Our job is really, really fun. And you make it that way. We get to interact with you, witness your creative genius, and see your cards make a big impact on people all across the country. And that's just the visible stuff.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Chance of Severe Brainstorms
yourFunny*ness Shameless Self-Promotions
It's not just yourPets finalists that enjoy a little time in the blog spotlight. Everyone deserves some time to shine. So next week we'll be featuring yourFunny*ness finalists in all their glory/hilarity. What can we say; we love shameless self-promotions. And we've got a hunch we're not the only ones. (Are we the only ones?)
Friday, June 20, 2008
Getting Excited at HQ
You guys made the front page of THE NOON NEWS, our little daily Hallmark newspaper! See how excited we all are for you? We really are.
And we're just plain excited about the whole idea of us all working together to make great cards: Cards that will help people connect in new ways and cards that will keep relationships growing. Cards that, we hope, will make this world of ours a more loving place.
Awesome.
Survey says...
Funny, But No Thank You voting :
Couch Cuties
DANIELA CENSOPLANO
Clinton Twp,MI
MYK MARTINEZ
Middlebury,VT
ANNA SEXTON
Dunkirk, NY
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Next Competition...
One of the challenges in planning greeting cards can be planning holiday cards when it's no where near the season the card is celebrating.
How do you get into the mood for Halloween when the first blooms of spring are unfurling? Or get all giddy about bunnies and springtime and the true meaning of Easter when it's time to cook the turkey for Thanksgiving? And how can you get yourself to really feel the holiday spirit when you're sweating bullets at a BBQ in the summer?
We've got our own ways of getting inspired, but here's our question to you: If you were given such a challenge, how might you get yourself in a holiday mood... for a holiday far, far away? Hmmmm??
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
They're Up! They're Out There! Wahoo!!
I see that some of you have already scoped out your local Hallmark source and found some of our finalists' (or your own) cards there on the shelves. How fun! What was it like for you? Weird? Normal? Wonderful? We'd love to hear.
My mom got to experience something a bit like this, years ago, and the joy she felt continues to inspire my work on this whole greeting card competition project.
Want the story? Read on if you're curious...
Back when I worked on Fresh Ink (the "square cards"), we liked to use "homegrown" photos on our card covers now and then. For various reasons, we often turned to the old photo albums of the writers and artists in our group.
Anyway, a picture of mom, in black-and-white as a seven-year-old Minnesotan, standing in the snow, all bundled up, outside of the family car, holding her Ginny suitcase and just looking ready for anything... became a "Miss You" card. (With her permission, of course.)
She thought it was really neat that her photo was picked from the random assortment of family pictures, but it didn't really hit her how cool it all was until she actually got to see it in the store (or send it to her friends).
It was at my little brother's college bookstore when my unsuspecting mom was browsing the Fresh Ink collection and did a double-take. There she was! In all her seven-year-old glory! She hadn't known it was out yet and was completely shocked when she saw it.
She grabbed one of the cards and probably some of the card shoppers near her, she was so excited. When she went up to the counter to purchase one, she said the check-out clerk treated her like a celebrity. And that everyone in the store was wowed by the whole thing.
I keep that card up by my computer at work. It makes me smile every time I see it.
I sincerely hope that some of you have as happy of an experience as my mom (and I) did. :)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Funny, But No Thank You #7
Couch Cuties
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Shameless Self-Promotion #16: Dan & Lucy
Hi, I'm Dan Pinder, and this is my dog Lucy.
Lucy is a rescued dog. We adopted her last year. Although there are signs that she was abused (a scar across her neck about 5" long), she is a really great dog. She has learned a lot of commands in the last year since she has come to live with us. One thing that I think is unique about Lucy is that she purrs. Yes she does purr. Usually in the evening or late at night when I pet her, she makes a short purring sound.
If we win, I am going to donate $500 to the animal rescue groups in the Delaware/Pennsylvania area.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Shameless Self-Promotion #15: Amy & Jenkins
Also (here comes the mushy stuff), I'd love to make my mom proud. Entering this contest was her idea to begin with. I love her so very much for always having such confidence in me. Both she and my dad have always let me grow at my own pace and not only experience, but also enjoy, the wonder that is life.
Thanks for reading...vote for Jenkins!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Cards Coming Soon to Stores!!
So, we went over to the Card Factory to see your card "gangs" being "cut" a while ago. The next step for our little team was to see the "ship test" -- an actual (pretend) display of what your Pets cards will look like once they're in the store. Plus, we got to see samples of your cards printed.
We were beyond thrilled. They all look so good. And they look amazing as a big group. You should be proud of yourselves. We sure were. Way to go, you guys.
Funny, But No Thank You #6
2nd Best Medicine
Friday, June 6, 2008
Shameless Self-Promotion #14: Ginny & Nestle
Hi! I am Ginny Carter and this "shiny puppy" is Nestle... yes, like the chocolate.
Nestle, my Niece's dog, is a 2 1/2 year old, 6lb, short haired Chihuahua.
When his mommy comes home he jumps on the couch and wants belly kisses... it's a must, before you even take off your coat.
Nestle was just at his first baseball game, Dog Night at Shea Stadium...PLAY BALL! Also his favorite activity!
Vote for us... everyday, you do and Nestle will be on his back wanting belly kisses!!
Survey says...
Funny, But No Thank You voting is
"Snowbuddies"
Congratulations!
TERRY DAY
Pendleton,OR
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Shameless Self-Promotion #13: Carol & Tucker
Tucker's blood brother Kalamazoo was very sick and required life-saving surgery. My husband told Kal he needed to get a job to help cover his expenses, but you can see that he clearly wasn't up to it. However, big brother Tucker positioned himself for the challenge.
Whatever happened to Blogden Nash?
To quash any rumors about my recent blogging absence and to help resolve any abandonment issues among our regulars, here's a quick update.
I'm going to summer school! Hallmark is sending me to my alma mater, the University of Minnesota, where I'll live in the dorm and study web design and guitar. Don't feel like revealing my real age, but the last time I was in school Nixon was president. You do the math.
I'll check in here often to see what the talented card making hordes are up to. You'll be seeing a couple of new avatars in my absence, and the fresh horses should keep things extra lively.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
YourPets Puzzlers: #5
More little games. Anyone care to play?
Make a comment to make your guesses known.
1. What a face this critter's got…
He ruffs you. Or he ruffs you not.
2. Looks like our picture editor
removed a feline predator.
3. For puzzlers, detail is the thing.
Can you spot the doggy bling?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Shameless Self-Promotion #12: Susie & Tick Tock
Hi I am Susie Rodriguez from the Sunshine State Miami, Florida.
You should vote for me and my Oh so Photogenic and Colorful Senegal Parrot Tick Tock. Which has been named after one of my Husbands and My favorite Disney beloved Classics Peter Pan. For all of you that don’t remember its the Famous Crocodile that chases Captain Hook . Tick Tock is his name.
We thought of every GREEN thing on the face of this earth and this was really unique.
My parrot is really unique we can lay him down with his legs facing up (look at the photo).
Tick Tock is definitely a Bird-Dog for us, he is not a flyer he is a walker. The minute we say “Sleepy Time” he climbs down from his cage and follows my husband and I . He climbs up his ladder to climb up to the bed to go Night Night., He also loves to go for a ride especially to the drive thru of Burger King, that way he can grab a French fry.
Tick Tock eats dinner with us with his own mini plate his favorite foods and drink are: Spaghetti, Crackers, Cheese and loves Coca-cola (only one sip because that’s bad for him)
Vote For Us the Colorful Duet
Monday, June 2, 2008
Funny, But No Thank You #5
BIRDHOUSE BLVD.