Shorter Contests

We don't know about you, but we're not big fans of waiting. One of our NEW contest features has come about because we'd rather not test your patience when it comes to waiting to see whether your card is a winner.

With SHORTER CONTESTS, you'll find out your winner status within a few short months of entering. That way, you're not tapping your foot for six months wondering just when you'll know. (That foot could get dog tired.) We're all about relieving a little tension. You're welcome.

P.S. If you're scratching you're head wondering what all this winner business is about, hold tight. You'll be able to see all the pieces of the puzzle come together over the next several weeks.

And the yourParenthood Father's Day Grand Prize Winner is...

...Carrie Moore of Grand Blanc, Michigan. Carrie captured a sweet moment between her husband and son and knew she had the perfect photo for a Father's Day card. Well, Carrie, it looks like it was perfect enough to win the Grand Prize. Congratulations!




(Inside):
Not all superheroes wear capes.
Happy Father's Day!

More Contests, More Often

You may have noticed on our homepage that we'll be introducing 10 NEW contest features in September. What are they, you ask? So curious, you. Well...we'll be revealing one feature every Monday from now until August 31 on the homepage and right here on the blog. Stay up-to-date and in-the-know. The first NEW contest feature is...(drumroll, please)...

MORE CONTESTS, MORE OFTEN

Instead of entering a contest every three or four months, you'll have the opportunity to enter a new contest every month (or so)! If your creative juices are freely flowing, there's no need to limit you to just three or four contests a year. No, sireee. And do you know what comes with more contests? More chances to win! More chances for those yet-to-be-discovered card stars to get their work printed, and more chances for those already published card stars to become REPEAT card stars. How fun would that be?! (Might we suggest very fun!)

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.

Other Stores Love 'Em, Too!

So there I was at my local pharmacy, just picking up a few necessities: shampoo, lotion, chips (C'mon. They're a necessity sometimes.), when I spotted the yourParenthood Father's Day cards. And boy, did they look good.



They kinda made me giddy. As soon as the aisle was clear, I snapped a couple of pics to share with you. Enjoy!

Hallmark Loves yourParenthood Father's Day Cards!

It wasn't all that long ago that we showed you the yourParenthood Mother's Day cards in our employee card shop. Did we mention that people loved them? Consider it mentioned. Well, now it's time for the Father's Day cards to shine.



We're placing bets that these babies will fly off the shelves as fast as their Mother's Day counterparts. Not actual bets (we promise, boss), just verbal bets.



Have any of you seen the cards in your local stores yet? Give us the scoop from your neck of the woods.

And the yourParenthood Mother's Day Grand Prize Winner Is...

...Hailey Lystad! Hailey's daughter and her wild hairdo found a place in the hearts of Mother's Day card buyers all across the country this month. And who could blame them? That's one pretty priceless expression. Hailey's card earned the most votes, both through free online voting and through votes by card purchases. Join us in giving her a big hooray and congratulations!



And yay for you too, kiddo!



Cover:
(Blank)
Inside:
Being a mom is hard work.
It can make your hair
stand on end.
Happy Mother's Day!

Talk About a Party Hat!

As some of you have witnessed here in previous blog posts, the yourGreeting Card Competitions group loves to party. Well, one of us just turned another year older. And she didn't fail to celebrate with style. We're not telling just how old she turned; that's for her to reveal. We will say this, though: she knows how to bring the fun. We've got evidence...


The oh-so-glamorous party hat pose


Surprise! The googly eye hat has a secret pocket inside that contained a fortune for the birthday girl. How cool is that? It reads, "Always be full of joy." Now, that's a fortune-come-true.

Last Weekend to Vote & Buy your Mother's Day Cards

Just a reminder that Sunday is the last day to vote and buy your Mother's Day cards. And if you're not currently in the lead, fear not! Think about all those procrastinators out there (myself included) that might not have made the trip to the store yet or maybe have yet to remember that Mother's Day is this weekend. (If you happen to know one, give them a friendly reminder to help them save face, why don't ya?)

If you've ever been to the card section during a holiday weekend you know exactly what I mean. Most of the public will be making the trip and fighting the crowds this weekend. We have a term for this in the card biz - we call it the fanny factor. There are only so many fannies that can fit in front of the card section and you have to use your fanny to push your way in sometimes! It's fun to watch...really! If you already have your card I still encourage you to watch the fannies in action this weekend, it's quite amusing. And if you feel so inclined to participate in the action, too, I'm sure your aunts, grandmas, cousins, daughters, nieces, best friends, etc, etc, would love to be recognized on this special day too!

To the finalists, be sure to remember all the moms across the country who will be receiving and giving your card on Sunday. Pretty darn cool if you ask me!

Finally, wanted to give a big shout out to all the mother's out there - have a fantastic, well-deserved celebration this weekend. Would love to know how YOU celebrated with the special moms in your life, so feel free to post in the comments section!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

The Father's Day Grand Prize action will begin on Monday!

Hallmark Loves yourParenthood Mother's Day Cards!

Here at Hallmark's headquarters, the yourParenthood Mother's Day cards are being featured in a big way. Check out the can't-miss display in our employee card shop.



Hey Mother's Day finalists, can you spot your card? We had to hurry up and take a picture before these babies all sell out. Only 6 days 'til Mother's Day!

Dawn Sayles is the yourParenthood Father's Day Fan Favorite!

Did you hear? And more importantly, did you see?! Dawn Sayles' card, "Say Cheese... Please!" is the Father's Day Fan Favorite! Congratulations, Dawn. Looks like you're not the only one who can't resist a cute little pout.






Cover:
Whaddya mean, "Say Cheese"?

Inside:
All I wanna say is,
Happy Father's Day"!

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!

Meet Our Newest Team Member!

She's got smarts. She's got style. And she's got a killer smile. Oh, and did we mention she's a natural at this contest thing? Well, she is. A natural.



We welcomed her with good feng shui, decorating her booth with plenty of finalists' cards. Thanks, finalists!



What a perfect distraction from the absence of a computer (a real one, at least). This was her first day. Don't worry, we got her a working computer eventually.



You'll be hearing more from our new friend on the blog and on Facebook soon. Stay tuned.

Father's Day Card Samples!

It's a whole box full of Father's Day finalists' cards! A whole box full o' cuteness, more like. These card packs will be sent to their respective finalists so they can see the way their cards will show up in stores.



Can you spot the finalists' names on the white paper behind the cards? Squint hard.



Now, go vote for your favorite in the the Father's Day Fan Favorite contest. You've got until May 3rd to do it!

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?