Dash of Inspiration: March Design Challenge
Happy March, everyone! Let’s get our creative juices flowing!
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Theme: Sisterhood
Requirements:
- Create a new design that celebrates sisterhood in any way you like.
- Any category which your card speaks to.
- No Stock card creations will be accepted.
- Blank verse will not be considered for entry in this challenge.
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Entry Deadline: Monday, March 31st
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How to Enter: Post the PID (card number) and the URL (public storefront link – please WAIT for the card to be available in the public marketplace, please DO NOT post a link to your Manage Cards area) as a post in the challenge blog. We’ll forward your entry to the jury.
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Category:
Occasion >> Anniversary – Friendship / Friendiversary >> Sisterhood Anniversary / Friendship Among Woman cid#38470
OR ANY category which suits your theme/message/recipient
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Rules:
- Submission must meet GCU’s Submission Guidelines and be Approved through the usual Review Cycle– Fast Track your submission with this in the Notes to Reviewer: March Design Challenge Submission here is the link to the blog post: (include THIS blog post URL)
- Only ONE card per artist per challenge.
- Submissions must be NEW, no existing designs.
- Your entry must meet the Challenge Requirements and Theme or it will not be included in the challenge.
- Stock Card Creations entries will not be accepted.
- Your designs should differ from those already offered in the category of your choice to offer shoppers a variety of choices, not more of the same.
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BLIND Judging: We hope each of you enters every month. Entries are submitted anonymously for judging by the GCU Challenge Jury which means that before and during the challenge, judges do not have any way of knowing what artist is behind each entry. This eliminates any and all concerns with ‘favoritism’. Results will post on the Community Blog. The jury will judge the entries on the following criteria:
- How well the card meets the Challenge Requirements and Theme.
- How well the card speaks to the Category the artist chooses for the card submission.
- Creativity, Execution and Marketability.
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Winners: 1st Place:
- The winning designer’s card and store will be featured on the GCU Public Blog – the blog which customers view and follow.
- As well as featured on the GCU Public Facebook Page – over 55,000 followers, now THAT’S exposure!
- The winning card will be Design of the Day following the announcement of the winners (within 48-hours).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- The winning card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board – currently GCU’s Pinterest Page followers: 14.9k!
- The winning card, should the artist choose, may be referenced in a new series by the winning artist and he/she may Fast Track all cards in the new series (being sure to give the Challenge URL and winning card PID in your Notes to Reviewer for each card in this series).
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.6k followers and counting!
- GCU will create a Meet the Team board for the winning artist under the Pinterest GCU account where the winning artist will be able to pin and promote her own storefront and all that makes them a unique card designer and one of GCU’s artistic community team member.
- 10 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2025!
2nd Place:
- Your submission will be Design of the Day the following week of announcing the Challenge winners (within 7-days).
EXCEPTION: Horizontal (landscape) cards may not be featured as DOD due to GCU Home Page space restrictions. In these cases, GCU will choose a different vertically oriented card from your store to feature as DOD. Thank you for your understanding and apologies for this limitation.
- Your card will be added to the Greeting Card Universe Design Challenge Winners Pinterest Board.
- Winning card will be included in a marketing email to over 100,000 customers!
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Winning card will be posted on GCU’s Instagram with 10.6k followers and counting!
- 5 free greeting card credits added to your GCU account. Apply them at checkout and they never expire.
- A Design Challenge GCU digital award for 2025!
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Tips:
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Be inspired to create and learn something new!
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Nut and Bolts – Design Cuts Closure.
Nuts & Bolts – Design Cuts Closure
Apparently a popular source of digital assets, Design Cuts, has closed. Many creators are left wondering where that leaves them re: purchased content and licenses.
Looking here to understand what has transpired, and the purchase by Creative Market (CM) it is unclear how CM will proceed:
https://designworklife.com/designcuts-closes-abruptly-what-this-means-for-customers-sellers/Excerpt here:
Creative Market’s Role
Creative Market’s acquisition of the Design Cuts brand has been met with mixed reactions from the community. While the deal has ensured that sellers will receive their owed payments, questions remain about the handling of existing customer purchases and downloads. Creative Market has stated they are unable to access any historical Design Cuts records or past purchase information.
For GCU artists using Design Cuts, we suggest the following:
Purchased third party digital elements from Design Cuts (now Creative Market) can continue to be used in compositions until further notice from DC/CM. In your submission, please add a Note to Reviewer like: Elements purchased from Design Cuts before their closure. Links to individual elements and TOU are no longer available.” and if possible include a list of digital elements used for example (cat and flowers).
Our intent is to give GCU artists the liberty to continue using the digital assets invested in until CM establishes a policy that dictates differently.
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Wanted New Cards Extra – February 29 Birthdays.
Leap into Joy: Creative Card Text Ideas for February 29th Birthdays.
February 29th, the rarest of birthdays, occurs only once every four years. For those special individuals born on this day, known affectionately as “leaplings,” their birthdays are truly unique celebrations. Whether you’re designing cards for leap year birthdays or finding ways to honor these special individuals on non-leap years, the right message can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll explore creative card text ideas that capture the spirit of this extraordinary day, ensuring that every leapling feels celebrated and cherished.
Humorous
- “Happy Leap Year Birthday! You’re officially younger than everyone else… technically.”
- “Four years in the making! Happy birthday to someone who’s truly one-of-a-kind.”
- “Leap into another year of adventure! (Even if it’s just every four years).”
Sentimental
- “To a rare gem born on a rare day, Happy Leap Year Birthday!”
- “Wishing a happy birthday to someone who shines brighter than any ordinary day.”
- “You may only have a birthday every four years, but you’re celebrated every day.”
Playful
- “You’re not getting older, you’re just leveling up every four years! Happy Leap Year Birthday!”
- “Leap Year Baby: Where birthdays are a rare and special occasion.”
- “Born to leap into life! Happy birthday to our favorite Leapling.”
Inspirational
- “May your life be as extraordinary as your birthday. Happy Leap Year!”
- “You’re a reminder that life’s special moments are worth waiting for. Happy birthday!”
- “Leap into the future with joy and enthusiasm. Wishing you a wonderful birthday!”
These ideas can be adapted to fit various card designs and themes, from funny to heartfelt.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Nuts and Bolts – 36th Louie Awards Finalists.
Nuts & Bolts – 36th Louie Awards Finalists
The Louie Award finalists were announced this week. Unfortunately of GCU’s 8 entries, we did not receive any finalist recognition. Disappointing but still fun to participate and put GCU and our artists’ work out there in the industry among so many creative and talented peers.
Overall this year’s Louie Awards had 159 finalists in 53 categories, a total of over 900 entries were submitted representing 213 different companies.
As part of GCU’s Founders’ Choice Awards, we submitted 8 cards to the competition (think the Academy Awards of the greeting card industry).
We are so proud to represent our artists’ work and are even more confident that GCU’s submissions reflect the same level of quality, creativity and professionalism as the finalists.
You can see the finalists from the category tree here (choose the category then scroll down to see the 3 finalist cards).
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Nuts and Bolts – Reminder February 2025 Design Challenge.
Nuts & Bolts – Reminder February 2025 Design Challenge
Friday, February 28th is the last day to submit your entries for February’s Stock Card DesignChallenge.
See February’s 2025 Stock Card Design Challenge here.
Theme: National Social Work Month
Tips:
- Visit all the available tips, tricks and guidelines offered on the Stock Card Creation blog page!
- Please NOTE: Social workers work with people of all ages, from children to seniors. They help clients deal with a variety of challenges, including: illness, addiction, disabilities, inadequate housing, unemployment, substance abuse, and domestic conflicts.
- National Association of Social Workers – visit to learn more
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Wanted New Cards – Friendship Anniversary – Sisterhood.
Wanted Cards – Friendship Anniversary – Sisterhood
A celebration of friendship between or among like minded women can be considered a celebration of their sisterhood.
Please consider creating cards to celebrate a sisterhood anniversary. They should go here:
Occasion >> Anniversary – Friendship / Friendiversary >> Sisterhood Anniversary / Friendship Among Woman cid#38470
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Wanted New Cards Extra – Silver Beaver Award.
The Silver Beaver Award is the highest council-level distinguished service honor in the Scouting America program (formerly Boy Scouts of America), recognizing adult volunteers for exceptional, long-term contributions to youth development and community service. Established in 1931, it honors those who exemplify dedication through self-sacrifice and impactful leadership without seeking recognition.
Overview and Eligibility
- Purpose: Recognizes registered adult Scouters who implement Scouting programs and perform community service through sustained effort over many years.
- Eligibility:
- Must be at least 21 years old and a registered BSA volunteer.
- Excludes current or former professional Scouters (paid staff) within five years of employment.
- Nominations cannot be submitted posthumously.
Award Design and History
- Medal: A silver beaver pendant on a blue-and-white neck ribbon, accompanied by a uniform square knot (white over blue) and a civilian lapel pin.
- Historical Context:
- Originally awarded only to men until 1974, when the Silver Fawn Award (1971–1974) for women was discontinued.
- The medal transitioned from a pin to a neck ribbon in 1932 due to weight, with the square knot introduced in 1946.
Nomination and Selection
- Process: Nominations are submitted confidentially by peers (not self-nominated) and reviewed by the local council. Final approval comes from the BSA National Court of Honor.
- Council Limits: Allotments are based on council size (e.g., one award per 60 units).
Recognition and Impact
Recipients are celebrated at annual council events, such as the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Recognition Night. Notable recipients include civic leaders like Thomas S. Monson and Ellie Morrison. Over 1,800 awards have been given in the St. Louis council alone since 1932.
The award emphasizes humility—recipients are often unaware of their nomination until the ceremony. Its legacy underscores Scouting’s commitment to service-driven leadership.
Here are some original, non-copyrighted text ideas for Silver Beaver Award greeting cards that avoid trademarked terms while celebrating the honoree’s service:
Core Themes
- Dedication: “For years of quietly building stronger futures – your commitment to youth leadership shines brighter than any award!”
- Humility: “The most impactful work often goes unseen… until now. Celebrating your extraordinary contributions!”
Symbolic Imagery
- Nature Metaphors: “Like a steadfast tree nurturing countless saplings, your guidance has shaped generations of young leaders.”
- Beaver Symbolism: “With patience and persistence, you’ve crafted a legacy that will ripple through our community for years to come.”
Community Impact
- “Behind every thriving youth program stands someone like you – tireless, compassionate, and quietly transformative.”
- “Your service isn’t measured in hours or years, but in the countless lives uplifted by your mentorship.”
Surprise Recognition
- “This isn’t just an award – it’s a chorus of gratitude from everyone who’s witnessed your quiet dedication firsthand.”
- “The best volunteers never seek applause… which makes celebrating your honor even sweeter!”
Design-Friendly Short Verses
- “Service rooted in passion / Growth nurtured with care / A legacy now honored / With pride we all share.”
- “Builder of character / Architect of dreams / Your impact echoes farther / Than any badge seems.”
Inclusive Language
- “To a mentor who embodies the truest spirit of volunteerism – thank you for lighting the path for others.”
- “Your work transcends titles and uniforms, touching hearts in ways only genuine service can.”
These concepts focus on universal themes of service and mentorship while steering clear of proprietary terminology.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Wanted New Cards – Silver Beaver Award.
Wanted Cards – Silver Beaver Award
We have a request to honor someone achieving the Silver Beaver Award. This is part of the scouting community but if generally designed can still appeal to shoppers.
Please do NOT use words in your design, verse or meta-data related to the Boy Scouts of America – no “scout” “scouting” boy scouts” “BSA”, etc.
See cautionary action on ‘eagle scout” cards posted here on the forum:
http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/forum/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1737016175/0#0
These cards should go here:
Occasions >> Congratulations >> Awards / Recognition >> Silver Beaver Award cid#38468
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com
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Wanted New Cards Extra – Good Luck on your Social Media Break.
Here’s a curated collection of greeting card text ideas for designers creating “good luck on your social media break” cards, blending positivity, humor, and mindfulness themes from trending sources:
Uplifting Support Messages
- “Wishing you clarity, calm, and countless real-world adventures! Good luck on your digital detox 🌿”
- “May your break from screens bring brighter days & deeper connections. You’ve got this!”
- “Cheers to logging off and leveling up! Sending luck for your social media pause ✨”
Mindfulness & Self-Care Focus
- “Good luck unplugging – may your days overflow with quiet moments and loud laughter offline”
- “Here’s to rediscovering life’s filter-free beauty. Enjoy every screen-free sunrise!”
- “Wishing you peace, pages (real ones!), and perfect coffee shop people-watching. Happy detox!”
Light-Hearted & Humorous
- “Don’t worry – we’ll save the memes for your return! Break a leg (but not your scroll finger) 💻🚫”
- “May your WiFi be weak and your willpower strong! You’ve earned this pause.”
- “Warning: Sunlight, books, and 3D friends await! Best digital escape ever 💫”
Empowerment & Growth
- “The bravest thing? Stepping back to move forward. Proud of you!”
- “May this break help you write life’s best chapters – not just posts 📖✨”
- “Here’s to finding your rhythm beyond the algorithm. Shine offline!”
Design Tip Pairings:
- Nature motifs (forests, sunrises) with “Reconnect with Earth’s original feed”
- Vintage phone/rotary designs with “Old-school connections await”
- Abstract brain/heart illustrations with “Rewiring for joy”
These combine trending phrases from mental health resources with classic good luck cadence, optimized for greeting card brevity. The mix allows designers to cater to both sincere and humorous audiences seeking social media detox encouragement.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Wanted New Cards – Good Luck on your Social Media Break.
Wanted Cards – Good Luck on your Social Media Break
With information overload and digital devices always on hand – it’s becoming common for people to take a break from it all – a digital detox or break from social media.
Please consider creating good luck cards for someone taking a break from social media. They should go here:
Occasions > Good Luck Cards > Social Media Break / Hiatus / Digital Detox cid#38462
Note: cid# is the speed entry method of adding a category to your card via category id number (cid#) vs using search terms or click and hunt. See here on the blog:
To expedite the review of these cards, please check Fast Track Review on the card image details page when you create your card and add a Note for Reviewers like “for BLOG– Wanted Cards”.
Consider using Stock Card Creations to create new cards quickly. These cards are automatically set for expedited review so no need to Fast Track. Remember, when you’re submitting your new stock card, add a little note about the intended category in your Notes to Reviewers.
Be inventive, be clever, be creative. Go for it!
Mindy Rosso
GCU Community Manager
GCU Community 