Greeting Card And Credit Card Resource

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 10

2008-10-06T11:56:00.000+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 9

2008-10-06T11:55:00.000+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 8

2008-10-06T11:54:00.001+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 7

2008-10-06T11:52:00.002+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 6

2008-10-06T11:52:00.001+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 5

2008-10-06T11:50:00.000+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 4

2008-10-06T11:49:00.001+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Cards - 3

2008-10-06T11:48:00.001+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Card - 2

2008-10-06T11:45:00.000+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Card - 1

2008-10-06T11:40:00.002+08:00

::Kad Ucapan Raya Percuma

Christmas CBGB's

2007-12-28T13:50:00.000+08:00

Christmas @ CBGB's
Uploaded by the_baghdaddios

The NYC band, The Baghdaddios, sing about the now closed legendary club, CBGB's.

Christmas

Make Your Own Christmas Cards

2007-12-18T13:35:00.000+08:00

by: Ian White

Are you tired of sending the same old Christmas cards depicting boring baubles and dreary bells year in and year out? Have you ever thought that you could design better Christmas cards yourself? Why not have a go this year?

The best time to begin collecting material for making Christmas cards is during the previous year's yuletide season. Collect as many seasonal clippings, ribbons, bows and small decorations as possible from magazines, wrapping paper, gift tags, Christmas cards, advent calendars…the list is endless - you won't have to look far for inspiration during the Christmas period.

Once you have amassed all of your material, store it in a special craft chest. You may wish to divide your material into different themes and put it into individual drawers in your craft chest.

You can then decide when to begin making cards for next Christmas. This will depend on how much time you have throughout the year and how many cards you wish to make - do you want to make a card for everyone on your Christmas card list or just a few for close friends and family?

Before starting to make the cards, you will need to buy either some card for cutting, folding and making your own card blanks or some ready-made card blanks with envelopes - this is the quickest and easiest way. Look in the crafts-paper crafts-card making section of eBay for good value packs of card blanks and matching envelopes or try your local craft store.

White or cream is a good background color as it enables you to use a variety of colors on top but you don't have to restrict yourself to this color, you can be as creative as you like. Red and green also make good background colors for Christmas cards.

You may also wish to buy peel-offs, which are stickers with such greetings as 'Happy Christmas,' 'Season's Greetings,' etc. They are useful for giving your cards the finishing touch but are not essential, as you could write a greeting using a silver gel pen, for example, or not include a greeting on the front of the card at all.

Sticky pads are another useful addition to your Christmas card craft making kit. These small foam pads with adhesive on both sides give certain images a slightly raised effect, allowing them to stand out from card slightly. They are excellent for giving more prominence to centerpieces.

You could also buy other materials like handmade or mulberry paper but these are not necessary if you have amassed a lot of your own Christmas material.

Alternatively, if you do not have any materials for making the cards, you could buy a Christmas card making kit. This will include several card blanks as well as many bits and pieces that you can use to design and make cards. It may even have suggested designs and instructions, which are great if you lack a little inspiration.

As far as tools are concerned, the only essential tools are a pair of scissors, a ruler and some glue. A glue pen is very useful as it allows you to apply glue very finely to small decorations.

Now the fun begins…just sit down and let you imagination run wild. Try out different designs on the cards without sticking them down. If one design doesn't work, discard it and begin again but don't be too judgmental - the idea is to have fun. Some designs will be better than others but you won't develop your own style if you don't give your creativity full rein.

As a finishing touch, you could add a little sticker on the back saying 'handmade by…' These stickers are available to buy or you could print them yourself from your computer. If people like your cards, you could have orders coming in for next year's cards and before you know it, you will have set up your own card making business. You could even sell your surplus cards to friends, at local groups and fairs or even on the Internet. eBay is a good place to start selling hand-crafted items online.

If you do begin selling your cards, bear in mind that you can only sell your original designs. If you have copied someone else's design either from a book, magazine, website or another source, you cannot sell it as it would be a violation of copyright, unless it is explicitly stated that it is a copyright-free design.

So, sit down, relax and enjoy a creative pursuit in the run-up to Christmas. The rewards could be greater than you expect.

About The Author
Ian White is founder of http://Housecarers.com House sitting Directory Find a live in House Sitter to mind your home, pets and gardens while you are away. Exchange rent free accomodation for house sitting

Make Your Own Christmas Cards

Never Pay Credit Card Interest Again...Secret Method Revealed

2007-12-07T09:46:00.000+08:00

by: Patti Oar

Do you have more than one credit card? Did you know that if you make one late payment your credit card company can and will raise your APR to the highest rate they charge? And did you also know that if this happens to you, all of your other credit card companies will find out and they'll raise your rates too? You can actually end up paying way more in interest than you actually owe the credit card companies.

First let’s examine what APR is. APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. Simply put it is the percentage per year that you would pay on your balance. This is pro-rated to a monthly rate based on what you currently owe the company. Rates can fluctuate wildly depending on your current credit rating. Credit card companies reward those customers who have good credit ratings with the lowest interest rates. These rates can have a very wide range, but you won’t be able to qualify for the better rates if your credit isn’t impeccable.

Now of course the ideal situation is to pay your balance off in full each month, but sometimes this isn’t possible and you end up carrying an outstanding balance. In some cases you may have balances on more than one card. If this happens to you,my advice would be to pay the highest payment you are able to pay on the card with the highest interest rate, rather than the highest amount owed. Just keep in mind that every dime of interest is more money that you are paying to the credit card company. We seem to be more worried about paying extra shipping on items we purchase but seem to dismiss the extra money we pay in interest payments. That’s probably because it is largely unseen and in some cases hard to figure out how much we’re actually paying.

I personally try not to carry balances when I can, but periodically I have had balances on several different cards. But I can honestly say that I haven’t paid any interest on any of my cards since 1991.

The way I have accomplished this is very simple. I get an average of 3 or more credit card applications in the mail every day. I typically look for an offer with a balance transfer. These are very competitive. You can always find one with a 0% APR. But that’s not all you’re looking for. You want to find one with 0% for at least a year (you can sometimes find them for 18 months). The next thing you look for is when the 0% will expire, and what the APR will go up to when it does. You may be able to give yourself 18 months to pay off the debt without paying any interest and if not you will most likely be at a much lower APR than you currently have. Sometimes you can find 0% for 18 months and then 3.9% after that. Start adding that up and you can save yourself a lot of money if you currently have 6% or higher. Now you transfer your balances from your other higher interest cards and you can avoid paying any more interest. You could pay more, but WHY?

NOTE: You must pay attention to the deadlines and if you haven’t finished paying off your balance, by the time the interest rates kick in you will need to find another card offer and do it again. You will need to make sure you apply within about 6 weeks of the deadline to make sure you don’t wait too long. Be aware though that you can actually make your credit look bad if you have too many cards or credit lines, so when you transfer your balance you should cancel the old card so it is not showing up on your credit report.

About The Author
Patti Oar has been an online marketer since 1996. Find your http://www.topten.ecreditdirectory.com

Never Pay Credit Card Interest Again Secret Method Revealed

How To Choose The Best Gas Card

2007-12-07T09:40:00.000+08:00

by: Tom Tessin

Everyone in today’s world loves to drive. The only downfall when it comes to driving is the expenses it comes with from maintenance to gas. What if there was a way to save money at the pump every time you filed up? If it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t.

In today’s society, especially with the internet, it’s very seldom that you need to pay full price for anything anymore. The same goes for gas. Credit card companies offer a range of reward based credit cards that include savings on gasoline. The nice thing about these gas credit cards are that you’re able to save so much per gallon.

If you’re unfamiliar how gas credit cards work, it’s not a hard process to understand at all. A gas credit card is simply a credit card with a reward. It’s no different than a card that gives cash back or bonus airline miles. It simply gives back a percentage of your fill-up. Almost every gas credit card will take off a certain percentage per gallon. For instance, the BP Visa credit card will take off ten percent per gallon for the first ninety days. If the current price is three dollars a gallon, you’re only going to have to pay $2.70. That’s a savings of thirty cents per gallon! You can only imagine how quick it adds up.

Gas credit cards vary from a basic reward card to a credit card that can only be used a particular gas station. What you’ll find out is that if you apply for a credit card that is only to be used at a certain gas station, you’ll be able to save more per gallon compared to a reward card. A reward card is different because not only will you be able to save on gas but you can also get rebates on groceries and other things in that realm.

What type of gas credit card should I go for? This is up to you. If you fill up at the same gas station every week, then we would suggest you get a credit card that focuses on one gas station, so that you can save more money per gallon. If you’re the type that travels a lot and you travel along a lot of foreign grounds, you may find it tough to find the gas station you’re looking for. This is when a rewards gas credit card will come in handy. You’re not going to be able to save as much money as a sole gas credit card but you’ll still be saving.

When you look at all the options in the end, you’ll find that most credit cards will suit you. The ones that may not suit you are the particular gas stations that aren’t in your area. Even if you can’t make up your mind, it never hurts to apply for two separate cards. This way you can use one at that particular gas station and if you’re not near your favorite station, you can use your reward card. In the end, there’s no such thing as a bad gas credit card.

About The Author
Tom Tessin runs and operates http://www.findgascards.com that focuses on saving on gas with gas credit cards.

How To Choose The Best Gas Card

Christmas Cards - Created as Personalized Gifts with your Digital Camera

2007-12-07T09:24:00.000+08:00

by: Soren Breiting

It is very easy nowadays to give your Christmas cards a fully personal look and feel by using modern technology. And it isn't expensive either. With a digital camera, your computer and your printer you can do everything yourself. But just with the digital camera you can create the part that turns your Christmas cards into a personalized gift for Christmas and have it produced by a Christmas cards printing service.

Remember, that for many the annual Christmas card is the thing that keeps the connection to other family members and friends living far away. Many people hold the feeling of belonging to someone's inner circle for years without meeting just by receiving the annual Christmas card. Christmas cards should be taken more seriously than we might use to do.

Tips to make the personalized picture card - read on

As pictures taken with digital cameras come as immediate results you can easily experiment a little and take some alternatives.

Here are some ideas for what to focus on. Later I will give you ideas to including the Christmas feeling into the picture:

Alternative 1: You are living alone

Take a picture of yourself or of your dog, cat or pet.

Alternative, take a picture of your house, a room, part of your garden or something else people will clearly relate to yourself.

Alternative 2: You are living in a family or the like

You have very many options:

- Take pictures of the youngest member of the family. The youngest member is the one that receivers of the Christmas card will appreciate most to see the development of 'since last Christmas'. If you have a pet in the family include that with the child.

- Take pictures of the whole family. It isn't a problem that it is an arranged photo.

- Take pictures of the youngest child with the oldest member of the family. That will always generate a lot of feelings and attention.

How to include the Christmas feeling into the picture?

You will need very little to add that extra Christmas feeling into your photography.

If you are only taking a picture of a single person or two you can let a candlelight play a big role in the picture frame. A newly married couple looking from each side into a candlelight without any strong light added might be an intimate and cute picture for Christmas.

We have a lot of symbols we use for Christmas: Christmas tree, red ribbons, red apples, red in general, Christmas decorations, candle lights, Christmas presents made as nice packages, yes, even snow and darkness. All symbols of Santa Claus. You might have many more ideas.

Include one or two of these in the picture when you take it to underline that feeling of Christmas. (I don't expect you to include a full Christmas tree - just a small twig will do.

How should the Christmas picture look like?

Make the Christmas picture look as simple as possible. Not a lot of detail. Focus on the main motive and idea of the picture and avoid a lot of things around. These will only make the picture messier. That means go close to capture the essence of it as a Christmas picture.

Include if possible just a few colors as that will make the picture look more professional.

Select the best alternative shot, stay with it and be happy with that

Layout of the Christmas card and printing the cards

Do it your self cards

Depending on the word processor you use you will have access to the possibility to insert pictures and insert the text you want to have printed on the card.

In many cases you will have access to card formats with pre-made card templates. That makes the whole process much easier. You can also search in Google for templates for Christmas cards or the like.

When you have finished your layout and made a proof print you can start your production of your own personalized Christmas cards. T use more heavy paper will improve the look and feel of your self-made Christmas cards.

Use a printing service for your personalized Christmas cards

Most photo service providers will be able to deliver your personalized Christmas cards in the number you want. The more cards the cheaper. You can search for bargains in Google. You will be able to select the layout and additional text online with many photo printing providers.

The earlier you start your production of your own personalized Christmas cards the better a chance you will have to get them done in time for a modest cost. Your efforts this year to provide family and friends with a truly personalized Christmas card will be highly valuated, you will see.

About The Author

Do you need a new digital camera before Christmas - take a look on Canon Digital Cameras with highly recommended digital cameras at http://www.CanonDigitalCameras.net.

Soren Breiting is taking a lot of pictures all year round. See his high resolution images at http://www.azfotos.com - A-Z Fotos .

Christmas Cards Created as Personalized Gifts With Your Digital Camera

Greeting Cards: For In-Between Freelancing

2007-12-06T12:51:00.000+08:00

by: Scott Lindsay

"U.S. consumers purchase approximately 7 billion greeting cards each year, generating nearly $7.5 billion in retail sales." *

Have you ever wondered who actually writes all of those greeting cards you purchase? Sure there are staff writers who may develop themes and specific greeting cards. However, there are numerous freelance writers who have received checks for the use of one or more of their greeting card ideas.

"There are an estimated 3,000 greeting card publishers in the U.S., ranging from small family-run organizations to major corporations. GCA-member publisher companies account for approximately 95 percent of industry sales." *

With so many greeting card publishers it is easy to see that this may be a market worth looking at. Many freelance writers who have sold ideas to greeting card companies find the idea a profitable means of using their downtime.

When these writers find themselves without a pressing deadline or if they have a few moments to spare, they will often jot down a few creative ideas. When they accumulate dozen or so ideas, they send them onto a greeting card company for consideration.

"The exchange of greeting cards is one of the most widely accepted customs in the U.S. There are cards for virtually any occasion or relationship, and they are widely available. Approximately 100,000 retail outlets around the country carry greeting cards." *

Greeting card companies often pay $25-300 for accepted original ideas. One of the best ways to match your idea with a publisher is to conduct some research of your own. For instance some card companies only accept non-rhyming poetry while others only accept humor. Some want inspirational thought while others deal in the cliché.

"Nine out of 10 Americans say they look forward to receiving personal letters and greeting cards because cards allow them to keep in touch with friends and family and make them feel they are important to someone else." *

The majority of the publishers in the greeting card industry will not provide online submission guidelines, but will supply them to you with a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Find a publisher you like, check out their website and ask for submission guidelines. Expect significant rejection, but know that the ideas did not take much time to develop during a time when there were no other pressing deadlines. Then when an idea is accepted you have the knowledge that this is an easy add on to your existing freelance writing structure that resembles fishing, but has a prettier end result.

* Statistics provided by The Greeting Card Association

About The Author
Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of FaithWriters (http://www.faithwriters.com) and many other web projects. FaithWriters has grown to become one of the largest online destinations for Christian writers. Please visit the website at: http://www.faithwriters.com.

Greeting Cards For In Between Freelancing

Creative Ways to Display Christmas Cards

2007-12-05T14:03:00.000+08:00

by: Linda Kevich
The holiday season has a way of making most of us feel amazingly popular, as a flurry of Christmas cards fill our mailboxes. Then we have to figure out what to do with them all. When folks are thoughtful enough to remember you at Christmas time, it’s only fitting that you should put their card on display in your home. But all those cards can take up a lot of space and might even be thought of by some as , dare I say, “clutter”. That no longer needs to be a problem this holiday season - take a look at some precious card-displaying options that might actually enhance your holiday season décor this time around.

- Vertically hang one, two, or three bands of 3” wide ribbon from the top of a door in your living room, dining room, kitchen, main hall or foyer, and then pin the cards you receive to the ribbon. This is a terrific, not to mention really attractive, solution when you don’t have a lot of surface area to display cards on.

- Stand the cards up on the outer edges of your staircase (outside of the railing).

- String festive red pom-pom ball trim across a large window in your living room, kitchen, or dining room. Then attach the top of each card to the string of pom-pom ball trim with a clothes pin. Utterly charming! The trim is available by the yard (or meter) in craft shops and fabric stores.

- Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top of each Christmas card, then string narrow satin ribbon through the holes and tie the cards to the backs of your dining room chairs.

- Use a round men’s belt rack to display your cards in a circle. Make a hole at the top of each card with a hole punch, then string a narrow ribbon through the hole and hang from the circular wire rack. Place the rack in a prominent location in your living room, dining room, foyer, or kitchen.

- Use double sided tape to stick them to your windows in a scattered pattern.

- After Christmas, rather than throwing away the cards you received, think “recycle and re-use”: Cut off the front face of the card, as long as there is no handwriting on the backside of it, then use a hole punch to make a hole at the center-top of it. String a narrow ribbon through the hole, and use the following holiday season as a gift tag.

For even more card-displaying ideas, or other terrific ideas for decorating your home during the holiday season and year-round visit http://www.CreativeHomeStyle.com OR for creative holiday season wedding ideas head to http://www.SuperWeddings.com.

Creative Ways To Display Christmas Cards

Add Personal Touch with a Photo Christmas Card

2007-12-05T13:55:00.000+08:00

by: Rob Buenaventura

If you want to make a really big impact this Christmas, rather than running down to the market and buying stock Christmas cards, try making a family photo Christmas card. Even better, the photo Christmas card is not likely to make it to the rubbish bin but more likely to be kept and either framed or placed into a photo album. In this manner, you are doing your part to help save the trees. The problem with traditional greeting cards is that many people find them to be impersonal and insincere. A photo Christmas card is a personal greeting lets the receiver know that you feel they are a part of your family too.

With widespread digital photography programs available to download (some free and some for a price) or purchase from local retailers it is easier than ever to design, touch up, and print your very own family photo Christmas cards. Digital cameras allow you to take and view photos immediately and retakes only require a few more seconds of your time for those rare photos where someone’s eyes or closed or someone is giving sister rabbit ears. You don’t even need fancy printing and photo editing software to make your own photo Christmas cards, you can upload the photo to one of many online photo services and they can make, edit, and even print the cards for you (for a small fee of course, which is really a small price to pay if you lack the skills to do it for yourself).

There is absolutely no right or wrong way to make a photo Christmas card. In today’s world it is perfectly okay to be creative or casual with your card making. Some of the best cards I’ve seen are with families in jeans and tee shirts with bare feet all lying on the floor wearing Santa hats. Be silly, be creative, have fun, and let your personality show through. It doesn’t even have to be a Christmas type of setting. You can have a family photo at the beach and say something like “I bet you wish you were here instead of eating fruitcake” Anything to bring a smile to the faces of those that love you most.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t make the process more complicated than it has to be. Keep it as simple as possible. You do not want to have a negative experience by trying to do too much or learn too much too quickly. If you do that, you run the risk of giving up and quitting all together. As I’ve mentioned before, if the process of making and printing a card seems overly complicated to you, there are many services, both online and off that will be more than happy to create and print wonderful photo Christmas cards from your family photograph.

Add Personal Touch With a Photo Christmas Card

Greeting Card Writer (hurts self for inspiration)

2007-12-04T10:16:00.000+08:00

Explore the intense, violent world of a man who writes greeting cards.

Elliott Thompson is not your average greeting card writer. This documentary takes a look at his style, some of his cards, and his strange ways of inspiring himself.

Directed by Aaron Yonda of Blame Society Productions and blamesociety.net

Greeting Card Writer Hurts Self For Inspiration

Card Making Projects: Lets Make Cards Magazine Issue 3

2007-11-28T15:02:00.000+08:00

Card Making: Don't throw away the poly bags containing the embellishments in your kit - with a little know how you can use them to make sensational shaker cards.

cards making crafts

Learning Adobe Photoshop with Stefan: Making a Greeting Card

2007-11-28T14:55:00.000+08:00

Want to learn Photoshop? Stefan will teach you, with these learn-as-you-watch lessons. This episode, Stefan explains how to make a greeting card.

Tags
greeting card card

Make Your Own Cards: Woodblocks, Aluminum, and Light-words

2007-11-26T16:13:00.000+08:00

About This Video;

In this weekend project, Bre Pettis of Make: and Craft: magazine's teaches you how to make holiday cards

How to make a pop up christmas card

2007-11-26T16:11:00.000+08:00

A free craft video from www.artistsresource.co.uk

How to make a christmas card.

2007-11-26T16:08:00.000+08:00

Father's Day Cards

2007-11-19T00:32:00.000+08:00

by Daniel Evans

June brings sunshine, summer and aisles upon aisles filled with Father's Day cards. The cards appear quickly and with a vengeance, encroaching on the wedding and birthday cards that make up the bulk of the average store's stock. But they disappear almost as quickly, and woe be the person that shows up the Saturday prior to Father's Day, as the pickings will be mighty slim.
So, though it might seem obvious, get that card early. Be thoughtful in your choice, since it will be the first thing Dad sees when you present him with your gift. Like the cards for most other occasions, the type of cards available include religious, humorous or straightforward themes. Many include poems, often of the doggerel variety, so take care to avoid the cheesy cards. Of course, that is not to say that all poems contained in Father's Day cards are bad, so if you see one that particularly strikes you, snap it up!

If, though, none of the cards strike you as appropriate or funny, there is another option. Most card stores include a selection of blank cards. Often these cards have a simple drawing or photograph, and on the inside fold, space to pen your own thoughts.

Since Father's Day is about your feelings, it may in fact be more appropriate to tell Dad about your love instead of relying on the generic platitudes of card-makers. Don't worry if you're not a writer. Most dads will appreciate the thought required to make a personal note.

(Take from articleinsider.com)

Father's Day E-cards

2007-11-19T00:29:00.000+08:00

by Daniel Evans

Go to any stationery store in June--if you have the time--and you will be boggled by the number of cards available. But just as there are thousands of cards out there that proclaim love for Dad, there are just as many online that say the same thing. Electronic cards, or e-cards, have a number of advantages over the traditional paper ones.
First, they're usually free, and because they're online, checking out dozens of different cards requires just a few mouse clicks. Second, if you find yourself attracted to a particularly popular e-card, there is no danger of it being out of stock. Third, many cards feature sound and animation, giving the card a unique look. And fourth, and perhaps most importantly, delivery is nearly instantaneous, which gives procrastinators a break.

You can find dozens of websites that offer e-cards by performing a simple internet search. Some specialize in cards that feature animation, while others focus on humorous cards. They all give users the ability to add their own message. A few will even let you create and print out a paper card, for those who don't believe a "virtual card" is enough.

In today's busy world, most people don't even have time to grocery shop--forget about navigating a card shop during one of the busiest times of the year. Many of these people will simply settle for a generic card from a convenience store. But with Father's Day e-cards, people have unlimited options--and plenty of time--to create the perfect card for their Dads.

(Take from articleinsider.com)

Personalized Christmas cards

2007-11-06T10:52:00.000+08:00

by Liza Hartung

Christmas cards can be the hardest things to shop for. You don't want to be generic, but you don't want to choose a message that is too "out there" or that might possibly offend people. You also want to make sure that your cards stand out. Most people get dozens of Christmas cards throughout the holiday season. It's very possible that many of them will be similar in design or message.

Many people also like to create decorations out of the cards they receive. If you want to make sure your card goes on the wall, you've got to be unique. Perhaps the best way to do this is to investigate personalized Christmas cards. You have a say in everything from the design to the messages on the inside and outside. For a truly unique card, try a holiday photo card.

Here's the Family!

Families all across America use the holidays as a perfect time to send out new photos of the family. Perhaps you have a new dog, baby or just want friends and family to see how your family is growing. With photo cards, you can choose from a number of frames. For the biggest selection of photo card frames, I suggest using the Internet. You get to shop in the convenience of your own home.

Whether or not you opt for photo cards, personalized Christmas cards can be a great idea. You can select the exact message you want--if you want a religious theme, you can do so. If you want a secular theme, you can do so. You don't have to settle for the one-size-fits-all cards out there. You can add your own flair. If you choose to order online, make sure you have ordered with enough time to be able to fill out and send your cards.

Thank you note cards

2007-11-06T10:38:00.000+08:00

by Liza Hartung

Sometimes in life, people do things for us that require us to do something more than merely utter a quiet "Thank you." Sometimes people do things so unbelievable that we don't know where to begin in expressing our thanks. It is in these situations that I believe a good letter will say it all. A written thank you is putting your thanks in ink, which takes more thought and time than simply thanking someone verbally. It means a great deal to the person on the receiving end.

Have you ever been in a position for someone to thank you? Which do you feel expresses it better, a gift or a heartfelt letter? That's always a good test to know what course of action to take. Many times in life, we know we should write a thank you letter, but we just can't seem to get motivated enough to do it. We might even set time aside to write it, but something comes up and it doesn't get done.
Inspire Yourself

I have found that owning stationary or cards that you like will encourage you to write the letter. If you have cards with your favorite quote on them, your initials or a design that inspires you, you will be more likely to use them. I am also aware that drug stores and local card stores might not offer the kind of selection required to find said cards.

This is when I suggest turning to the Internet. You will be amazed at the selection that is available right at your fingertips. In addition, many sites offer customizable cards. You can add your own saying or your name to the card. They are yours, so they should say something about you. It's fun if friends receive the card and know just by looking at it that it's from you.

Business Holiday Cards

2007-11-05T10:50:00.000+08:00

by Joy MacKay

As a business, you want to make sure you send business holiday cards. These cards give a nice personal touch to your clients. You can even send business holiday cards to other businesses to keep up your work relationship.

Business Holiday Cards Bring Cheer

One of the hardest things when running a profitable business is being seen as a friendly one. You can increase your image by purchasing business holiday cards. In fact, with online technology, you can do this without too much effort or cost.

You can even have your business holiday cards imprinted with your company name. Have a message you want to send? They can be customized to include your message as well.

This makes for a great reminder during the holiday season about your products and services. Keep more clients and let them feel appreciated by sending these cards. You can find great deals on holiday cards online.

Business Cards Online

2007-11-05T10:42:00.000+08:00

Business Greeting Card

by Joy MacKay

If you're looking for a business greeting card maker, your search should end online. You can find great prices on every business greeting card. Best of all you can get them much cheaper than you would pay elsewhere.

Business Greeting Card Suppliers

Sure, you could go to your local print shop and order business greeting card options. However, you will end up paying more because of their limited technology. With online business greeting card suppliers, their technology enables them to give you better prices.

In fact, you can also find business greeting card turnover times that are faster. You can get your business greeting card order online at a fraction of the wait time. Look online for estimated delivery times and compare.

No matter what occasion you are purchasing for, you can customize your business greeting card. This gives a personal touch to each business greeting card. This makes your clients feel you have greater interest in their needs.

Is Credit Counseling Right for You?

2007-11-04T09:14:00.000+08:00

If you're at the end of your rope, a credit counselor can provide the support you need. Participation in a debt management plan can mean you don't have to deal with (or dodge) calls from creditors and you don't have to juggle a stack of bills each month. Some organizations even help you reestablish credit once you've paid off your debt.

Of course, all of this does not come without a cost. Participation in a debt management plan can mean a "black mark" on your credit report because creditors are not receiving payments according to the terms of the original agreement. In reality, this may not be a reason not to participate -- if you're not able to make full and timely payments on your own, then you're going to end up with a mark on your credit report anyway.

For some, a debt management plan feels confining. You may have to live according to a fairly tight budget in order to make the monthly payment, and all your credit accounts (except, in some cases, one) might have to be closed.

And keep in mind that a debt management plan is not a quick fix. It takes many people three to five years to pay off their debt.

Many, if not most, of the counseling agencies that are members of the NFCC go by the name of Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Because there are so many different credit counseling organizations out there (some, members of the NFCC, and some not), be sure to ask about all applicable fees (for counseling and for participation in a debt management plan) before you sign up for services. Understand exactly what you're getting and what it's going to cost you. If you're interested, ask the organization about their education program. Some offices offer free personal finance classes.

Remember, you don't have to deal with bill problems all by yourself. For many consumers drowning in debt, credit counseling is the lifeline that helps them keep their head above water.

Credit Counseling Can Help You Deal with Your Debt

2007-11-04T09:13:00.001+08:00

Unbiased Financial Information Provided by Financial Finesse

If you're deep in debt, you may feel like you're all alone. In reality, there are millions of consumers who, despite their best intentions, are in the same boat. Fortunately, there are professional credit counselors who can help you manage your debt and get your finances back on track.

Counselors Offer Help and Hope

Credit counseling is an option for consumers who want to repay their debt (as opposed to filing bankruptcy). The process typically begins with a discussion (in person, by phone, or via mail or the Internet) about your overall financial picture, including how much money you owe and to whom. You will likely discuss how you got into the situation you're in, with the goal of determining how you can avoid the problem in the future. For example, if you got behind on your bill payments because you got laid off, the counselor may encourage you to start building an emergency cash reserve when you're back on your feet.

You'll also go over your options for dealing with your current situation, one of which might be participation in a debt management plan administered by the credit counseling organization. Under a debt management plan, the organization negotiates with your creditors to accept reduced payments, eliminate or reduce finance charges, waive late and over-the-limit fees, and bring your account current. Some creditors do all these things, some do a few of them, and others do none, all depending on their internal policies. You then make one payment to the credit counseling organization each month, which it disburses to your various creditors. (This is not a consolidation loan.)

Different credit counseling organizations have different procedures, guidelines and fees. If you work with an organization that is a member of the nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), counseling is usually free. Participation in a debt management plan may require a nominal set-up fee, but is more commonly limited to an average monthly fee of $14. Why so inexpensive? Because credit counselors don't rely on your fees alone to keep them in business; they receive a large portion of their funding from the creditors they mail payments to each month.

Avoid Common Credit Card Pitfalls

2007-11-04T09:11:00.000+08:00

The biggest mistake people make with their credit cards is overusing them - easy to do whether you have one card or a whole wallet full of them. You can avoid a credit crunch by following certain guidelines you set for yourself. For example, you may decide to have only one card with a very manageable limit so that you can't overspend. Or you might decide to use your card only for emergencies or things you can't pay for in cash (an airline ticket bought by phone, a tow for your broken-down car, an auto rental, or an online purchase, for example).

Think twice before accepting retail store cards. Though they often come with a tempting merchandise discount, they also tend to charge higher interest rates than the kinds of credit cards that can be used anywhere. Why add another card to your wallet, especially one that has limited usefulness? Not only does it tempt you to spend, it also makes you that much more vulnerable to credit card fraud.

Also, unless you pay off your credit card balance every month without fail, avoid using plastic for everyday purchases like food, toiletries, lunch and snacks. It can become a habit, and small charges tend to add up quickly. Use cash for smaller daily purchases. If you don't have the cash for an impulse buy, put the decision off for a day and ask yourself if you really need the item. Remember, the single most important component of wise credit use is controlling your spending.

When You Should and Shouldn't Purchase with Plastic

2007-11-04T09:09:00.000+08:00

Unbiased Financial Information Provided by Financial Finesse

Americans are up to their necks in debt. Bankruptcy has become so commonplace that in October of 2005, the government made it harder for people to file. You might blame our love of credit cards for the financial predicament we've gotten ourselves into. But that doesn't mean everyone should just stop using credit cards entirely... just that they should use them carefully. In fact, there are some very good reasons to use credit regularly.

When Should You Charge It?

In general, it's a good idea to have at least one credit card and to use it to establish a positive credit history. Your credit record will be a key factor in your getting approved for a major loan, like a mortgage or auto financing. A good credit history can also help you rent a place if you're not ready to buy.

Sometimes it's actually better to make a purchase with your credit card than with cash or a check. That's because credit cards often come with a special insurance feature that covers you if your purchases are damaged or stolen, which is particularly useful when your new TV arrives from the store with a cracked screen. Check the terms of your card (you can read the application literature or call the customer service line) to see if you have this coverage. Your credit card issuer may also play intermediary if you ever have a dispute with a merchant over the delivery of the goods or services you've bought.

For the most part, credit cards are also considered safer and more convenient to use, especially if you're traveling. Why worry about losing your money or having a personal check rejected when you can carry a single piece of plastic that's accepted most places and can be cancelled if lost or stolen? If you make purchases online, your credit card can provide protection against Internet fraud, too.

Beware of Extra Fees for Card and Card Products

2007-11-04T09:08:00.001+08:00

It's typical for credit card issuers to try to sell additional products or services to their cardholders. While most issuers are upfront about their products and prices, it's not unheard of for a particularly aggressive marketer to charge you for a product like credit protection (which is a sort of insurance that pays the minimum payment on your credit card if you become ill or unemployed) that you didn't purchase or that you cancelled.

Another thing to be aware of is a company that requires you to pay a fee before it will send you the credit card. In most cases, you should refuse the card and look elsewhere for credit. If, however, you're having a difficult time establishing credit, you may not have a lot of options. In that case, check and double-check that the card issuer asking for the fee is a highly reputable one. Otherwise, you just might lose your money.

Federal Law Protects Consumers' Rights

Credit card companies are required by federal law to spell out all of the costs associated with the credit you are granted. This information should be included in any credit card offer you receive and on the back of the monthly statements. If you can't find information about a card's fees, be sure to talk to a company representative until you're satisfied. If that still doesn't reassure you, walk away and look into other credit card offers.

If you think you've been misled or deceived by a credit card company, you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Response Center at 877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).

When you give a credit card company your business, you're casting a vote of confidence. Make sure the company you choose deserves your business and your trust.

Card Issuer's Site and Sound Reveal a Lot

2007-11-04T09:07:00.001+08:00

You can learn a lot about a credit card issuer on the Internet. First of all, if a company doesn't have a website, think twice about doing business with it. E-commerce has become such an accepted way of doing business; red flags should go up for any company that isn't online.

Assuming you do make it to a card issuer's website, be on the lookout for any signs that the company may not be on the up-and-up. Does the site have a professional look and feel? Is key information easy to find? Are credit card costs and terms displayed clearly?

Don't stop at the website. Call the card issuer's customer service line. Is your call answered promptly? Does the representative sound professional? Does he or she answer all of your questions directly?

If you feel uneasy about any part of your experience with the company, move on to another card issuer. With so many options out there, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Reputation, Not Just Rates, Important When Choosing a Credit Card

2007-11-04T09:05:00.000+08:00

Unbiased Financial Information Provided by Financial Finesse

With so many credit card issuers clamoring to get their plastic in your pocket, how do you decide which offer to accept? You might think that the choice boils down to the best rates and lowest fees, but the lender's reputation - for fair prices, clear and upfront disclosures, and truly helpful customer service - is just as important as the credit terms. So how do you know which companies are reputable and which aren't?

You'd Better Shop Around If You Want a Card You Can Count On

Ask the same questions for every credit card you consider. If you're not happy with the answers for a particular company, don't do business with it.

Have you heard of the company before?
Do any of your friends or family use a card issued by this company?
Does the company have a Web site? (Most reputable credit card companies do.)
Does the company's Web site or promotional literature outline all of the card's key terms? (Such as the APR, annual fees, cash advance rates and fees, late and over-the-limit fees and grace period.)
Are the finance charges, fees and other terms in line with other cards' costs and terms?
Can you quickly and easily reach a live customer service representative when you call the company? (Try calling before you accept the card.)
Can the representative answer all your questions to your satisfaction?

Do you want your card to offer special incentives, rewards or services?

2007-11-04T08:59:00.000+08:00

If you're going to use credit anyway, look for a card that gives something back. For instance, if you like to travel, consider a card that awards you with airline miles for making purchases or carrying a balance. If you plan to buy a car soon, you might find a card that offers a discount on a particular make of vehicle. There are also cards that offer points to be used to purchase all sorts of things at a discount. In other words, there's probably a card that offers some incentive or reward that would be useful to you.
Don't spend money or carry a balance just to get the "prize." The important thing to remember with incentive cards is that you're spending real money to get those miles, gifts and discounts. If you also pay interest on your charges, you may end up spending more on that "free" plane ticket than you would have if you had bought it directly.

Now that you've answered the most important questions, you can shred the card offers that don't meet all your credit criteria, compare the terms (like interest rates, late fees and grace period) on the offers you have left, and choose the ideal card for you.

How to Choose the Right Credit Card

2007-11-04T08:55:00.000+08:00

Unbiased Financial Information Provided by Financial Finesse

Once you've decided what you want in a card, choosing the best one is just a matter of comparing offers. You can narrow down your options by answering three questions.

Do you plan to pay off the card each month or carry a balance?

If you plan to carry a balance from month to month (even if you don't plan on it but past behavior indicates you probably will), make a low annual percentage rate (APR) the single essential feature for any card you choose. APR is the annual cost of using the credit. The annual fee may also be a consideration, but if your balance is large enough (and the difference in interest rates is great enough), the savings you get from a lower interest rate would likely more than make up for it.
If you won't be carrying a balance, the interest rate won't be important, so look for a card with no annual fee.
Understand the difference between a credit card and a charge card before accepting either. A charge card does not allow you to carry a balance - you have to pay off your purchases in full every month - and charges you an annual fee in exchange for a variety of benefits, e.g., frequent flier miles or traveler's checks.

Do you need a reasonable long-term interest rate or the lowest introductory rate possible?

If you plan to transfer a large balance from another card and pay it off over a short period, look for the lowest and longest-lasting "teaser" rate. Teaser rates typically last from three to nine months.
If you're not sure you can pay off your balance during the intro period, or if you plan to use the card and carry a balance in the future, you may be better off choosing a card with a decent long-term rate than picking a card with an ultra-low teaser rate that skyrockets later on.

Choose a Card According to Your Payment Habits

2007-11-04T08:51:00.000+08:00

Different cards fit different needs. Some charge lower interest rates but may carry an annual fee. These would be a good choice if you tend to carry a balance (the savings you get from the lower interest rate may exceed the annual fee). Many cards charge higher interest rates but don't impose an annual fee. These would be a better choice if you pay off your balance every month (if you don't carry a balance, you're not affected by the interest rate). Other cards offer rewards for certain levels of usage. These rewards (frequent flier miles or rebates for example) may be attractive to people who travel often for business.

Use Cards with Care to Protect Your Credit Rating

Using credit wisely means:

Controlling your spending.
Paying your bills promptly.
Paying more than the minimum amount due.
Keeping copies of your receipts and checking them against your monthly bill.
Keeping a list of all your account numbers in case cards are lost or stolen.
Guarding against card fraud and identity theft by cutting up your old cards and shredding statements and unwanted credit card offers.

Your Credit Limit Is What You Can Spend, Not What You Should Spend

2007-11-04T08:50:00.000+08:00

Your credit limit is the maximum you are allowed to charge on your card, and is based on your financial background and credit history. If your balance exceeds your credit limit, you'll be assessed an extra fee each month until you pay off enough of your balance to bring it back down below the limit. To manage credit successfully, you need to make the distinction between the credit limit and the amount of credit you can afford. Just because the credit card issuer grants you a thousand-dollar limit doesn't mean you can afford it or should use it.

Don't Be Surprised by the Costs of Credit

2007-11-04T08:49:00.000+08:00

Any credit card that allows a balance to be carried from month to month has an annual percentage rate (APR). The APR is a measure of the total yearly cost of credit (interest plus other charges). The periodic rate is the rate applied to your account balance to determine your finance charge for each billing period. Many cards also charge an annual membership fee that can range from $25 to $50, or more for gold, platinum and other "premium" cards. There will also be other fees for taking cash advances, making late payments and exceeding your credit limit.

Know Terms to Compare Card Offers

2007-11-04T08:48:00.000+08:00

All credit cards come with a set of terms. These are, in essence, the "rules" for using the card. The terms must be disclosed in the card application literature; they're also on the back of every statement. Some of the most important terms you should be aware of are the interest rate, annual percentage rate, due date, grace period (the interest-free period of time between when you make a purchase and when you pay for it), cash advance rates and fees, the late fee and the over-the-limit fee. Always read the card terms carefully before you apply.

Do You Want a Credit Card or a Charge Card?

2007-11-04T08:47:00.001+08:00

With a traditional "credit" card, you charge items on your account and receive a bill later, which you have the option to pay in full or in part (at least as much as the "minimum payment due"). If you don't pay the account in full, the remaining balance will carry over to the next month and you'll be charged interest on it. This is referred to as revolving credit.

The other type of card, often referred to as a "charge" card, doesn't allow you to carry a balance from month to month; you have to pay off the total balance when you get your bill. These cards offer the convenience of plastic without the danger of getting into debt or paying high interest charges.

Both kinds of cards are offered under a variety of labels (gold, platinum, premier, and the like), each one offering different features and benefits. The gold and platinum types of cards are typically offered to consumers who have an excellent credit history.

Intro to Credit Cards

2007-11-04T08:45:00.000+08:00

Unbiased Financial Information Provided by Financial Finesse

If you're like most consumers, you're eager to get a credit card. That's understandable -- they offer convenience (no need to carry around wads of cash), enable you to take advantage of opportunities (that TV you've been looking at just went on sale and you don't have your checkbook with you), and can get you through emergencies (try giving the tow truck driver an IOU when your car breaks down on the highway). Establishing credit is also a must if you plan to ever borrow money to buy a car or home. However, credit can also get you into trouble. At best, credit cards can make it difficult to stick to a budget. At worst, they can tempt you to overspend to the point of not being able to pay your bills. To enjoy the benefits of credit and avoid the potential pitfalls, you need to understand the basics of getting, using and managing a credit card.

Why Virtual is Better

2007-11-04T08:17:00.000+08:00

We all enjoy sending and receiving greeting cards from friends, family and loved ones. But sometimes our lives are so busy that we don't think about little things like greeting cards and remembering to buy stamps. Sending a greeting card requires going to the post office, and buying the card from a store, then getting stamps and mailing it off. These things may seem simple, but many people don't send greeting cards as often as they would like for these simple reasons.

That is where virtual greeting cards come in. Virtual greeting cards are easy to find, easy to send, and cost next to nothing, or sometimes are even free. Whenever you think about sending someone a greeting card, you simply go online, create a virtual greeting card, and send it off via email.

There are many different types of virtual greeting cards. Some virtual greeting cards are free to create and send. These are the best type of virtual greeting card, because it only takes minutes to create and email off, there is no travel required, and best of all it doesn't cost you anything!

Other virtual greeting cards cost a minimal amount, such as ten or twenty-five cents each, or you can purchase memberships to virtual greeting card sites for a few dollars a month. The price is so low it might as well be free, and it is certainly cheaper than a stamp! Signup is usually quick and painless as well as secure, and within minutes you're ready to send virtual greeting cards to everyone on your list! A few minutes of personalization, and you're ready to go!

Virtual greeting cards are great not only because of the minimal cost, but because they are more personalized than a greeting card you buy in the stores. Virtual greeting cards can be personalized with a special message, names, music, graphics, animations, and many other features that lets your special someone know that you know what they like. Personalize a virtual card with a poem you wrote yourself, and accent it with "your song."

Virtual greeting cards are also great for birthdays and anniversaries, because you can choose the subject matter, the message, and customize the virtual card to show the age or number of the birthday or anniversary.

One of the best features of a virtual greeting card is that they can often be saved to your computer or on disk. This way, even if something were to happen such as a fire, tornado, or other disaster, the cherished memory of celebration and caring is still there in your virtual greeting card. Nothing can take away that precious and personalized virtual greeting card because it's not on paper that can be easily lost or destroyed.

With the ability to personalize, the flexibility of time and effort, and the low cost, there is no doubt that virtual greeting cards are much better than paper.

Why Greeting Cards Are Handy

2007-11-02T13:43:00.001+08:00

One of the best ways to reach out and touch people is by sending greeting cards. They are a way to touch someone personally and from the heart. They are handy because often they give ideas of how to say just the right thoughts when words fail otherwise.

Greeting cards are used to ask forgiveness, to convey sympathy, to send a perk to someone who is sad, to share a special occasion with someone special, and to send well-wishes to someone who has been ill or hurt. Greeting cards are handy as reminders for someone who may be forgetful, to say thanks to someone who has been helpful, and to renew friendships.

Greeting cards can be handy to jog memories of something long forgotten. If you are a person who saves special things, greeting cards can be found years later in a box of old memories. They can help revive old memories or be used to start new ones.

Many times humor from a greeting card may touch someone when a letter would not. A greeting card can be short, sweet, and to the point or long, thoughtful, and thought-provoking.

If you are grieving over a loved one, you may be sorting through keepsakes and be soothed by a greeting card bought long ago. You can use these precious gifts to begin a scrapbook of the person. You can share the greeting cards with family or friends and revive fond memories. You can use these greeting cards in crafts to make other gifts to hand over to a child or grandchild to keep the memory of your loved one alive.

For someone who likes to save greeting cards as a hobby, you may find joy in discovering antique greeting cards.

Greeting cards can be used to teach a child. They can be handy in helping a child learn how to read, how to appreciate getting mail, how to keep in touch with friends or family they may have moved away from, how to explore their own thoughts and feelings, how to convey humor to others. They can also be used to teach a child how to count and how to create. They can be used to teach a child about writing and publishing and art. They can be used to teach a child about poetry. They can help teach a child about animals, nature, cars, motorcycles, good manners, and friendship.

Are you low on cash? Sending a greeting card in place of a gift is a handy alternative. Some people prefer to receive a card in place of a gift. The most important thing about a special occasion is to let someone know they were on your heart and in your mind. Sometimes just sending a card instead of a gift will relieve someone of having to provide a gift in kind. Some people may be secretly relieved to just exchange cards on special occasions.

Greeting cards can also be handy in business. If you have employees who need a morale boost, use a humorous greeting card or maybe something to let them know you appreciate their hard work.

Malaysia PostCard

2007-10-31T15:34:00.000+08:00

<<< A Classic British colonial Style Mansion in Penang

Bought these postcards in KLCC Suria shopping mall, for those who are not quite familiar with Malaysia, for your information KLCC is the second tallest structure in the world, and the tallest twin structure in the world. I lo ve the postcard alot, it reminds me of Penang Island, where me and my family used to visit it every year during chinese new year. Penang Island is a very unique place indeed, unlike other parts of Malaysia, it has its own identity, most of all its very own unique archit ecture identity, a mixture of colonial and chinese arc hitecture and of course the local traditional malay houses.

As Malaysia progress, we tend to forget about our past. Destroy the very unique architecture that once shape out forefathers. Buildings like these are being torn down everyday, and eventually it would no longer exist. Vernacular architecture is a remarkable example of man’s creativity spans many centuries and countries.

The debate of traditional against modern architecture commences with a general introduction that catalogs the positive and negative of both worlds by construction methods, materials and technology advancements. Question about the best of both worlds and the possibility of merging them and innovate the concept into our modern living room?

A Chinese Coffeeshop, Selangor, Malaysia>>>

“Traditional architecture is a result of man’s, elemental needs and his intricate relationship with society and the environment he lives in. In an era when the real world appears to sublimate into cyberspace, an explicit desire for a return to the past is perhaps understandable.” – William S.W. Lim

Closer to home, Malaysia is a good place for case study, as for it is the melting pot for Asia’s very best culture, this in turn causes ethnic groups to demand the right of representation of their own identities. Traditional residential areas have been demolished or commercialized and replaced by modern high rise buildings. The latent identity deficit resulting from history and the specific situation prompted discussions.
<<< Chinese Shophouses, Salak Sentuh, 1950, Selangor, Malaysia

We do not need an architect to experience the creative genius of a building. Our homes, our public buildings, and our cities reflect what we are, what we once were – and what we hope to become.

“ In order to get on the road towards modernization, is it necessary to jettison the old

A Chinese Sundry Shophouses, 1950, Selangor, Malaysian>>>

cultural past which has been the raison d’etre of a nation?… it is a fact: every culture cannot sustain and absorb the shock of modern civilization. There is a paradox: how to become modern and to return to the source.”

Paul Ricouer Vernacular Architecture may be something of the past, but it holds special values that we should cherish, it’s a gifts past down from one generation to another, their creativity in playing with forms and space to suite the situation at that particular time and environment is undeniable. To abandon it is like to forget oneself; it is tradition that define us, that unite us. Knowing that modernization is around the corner and we should embrace it, or we will be left behind, but that doesn’t mean we should trade modernization with traditional. Solutions such as innovate tradition to suite today’s time should be taken into consideration.
A Corner Coffeeshop in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia

multiple submission

Grading a card

2007-10-31T13:56:00.001+08:00

The grade of a card is determined by weighing the condition or quality of four basic aspects of the card. Sometimes, it's easy to grade a card because one aspect is defective, and it's generally recognized that if that particular aspect is defective in a certain way, the card should get a certain grade.

Other times it is much harder to grade a card, since the relative condition of several aspects of the card must be taken into account. I think that in most cases, a card is graded based upon its worst feature. If other features of the card are particularly good, the grade of the card might lift slightly, and if several of the card's features are equally bad, it might sink a bit.

Subjectivity in grading comes when people don't agree upon how bad the features are, and/or when they don't agree about how the conditions should interact.

How to get the most for your cards

2007-10-31T13:53:00.000+08:00

If you have a used car and are trying to sell it for the highest conceivable price, it might not make the most sense to take it to a reputable mechanic and have them figure out exactly what is wrong with the car and write it all down so you can show prospective buyers.

It might make more sense to take it to a disreputable mechanic and have them write you up something that explains how wonderful the car is. It might make more sense to skip the whole mechanic thing and simply believe with all your heart that the car is wonderful, and explain this fact to everyone who comes over to look at it. Or if you knew for a fact that the car is a clunker, you could just lie about it.

With regard to cards, some of the same stuff comes into play. There are people who sell junk and get a lot of money for it, because they either don't know it's junk, and describe it in glowing terms, or they know it's junk and hype it up anyway. It wouldn't make sense for these people to have their cards professionally graded, and this is one of the reasons to buy professionally graded cards.

I think that I would be wrong to tell you that the way to get the most out of your cards would be to send your stuff to one of the top companies. It's a fine thing to do, but if my responsibility is towards you, I'd have to explain that this might not be the best thing to do.

The "correct" answer depends upon what grade it would get from what service. If you have to choose between a PSA-8 or a PRO-10, the PRO-10 would probably sell for more. Of course, if it is going to get a PSA-10, you'd get a lot more for that, but PSA-10's are hard to get, and PRO-10's don't seem to be as hard.

I don't have a lot of experience thinking this way, since I just send my stuff in to PSA. I think the major graders try to do a good job, but even with them it's a crap shoot, so there is a certain amount of luck involved.

The final answer to this question is different for each person, and much depends upon how you want to do business.

Professional grading and vintage cards

2007-10-31T13:49:00.000+08:00

Professional grading has changed the vintage card market tremendously. The cards have become commodities and it is possible to buy and sell them sight-unseen with much more confidence.

Some cards have appreciated greatly, especially in high grade. This is because it turns out that some cards are quite rare in high grade, and people have figured this out and are fighting over the material that is available.

Even stuff that is fairly common can command good prices, because people will trust a professional grade and are often willing to pay more for these cards.

It is now true that if someone is trying to sell a non-graded premium card, people will wonder why it isn't professionally graded. There is the perception that if it's not in a slab, something must be wrong with it. I share this perception, although it is not always true.

There are a lot of people who are trying to buy up high-grade vintage from collectors, have it professionally graded, and realize all of the premium themselves. There has to have been a huge amount of money made, from cards that were bought at prices based upon the Beckett price guide, professionally graded, and then turned around and sold for many times that. Many times that. Like fifty. If you have high-grade vintage cards to sell, consider that carefully.

Why Free Ecards

2007-10-24T16:16:00.000+08:00

Would you like to send greeting cards for free? No envelope, no paper, no stamps, no waiting in line at the post office, no crayons, no markers, no pens or crafts materials are needed. These greeting cards could be quick and convenient.

Free ecards allow you to choose and click to customize using images you choose, a personal photo is sometimes an option, and you can type in your own messages or choose from a pre-made selection.

You can search for free ecards in several ways. Obviously, you could simply type in the words, "free ecards", to your search engine. Or you can put free birthday ecards, free printable greeting cards if you choose to go that route. That does defeat the purpose of no supplies, but you still would be allowed to stay in the convenience of your own home, in your pajamas if you desire, and choose at your convenience to eliminate the hassle of shopping at a store, and you can choose more than one card or send the same card to more than one person.

If you don't have your own computer and can take a trip to your local library, you can still send free ecards. Many libraries now offer the use of public computers which are connected to the internet. This is especially helpful should you wish to send a card to more than one person at a time.

The best free ecards are laminated. Of course, this is a bit more time-consuming because you have to search through the animations, which may take time to load. However, the end results are worth the wait for those patient enough to see a wondrous creation come to life on their screens.

One of the great things about free ecards, besides the very powerful word "free", are the choices. People want choices, they need choices, they crave choices. So, the almost endless supply of websites offering free ecards allows one to practice their choice of freedom.

Searching for the free ecards is also a benefit to those who enjoy learning and maximizing their experiences. It stimulates the brain and thought processes. It allows you to explore, invent, create. It can also lead you to other web sites you would not have found were you not searching for free ecards. You may discover online worlds you never realized existed. Free ecards can lead you to products and services you to which you were not otherwise aware until you began your search. They can also lead you to charities you didn't know existed. They can enhance your knowledge of what is offered on the internet.

Are you an artist? Searching for free ecards can stimulate your artistic side. They may give you ideas for your own artistic creations that aren't even related to greeting cards. A writer may benefit by the poems offered for the free ecards, a painter may be inspired by the artwork involved, a reader will be enriched, a tattoo artist may even enjoy the creativity of the free ecard sites. Maybe a person doesn't even need to send a card, but only wishes to stimulate their mind by visiting the free ecard sites. Whatever the reason or the outcome, you can be sure to find some enjoyment in the benefits of free ecards.

Why Birthday Greeting Cards?

2007-10-20T09:37:00.000+08:00

Yee-ha, it's my birthday! I wait on the mailman all morning just to see what joy he'll deliver in the form of birthday greeting cards. Yes, I have a mail man, not a mail lady. I suppose the proper etiquette would be mail person, but it doesn't sound as good to someone old-fashioned such as myself. However, I digress.

We must return to the wonderful subject of birthday greeting cards. Ok, so I'm at the mailbox, and I'm opening the door. It's a sweet day indeed to receive the old-fashioned birthday card in the old-fashioned mailbox. Yes, we have progressed mightily with the world of computers. But there's still nothing like a birthday card in the mailbox to brighten that special day.

Birthday greeting cards have been around for so many years, people don't even think of their beginnings much anymore. So, let's take a few minutes to honor the ages-old birthday greeting cards.

It all begins when we're children. Even though most of us hardly pay attention to those birthday greeting cards once we've seen them the first time, there are some who cherish each and every card we receive, saving them for years to come. Some children hardly pay attention as their mom, dad, or sibling reads their birthday cards. But to some who aren't allowed the luxury of living near the dear grandfather or grandmother or the cherished aunt or uncle, even the birthday card is a wondrous gift to be saved and given a place of honor on the mantle or countertop.

There are those wonderful birthday greeting cards that may come with a bonus, such as the twenty dollars we've waited for all year. To most children, that twenty dollars is still a fun trip to the toy department of their favorite store.

The birthday greeting cards will hopefully be around for many more years, bringing much needed joy and comfort in their acknowledgement of a special day.

The elderly, especially, look forward to the birthday greeting card. It lets them know someone still cares that they exist and that the fact of being born is still meaningful. It brings a smile to know the grandchild who may be too busy to visit actually took the time to go to the store and choose a birthday card and send it. Maybe the grandchild even included a glorious photo for the grandparent to share and brag upon to the neighbors or the mailman. Maybe the son or daughter who are too far away to visit included a special note with the birthday card to brighten the day even more.

Yes, the birthday greeting cards were a nice invention indeed. I found some in a drawer once from people I had forgotten about, but was thrown into a melancholy mood to remember. The long-ago party, the family gathered, the beautiful cake, were all brought back to life by one simple card. Even if it was one that may have been bought in haste, it still made a difference years later!

Where to Find Free Greeting Cards

2007-10-19T08:25:00.000+08:00

Free greeting cards are a great way to let someone know you care about them while letting you know you still have money in your wallet! Greeting cards have become very expensive over the years, and the ability to receive free greeting cards is an advantage that many people are not aware of. So how do you find these free greeting cards?

Well, that answer is actually rather simple. You can do a simple internet search for free greeting cards and come up with many websites that offer this free service. Google, Yahoo, MSN, Excite, Lycos, and Alta Vista are just some examples of websites that happen to offer free greeting cards, even though many people are not aware of this. However, in recent years, these websites have begun to limit the selection available for free greeting cards, and have begun to charge a small fee for these cards.

Free greeting cards can also be found on websites that deal specifically in free online greeting cards. Blue Mountain Arts is one such website. They too, however, have gone to offering a larger selection for paying guests, and a smaller selection of free greeting cards.

These free greeting cards websites typically allow you to add your own personal message, choose your own silly saying or sentimental poem, choose your own graphics, and some even allow you to add music to the free greeting card. These features all allow you to create the most personalized free greeting card possible, which you cannot do by simply buying a greeting card in the stores.

The best place to get free greeting cards is to look for free greeting cards templates for word processing and desktop publishing software already on your computer. You can easily find free greeting card templates at websites such as Microsoft, cNet, and Corel. You can also find free greeting card templates at other websites by doing a simple internet search for free greeting card templates.

Once you have the free greeting card template, you simply save it to your computer and add in the information you want to have in your card. You can create free greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, thank you, sympathy, holidays, invitations, and many other occasions. The more advanced user can even add sound to the card. These free greeting cards can then be sent to anyone via email, or they can be printed off on your home printer and sent via snail mail.

Anther way to send people free greeting cards is to recycle greeting cards. You do this by cutting off the front of the card that has the picture, and then writing your own personal message on the back. This makes the card somewhat of a post card, that has not cost you anything at all! Other ideas for free greeting cards is to cut out poems and pictures on old greeting cards and paste them to new greeting card stock paper. This paper is so inexpensive, that each card is practically a free greeting card!

So you see, with free greeting cards you have more flexibility, more personalization for your loved one, and a gift that is not likely to be easily forgotten, and without spending a single dime! No doubt about it, free greeting cards are the only way to go!

Where To Find A Card

2007-10-18T10:33:00.001+08:00

The card is a very useful tool which can be as simple or as complex as a person chooses. It's all about choices! A card can be found as close as your fingertips or as far away as your local discount store or mall.

Would you prefer a more detailed, expensive card or a low-cost, simplistic version? You can find the expensive versions at any shop that specializes in selling cards, of course. You can even order a set of customized cards from a magazine. There are also your quick-stop stores that may have just the card you want. Even truck stops sell cards.

I was delighted to find cards at our local dollar stores. They have pretty, low-cost cards for every occasion. A card would seem a hindrance to some who desire an easy, quick choice. After all, the choices are vast and impressive. Choosing the perfect one is essential to one who wants to say just the right thing. Hence, a card may be a dreaded thing to buy for someone in a hurry or someone who just wants to "get it over with". Unfortunately, there are those who buy a card as an obligation and those who find too many choices overwhelming.

So, why not just make your own card? It's as easy as buying some card-stock and markers. There is an endless supply of choices as to how to make a card. You can find your own card in your art supply. You can find your card without an art supply. Use your imagination. Find your card in your mind and bring it to life.

What about finding a card on the internet? Yes, there is a card for you out there in cyberspace! If you would rather save your gas and not have to worry about getting dressed to go to the store to search for a card, just turn on the computer, sign on to the internet and take your card-searching adventure. Google it!

Some hardware stores even carry cards these days. Small towns need all the help they can get to bring merchandise to their door steps. Hardware stores hope to compete with the bigger businesses who offer an array of products and services. Therefore, even something that seems as simple as a card can generate traffic and bring business into their stores.

Would you like a big card or a little card? Cards are produced that wouldn't even fit into an oversized mailbox! Now those are certainly eye-catchers. They can be found at truck stops and card specialty stores. Have you ever heard of getting someone's attention by whispering? Maybe the little card would be the perfect choice. However, rather than risk them getting lost in the mail because of their tiny size, it may be preferable to deliver a tiny card in person.

There is also the choice of a card printing shop should you find the need for a more professional appearance or cards bought in bulk.

When to Send Thank You Cards

2007-10-18T10:32:00.001+08:00

Thank you cards have become a thing of the past for many people. With busy lives and so much to do, sending a simple thank you note has nearly become obsolete. Yet some would argue that this lost nicety should be reinstated with our young people. But when do you send a thank you card?

Thank you cards are, obviously, sent as a thank you. Thank you cards are still often sent for wedding and baby shower gifts. Someone records the gift and who it was from on a piece of paper, and then the bride or mother-to-be sends thank you cards to everyone for the gift received from that person.

However, there are many other times that a thank you card should be sent. Anytime a gift is received, a thank you card should be sent to the person who gave the gift. Whether it be an actual item, a check in the mail, or a gift card, a thank you is in order. These thank you cards should be sent at birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

Thank you cards should also be sent to anyone who does something nice for you. For example, if a young man mows your lawn for free to help you out, that man deserves a thank you card. If someone helps you through a difficult class by tutoring or simply answering some questions, a thank you card should be sent. If someone sends you flowers because you are ill, or sends a greeting card, that person should receive a thank you or other greeting card in return.

Thank you cards should also be sent to anyone who supports you in your endeavors. If someone gives you a good reference that leads to a job, send them a thank you card to let them know that you appreciate their effort. If someone helps you out when you are financially in trouble, send them a thank you card rather than just an idle promise to repay the money. This will let them know that you truly appreciate their help, and sincerely wish to pay them back.

Send a thank you card to a favorite teacher that helped you get your diploma, or to a friend that supported you through your divorce. Send a thank you card to that special someone who sat by your hospital bed when you were ill, or supported you through recovery from a surgery. Sending a thank you card in exchange for these and other kindnesses will show those around you that you truly appreciate them for all that they do, and will make them feel better about doing the same for you and others in the future.

Thank you cards are simply a nicety that everyone should endeavor to uphold. It is an act of kindness, gratefulness, caring, and just a part of good manners. Everyone should try to send thank you cards to their loved ones whenever necessary, to let them know that you appreciate them and what they have done for you. So, who did you forget to say "thank you" to? Send them a thank you card today!

When to Send Sympathy Cards

2007-10-18T10:31:00.001+08:00

Often we grieve for our loved ones that have been lost. Sympathy for those who grieve is a natural human emotion. Sympathy cards make the sender feel better about their feelings of sympathy, and the receiver feels better knowing they are not alone. Especially in cases where a spouse, parent, or only sibling is lost, sympathy cards are very important in the grieving process.

Recently, my grandmother lost her last sibling. She is not terribly old herself, not even seventy, but there was thirteen years between her and her next oldest sibling. Because she is the last in her generation to survive, a sympathy card was especially important to her grieving process. A call of sympathy was equally important, because she felt very lonely. Without the sympathy of her family and friends, she would not have handled the sibling's death nearly as well as she did.

Although sympathy cards are a great way to support our loved ones at the time of death, there are other times when you might send a sympathy card that most people do not think about. Sympathy cards are also good to send people who have gone through any rough time of their lives. Sympathy cards can be sent to those going through a rough divorce or separation. Sympathy cards can also be sent to people going through cancer or other terminal illness.

Some may feel that Get Well cards are more appropriate for those in the hospital. However, family and friends of the person who is terminally ill realize that time is short. Sending a sympathy card to these people supports them in their time of need and lets them know that they are not alone in this trial.

Sympathy cards can also be given to those in the hospital or recently released that have gone through a major accident or surgery. Sympathy can be given to amputee patients to let them know that you support them in their rehabilitation process. Sympathy can also be given to surgery patients who have lost a vital organ or gone through any other type of surgery to let them know that you support them through their recovery process.

There are other times as well that you might send a sympathy card. If someone has an infant or child in serious condition in a hospital, a sympathy card can let them know they are not alone in their concern and worry.

Some sympathy cards are actually humorous. It might seem odd, but there are sympathy cards available that actually make you laugh. These cards are for showing "sympathy" for events such as failing a class, not getting to graduate from a school, flunking a test, getting married, having a baby, getting a job, failing to obtain a promotion, and other "tragic" events that occur in day to day life. These sympathy cards are not designed to so much show support as they are to cheer up the person who has failed to accomplish something, or as a joke as in the case of a marriage or new baby.

No doubt about it, sympathy cards are the best way to show support, love, fun, and cheer to your loved ones in any time of need.

What's So Great About E-cards?

2007-10-18T10:29:00.000+08:00

Some wonderful person decided to invent something called an e-card. My first e-card produced mixed feelings. I wasn't sure what I was in for when I found it in my email. However, to my delight, it was uplifting, touching, and funny. What a great way to reach out to people! I was amazed at the ingenuity of the creator.

Of course, whenever something is invented, it is inevitable that someone will decide to improve upon what already seems to be a perfect idea. E-cards have evolved into wondrous things, bringing delight to recipients worldwide. There are those which are also printable, to allow the receiver to keep the memory for future reference as a hard copy. If the e-card is interactive, of course, this serves no purpose. The interactive e-card is fun for all. Who can resist clicking on a card and bringing its parts to life!

E-cards are used by many online businesses to generate traffic to a web site. It certainly draws attention and brings potential customers who may not be able to resist the information the web site uses to enrich your knowledge of its product or service. Some people may even decide to check out the other parts of the web site as a favor for using the free e-cards.

You can customize your e-cards with photos and even videos, which make them much more personal. There are programs available to allow a person to generate their own e-cards rather than using the ones offered by the web sites. This is a gift indeed to those who prefer more control over their choices. Besides which, some people really get a kick out of taking pictures of themselves or others to share with the world. Many people are talented and highly creative with free reign over their own videos.

Would you like to send out wedding invitations? Send an e-card! This is indeed a modern approach to an age-old event. Who wouldn't be delighted to receive an e-card invitation to a wedding? It would certainly perk up the inbox!

Of course, e-cards can even be welcoming to those who don't want pesky invitations. How so? Some people do get pleasure from clicking the delete button, and it won't clutter up your garbage can!

Would you like to send flowers to someone far away, but can't afford to have it arranged at some expensive gift shop? Just send an e-card with flowers and save yourself tons of money. You can send flowers to as many family and friends as you wish as long as your fingers can stand the pressure on the keyboard and your eyes can focus on the screen! Yay! Everyone's happy.

Would you like to send out party invitations that rock the screen? E-cards can make it fun. Make use of the endless supply of graphics and sound and animation. Delight your friends and family and perk up their usually dreary email. E-cards can also give you a way to connect with someone you may be too shy and insecure to otherwise attempt to communicate with.

What Are Greetings?

2007-10-18T10:24:00.000+08:00

When you dwell on a word, sometimes it can begin to sound foreign. You may start to wonder if the word is truly spelled the way you speak it. Ever grab a dictionary just to check it out? Think of the word "greetings", for example. How did someone even come up with such a word as greetings?

The definition is: the acts or words of one who greets. So, then, what does greet mean? It means to address with friendliness, to meet or receive in a specified way. Well, then, what is the purpose of greeting cards?

As one who has studied the English language to any extent, a person should agree that it is one of the hardest languages to learn. Just the word "greetings" should solidify that fact. Greeting cards, for example, do not always address one with friendliness. Sometimes they address a person's sadness or forgiveness or anger, even grief. But when one thinks of greetings and greeting cards, one thinks first of friendliness or joy. Greetings are meant to bring acknowledgement. Perhaps acknowledgement of something negative, or something positive, or even something completely neutral is in order.

Greetings are supposedly a way to touch someone in a kind way. When one sends a greeting card, usually it is for a birthday or maybe even just to say hello and reconnect with a friend or loved one. Sometimes, however, greetings are to comfort. As in when one loses a loved one and a greeting card can touch their heart and ease their loss in a personal way. Sometimes, greetings are a way to bring a smile to someone who has been ill or hospitalized for an accident of some sort.

Greeting cards can uplift a lonely soul. They can soothe the pain of a person when he or she may think no one cares. There is such a joy in receiving funny greetings from someone when you have had a terrible day or a terrible week. You open the mailbox and think "What is this?" Maybe there is no name on the outside. Many people send greetings without a return address. It can be considered rude to some to expect anything in return.

Maybe you have angered someone or hurt their feelings and need to put your thoughts on paper, but just can't seem to find the words. All you have to do is go to a store that sells greeting cards and find the perfect solution. It brings a sense of fulfillment to find just the right card. It can also be quite time-consuming for those who don't really know exactly what it is they wish to send! But, oh, the relief when you finally come across that card that says what you want in just the right way. Many a relationship has been saved by something as simple and low-cost as a greeting card.

There are, of course, greetings that are less tasteful when one wishes to convey negative things. I do have to wonder about creators of greeting cards that say things to purposely anger someone. I personally believe it warps the meaning of "greetings" entirely!

Types of Greeting Cards

2007-10-18T10:23:00.000+08:00

Greeting cards are a great way to celebrate any occasion, or just let someone know you are thinking of them. You can find greeting cards for birthdays, anniversaries, missing you, thinking of you, friendship, mother's day, father's day, retirement, thank you, and any other occasion you may think of.

Anniversary greeting cards are very popular. You can find many types of greeting cards for anniversaries. Many anniversary greeting cards are specifically designed for the landmark anniversaries, such as five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty five, thirty, forty, and fifty. There are anniversary greeting cards to wife from husband, to husband from wife, to parents from son or daughter, to grandparents from grandson or granddaughter, and even from niece or nephew to aunts and uncles. There are also funny and sentimental anniversary greeting cards.

Missing you greeting cards are fantastic for friends who are far from each other. You can find funny or sentimental missing you cards for any occasion, whether you are on vacation, or simply live far apart from one another. Missing you greeting cards are also available for lovers, husbands and wives, and other occasions. You can even find missing you greeting cards for people who are in jail or prison, if you go to the right kind of greeting card store.

Thinking of you and friendship greeting cards are great for letting someone know you care about them. Even if you live in the same town, or even on the same street, you can send a greeting card to someone who is feeling down in the dumps. It is proven that when people get greeting cards in the mail, it raises their spirits and makes them happy to know that someone cares. That is exactly why they have thinking of you and friendship greeting cards! You can get religious, family oriented, friendship, sentimental, or funny friendship and thinking of you greeting cards.

Mother's Day and Father's Day are great times for letting your parents, or anyone who has acted like your parents, know how much you care about them by sending them a greeting card. There are greeting cards available for mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, step-fathers, step-mothers, adopted fathers and mothers, and anyone else that might have had a hand in raising you as a child. Mother's Day and Father's Day greeting cards are no longer just for mothers and fathers. These greeting cards are for everyone!

Other types of greeting cards include retirement greeting cards, thank you greeting cards, I'm sorry greeting cards, and Get Well greeting cards. You can find funny greeting cards, sentimental greeting cards, or simple greeting cards with just a picture. The best greeting card, anyone will tell you, is one that comes from the heart.

How to Make a Greeting Card

2007-10-18T10:22:00.002+08:00

Making your own greeting cards can be both fun and rewarding. Many people cherish home-made greeting cards because they are a true expression of yourself and the person you are making it for.

The first step in making a greeting card is to determine who you are making the greeting card for. What interests does the person have? What is the person's hobbies? Is the person your friend, family member, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, parent, husband, wife, or significant other?

The next step to making a greeting card is to decide if you want a funny greeting card or a sentimental greeting card. If you want a funny greeting card, you will want cut outs of cartoons, or you might want to draw your own cartoons. If you want a sentimental greeting card, you might gather cutouts of flower pictures. If you want a Christian greeting card, you might cut out some pictures of crosses or bibles. If you can draw your own, that's even better. But not everyone is an artist!

You also need to decide why you are sending the greeting card. Is it for a birthday, anniversary, thank you, sympathy, holiday, Mother's Day, or other occasion? Maybe the greeting card is just because you care. If you want to send a birthday card, a picture of a birthday cake might be best. Or a picture of a flag for Independence Day greeting card would be nice.

The next thing you have to do is write the copy for your greeting card. You can choose a poem you like or one that you know the person getting the greeting card will like. You could also write your own poem. You should remember though, that when you copy someone else's poetry onto your card, you cannot sell the card. Copyright laws forbid you to sell someone else's work without permission. But for the purposes of just making a greeting card for a loved one, copying a favorite poem, saying, or scripture is more than acceptable.

Now that you know what you will put on the greeting card, who it is for, and why you are sending it, the next step is to gather all the materials you will need to put the greeting card together. You will want to gather cut outs of any pictures you want to include, as well as scissors, paste or glue stick, construction paper, crayons or markers, a pencil for outlining (in case you make mistakes), and don't forget your creativity! You may also want some lace, ribbon, doilies, pretty material scraps, paints, and other items.

The most important thing to remember when creating your own greeting card is that the sky is the limit! There is no right or wrong way to make a greeting card. The only thing limiting your greeting card possibilities is your own creative mind! So break out those old magazines, poetry books, comic books, and cartoon strips, get those creative juices flowing, and make the best greeting card ever! Your loved one is sure to enjoy your hard work, effort, and how much you care showed by your handmade greeting card for years to come!

How to Celebrate An Anniversary

2007-10-18T10:22:00.001+08:00

Whether it is your two week, two month, two year, or twenty year anniversary, you should celebrate your time together with your loved one in a very special way. It should be a day (or night) to remember for ever. Many people seek advice on how to celebrate an anniversary in a way that will be special for both themselves and that special loved one. Whether you are in your first relationship, or just out of ideas, it is still easy to celebrate your anniversary in class and style.

Many women in a newer relationship expect a lot of their significant other's when it comes to celebrating an anniversary. The best way to please these women is to arrive at home from work with a dozen roses or other flowers, a nice box of chocolates, and a sentimental anniversary card that really shows her how much you care, then whisk her away to a romantic dinner at your favorite restaurant.

Those in older relationships tend to celebrate an anniversary in a different way. Especially those with children cannot get out as often as they would like. In this case, a dozen roses or some other flowers, a nice box of chocolates, and a sentimental anniversary card to let her know that she is still the love of your life, is definitely the way to go.

Women should not ignore the anniversary celebration either. It has become increasingly popular for women to give their significant other a gift and an anniversary card on these occasions. Some women go so far as to buy their man flowers as well, but many men will likely take this as too much, and unmanly, even for an anniversary. However, it is important to keep in mind that an anniversary celebration is not just for the woman of the relationship any longer. It is important to make your man feel special as well by giving him a sentimental, or even humorous, anniversary card.

There are many funny anniversary cards out there that fit many relationships. Some relationships are not built on sentiment so much as having fun times together and being good humored through bad times. Funny anniversary cards give these relationships a way to express themselves completely, without the restraints and tears of a sentimental anniversary card.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when planning your anniversary celebration is what your significant other enjoys. If you know that he or she enjoys a good joke and fun times at the bar, give them a funny anniversary card and a gift certificate. If you know that he or she enjoys chocolate and romance, give them a sentimental anniversary card and a box of chocolates from an exotic location. If you aren't sure what he or she likes, then it's time to find out. Drop subtle hints prior to your anniversary celebration and ask questions so that you know what will please your significant other on this special anniversary. Then, follow through by getting the special, perfect anniversary card and gift.

Regardless of how you celebrate, an anniversary celebration is one of love and togetherness. Make your anniversary special in any way you can, and a long lasting relationship will be your reward.

How Cards Are Made

2007-10-18T10:20:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wondered how greeting cards are made? Let's explore some of the many ways cards are created.

Many people get pleasure from creating their own cards. There are various types of paper one can use to make a card. There are also various types of ink, paint, accessories to attach, writing styles, cartoons, markers, and even crayons that one can use to make a card. Some people get very inventive when creating cards. Even feathers can be used to give a card that special touch. When making a card, it's really all about your own personal style and what you wish to convey to the recipient of the card.

There are those, of course, who pride themselves on making cards from their home computers. It's interesting how many types of paper you can buy to make a card. The graphics available for cards are of an astounding quantity and quality. Of a more personal interest are the photos you can imprint into your own card creations. This sort of card-making is especially fun during the holidays. It will give your cards that personal touch like no other and a warm memory for someone to add to their scrapbook or photo album.

Some artists enjoy printing on cards using calligraphy pens. It takes a special talent to produce quality work using a calligraphy pen. Such a card would convey thoughtfulness and care to the recipient. It would say how much the person wished to please by their time and effort put into making the card. It would involve much more than just what the card would say. It would also involve finding the right tools to make the card one of quality. Special paper is required for perfection in calligraphy, along with hours of practice, the right pens, and the special ink that must be used.
Children get much joy from creating cards. A loved one or friend would hold such a card dear to their heart. A simple piece of typing paper and a crayon can produce a wonderful work of simplistic art only possible through the eyes and hands of a child. Even more joy can be derived when children are allowed to delve into finger-paints or glue and accessories. Buttons, yarn, tiny wooden figures, magazine cut-outs, craft foam figures and alphabets, glitter, and even material can turn an ordinary piece of cardstock into a card of wonder!

Many people, however, still prefer the age-old choice of cards created enmasse by the seemingly endless card companies. These companies provide convenience. They save people time, effort, resources, and money. They have also, no doubt, saved many husbands, wives, in-laws, or even children from being put in the "dog house"! Unfortunately, some people just aren't good with words, emotions, or aren't artistically talented and are relieved that they can rely on the card companies. Some people may even be unable to write and can count on the card companies to produce just what they wish to say. Suppose you were inconvenienced with a broken arm? Buy a ready-made card and save the day!

Greeting cards with love

2007-10-18T10:19:00.000+08:00

Greeting cards are indeed one of the best ways to reach out and touch the person to whom you wish to convey love. Love is one of the greeting card industry's best friends. Love sells products. Love sells words and images. Love even sells colors.

When you sell greeting cards, you sell emotions. Love is the strongest emotion.

The love that is shown with a simple greeting card can start a relationship that will last a lifetime. Whether it be a friendship-only type of love or a relative reconnecting with another relative after a long absence of closeness, or the most common love of a couple seeking that special bond, a greeting card can play a big part.

Anytime a greeting card is given to someone who is in pain, it shows a love of someone who cares. When a person is hospitalized for a life-long illness, a greeting card can be a daily reminder, placed by the bedside, that the person is not alone in their suffering. When someone has suffered a hurt with another kind of pain, the pain of losing someone loved to death or separation, a greeting card can show a tender love of compassion. When someone has hurt feelings, a greeting card can show a love from empathy or a request for forgiveness. When a small child has been separated from their parent, grandparent, sibling, or even a best friend, a greeting card can send love across the miles. Love is the most tender of emotions.

The pictures on a greeting card can show love to introduce the caring that is placed inside with the words of the card. It helps clarify and create the mood when a greeting card has a loving picture as a preview to the feelings inside. The card may even help melt a hardened heart that has closed itself off to love.

Never underestimate the power of a greeting card meant to send a bit of love. While some scoff at the simple act of a card given, others depend upon the card's power to smooth the way for a deeper relationship with the recipient. A person's favorite colors, favorite flowers, favorite animals, or a hobby shown on the front of the card can touch something inside their hearts or jog a long-lost fond memory. The person then opens the card and may smile if a smile has not yet been forthcoming. Once they read the words that were chosen with care, it will seal the mood. After that, it is often only a bit of time before a phone call or letter or even an email of much awaited thanks will evolve. Once more, love is revived and celebrated.

Greeting cards....so simple and yet a saving grace for many. It should jog the memory to recall the nervousness with which the first greeting card was given by a shy teen to a sweet first love. Maybe the memory is of a lonely elderly person trying to find a soul-mate after years of missing their spouse. Whatever the memory, you can bet there is a greeting card involved somewhere along the line!

All About Postcards

2007-10-18T10:18:00.000+08:00

Not many people think about or discuss postcards anymore. Postcards are usually associated with travel. When someone takes a trip, they may say, "I'll send a postcard." Postcards are sold in most convenience stores and travel stops and are the lowest cost greeting card one can find.

The low rate on a postcard certainly makes it user friendly for even the lowest budget. Although the postal rates have risen, the postcard is still a mere twenty-four cents a stamp to send. Not a bad price to send a greeting to someone to keep in touch.

Postcards were not created for long, windy letter writers, but for the short notes that get to the point. Whereas you can have room to write quite a bit inside a regular greeting card, the postcard allows for very little, but sometimes a little says a lot!

A normal postcard size is 3-1/2 inches tall by 5 inches long. The card is divided usually on one side, with room for a note on the left and a space for the stamp and address on the other side of the line. The "front" of the card is usually a picture of some sort, such as the state to which the person has traveled. Although cards can be made from several different materials, I've even bought a postcard made of what appeared to be copper, with the picture as a 3-D type molded into the card.

Postcards were patented in 1861 by a gentleman in Philadelphia. However, the first in the United States was created in 1893. Printers published this type of greeting card for a penny.

There were eras in which the type of postcards changed. There was a linen era, a photochrome era, and in France, erotic postcards appeared in 1910. The British created cartoon postcards, also known as "saucy" for their humor.

Who knew something as simple as a postcard could be so complex!? There are at least 22 defined postcard terms. There are postcard collectors, postcard publishing houses, postcard books, postcard pals, postcard associations, exchange sites, and web sites all about postcards. You can even create an online postcard, which actually look cute and appealing. There is a company that creates something similar to a postcard, but it has unusual shapes. The company had to get permission to allow these type postcards to go through the mail without an envelope.

There are postcards that include facts, which can be quite impressive. I once bought a postcard with an Indian alphabet listed, which involved pictures with interpretations. Postcards can show miniature maps of an area, which could be helpful.

Postcards are used also to enter contests. Many contests will state that you may enter by putting your name and address and phone number on a postcard to mail to their company, no purchase needed to enter. Of course, you do have to buy your own postcard and stamp! Although, if you enter a contest with a postcard, I would think that would take the "greeting card" definition away from the card. After all, a contest entry isn't a greeting.

All About Post Cards

2007-10-18T10:17:00.001+08:00

Post cards are a great way to let people know how you are doing and what you are up to when you are away from home. However, there are many other times when you might send a postcard to someone.

Postcards have their distinct advantages over other types of greetings like greeting cards and personal letters. First, they are shorter, and take less time out of your busy schedule or fun filled vacation to prepare and send off. Second, the cost of a postcard is minimal compared to the cost of a greeting card or special stationary. Finally, postcards are handy because they cost less in postage to mail to your loved ones.

Almost anything can be a postcard. You can create a postcard out of a regular 5" X 7" index card. Simply draw a line through half of the back of the card, and write the name and address you would like the post card to go to. Then, on the other half, you can write your message. This is an ideal way to send post cards, because you can write on the back of the index card if you run out of room. Simply stick the stamp on the corner, and mail!

You can send a postcard from anywhere in the world while you are traveling for business or on vacation with your family. Postcards are also a great way to stay in touch while on a honeymoon, because you don't have to take time away from your new spouse to chit chat on the phone or write a lengthy letter. By sending a postcard, you valuable time is spent with your new husband or wife, and your friends and family back home still know you are doing alright and you're still alive.

Post cards can be sent at any time, from anywhere. If you just want to let someone know that you have been busy and would like to get together for dinner sometime, you can send them a postcard. You could also send them an online postcard if you are really pressed for time.

Post cards also make great invitations. Not only are they fun, brief, and to the point, they cost less to send. This can be a great advantage if you are having dinner parties often, or if you are planning a wedding, second wedding, anniversary party, family reunion, or vow renewal ceremony. These events can often involve hundreds of people, and sending post cards is quicker, cheaper and less time consuming than invitations.

One advantage to using post cards as invitations is that you can print the postcards on your computer. Simply obtain a free template from the internet, and enter your event information on one side. Then you can print the post card invitations. Use labels and a word processor to create address labels for the to and from sections of the postcard. Stick on the labels, fix on a stamp, and you're ready to go!

As you can see, post cards carry many advantages, and can be used in many more instances than many people believe. Buy a batch of post cards and send them out to your friends and family today!

All About Online Greeting Cards

2007-10-18T10:16:00.001+08:00

Everyone enjoys sending and receiving greeting cards. But not everyone has the money or the time to put into buying and sending greeting cards to their loved ones. That is where online greeting cards come into play.

Online greeting cards are more economical because they cost pennies compared to dollars. Some are even free! Online greeting cards are sent by email, so you also save the cost of postage. If your card list is especially long, that can be a big bonus!

Online greeting cards are also more personalized. You can set them up with personalized music, graphics, animations, names, ages, anniversary numbers, and other features. This way you know that the person you are sending an online greeting card to really enjoys the online greeting card that they receive. It will be something to be cherished for all time.

Online greeting cards can be found at many websites that you already visit such as Yahoo, Google, MSN, Excite, Lycos, and Alta Vista. Online greeting cards can also be found at websites such as Blue Mountain Arts. Do a simple internet search for online greeting cards, and be surprised as you see how many links come up!

Other online greeting cards can be created using your word processing or desktop publishing software with your email. You can create a one page or two column document that you design yourself. This allows for even more personalization for your online greeting card! Insert pictures from a birthday or family reunion, fun graphics related to the person's hobby or one of your own, embed sound files to make it play your voice or a special song, and include your own poetry, story, or message. You can take this online greeting card one step further using Microsoft Word by setting up the greeting as a mail merge, and sending it through your Outlook email to everyone on your list. The mail merge will automatically fill in the personal names and email addresses, so that each online greeting card sent will be just for that person. Create one online greeting card and send it to everyone on your list at the touch of a button. All for free!

Online greeting card templates can be found to make creating your own online greeting cards simple and easy. They can easily be personalized and altered, just as with other online greeting cards. The difference is that the online greeting card is saved on your computer so that you can use it again and again. You can use these online greeting card templates to do the merge described above and send to everyone on your online greeting card list quickly and easily, but without putting as much effort into the design of the online greeting card.

As you can see, online greeting cards are a great way to send greeting cards to everyone in your family and all of your friends, for any occasion. They can be found by doing a simple internet search, save you money, save time and effort, and allow you to personalize. No doubt about it, online greeting cards are definitely the way to go!

All About Free Greeting Cards

2007-10-18T10:14:00.000+08:00

Greeting cards are a wonderful way to let your loved ones know you care about them and are thinking about them. Free greeting cards let you do exactly that, without breaking the bank. Greeting cards these days can be quite expensive or very cheap, but occasionally you can come across a great deal where you can get greeting cards for free.

Most free greeting cards are sent through email rather than on paper. Free websites offer services to send free or inexpensive greeting cards via email to your loved ones absolutely free (or close to it). Many websites that offer these free services also offer other free services. For example, Yahoo, Google, and MSN all offer free greeting cards as well as many other services such as email and search engines. Other websites that offer free greeting cards are Blue Mountain Arts and Excite.

Free greeting cards are not as easy to find as they once were. Even just a few years ago free greeting cards could be found all over the net. Now, you have to really search, and the selection is not the greatest. The best online greeting cards are not free. The largest selections are reserved for the paying customer, while the free cards are more like a teaser.

These online websites allow for many features. Depending on the site, you can add many free features to your free e-card. Some of these free features include music, a personalized message, animated graphics, and other visual and audio effects. These features allow you to create a very personalized card that is much more special to the person receiving it that just a simple store bought card.

Another way you can get free cards is to make them yourself on a computer. You can get free templates for just about any word processing or desktop publishing software by doing a simple internet search. These free templates allow you to easily create cards on your home or work computer and print them on your printer, which is essentially free for you to use. Unless you print a lot of cards, the cost is so minimal it might as well be free!

You can also design your own free cards on your word processor. Simply set up the page as landscape, and format the page to consist of two columns. The left column is the back of your card. The right column is the front of your card. Create another page with the same format. The right column is your personal message, while the left column is where the poem or phrase of your card would traditionally belong. Print the two pages back to back, and fold it in half. A free greeting card, designed entirely by you and especially for that special someone!

No doubt about it, free greeting cards are the best way to send someone greetings for holidays, seasons, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, thank you, sympathy, or any other occasion!

All About Ecards

2007-10-18T10:12:00.000+08:00

Perhaps one of the best things about the internet is the availability of the ecard, also known as the electronic greeting card. There is such a huge selection of sites that offer ecards, it is almost impossible to even conceive of a number.

The word "free" might in a sense be misleading, since the sites have to have some sort of income to exist. Hence, pop-up ads and cookies that provide for the junk mail we must endure for the seemingly free ecards. But to many, it is but a minor annoyance to endure such things for the sake of something free. Anything free seems to be a way to grab attention immediately, however temporary it may be for those who quickly learn that free is not always what it seems.

Ecards exist in an immense variety. You have the ever-popular all-occasion sites, of course. There are the miniclip ecards, animated ecards, talking ecards, musical ecards ecards that contribute to a cause for a small and hopeful contribution, religious ecards, flash and Java ecards, and free ecards if you subscribe to the site. Of course, that means more pop-ups and cookies will be inevitably coming your way. But, alas, we must have advertising!

Ecards are vast and interesting. The ecards with themes should win over anyone who has an obsession, such as teddy bears or even motorcycles.

Certain web sites even allow public participation. You are allowed to submit your own pictures, drawings, and photographs.

It's amazing how many web sites you can come across that offer free ecards. Know, as well, that you can use different keywords to search for the ecards. Not to forget, the different search engines should provide differing results.

The invention of the ecard was certainly an invention for the curious. It might also be an invention to cause dismay should you have a slow internet connection or should your computer suddenly shut-down on you before you are allowed to finish viewing your ecard from a much-adored friend or loved one. It's like trying to view a card you receive in snail mail, only to have it snatched out of your hand before you get to the much-awaited punch line. Oh, the horror!

I suppose there are those who are hooked on sending ecards. They are, after all, a source of amusement for many. Most people do need a good hearty laugh. However, sending in bulk could be viewed in bad taste. No one wants their in-box of email to be overwhelmed, even by ecards. So, please use discretion and self-control when you discover the interesting and joyous world of ecards. Besides, isn't there some sort of rules to govern good manners, even when using our rights to something free? It's like taking the whole stack of napkins off the restaurant table when you really only need a few. Someone somewhere has to pay for them, and though they do offer them for free, there's really no need to be greedy.

All About Birthday Cards

2007-10-18T10:05:00.000+08:00

Birthday cards come in all shapes and sizes, types and methods. You can get funny birthday cards, emotional birthday cards, and children's birthday cards. The best place to easily find cheap birthday cards is to go to a discount store like Walmart. However, if you want something really flashy, or just like to spend a lot of money on your friends and family, you can always shop for birthday cards at a specialty store like Hallmark.

You can also find great birthday cards online. You can find them to order in print, order in bulk, or order several different birthday cards for many occasions at the same time. Alternatively, you can send birthday cards electronically, through email. There are many websites that allow you to pick your general birthday card, then add your own birthday or other message to the birthday card. You can also send musical birthday cards and animated birthday cards. While some of these services are free, many of them require registration.

One thing that is becoming very common is hand made birthday cards. You can find handmade birthday cards at flee markets and craft shops. You can also occasionally find handmade birthday cards at wholesale clubs like Sam's Club and Costco. You may think that handmade birthday cards are expensive, but really they can be quite reasonable. You can often find boxes of handmade birthday cards for around ten to thirty dollars.

These days birthday cards come in all shapes and sizes, and all genres. You can find birthday cards related to every child's age from one to eighteen. You can also find birthday cards related to every landmark age, such as age twenty-one, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, and eighty. I imagine they also have birthday cards for ages ninety and one-hundred, but I haven't seen them. You may need to special order these birthday cards, as few people reach that old age in today's society.

Themed birthday cards are a lot of fun. Themes such as "over the hill" are very popular. My father received an over the hill birthday card with the phrase "you're a national treasure...unfortunately the government has failed to allocate funds to your maintenance." These birthday cards are very humorous, and make older men especially feel much better about having their birthday.

There are also themed birthday cards for the younger generation. There are also Disney themed birthday cards for younger children. These birthday cards include themes such as Disney Princesses, Cars, Aladdin, and other Disney favorites. Some of these birthday cards are pop-ups, and some of them are musical. Disney birthday cards are always a lot of fun to open, read, and play with again and again. It's almost like another toy!

The best way to learn about birthday cards is to visit the birthday card isle at any department store, discount store, or Hallmark store. Birthday cards are so versatile, you are sure to find a birthday card perfect for your son, daughter, grandchild, spouse, or other friend or family member.