Pep is going to have a new peep

If we have been a little quiet, it's not without cause: Pep's designer half has some big news -- she's with peep! Congratulations to dear Doreen, a forever friend, great hockey player, amazing artist, creative cook, wonderful wife and dog mommy -- and soon-to-be-mother-of-the-year. And though this scribbler is sad to be without her drinking buddy for a few more months (you can drink when you breast-feed, right DQ?) it'll all be worth it when my new niece/nephew comes into the world and my corruption of him/her can begin.

Superhero-sized licensing deal

Marvel this week signed a long-term licensing agreement that allows Hallmark to develop print and e-cards (and other goods) using the comic giant's more than 5,000 characters from the Hulk to Elektra. Continuing Hallmark's recent trend of technology teasers, the announcement said the cards will "feature lights, sounds and other innovations." Someone please get on details of this, please.

Another twist: "A secondary purpose of the partnership is to include projects announced for domestic and international release that have not yet been covered by a major social expressions category. For example, recently announced feature films from MARVEL Studios (such as The Avengers; 2012), and animated television series' recently produced by MARVEL Animation, are now a part of the agreement."

All-you-care- to-eat e-cards

E-cards have their place (behind paper), but if our best wishes need to get there today -- Hallmark offers a subscription plan that allows you to send all the e-cards you want in a year for less than $10.

And if you don't already track all of your friends' birthdays on Facebook, there is a scheduling option too.

When there is no other way but out

If the poll data cited in this release is accurate, then you probably know someone who has been the victim of domestic abuse. It takes many forms and knows no class, socio-economic or ethnic boundaries. And one of the worst parts is how difficult it is for victims to leave the situation that allows the abuse to recur, as it often means the complete upheaval of their life.

Skidmark Cards is doing its best to make that first step a little easier. They offer a line of greeting cards that "tastefully express and dignify the end of a relationship ... written in a non-angry, non-bitter way." Fifty percent of the proceeds fund domestic abuse shelters, and for $3.95 each with no shipping charges, the small purchases go well beyond the need to bring closure -- they can open the door for a better life.

What is a "pull-my-chin" card?

American Greetings had a big ole $1.69B year. They bought Papyrus and Recycled Paper Greetings. Closed 450 stores. Shuffled around hundreds of staff. Struggled with some licensing lines, including twice failing to jettison its Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears properties. But they continued to grow strategically and better positioning themselves in an ever-shrinking market (sigh) by buying deeper into the high-end homemade side with Papyrus and adding eco-conscious alternative sentiments with Recycled.

What's next? "An ever-widening array of new offerings, including sentimental cards from Kathy Davis; greeting cards with built-in sound, music and special effects; and humorous items such as singing envelopes and "pull-my-chin" cards," CEO Zev Weiss says.

I'm intrigued by the musical envelope concept and whatever "special effects" they may have in the works (thought I'm thinking anything flammable would be a Nova in the making), but can ANYONE tell me what a "pull-my-chin" card is? Does it make you think, want to buy new tweezers or covet someone's playoff scruff?