bras are definitely better than one. Luckily, one of her wee marauders was only too happy to teach her.


Occasion: Thank You

Inside:
Thank you
for all of the support.

Introducing Diane Drury, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Diane is a self-proclaimed “Hallmark lover” who entered the contest "on a whim" after her sister encouraged her to submit. She’s a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother who loves dancing, eating out...and chasing dreams. “This just proves you’re never too old to realize a dream you’ve had for years,” says Diane.


Occasion: Love

Inside:
Your corral or mine?

Introducing Sara Mellander, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Sara’s nutty idea came from her cousins’ last name—Nutts. “I wanted to do something special and fun for their anniversary,” she says. A full-time mom and photographer, Sara’s favorite unsalted subjects include her two boys, ages 3 and 5. “The things they say are so funny...I am so lucky to have them.”


Occasion: Love

Inside:
I’m nuts about you!

Introducing Diane Bogardus, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



It’s hard to find good help. Just ask Diane, who found Mr. and Mrs. Pear to be extremely uncooperative during their photo shoot. It took so long, Mrs. Pear actually developed age spots. When not wrangling fruit, Diane works as an administrative professional and enjoys spending time with her husband and three parrots.


Occasion: Anniversary

Inside:
Happy Anniversary
to the perfect pair.

Introducing Connie McCabe, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Ever think things are going to the dogs? Connie does—and it’s a good thing! Over the past 10 years, she and her husband have fostered 19 rescued golden retrievers, and these are two of the lucky ones they’ve permanently adopted. Looks like a “ruff” life, eh?


Occasion: Anniversary

Inside:
So it’s true:
Married couples really do
grow to look like each other.
Happy Anniversary!

Introducing Abby Rosenberg, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Abby laughs every day at the crazy antics of her cat, Daisy. When Daisy was in an island mood, Abby got this shot of her in coconut bra and grass skirt. “Daisy’s a real diva,” says a proud Abby. “She has her own blog and wants lots of treats for modeling!”


Occasion: Congrats

Inside:
To celebrate this occasion,
I decided to wear my grass skirt
and coconut bra.
Maybe I should have
just brought flowers.
Congratulations!

Introducing Marion Giroux, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Marion, an educator and mother of two, found her card’s parade photo in a shoebox of her mother-in-law’s pictures. She fell for its joy and energy immediately. Marion reports that her mother-in-law is thrilled to know her happy memory is being shared—especially in a photo that shows off her legs at age 14!


Occasion: Congrats

Inside:
Congratulations!
You deserve your own parade!

Introducing Vicky Spyrou-Andriotis, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



With two dogs, a cat, a parrot, and a 5-year-old, Vicky always makes sure a camera is within reach. The question is not whether something cute or fun will happen but how many times per minute? "This particular situation was begging to be photographed," Vicky says. In the rare quiet moment, Vicky composes poetry and works on her fourth book.


Occasion: Friend

Inside:
A good friend
helps you out of a tight spot.
A great friend
laughs at you while you’re still in it.
Go ahead.
You can laugh.

Introducing Tina Williams, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Tina’s whole family loves to snap pictures, so she comes by her photographic abilities naturally. She found this confusing collection of signs during a picture safari in downtown Orlando. “It just jumped out at me for a chance to be seen,” says Tina. But understood? Not so much!


Occasion: Friend

Inside:
One thing I’m not confused about…
our friendship.
Thanks for being a friend!

Introducing Valerie Ingram, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Valerie is a fun-loving sort who "looks for any excuse to laugh." Her jokester husband provides plenty of opportunity, voluntarily play-acting for this shot. Someone who professes love for "family, friends and mankind in general," Valerie says she "hopes to never meet a stranger." In her spare time she enjoys gardening, painting, poetry, beekeeping, and pottery.


Occasion: Belated Birthday

Inside:
Sorry I forgot your birthday,
but for some unknown reason,
I have been having memory lapses lately.
I hope it was as special as you.
Happy Belated Birthday!

Hey, Look! yourBloopers Flats!

These puppies went in the mail last week to the yourBloopers finalists, the official production card flats for their cards. They are ready for framing and showing off to friends, family and any strangers who will listen. Did any of you finalists get your flats yet? What are you doing with these beauties?

Introducing Cyndi Reed, yourBloopers Finalist

Meet one of our finalists of the day. Read on to learn a bit about her and her entry. If you like what you see, comment right here--everybody deserves a pat on the back for their card-making skills. And check back weekdays through April 17 to meet the rest of the yourBloopers finalists.



Cyndi, a former Home Shopping Network model and movie extra, now expresses her creativity through glass art, gardening, and photographing her dog Zen in the latest doggie fashions. She couldn’t resist capturing her favorite model in his “Biker Dude” pose.



Inside:
It’s your birthday!
Get out and feel the wind in your hair…
what’s left of it.
Happy Birthday!