A bit of a rant, really

I saw "Julie + Julia" today and liked half of it. Julia Child and her husband Paul wrote letters and much of the screenplay was based on a book that drew from that correspondence -- to friends, to family and each other. I think that even if the bulk of their lives had been set in the Internet age, they would have been slipping those thin papers into white and blue envelopes stamped Par Avion and sending them off across the ocean.

I didn't like the Julie Powell part. Not because it was so self-indulgent, not because she was ridiculously whiny about turning 30 (alert: your life doesn't end) and not even because she wasn't professionally (or even quasi-professionally) trained -- but because the character she showed us -- both via Nora Ephron's screenplay and her book (which I read) was simply unlikeable. I never saw the spark, the fire or the love. And yes, I cheered inside as she lay crying on the bed, bitching to her husband (that "saint" that she later cheated on) that her adopted idol Julia Child, when asked about the project, didn't have kind words for it. This cooking blog full of her cyber-complaining about how hard it was to cook the French recipes that took Julia eight years to perfect, bent over stoves and tables that her frame was a good eight inches too large for as she and Paul were shipped around the world. As Julie bawled about how hurt she was that Julia wasn't bowled over with the emulation, all I could think was"Boo-fucking-hoo."

Julia didn't have big, angry meltdowns. She didn't toss food disasters at her beloved husband's head. She wasn't full of complaints and desires for fame and adoration to keep up with her peers. She just displayed unfailing love for everyone around her and devotion to her passion: food. And how did she develop the friendship that would turn into the publishing connection that brought "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" to the world? Well, she wrote a letter, of course.

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?

Sniffed me out like I was Tanqueray

Please add to the list of things I don't want for my birthday this year: Amy Winehouse cards and wrapping paper. I know that I enjoy the occasional cocktail, but I don't think it warrants "Rehab" status.

Living the dream

Some people say you shouldn't mix business with passion.

Here's an example of why that's total BS.

Wis. girl loves paper. Wis. girl loves independent paper store where she buys greeting cards all through college. Wis. girl gets job at said store. Five months later, she buys it.

New life and real life

I recently found out that one of my best friends is going to have a baby. I already have a lot of friends with wee ones and I love being an auntie. But this particular momma is a card freak too, so she's going to get a lot of mail from me over the next few months. Expecting cards can be heartfelt, beautiful and fun -- and especially fun when the recipient has a good sense of humor. And being able to keep your sense of humor when you're carrying another human around in your belly during a long, hot summer AND can't drink wine -- is critical.

I also this week discovered that a family member and a dear friend's mother are both facing fears connected to cancer -- a disease that already has affected my life many times over -- and the lives of nearly everyone I know. Regardless of diagnosis, it's terrifying to face your body/health's limitations. Without a medical degree, there is little I can do except listen, love and support. Considering that the majority of "get well soon" cards are lame/inappropriate and "thinking of you" cards are too sappy, I mostly go for blanks (kind of a choose-your-own adventure girl). I am also considering customizing some of these amazingly frightening cards from the CDC. If any of you have ever gotten one of these, please let me know so I can beat who sent it to you and then send them one about the "concussion toolkit."

Celebrate the little, the big, the scary and the beautiful things that life hands us. Don't wait for someone to give you a pen and say "write me." You'd want someone to do it for you, right?

Take this card behind the middle school and get it pregnant

NBC Universal has inked a deal with Hallmark to "create a line of greeting cards that use content from the studio’s film, television and music libraries." In the lineup, "30 Rock" and "The Office" -- two shows with the best collection of one-liners on TV today. While I don't think that line "Tell her that you want your privates and her privates to do a high-five" will be spoken when you open a card emblazoned with a smiling photo of Tracy Morgan anytime soon, I hope it's at least ready by my birthday in December.

Fresh, beautiful and noisy as hell

I spent a few days by myself (mostly...) at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic about 7 years ago. Nothing amazing (I couldn't afford "spectacular," but I could afford unlimited beer in my room), but it was pretty and it had peacocks. They are lovely birds -- strutting around, fanning their plumage and distracting me somewhat from the dismal food on the premises.

The first night I was there, after a few drinks and "dinner", I was sitting in a hot tub and heard the most awful screech -- ever. It sounded like someone being knifed. Being a 25-year-old woman on vacation alone in an island nation -- in a bikini in a hot tub alone late at night -- this was a bit disconcerting in a "all the things Mom warned me about" kind of way. I waited. I listened. The sound came again.

I grabbed my towel and booked it back to my room.

After not sleeping all night, I went to the lobby to try once again to contact my online travel agency about a booking issue (a now defunct vacation site that screwed me over for a good $200) and to see if the police had showed up overnight for that dead lady I was sure was found on the lawn after midnight. On the way, I ran into a peacock, gliding across the lawn -- bobbing its head and checking for a snack.

Then it opened its beak....

The good thing about peacock images -- which are the rage in the greeting card world this summer -- is that they are all jewel-tones and flash, without the noise. Trust me, this is one sound Hallmark will not want to license.

Out of town, but not out of it entirely

I missed the National Stationery Show this year. Bad scribbler. My freelance writing/wanderlust drew me south of the equator to Argentina -- which is another story for another blog. Amazing journey.

The doodler reported that the trade show floor was smaller than years before -- less exhibitors, less buyers. But from the looks of the NSS blog, the talent level was as high as it has been in years past. Congrats to all of the LOUIE winners, new exhibitors and pioneers of new designs and technology.

The doodler also exhibited at Surtex this year for the first time - marking her debut on the licensing scene. Before the show -- which ran concurrently with NSS -- opened, she got an awesome shout-out in Print & Pattern. Pep couldn't be more proud of its designer-in-chief!

Remember, she's carried you a lot longer than 9 months

Moms don't quit on their kids. Ever. At all costs. And you were kind of a brat at times. And you know it.

So consider that when you're weighing what to get her this weekend. Smaller bouquet or 2 dozen rodes. Mediocre brunch or a swanky affair. The cheaper card, or a Pep Greetings card. Come on now.

She didn't eat you alive. And she could have. Trust me.

Happy Mother's Day to all of our favorite mommas. We love every one of you.

Creating a brand

When Kathy Davis started submitting her designs to card companies in the the late 1980s, she had no idea what was born from necessity (a divorce) and talent (freelance calligraphy) would become inspirational. The former art teacher with a master's degree built her business design by design. Recycled Paper Greetings believed in her, and the two worked together to develop her brand, which has grown into four separate entities, 15 employees and more than $50 million in retail sales last year. In 2008, she forged a new partnership with American Greetings and wrote a book. Not bad for the rest of your life.

You don't have to be an entrepreneur to develop your personal brand. It isn't all about mugs and gift bags or book deals. Know who you are. Embrace it. Take a risk. And live it.

"Everybody's going to want a piece of you. Make sure you maintain doing the things you love," Davis said about advice she received on drawing boundaries in business.

It applies well beyond the workplace.

Who writes them? Not me. Well, not those, anyway

This Austin (Minn.? Really?) Daily Herald writer has a good point: There are a ton of shitty greeting card writers who, unfortunately, are polluting your local card buying spot with their attempts at wit and insight.

"You would think an industry that can somehow get a greeting card to play music — the Star Wars Theme, the Chicken Dance — could figure out a way to write cards for brothers buying them for their sisters."

Too bad he didn't venture outside of the shoe box. Often the fun comes in working to make a card's "defined" intention meet your purpose.

Always frequent your happy place

One of my favorite card stores in the world is in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh: Kards Unlimited. I got to go there this weekend while visiting my alma mater for a few days of nerdy bacchanalia (but that is another story for another social media medium.)

If you are like me and live in a greeting card wasteland populated only by a (crappy) American Greetings store in the mall, a single aisle at (several thousand) CVS locations and a teeny, tiny Papyrus (full of dull Papyrus cards) -- a store like Kards Unlimited is an oasis. Loads of crowded racks showcasing beautiful (Flying Elephant), pretty (you send me), snarky (uncooked, selfish kitty) and dirty-funny (ripe, mikright) cards of all shapes and sizes. I'm not even going to go on about the temporary food tattoos, zombie stuff and funky cookbooks, but I want to. Badly.

If you have one of these independent gems in your neighborhood -- shop there. Kards Unlimited has been around for more than 40 years and was busy on the Saturday afternoon that I stopped in looking for a "recover soon from your stab wounds and remember not to chase your muggers next time" card (I actually found one) -- but it needs two things to thrive: you and me.

We all feel the pinch

Hallmark Cards this week said it plans to cut 8% of its workforce -- which could result in up to 750 jobs lost. CEO Donald Hall Jr. is keeping a stiff upper lip about the whole thing, but let's be honest -- no one is immune.

That new Peep smell

I once dated somone who lived about a 1/2 mile from the Just Born candy factory in Bethlehem, Pa. He turned into a bit of a stalker, but for a few weeks I did get to experience the joy that is driving around Bethlehem on an early spring day -- the sweet smell of newborn Peeps lingering in the air.

Thankfully you don't have to go out with an emotionally unstable young man to smell the marshmallow candies any time you desire. Just Born has licensed the Peeps brand (and flavors) to be used for a frightening array of products including key rings, stuffed animals, popcorn, candles, figurines and other fine china (tell me if you plan to register for Peep china for your wedding and I don't care who you are, I'll buy you some salad plates) as well as SCENTED greeting cards. Mmm -- Easterlicious.

John Potter, do not make me come and kick your ass

Bottom line: Mail is down 12% and the USPS could be out of money by the end of the year.

“The Postal Service, which has served America for 234 years, is experiencing a very serious financial crisis because of the downturn in the economy,” John Potter, head of the U.S. Postal Service, told lawmakers. He went on to say the losses, in the billions of dollars, are of "historic proportions."

So what does he do? He asks to cut a day of service. Five days a week of mail, people. This could really happen!

Mail delivery is one of the cornerstones of this nation. Even in post-apocalyptic times, there will be mail. Didn't anyone see "The Postman"? (I know it was a terrible movie, please don't miss the point here.) I'll bet even those children in rags got their New Yorkers on time. And their VISA bills. And the sweet, sweet ValPak.

It is time for another bailout. This is bigger than AIG. And the banks. And whatever other madness TARP is covering (unless it's petting zoos. That is completely valid). The mail. We must save the mail. Who is with me?

Recession Part 2: The power of an "unexpected gesture" (and music choice)

Hallmark's new ad campaign is called "A Card. It's the Biggest Little Thing You Can Do." Featuring music by John Mayer. And 99 cent cards. Umm, I love the idea ("returning to basics, reaching out and letting people know they're loved and appreciated or just to say thanks"), but it also freaks me the hell out.

A few boxes over the garage

Mom asked me to go through "a few boxes" (8) of my stuff from junior high and high school while I was back in Maine this weekend. She is packing up the house in anticipation of a move -- a sad thought for me, but an important new start for her.

While she looked ahead, I got to dive into the past. Not surprisingly, it's full of letters from a world without easy e-mail access, when long distance calls still cost something and text messages & IM didn't exist. I have boxes of postcards, birthday cards, notes passed in class and scraps of paper stuffed into envelopes. Scrawled script on legal pad yellow, beautiful monogrammed linen and even sandpaper (a boyfriend who wrote to me during breaks at his construction job) . Some were from people I had met for a few hours (a 14-year-old Canadian that I had apparently met on the beach while I was visiting my grandparents in Florida) and others were from people I still write to today (my dear friend Jessamy, who has been writing me without fail for more than 20 years -- including when we lived less than an hour apart).

Several "High Fidelity" moments: Poetry from the boy who inspired me to go to CMU. Song lyrics from one of many musician loves. About 20 one-page notes from a wrestler who struggled to keep how he felt about me from his family... and mine ... for a year (he made up a new name for each return address). Advice on love, sex and college life to come. Admissions of anger, guilt, fear and longing. There was a short story in every few inches of time.

More than a few made me want to set them aside to try to find their writers. Where were they now, after so much time?Did they have my letters in return ... and what did they say?

So, keep your letters. You may think they are just taking up space today, or you may fear that someone else will read them and not understand who you were when you received them. But if you are lucky enough to have someone write to you, it captures a moment in your life and becomes a part of your personal history. One that you probably weren't even conscious that you were building. But you'll be happy you have them one day, sitting on the basement floor of a packed-up home, surrounded by boxes -- a glass of wine in hand. Trust me on that.

Ugly babies need love too

I'm not a Mom (yet), so I can say it -- some people have ugly kids. Not any of my friends, of course. But they are out there. And they apparently sell. OK, not UGLY wee ones -- but scowly ones. And messy ones. Or ones making faces. Oh hell, just kids. Kids sell. And Hallmarks knows it. And they know that parents want to crow about them -- so they've finally found a way to let them have their day.

But it goes beyond children. Last year, Hallmark -- which before now only used in-house staff for designing its thousands of cards each year -- launched Greeting Card Competition.

"You're creative. You've got talent. And passion. We LOVE that. So, by golly, you deserve a spot to submit your brilliant card concepts. Card competition, anyone?"

People are encouraged to submit their ideas & personal pics for use in funny cards, parenting cards, bloopers -- all with the chance to be made into a real greeting card and win prizes (such as cash and money for a favorite charity). I think it's a smart corporate move that connects with the card-buying public, sources new ideas in a time of creative cut-backs and creates a charitable write-off channel. Complete with a blog and Facebook page.

Right now if you go to hallmarkcontest.com you can vote on the Mother's & Father's Day finalists. OK ... some of them are cute. By golly, indeed.

Faith in the Vernal Equinox

Had an idea for a thank you card as I was walked home tonight from the train to my house.

Thanks ...
Your several weeks of silence have made it much easier for me to stop obsessing over you.

Doodler, any idea how we can illustrate this one?

After 4 days of amazing weather around D.C., it was nice to enjoy the last threads of warmth as they began to mix with the cooler breeze that tomorrow will bring March back to reality. Warm days allow me to sleep with open windows, run outside and shed my mental cobwebs. Note to the spider walking along my ceiling when I woke up today: Don't come back soon.

Next week officially marks the beginning of spring. It has been a particularly long winter -- crazy cold, storms, economic turmoil, friends out of work, struggle and some heart hiccups. But the green is there. Grass, Leprauchauns, grape vines and crocus leaves. Right around the corner. And they're ready to warm you up again.

Same old address

One of the cool things about living in America is that with enough notice, the most powerful leader in the free world will send you a card for a milestone birthday or anniversary.

I think we should do this when people turn 18 as well. I can't think of a better way to be reminded to get your ass out to vote than to receive a note from an elected official saying "Welcome to responsibility." Love who is representing you? Work to keep him/her. Hate them? Do something about it.

Give the gift of sweet hallucinations

Birthdays. They happen. Every year, in fact. Right now, no one has any money. That has not, however, dampened most people's insatiable appetite for recognition. And gifts. Especially on their day.

So, when you care enough to go beyond posting "Happy Birthday" on someone's Facebook wall and when just another "Many Happy Returns" $2 Happy Hour beer won't do -- consider giving one of Pep's' inaugural birthday cards. It's more than a fun shade of green. It goes well beyond the colorful hat. It's like a free hit of acid that will never show up on a drug test. With the added delight of a yummy cupcake recipe.

BONUS: For a limited time, buy a 5-pack (or hell, buy an individual card) and the scribbler will personally call the recipient and sing "Happy Birthday" over the phone. The scribbler has a lovely singing voice, if not a bit loud. She cannot, however, guarantee that she will be sober when said call is placed. But that makes it all the more fun. Surprise!

Sympathy cards can be sent to Kansas City

"Hallmark Magazine" has died. The March-April issue will be its last. At least 500 subscribers are going to be really unhappy when their subscription turns into "ESPN: The Magazine" come May.

To be honest, I'm not sure how this magazine differed from "Martha Stewart Living". I could swear that they were exactly the same book. Recipes. Crafts. Kids. Completely geared toward women. And I did see it a few times. Picked it up. Flipped through it. It's been around for three years, after all. But it was a magazine branded by a greeting card giant. What brilliant person wrote the business plan that got this project greenlighted? I need their help selling my social media strategy. If you subscribed to this, seriously -- tell me why?

No. 2 by the numbers, No. 1 in your heart

Not surprisingly, a survey found that average spending for this year's VTD would drop more than 13% from last year's total, but still top $14 billion.

• Some 63% of the group plan to celebrate Valentine's Day.
  
• The most romantic age bracket: 18- to 24-year-olds, 74% of whom will spend some of their discretionary income on items like flowers, jewelry and candy.
  
• The 25- to 34-year-old set will sink the most dollars per valentine, $160 on average.

A majority of folks say they plan to exchange greeting cards -- estimated to be about 190 million total -- making it the No. 2 holiday behind Christmas for exchanging cards. Why, you may ask, then does PEP Greetings NOT have a VTD card this year? We're working on it. It may be a little late for this year, but we like to think of it as early for 2010. Thank you cards come first, and they are only a day or two from being made public. New recipe. Beautiful art. Whimsy. Humor.

What more could a card buyer want? Other than a card in return. Always.

The Great American Thank-You Card

Darby Conley either has a soft spot, or a vendetta.



Earlier this year: Beating card.

Porn mail

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but e-cards are not always to be trusted. If "a friend" sends you a virtual card, and it makes it past your spam filter, that "friend" should be smart enough to identify themselves. And you, despite being excited at the prospect of an animated monkey blowing out birthday candles, should be smart enough to treat the e-card with suspicion. The most recent concern: American Greetings and other card companies are working with federal authorities to ferret out who/what is sending e-greetings that redirect unsuspecting readers ... TO PORN SITES.

"The best way to make sure you're opening a legitimate card is to:

Type the card company's URL into your browser. Do not click on the link. Do not cut and paste the linked address into your browser.

Type the card code from the e-mail into the search engine on the legitimate Web page. If the e-mail was legitimate, your card should appear."

Of course, this may be a good excuse for people who get nabbed while surfing for skin at work: Hallmark made me do it.

What would Cliff Clavin do?

I know that we could break this down, run some numbers, get a consultant or 200 in to figure out the grave inefficiencies in the system (D.C. Main Penn. Ave branch, I am looking at you) and avoid what the Postmaster General proposed could be a scenario to save money if something doesn't change soon.

We're talking about the possibility, albeit remote and temporary, of one less day of MAIL, people.

If faced with the nation reducing its delivery days, Cliffy would lose it. Unacceptable. Unfathomable. The mail is the one thing that runs on time (or relatively so), come hurricane or flood or other national disaster. It reaches every tiny township in America. And mailmen (and women) are completely dedicated to the service they have become inscribed to -- a badge of honor. They're not just serving residents, they're serving their country in those dreamy postal blues.

Cliff: I've the best safety record in the branch, Coach. Never even been near an accident.
Paul : Not since you were born.
Cliff: Was that comment addressed to me, Paul?
Paul: Oh, no Cliff. If it were addressed to anybody, it'd probably get lost in the mail.
Cliff: If I wasn't wearing this uniform, I'd ask you to step outside.
Norm: If you weren't wearing that uniform, we'd all step outside.

* Props to my home state's Sen. Susan M. Collins saying she was "very disappointed" at the possibility of changing to five-day delivery. Regardless of political party, we Mainers do not like to go without our mail. Not everyone is online and many don't have phones. Or a TV, much less cable. But everyone, even on the islands, has a mailbox.

And the lows more frequent

Order of St. Nick has combined dire economic times with Valentine's Day to come up with a New Depression-era love extravaganza.

"One card shows a Dust Bowl farmer and his wife cooking a pot of slop in an open kettle. Its caption reads: "William took Martha out to eat for Valentine's Day." Another shows a bunch of down-and-out guys in fedoras loitering outside of an automat. "Box of chocolates?" exhorts the caption. "She'll be lucky to get a box of rocks from me this year.'

"If Hallmark came out with this, it would be in poor taste," (owner Andrew) Shaffer admits. "But people need to laugh in tough times. As long as it's approached with humor, even the Great Depression works.""

The Iowa City-based card company also has a line of Nietzsche Valentine's Day cards that would suit the sense of humor that a lot of boys I know have about this time of year. My favorite:

Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.

As if Valentine's Day wasn't bad enough

"A new worm has been detected by PandaLabs which is using Valentine's Day to spread itself through email greeting cards. The network security company is calling it a new variant of the Waledec Storm worm ... The Waledac.C worm spreads by sending a fake Valentine's Day greeting card using email. The recipient then clicks on a link to download the fake card which downloads the Waledec Storm worm."

The piece goes on to explain that Valentine's Day is one of the biggest days of the year for hackers to spread viruses. For someone who is expecting something lovely and sweet in their inbox, this is a huge pain in the ass. And for someone who isn't -- it's downright cruel.

"To make matters worse, the e-card entices the user to click on a row of hearts or roses by stating, 'Guess, which one is for you?'"

So, this VTD, don't open e-mails from strangers claiming to be sending you e-love. Clearly, it's not safe. Protect yourself. Wait for something in your true mailbox. It takes longer to get there, but usually it's worth it.

We're blushing

BUST -- a 15-year-old national magazine that is "fierce, funny, and proud to be female" had some sweet things to say about us and our "Get Toasty" card in a recent blog post:

"This little card from PEP Greetings is too adorable, and so are the ladies behind it."

It's true! We ARE adorable. And easily flattered.

Finally taking down those holiday cards?

I know you have them. Stuck to your fridge. All around the door jam. In that special display holder on your kitchen counter that someone gave you last year. Or, if you're like me, they are all over the kitchen counter and littering your dresser tops.

But now it's time to say goodbye to the holidays. Box up the ornaments, the garland and the menorah. Bring in the lights. But those cards -- handwritten greetings from family and friends. Glitter. Stars. Smiling reindeer. Peppermint-laced martini glasses. Warm blues, greens and reds. Are they destined for the trash? Can they all fit in another stack of shoeboxes (or in my case, Kate Spade boxes)?

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, an organization that cares for abused, abandoned and neglected children, hopes not.

"Over thirty years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into "new" cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique "thank you," they requested the children sell them the special cards... since then, the Program expanded to include all occasion greeting cards… the children participate in making the new recycled cards by removing the front and attaching a new back made with recycled paper. The new card is a beautiful, “green” card made by the children and volunteers. We are accepting used, all-occasion greeting cards thru February 28, 2009. Mail your donations to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005"

You can also order their recycled cards online. I would encourage it -- as long as you consider ordering some of ours too.

And I hope you realize that if you still have your tree up, it's a major fire hazard. You can recycle that too. Just let it go.

Do not bend

Envelopes are important. If they are too thick, they can feel wooden (and add to postage rates). If they are too thin, they can tear and get jammed at the PO, and no one wants a card in a plastic bag.

We are proud of our envelopes. Made of medium cardstock and thick enough to hold up in the mail sorters, but thin enough to be able to hold up to the light and get a peek of what is inside. If you're into that.

And we promise -- no baggies in your mailbox. Unless, of course, you're into that too.

Beating card

"Get Fuzzy" is an often amusing comic strip, and considering the amount of times it makes references to Maine, lobster and now greeting cards, I sometimes wonder if I am writing it in my sleep...



Thanks to Patrick for the link.

I've got your M&A activity right here

Dear American Greetings: I know we're just launching things, but everyone seems to like the cards we've released so far and the talent level Doreen and I can offer is worth way more than the several million dollars you're shelling out for Recycled Paper Greetings. I know you probably got them at a fire-sale price, but they're in Chapter 11! Were they paying their illustrators and writers in gold? Are you sure you want to deal with folks with those types of business practices? We are a safe bet -- well run, young, smart and full of fresh ideas. All we require is a fully stocked bar. Health insurance would be nice too.

Do you have your holiday cards yet?

Greeting cards with a punch of sass

Times are tight, but they don't have to cramp your style

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Pep Greetings today released its holiday run of greeting cards for 2008. Both unique designs feature award-winning art in full color, with a healthy kick of sass and tasty drink recipes to add to the cheer of the season.

The cards and matching envelopes come individually packaged or in packs of five, are printed on medium card stock and are suitable for gifting.

Both designs are available for purchase via the company Web site at http://www.pepgreetings.com or via the artist community etsy.com.

"After years of brainstorming over wine and writing and sketching fun designs and sayings for our friends and families, it's good to have something fun to share with the world," said Co-founder and Head Scribbler, Jessica Strelitz.

"It's great to see a friendship that has been going strong for 12 years and counting be represented in the cards we now make. Both of our personalities, likes and dislikes come together to form Pep Greetings, a very exciting venture for both of us!" said Co-founder and Head Doodler, Doreen Mulryan Marts.

Pep also provides custom card work and soon will be adding birthday and Valentine's offerings.

About Pep Greetings: Doreen Mulryan Marts and Jessica Strelitz founded Pep Greetings in 2006. Marts is a freelance illustrator with a global client base, specializing in spot illustration and children's book artwork as well as product and toy design. Strelitz is a professional writer and editor, specializing in food and drink, business and sports writing. The pair met in 1996 as students at Carnegie Mellon University and their friendship has taken them from drinking daiquiris at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, to beers in the bars of D.C. and NYC and cocktails after ice hockey games in every tiny rink in western Pennsylvania.

Sign up for blog updates at http://feeds.feedburner.com/PepGreetings or drop us a note at pepgreetings@gmail.com for the latest on the greeting card world, updates on new Pep designs and glimpses inside of our warped minds.

Saying thank you

I just added another year to my very rich, often scandalous and never boring life and have just finished my thank you cards. This is something my parents encouraged me to do when I was young, and after 25 years, I never grow tired of putting them in the mail. If someone goes out of their way to recognize you on your birthday, your anniversary, your wedding, a holiday -- whatever prompts people that like you enough to give you a present -- you should say thank you. Whether it be via Facebook, e-mail, or a note -- expressing how you are grateful in writing makes you happier.

"We are all walking around with an amazing resource: gratitude ... It helps us express and enjoy, appreciate, be thankful and satisfied with a little effort. We all have it, and we need to use it to improve our quality of life," said Kent State University's Dr. Steven Toepfer, who conducted research on the subject and found that students who wrote letters of gratitude felt better about themselves.

"The most powerful thing in our lives is our social network. It doesn't have to be large, and you don't always need to be the life of the party, but just having one or two significant connections in your life has shown to have terrific psychological and physical benefits," Toepfer added.

So wait a few weeks and buy our soon-to-be-released thank you cards. And use them. I can guarantee it'll do you good. It's a scientific fact.

Paper cards -- they can't steal your identity (or your wallet)

Happy holidays -- among the myriad things to be afraid of this time of year (purse snatchers, people breaking into your house when you go on vacation ala "Home Alone," beer goggles at the corporate holiday party and eggnog hangovers come to mind) please add e-greeting card identity theft.

Yet another reason why paper greeting cards are superior to their e-cousins.

Glitter and the Patriot Act

If you have seen an e-mail encouraging you to write to soldiers at Walter Reed this holiday season, it appears to be a hoax:

"Millions of people are receiving an e-mail that suggests sending cards to "wounded soldier" at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Unfortunately, due to security reasons, your card will be thrown away unopened."

Generic cards don't fly anymore with the Pentagon. All mail needs to be addressed to specific soldiers. But don't let the technicality stop you from reaching out to fighting men and women this year. The Red Cross sponsors a program that facilitates getting cards to soldiers in combat zones and military hospitals in the U.S. and overseas.

Through Dec. 10, send your greeting cards -- with adequate postage and a return address -- to Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, Md. 20791-5456. But please, no glitter.

The importance of audience & art

The Bush White House's (next-to) final Hanukkah reception invitations are out ... featuring an image of the White House **Christmas** tree "being pulled by a horse-drawn cart with a Christmas wreath tacked on to the White House in the background."

The First Lady says the "intended" ones will be in the mail next week. Let's hope they remember to leave out the image of the holiday ham this time around.

Drinking with Santa

I have seen snow, found the Christmas music station and spotted my first sets of lights, so clearly we are deep in the holiday season. I actually don't know how this happened, but apparently time advances in some sort of a lunar cycle. Or so they tell me. In any case, to celebrate, Doreen and I have created a festive holiday card for you. We SHOULD have it online next week. It features a drink recipe that I have been dying to share since the stranger who shared it with me 6 years ago told me not to. It also has a deer on it. Get excited.

But if you MUST purchase cards from others, The Onion reminds you of the perils of pissing off Santa and our boys at Bald Guys invite you to celebrate Hannukah with Morty.

Save your money, buy a greeting card

Who isn't watching their wallet a little closer these days? Even my CEO was telling me (proudly) this week how he and our CFO ordered pizza -- and even walked to pick it up -- instead of doing dinners out during budget meetings.

My birthday is in two weeks and I've rented out part of my favorite bar and invited a ton of friends to celebrate with me. Presents not accepted, presence is enough. But I do hope I get some fun, creative cards. I really appreciate the time and effort someone puts into their choice, especially if it makes me think, or smile or tear up. And I save them all. (Dad, this no-gift policy does not apply to you -- I still want that wine fridge).

Of course, a couple glasses of whiskey are also welcome. I'm never one to turn down booze.

I'm glad I never moved to Akron

In a previous life, I considered it. But, quickly, on to Shaky Lady Art.

I am completely happy to tout the greeting card venture of an 80-year-old nursing home resident from the Cleveland area. Especially because all of the proceeds go to a national nonprofit project that fulfills the late-in-life wishes or dreams of nursing home residents. Both very good things.

But, as a professional writer, I cannot accept seeing this in print: "They're missing out on the real gift, which is this — she rocks!"

I'm without words...

Business cards, new cards and a kid nearly 20 years younger than me who is 20 steps ahead

We now have a holiday card and a birthday card nearly ready for the printers, with new drink and baking recipes and beautiful, original art. The business cards are printed, the raffia is ready to be tied and we're almost, almost, almost 100% open for business.

But this is where I turn into John McCain during the Oct. 15 debate -- a crotchety, old lady (man): We have to compete for ink with this Colorado kid who thinks running her own greeting card company is "just fun." Shouldn't she be watching HSM3 or something? And whose dreams come true before they go through puberty?! And those flowers are stupid.

I'm going to go settle in front of 20/20 reruns with a bottle of Metamucil now.


PS - Don't bother telling me. I am well aware that I am already going to Hell for hating on a little girl. Jealousy is an evil thing.

Good wood

Doreen sent me this link when we were meeting in N.J. the week before last. Night Owl (and I used to be one before my days of 4 a.m. training sessions and 6 a.m. workouts) has a unique line of cards made of actual wood. The letterpress card company is also a two-person shop and a dream turned real. I love those stories.

Exciting!!!

Our first batch of cards has arrived from the printer!! Wee! Things are starting to come together :) Be on the lookout for out Etsy shop to be opening up soon so you too can own your very own Pep Greetings cards!

New Find!

I love all things retro! Especially retro illustration from the 50's and 60's. Very inspiring to me. So here is an old 1957 New York state map that I found at an antique shop this past July, enjoy!

Do we look lazy?

On the contrary! Our first card is printed and we are started to show our baby around to family and friends. Doreen and I are getting together on Thursday to do packaging, drink wine and brainstorm until we either pass out or end up watching a Dawson's Creek marathon. Either way -- good times.

After NJ, I head up the East Coast to meet with friends, drink, fish, sleep on the dock, eat lobster and drink some more. And my new magazine piece comes out that week too -- hopefully it will cause a stir.

I like my martinis very dirty, with as many olives as you can fit in the glass

Card purchased for a bachelorette party this weekend in Vegas:

"Honey, I like my martinis the way I like my men ... the stiffer the better."

Also, the best/worst cupcake topper -- ever.

Hallmark, proving a wee bit more progressive than its rivals

The greeting card giant has launched a line of same-sex "union" cards, featuring "two tuxedos, overlapping hearts or intertwined flowers, with best wishes inside." The cards don't make any specific reference to weddings or marriage, which makes them appropriate for commitment ceremonies, as well as the more than 100,000 gay weddings that are expected to fill the aisles in Calif. in the next three years. It also means that Hallmark isn't 100% jumping into the pool. But it's a step, and certainly better than its largest rival -- American Greetings -- whose statement on the issue is just to "its current offerings are general enough to speak to a lot of different relationships."

Pussies.

May I someday be Phyllis Stocking

I am sure she is a lovely person, bakes the world's sweetest cakes, gives great hugs and has a throng of adoring grandchildren, and despite the fact that my own holiday/birthday card list is already long enough, thank you, I think I love Phyllis Stocking.

The Wyoming woman sends 90 to 100 cards a month and spends $1,000 a year (paid out of her Social Security check) on stamps to mail them to folks -- some of which she clearly doesn't know that well, or else this story would have never been written. But who doesn't love a card? Even from a stranger. Who wouldn't love a note from Phyllis?

She works to keep addresses current ("I figure they'll be looking for their card") and her husband reads the obits to help keep the list ... alive, and though she seems fond of media folks -- the 73-year-old says she works hard not to look "like I'm a stalker."

No one wants that.

The proof is ... on my counter

And it's good! Now, on to the hangtags and other marketing materials. Anyone want to buy a card?

How's that for marketing?

On the way

The proofs are coming from the printer this week on Card #1. We don't know whether to be scared, excited, or a little bit of both. But they're on their way, and I'm choosing not to flip out. Yet.

Green trees, less trees

Hallmark this week announced that it will unveil a line of enviro-friendly greeting cards, "for businesses to minimize environmental impact while building relationships with customers and employees." There will be nine cards with pro-environment or traditional holiday greetings, made of a mix of sugar cane pulp and recycled paper.

After having spent several months looking for an affordable green printer, I hope that this becomes more of the norm in the larger printing and publishing world for cards, to help smaller shops like us and dedicated green printers across the country. It's a small margin business, but we should be unified in our efforts to produce quality, smart products.

Weekend fun!

Went to Michael's today and picked up two magazines for inspiration and to keep up with current trends: Artful Blogging and Just Cards! They seem like fun magazines, and I'm a sucker for impulse buying. There should be a picture of me at their board meetings with the words "Target Customer" written under it ha ha.
In other PEP news, we think we have finally found a printer we like! Woo hoo! I am sending out our first card for proofs this weekend. So be on the look out for our shop to be open soon! Have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend everyone!

Blended families

As a child of several versions of blended families, I was excited to hear about the thestepcardcollection. This should make mother's and father's days a lot easier moving forward. Considering how many marriages end in divorce, I wonder why they aren't rolling it out to more regions of the U.S. Fear of conservative backlash?

And since when is Delaware a test market?

Everything's A-OK

Sunny days at American Greetings, which has renewed its licensing agreement with Sesame Workshop. Strange that they never specify the actual length of the contract, though.

Even jerks should know that we are thinking of them

I am a huge fan of this idea, proposed by Illinois comedy club owner Dave Sinker:

This could be a multimillion-dollar business for greeting card companies. The same people who gave us such made-up holidays as Sweetest Day, Grandparents Day and Secretary's Day need to expand. How about Meddling Mother-in-Law Day, Smelly Co-Worker Day, Cheating Husband and his Tramp Day, and Ex-Girlfriend with the Restraining Order Day?

Because, at the end of the day, everyone deserves to get a card in the mail. Or nailed to their doorjam.

Toast

Here's a good card for making one. Created by SF design group Chewing the Cud.

E-cards' impact rising

American Greetings' download site Kiwee.com last year had more than half a billion downloads - and its own subscription sites ( BlueMountain.com and Americangreetings.com) have nearly 4 million customers -- totalling $100 million a year. The cards-to-cell idea however, not so much.

Which is scarier -- this press release or the card?

I would be more upset if she WASN'T being made fun of, just like the boys. Hillary can take it.

Inspiration, procrastination

The surface pattern design site print & pattern is bursting with ideas. Time to get to work in the studio.

Father's Day backlash

Dads of the world, unite against stereotypes -- you snoring, lazy outdoorsmen. Not longer will you be pigeonholed to a land of cards featuring empty beer bottles, ugly recliners, bad pants and even worse parenting skills. At least one Washington group (I tread lightly here) has decried the "dumb, dangerous or disaffected" label, requesting the value of fatherhood be treated with more respect.

I bought two mushy-type cards this year. Neither of my father folks are of the mold that mainstream-card USA trends toward. Send me your "loves to take walks in the woods and drink good Scotch Dad" and "is obsessed with all earth sciences and awesome martinis Dad" cards, and you'll get me. You'll also probably understand a bit more about where I came from.

Paper Cravings

Paper Crave is a nicely put together, regularly updated site exploring the paper and gift industry. And Im a sucker for a fellow sticker lover. There is no way to explain how much I regressed to being 10 upon seeing the Mrs. Grossman's booth at the NSS two years ago. I was such a visibly freakish wreck, that one of the kind booth boys gave me a bag full of swag, upon which I immediately bolted to the bathroom and tore it open. It was awesome.

A great artist passes

Alton Kelley, along with Stanley Miller, created some of the first pieces of art that I recognized as art beyond museums, galleries and what I learned in school. He created the skull and roses poster that millions of people associated with the Grateful Dead, as well as poster art for Hendrix, The Beatles and Journey. I look forward to paying homage to him in San Francisco in a few weeks.

"I don't know, it must have been the roses
The roses or the ribbons in her long brown hair
I don't know maybe it was the roses
All I know was I could not leave her there... "

The economy hits the industry ... hard

Hallmark this week announced it consolidate its manufacturing operations, culling greeting card production operations at plants in Toronto, Arkansas and Indiana in the coming months, and outsourcing some of the work to Asia and Mexico.

It's a tough time for everyone, people. Go buy some cards.

Logo

Look up.

We are playing with our final logo so it may look different over the coming week or so.

Do you like it?

Blank hedgies

I am in love with these hedgehogs. Robot Candy's cards are "printed one at a time, using hand carved blocks." Name is cool. Technique is cool. Two girls starting a company together -- always cool.

They say it doesn't smell

I am all for saving wildlife... but do they have to call it Poo Poo Paper?

Apple scoops me. Again

Somebody call my patent lawyer. I need to get this model I have for alcoholic greeting cards into legalese.

More on how Apple continues to revolutionize how we get basically everything.

Design spin

Things that have caught our eyes in the last few weeks ...

• OhJoy! blogs from the Stationery Show in NYC this week. Next year for PEP. Next year...
• Mollaspace features pretty, delicate things and lots of weird ashtrays
• Irene Hoofs features the "beauty of things created and happy" from artists around the world at Bloesem
• Print and Pattern is a U.K. blog focused on surface pattern design. Looking at this page is like looking at the walls of Doreen's studio.
• And last, but not least, HONK IF YOU LIKE CHEESE
  

Calif., Mass. wedding guests rejoice

There is a new line of same-sex, all occasion cards -- celebrating everything from adoption to Jewish holidays and anniversaries -- which are being billed as "family friendly." The approach is a good one for this underserved market, which is mostly dominated by, well -- NOT so family-friendly tone. OpenCloset celebrates families and love "with gay regards" -- in all shapes and sizes.

Hungry?

I did some blogging over at Maine Food & Lifestyle last weekend as part of a story I am writing on classic Maine eateries. I drove more than 800 miles over five days -- some

highlights: Blueberry pie from Maine Diner; strawberry pie with cream from Helens; fresh local burger with hand cut fries from A-1; pancakes at Moody's; and a granddaddy lobster roll from Red's. Yes, that's an entire tail, plus a lot of claw meat. Those were just a fraction of things we ate along the way. Read more at Plating Up.

Freeee Coffeeee of the iced variety!!

The summer season is officially in full swing! I bought my first iced coffee the other day and took my flip flops out of the closet.
And to add to my glee Dunkin Donuts has made today FREE ICED COFFEE DAY!! From 10 am- 10 pm you can get a free 16 oz. iced coffeee. Weee! My mind is so excited for the free caffeine buzz, I must go get one now! Ooops it just came to my attention that I left the "D" out of "iced" in my illo ha ha, that's why I'm not the writer :)

The scary aisle

My brother needed some Mother's Day reinforcements the other night, so we took a quick trip to the frightening mecca that is SuperWalmart. We went to the card section -- after passing the brilliantly placed "quick grab" gifts of ice tea makers, candles, flowers and candy -- and were faced with a sight that probably only has its match on Christmas eve in a stocking stuffer aisle: men, and men with their young children, grabbing at every heavy-card stock, flowered, singing, script-emblazoned greeting card they could find an envelope for. Art to follow as soon as I get back to Virginia.

For the record, I purchased all of my cards 2 weeks ago -- when the getting was still good.

For the boys --- and girls -- in harm's way

A Nebraska woman is campaigning to get 1 million greeting cards to troops. Her initiative is called "Make Two Tell Two" -- and it doesn't matter if the cards are purchased or hand made, the idea is to get them there. Here's how to help: Send cards to Make2 Tell2, 991 Road 325, Harvard, NE 68944 or go online. The deadline is June 1.

Waiting

Have e-vites made us ruder? The NYT explores how folks deal with electronic invitations of all kinds. It takes a lot to plan a party these days. I like to send invitations at least a few weeks in advance for any gathering of more than 10 -- but the last time I did a written, hand addressed invite set, I got the worst response ever. Of course it was for a 60th birthday party. It seems the older you get, the busier you become.

Time to stock up on sin

New Hampshire alarmist Cyndi Desrosiers has apparently decided that a Hallmark card touting wine as "liquid clothes remover" (which, frankly, I think would be an excellent marketing campaign for all wine) is inciting local teens to cavort in the streets.

You know what is MUCH more likely to lead to teen sex in seacoast New Hampshire and other parts of northern New England: Allen's Coffee Brandy. Don't worry Cyndi, they check IDs pretty closely at the state liquor store. Even mine ... and oh look, wine is on sale.

Bringing culture to the cards

Robert Jeffers' card company, Lyrics Personals, is working to keep it real. Lyrics strives to reach out to the younger, urban market in a way few of the giants are.

"You have a lot of cultures that aren't represented in the greeting card industry. They have to go buy what they can find," said Jeffers, 31, who also writes and takes pictures for his line. "You're not going to see a picture of the projects on a Hallmark or American Greetings card."

Angel kisses someecards

Someecards has raised a $350,000 seed round from Google’s former "Head of Special Initiatives" and generally brilliant guy Chris Sacca. Smart move. The site is now averaging 1.5 million unique visitors a month. And it remains funny as hell.

Tasty things were meant to be licked

I missed Ben & Jerry's cone day. It stopped last night at 8 p.m. last night -- and I even saw a participating shop and walked on by... Oh, and I have an "issue" with lactose. This, however, has not stopped me in the past.

Tonight (run out right now, readers) is Baskin-Robbins' 31 Cent Scoop Night to benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. So, go eat some soft serve, even if it gives you a stomach ache.

Is it Mother's Day again, already?

Nearly every married woman I know over the age of 27 is either 1) trying to get pregnant, 2) pregnant or 3) just had a baby -- so I can't possibly give them ALL cards this year, as much as I would love to. Instead, I will focus on a card for MY Mom. Lover of the Beatles, walks in the woods, sweets, premium dipping oil and overflowing Christmas stockings. Former competitive skier, bread baker and sometime model. And a great giver of cards herself.

I'll be home for Mother's Day this year. I'm working on a food piece for Maine Food and Lifestyle (my most recent piece was on vodka...) and after a few days of driving around the state eating chowder, blueberry pie, mac-n-cheese with hot dogs and lots of beans, we'll settle in for a nice meal -- and the presentation of many cards.

Some contenders:

-- First there were the music cards (I now own several) -- and now Hallmark has RECORDABLE music cards. Confused? Watch a (really lame) demo online.

-- She does finally check e-mail nearly every day ... so perhaps a little sock puppet opera.

Or .... what else? Is Mother's Day so sacred that there are no fun greeting cards out there?

Honk if you love cheese

You probably didn't know that April is Grilled Cheese month. And you probably didn't know how much Doreen and I love cheese. In fact, if we didn't already have a mascot (aka Baxter), we would probably have a mascot that was a grilled cheese sandwich with legs ... or something (this is why I'm not the designer).

So, if you love cheese as much as the ladies at PEPCards do, then let us know. Oh, and let Kraft know too. They may reward you with FREE FROMAGE. We'll probably just rejoice by sharing our favorite recipes for fondue.

Damn, this posting makes me crave Mt. Tam and a box of lactaid.

Something special, when gas costs $3.30 a gallon

As part of their efforts to stimulate the economy, greeting card makers are encouraging folks to BUY CARDS. Officials say that the industry hasn't been affected by recession issues in the past, in fact, as folks cut back, they may be more likely to send a card than a gift. And considering how expensive some cards are these days, that isn't always a cheap prospect.

Birthdays with The King

When BK, maker of my dirty-secret breakfast sandwich that I only get when things are really REALLY bad, launched its King ad campaign a few years ago, The King was everywhere. His plaster smiling head, perfect hair and shining crown. It was glorious and always made me want cheesy tots (strangely, even before there WERE cheesy tots). And now "special occasions will be even more memorable thanks to the King."

Jail Mail

I often have card ideas when I am looking to mark a somewhat unusual occasion, like "it's your birthday, and even though Im mad at you, I want to be the bigger person and let you know I remembered. Dammit."

A California lawyer's experience has led her to write a line for folks "who can't come home from prison" and established Three Squares Greetings. You know, for the meals you get every day. In jail.

Also, an audio interview with NPR.

Happy Green Beer Day!

A new sketch from PEP -- drink up!

Starting early

The Carty sisters, of Piscataway, N.J., may only be teens, but they already have several years of philanthropic business under their belts. Their greeting-card company, Tea Party and Things, supports a local nonprofit organization that supplies clothing to women and children in shelters.

In Chicago

The Chicago Trib recently profiled several local card artists and letterpress folks -- including Julie Morelli, 27 and the graphic design company she and her bf started, Letterform. Cards for foodies. Still a small, untapped market with a lot of potential.

Also mentioned, Ezra Daniels, a rare male entrant to the biz, and his Loaded Blanks concept -- where "They provide the pictures (and the blank spaces) but you provide the words."

More from Sandra Boynton

The New York Times takes a look at her "unconventional approach to business" -- from her early interest in finance, entrepreneurial activity and the arts -- to the work that allowed her to combine all three. At 21, she made a shrewed decision to demand royalties from her first professional card design gig. That job -- for Recycled Paper -- grew into her designing 4,000 different cards for the company, which saw its own revenues from $1 million to $100 million "largely because of the popularity of Boynton cards."

But what Sandra really did was become a pioneer for quirky design -- something many contemporary card designers now try to push the limits of to find their own niche within a niche. “It’s a lot easier to start in this business today than it was when Sandra Boynton got started,” Patti Stracher, manager of the National Stationery Show. “She fueled a trend in what were then called alternative greeting cards. Alternative cards helped people communicate about topics that were really hard to address or that you could poke fun at.”

And after 30 years of work in the card world -- and beyond it into music, books and other design forays -- Ms. Boynton has done what many of us are looking for -- continued to find joy in her work.

“I love what I do, I love the people I work with, I care very much about the value of the work I create, and I don’t need more money than I have. This is not revolutionary philosophy. It’s just common sense,” Boynton told the NYT.

That's more enviable than being the one of the best-selling card creators of all time by any measure.

A spin around

New finds for PEP -- design studio Girl Metro in Chicago ... she specializes in weddings and is an etiquette expert ... on the flip side of high-brow, 16 sparrows ... a shop that specializes in sarcasm and offers free downloads. Everybody loves that.

HVTD

And kudos to PEP (mostly Doreen!) for selling our first design at an art show in New York (White Plains, but it's NEAR the city). PEP hopes that everyone's LOVE holiday is full of champagne dreams and caviar kisses.

It's never too late for pancakes

Doreen's famous line from Mardi Gras 1998 was "I ate a pancake." I'll never forget it. I think I was drinking a beer at 9 a.m. at the time.

Hope you all got some tres yum free buttermilk pancakes on 2/12.

Fun facts about one of PEP's artistic genius' fave foods ...

-- IHOP served 1.1 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day last year.

-- All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day would create a stack more than eight miles high.

Can you imagine the amount of BUTTER and syrup that would necessitate? Delicious.

Letterpress me

It's expensive and time consuming, but it also leads to some beautiful art. Albertine Press has found success with it, and with a studio cluttered with history and smelling of chocolate, it would be hard not to get caught up in the uniqueness of what Shelley Barandes is producing each day in Somerville.

Many hippo returns

The year I was born, Sandra Boynton drew a picture of a hippo, a bird and 2 female sheep. Ten million birthday greetings later, you have a card has been redrawn five times because the printing plates keep running out. She was 21. I think I'm having a BTR moment.

Greetings from Bethlehem

Each year, hundreds of people (I assume in my area) who think their Christmas card receivers are really going to notice, travel to Bethlehem, Md., to make sure that their postmark is even more authentic. The postmaster of the town of 150 estimates she processed more than 50,000 cards during the holiday, and that people really, REALLY want to make sure that folks know the lengths they went through making that arduous trip to the Eastern Shore, to get the blessed stamp.

"Postmaster Karen Durham said she has seen her share of interesting people stream through the lobby every Christmas. "Then there are people who send cards and their people don't even notice, and they get really annoyed. So this one lady made stickers that she put on the back of her envelopes saying, 'I mailed this from Bethlehem.' "

Merry Christmas, dammit.

Eye Write 4 U

I was standing in line at a store once, and the man in front of me was laboring over what the write in an enclosure card. He was holding up the line. While the cashier looked at those of us behind "Lost for Words" sympathetically, I leaned forward and offered him two simple lines, and waited for him to finish. He did, and as I put whatever it was I was buying on the counter, he asked me how I "did that so fast." I think the jist of my response was -- "What you write shouldn't be hard if you mean it. And if you don't -- keep it short and it won't look forced."

I am amazed that people struggle writing cards -- especially thank yous and birthday cards -- but I am not surprised that some companies just run out of time (or don't plan well enough) to handle them efficiently during the holidays. Here is where the company that that businessman likely went out and helped found (or fund) after our conversation in Easton, Pa., while I likely went back to my tiny desk to update basketball stats for the next 10 hours with a cup of ramen soup at my side: Red Stamp.

Don't have time to thank Grampa for the $50 this holiday? Outsource it. Etiquette experts may think it's uncouth, but let's face it -- not everyone has the time, or patience, for sitting down and writing out 250 holiday cards every December. And if you have the money, the least you can do it make sure it is personalized.

It's holiday card time ...

Get in line now. The USPS says 20 billion cards, letters and packages will be delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The nation's e-card business may be diversifying and growing, but hand-written notes are here to stay.

"They're very different mediums," the Greeting Card Association says, claiming that e-cards don't actually compete with paper cards in the marketplace. The reason? Emotion.

"An e-card is fun and it's instantaneous, and the sender and receiver recognize that," a GCA spokeswoman adds. "A greeting card has far more sentimental value. You send one for a longer-lasting, deeper meaning."

One company that is bridging the electronic-paper gap is Seattle's GreetQ. GreetQ offers users the ability to select and schedule mailings of actual greeting cards, which can then be sent to your home to sign and mail, or, for a $1 fee, GreetQ will have its staffers handwrite your note and send it for you.

"We aim to do what Zappos.com has done for shoes and what Netflix has done for movie rentals. It’s now time for greeting cards to enter the fold," GreetQ.com cofounder Jennifer Taylor said.

And right on the front page of their site: our friends at Bald Guys Greetings!