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?

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!

Introducing Terry Day, 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.



Terry has learned “to appreciate the humor of keys locked in the ignition and a toilet paper tail wagging ‘hello’.” She knows that laughter “is much healthier than tears” and is thankful for her seven grandkids whose antics keep her smiling as she clings to life's roller coaster.



Inside:
“Us? We’re making room for cake!”
Happy Birthday to someone
who knows the importance of cake!

Introducing Sherry Setters, 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.



Sherry’s muddy puppy photo made friends and family laugh so much she’s glad others will get a chance to enjoy it, too. Described as bubbly, energetic, and outgoing, Sherry believes in seeing the humor in life and yourself and sharing it with others—anytime, anyplace!



Inside:
It started out to be a nice, quiet party.
I don’t know what happened!
Happy Birthday!

Introducing Anya Cottage, 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.



Anya’s “hot” fireman card was inspired by the childhood memory of trying to light 40 candles on her father's birthday cake. “Needless to say, it was almost a fiery disaster.” And you know what they say—where there’s smoke, there’s a really great card idea!



Inside:
You’re lighting how many
birthday candles?!
Hope your birthday is smokin’ hot!

Introducing Kathryn Rizzitello, 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.



When Kathryn is not at work as a bookseller or busy practicing her photography, you might find her in costume with her Elizabethan Renaissance reenactment group, where she participates in fencing and archery. In any case, you’ll surely agree that her entry, featuring her cat Chumba, deserves a hearty "Huzzah!"



Inside:
I left you a present on the bed.
Hope you like fur.
Happy Birthday!

Vote for your Mother's Day Grand Prize Winner!

Now that you've gotten practice voting for the Mother's Day Fan Favorite, do the voting thing in our big-heck-of-a-deal Mother's Day Grand Prize contest. Oh, did we mention that means you can also buy the Mother's Day cards online starting Monday, too? Yep, you can be the early bird and get the perfect cards for the moms in your life.

The your Mother's Day Grand Prize Contest starts Monday, April 6 at 12:00 a.m., CT and ends Sunday, May 10 at 11:59 p.m., CT.

Do you know what to do?

1. Vote for free each day online
2. Buy finalists' cards online and in stores. One card = one vote.

Follow us on TWITTER!

You can now follow us on Twitter! Get all the scoop even while we're on the go. We will be Twittering live the week of April 13th when we take our trip to the Lawrence plant as your cards are being printed!
You can also check out the Twitter feed in our right hand sidebar.

Vote for your Father's Day Fan Favorite!

Time to rev up your voting engines for the Father's Day Fan Favorite contest! Monday morning, bright and early, you can cast your first vote! Then, keep it up once per day until May 3. Will it be a close race like the Mother's Day Fan Favorite, or will it be a landslide? Only your votes will tell.

Introducing Betsy Quinn, 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.



Betsy’s puppies, Winston and Wallace, are old pros when it comes to playing dress-up. “They’ve been bunnies for Easter, Batman and Robin for Halloween, and now party animals!” she explains. Sounds like these pups are always up for a doggone good time!



Inside:
From one party animal to another…
Happy Birthday!

Jami Maxwell-Bloedow, 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.



Jami managed to capture this image of her daughter’s first attempt to “pamper” herself. Apparently, a gal is never too young to start! With antics like this, it’s no wonder Jami says her daughter is “a true blessing,” who “always finds ways to make me laugh!”



Inside:
Studies show that pampering yourself
can make you look and feel years younger.
Hoping you find the time to pamper yourself
on this special day!
Have a happy birthday!

Introducing Bonnie Silva, 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.



Diamond is a girl’s best friend—and so is Ruby! The two pugs are “jewels” according to Bonnie. “It was priceless to see them floating on the raft with their goggles on.” As different as night and day, they keep Bonnie laughing day and night!



Inside:
We hope you have a splash of a birthday!