Introducing Zandra Katauskas, yourParenthood Mother's Day Finalist

Meet our finalist 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 February 18 to meet the rest of the yourParenthood finalists.



Zandra's children are the greatest joy of her life. But as every mom knows, even the best kids have their moments. When her daughter threw a fit over a toy, Zandra snapped this rare photo of her not being her usual angelic self.

"Momentary Meltdown"



Cover:
got kids?
Inside:
Want one of mine?
Wishing you a
tantrum-free Mother's Day!

Introducing Kristin Reynolds, yourParenthood Mother's Day Finalist

Meet our finalist 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 February 18 to meet the rest of the yourParenthood finalists.



Oh, the things this little girl will do to amuse her four brothers. Her mom, Kristin, says this photo is just, um, scratching the tip of the iceberg. "Our kids do things that make us laugh, revile, want to throw up and smile like we swallowed the sun," she says.

"Dig It"



Cover:
Sometimes...
Inside:
...you have to pick your battles.
Happy Mother's Day!

Introducing Lindsey Simpson, yourParenthood Mother's Day Finalist

Meet our finalist 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 February 18 to meet the rest of the yourParenthood finalists.



A package developer for a cosmetics company, Lindsey knows cute when she sees it.
Although she's admittedly biased toward the photo of her nephew, Lindsey believes it's the perfect card for any mom. "We couldn't get this shot again if we tried!" she says.

"Chit-Chat Chums"



Cover:
So we talked it over
and came to a conclusion...
Inside:
It's official.
You are a GREAT mom!
Happy Mother's Day!

Introducing Evelyn Teason, yourParenthood Mother's Day Finalist

Meet our finalist 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 February 18 to meet the rest of the yourParenthood finalists.



Face to face is the best with a cute face like this, but even on the phone, this kid is a charmer. He's going places...and his proud parents will be the secret to his success. His mom Evelyn, an insurance broker, knows a good shot when she sees one.

"Smooth Operator"



Cover:
Have your people
call my people...
Inside:
And they will all agree
that you are a fantastic mom.
Happy Mother's Day!

Introducing Chuck Peters, yourParenthood Mother's Day Finalist

Meet our finalist of the day. Read on to learn a bit about him and his 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 February 18 to meet the rest of the yourParenthood finalists.



Chuck is a project manager, but his four children are his biggest project. He and his wife always find the time to "sit back and laugh about the cute things the kids say." Would he miss any opportunity to get their adorableness on camera? No way!

"No Way"



Cover:
Say what...
babies come from where?????
Inside:
And mothers only get one day?
I think it should be Mother's Week!
Either way.
Happy Mother's Day!

Introducing Nancy Donahue, yourParenthood Mother's Day Finalist

Meet our finalist 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 February 18 to meet the rest of the yourParenthood finalists.



Children can be messy for sure, but when it's your own child, it's irresistably cute, says Nancy. This book-cover illustrator and designer knows that being a great mom is the best and most satisfying form of art there is.

"Sticky Kisses"



Cover:
Only a great Mother like you...
Inside:
...could get sideswiped
by a sticky kisser
and swear it was
the best she ever had!
Happy Mother's Day!

This is what it sounds like to be a finalist!

With judging complete

We made the calls,

It was lots of work

But we had a ball.

Some were home

Some were away

So we tried again

Later that day.

To our surprise

While waiting around

We heard an unexpected sound.

Was that the phone?

A call coming IN?

We picked it up

   And just then - 

Was a shaky voice 

On the other end

Asking, "Who's this?

And Did I win?"

She'd missed the call

While she was away

And dialed US back

Later that day.

Whoopee!

Woohoo!

Next time around

It could be YOU!

And the yourHoliday Grand Prize Winner is

. . . Leah Seydel!  No need to adjust your monitors, folks.  Leah did, indeed, win both the Fan Favorite contest and the Grand Prize contest.  That's a first in Hallmark greeting card competition history!  Way to go, Leah, you history-maker, you!

Here's the card that had people at "hello, tacky sweater."  They just couldn't get enough of its whimsy and warmth.   

Be sure to send congrats and warm wishes Leah's way for a job well done (twice)! 

Funny Flava

Yes, it's true, humor is subjective. But some funny just can't be denied.

We've gathered a few cooky card examples for your chortling pleasure. Take note of what makes each one uniquely laugh-tastic.

Does your photo have star power?

Sure, you love your photo but does it have what it takes to become a yourBloopers finalist? Hmmm?

1. Make people want to pick up your card.
In the card display, only the top of the card will be showing, so make sure it's intriguing.

2. Focus on the star.
Make sure your subject (the main person, pet or thing in your photo) is the center of attention by cropping out any extra stuff on the edges.

3. Is it funny?
Or will it have chuckle potential when paired with your hilarious writing? Make sure this one's got comic appeal.


Wait! There's more!

1. No wintry photos.
The cards will be selling in the summer and people don't want to be thinking about the cold when it's all hot out.



3. Edit or enhance your photo?
If you'd like. Just remember that messing with your photo can either make it funnier or take away from the funny. Know the difference.

4. Who took the photo?
Make sure you know, 'cause they're gonna have to sign a release form.

yourBloopers Basics

Here's the scoop on all the funny business that's afoot for the yourBloopers contest . . .

From Jan. 12 to Feb. 1, you submit:

1. A hilarious photo (5 x 7, vertical)
2. A hilarious birthday message for the inside of the card.
3. Then, if you want, submit a second photo and writing for a different occasion. No kiddin'. Choose one: thank you, general congrats, baby congrats, wedding, anniversary, love or friend.

Make sure your card tickles the judges' funny bones. Is it:

1. Cohesive? Your photo and writing work together like a good comedy duo.
2. Sendable? Your card makes sense for the occasion. And it could be sent by many different people.
3. Obviously Funny? Your card is laugh-out-loud-in-the-card-aisles funny.

These prizes are no joke!

*60 Finalists will have their comical cards printed and sold in oodles and oodles of stores across the country + they'll win $250 and will become part of a top-secret new humor card review panel.
* 1 Top-Selling Grand Prize Winner will have their card become part of the regular Hallmark humor card line + they'll win $2500 and they'll be a celebrity judge in a future greeting card contest.

Your source for yourBloopers tips!

Have you heard? Our newest contest is called yourBloopers. Well, now you have. This go-around, we're calling for the funny, the nutty, the goofy and the kooky. Are you game? Don't even act like you don't have photos that scream "blackmail!" If you don't enter 'em, someone else is sure to. Get a head start and, who knows, maybe your card will be making people laugh, chuckle and snort in stores all across the country next summer.

yourHoliday Grand Prize voting is closed

We've closed up shop on yourHoliday voting. Time to tally up those votes so we can announce the Grand Prize Winner when the new year comes 'round. What a way to kick off 2009! The yourHoliday cards will be for sale for a while yet (for those of you who haven't gotten around to sending your holiday cards yet--you know who you are). They won't count as votes but they'll still help people living with AIDS in Africa.

Just in case you need a break from the hustle and bustle (and relatives) over the next week or two, why not check out our newest contest . . . yourBloopers! Now is the perfect time to start gathering those goofy photos you've got tucked away for the right moment. Opportunity's knocking!

In All the Hustle and Bustle

While you're counting down to holiday vacation, daydreaming of all those mugs of hot chocolate, hours of movies, days of pajama-wearing, don't let yourHoliday voting slip your mind. You've got until 8 a.m. on Monday, December 22 to vote for the very best holiday card.

Got that? Before the vacay, vote!

More glorious, glorious trees

Last week we shared a peek at one of the hoops & yoyo trees that's cheering Hallmarkers here at the card factory this season. Impressive, no? But it's not just hoops & yoyo who are decking the halls around here (though they're doing a very merry job). We've got lots of different trees just dripping with ornaments and other festive accessories. Check out this baby. I fondly refer to it as "metallic majesty."

*Gleam*

Do you have all of your holiday decorations up yet? If not, you'd better get on it. Stat!

Just how crafty are you?

Think you can figure out the whirling, swirling puzzle to our next contest?
Click on the picture above and try your hand at unscrambling it.
Don't get too dizzy, now.

Judging requires, well, judges!

Yesterday was an all-day judging fest! From morning 'til evening, we took a closer look at all the submissions that had made it past the first round of judging. Most importantly, we chose the finalists! I know! So exciting! Don't worry. All the dirt on that will be coming to a blog near you very very soon.

In the meantime, please meet the fabulous celebrity judges who helped choose those very finalists, Anita Renfroe and Robert Wilder. They were making us laugh, judging like pros and sharing their own parental anecdotes. Thanks again, Robert and Anita!

Go on, meet 'em. They won't bite.

Judging Juiciness

It's that time!

Even though we've done this before, there are judges that are new to each contest. So we get training to make sure we are all scoring with the same criteria in mind.

Here are two humongous stacks of entries that passed the initial screening. And these are just for Mother's Day!

Judging commences.

I know how sneaky you all are trying to see if your entry is here. Judgy's Little Elf uses the Gaussian Blur to thwart your peeking ways.

Yes, that is a giant zero.

Yes, those are TENS!

And here we are, all kinds of happy about where we are with potential finalists. So far.
Final judging is next week!

It's Lookin' Festive

It's pretty easy to get in the holiday mood with things like this around here . . .



Need a closer look?

See? You're feeling more festive already. And this is just the beginning. There are more trees, plum-full with ornaments, to be found all around Hallmark and each one is a little different. Want to see the rest? Stay tuned for more snaps.

yourParenthood Submissions Closed

Did you do it? Did you get your entry in on time? We sure hope so.

We won't be accepting any more yourParenthood submissions but before you get your frowny face on, hear this: judging is about to begin and that means you get a front seat to all the behind-the-scenes action. Check back throughout the coming weeks for some serious judging excitement (and a dash of judging silliness).

yourParenthood: Enter This Weekend!

For those of you who haven't already entered the yourParenthood contest, you're cutting it close, you know. Stop living dangerously and get that entry in, why don't ya. This is your final weekend to submit your kid photo and smile-inducing Mother's Day or Father's Day message. Enter by Sunday, December 7 at 11:59 p.m. CT. To be sure your card makes the cut, click on the "Is your card a winner" image above for great photo tips, writing tips and all-around good card tips. Don't waste any more time. Get to it!

Time's A'Ticking for yourParenthood Submissions

Know how long you have left to submit your Mother's Day and Father's Day photo and writing for yourParenthood? One week! That's it! Why not take a moment over the weekend to dust off those photo albums you've been neglecting. Then take a few (or several)more moments to come up with the perfect Mother's Day or Father's Day card message to go right along with your photo.

A few things to think about when you're creating the perfect card:

Make it sendable: That means anyone could send your card to any mom or dad. For example. Judgy Judgerson could send your card to her sister who's a mom or to her friend who's a dad. Or to her dad who's a dad (duh).

Make it cohesive: We're talking about your writing really giving your photo some extra oomph. The message and the photo should be inseparable.

Make it authentic: Your card should express the stuff of parenthood that all moms and dads can relate to. Whether it's about a pouty face or a funny experience, submit a card you know will make other parents smile in solidarity.

Good luck to you, friends! If you run into any snags along the way, please let us know. Leave a comment and we'll answer with extreme promptness.

World AIDS Day

Today is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day when individuals, groups and organizations all around the globe join together to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic. It's a day when every person can do their small part to make big strides in the fight against AIDS.

We're so honored to be partnering with (RED) for the yourHoliday contest. We know people will love sending holiday cards that not only help them connect with friends and family but also empower them to help people living with AIDS in Africa.

Want to shop for gifts that do good?

Go to www.hallmark.com/red and www.joinred.com


Want to know more about where (RED) contributions go?

Visit www.theglobalfund.org


Want to get involved?

Check out www.one.org