Wanted New Cards – Friday the 13th Birthday or Anniversary.
Wanted Cards – Friday the 13th Birthday or Anniversary
There is only one Friday the 13th in 2025. It falls in June – Friday, June 13th.
Please consider creating some new cards for a Friday the 13th birthday or anniversary.
They will go here accordingly:
Birthdays >> Holiday Birthday >> Birthday on Friday the 13th cid#26512
OR
Anniversary >> Anniversary – Wedding >> Holiday Anniversaries >> Anniversary on Friday the 13th cid#4537
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:
REMINDER: please follow guidelines for superscript ordinal indicators if you use (13th) in your design, see here.
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
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Nuts & Bolts – GCU’s GCA 36th Annual Louie Awards Submissions
Nuts & Bolts – GCU’s GCA 36th Annual Louie Awards Submissions
Announced originally in July and recently this October, as part of the winnings and bragging rights of the GCU Founders’ Choice Awards, GCU has submitted select 2023 winning cards to the Greeting Card Association’s (GCA) annual greeting card competition called the LOUIE awards. It is a very prestigious event like the Academy Awards for the greeting card industry.
The following 2023 FCA winning cards have been entered by GCU on behalf of the artist:
Best New Series Card – Teri Francis of Squirrel Hugger PID#1765188
Hottest Seller – Christmas – Randi Perez Helm of Something to Say PID#1798898
Hottest Seller – Chinese New Year – Ramelle Richardson of Eloquence by Ramelle PID#1810038
Hottest Seller – Birthday – TMS International PID#1788146
Hottest Seller – Thanksgiving – Teri Nelson Kuster of Che Bella Nota PID#1797782
GCU has also selected these 3 older uncommon cards as entries this year:
Italian Sympathy by Doreen Erhardt PID#628523
Pet Sympathy by Stephanie Laird PID#1592914
Grandparent Congratulations by Kathleen Johnson of Encouragers of Christ PID#1547788
A few notes for all artists who may want to follow along GCU’s entry journey in the 36th Annual Louie Awards:
- Follow @usagca on Instagram to get some glimpses into the behind-the-scenes!
- The finalists will be announced on Monday, February 24th – we’ll share the news here
- Winners will be announced in July in Las Vegas at the Louie Award Celebration held the night before NOTED
Take a peek at last year’s 35th Annual Louie finalists and winners by category.
Since becoming a member of the GCA and attending NOTED, there is one thing we’ve learned – “paper people” are great people. Although this is a competition everyone supports everyone with the mindset of there is a place for all art and the market is big enough for all of us. Participating alone is exciting, fun and is great exposure in the industry. We are beyond proud to represent the above submissions on behalf of the artists.
We’re excited to participate on behalf of our GCU community – wish us and all the best of luck!
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Wanted New Cards Extra – Class of 1985 40th Reunion Invitations.
As we step into 2025, it’s time for the Class of 1985 to celebrate a major milestone – our 40th reunion! Here are some engaging greeting card text ideas for your reunion invitations:
Nostalgic Throwbacks
“1985 Called… It Wants Its Cool Kids Back!”
Join us for a totally rad 40th reunion celebration. Let’s party like it’s 1985 again!
“We Survived High School Without Google… Now Let’s Celebrate!”
40 years later, and we’re still awesome. Come reminisce about the good old days!
Pop Culture References
“Where’s the Beef? At Our 40th Reunion!”
Don’t miss out on this bodacious bash. It’s time to reunite and relive the glory days!
“We’re Not in Kansas Anymore… We’re at Our 40th Reunion!”
Follow the yellow brick road to an epic celebration of friendship and memories.
Humorous Approaches
“40 Years Later: Still Totally Awesome, Just a Bit More… Vintage”
Join your fellow ’85ers for a night of nostalgia, laughter, and maybe a few aches and pains.
“From Big Hair to Dad Jokes: Our 40-Year Evolution”
Come see how we’ve changed (or haven’t) since our glory days. No Aqua Net required!
Heartfelt Messages
“40 Years of Friendship, Memories, and Laughter”
Let’s come together to celebrate the bonds that have lasted four decades and counting.
“From Classmates to Lifelong Friends: Celebrating 40 Years”
Join us as we honor the journey from our school days to today. Your presence makes our reunion complete.
Customization Tips
When creating reunion invitations for the Class of 1985, consider these additional tips to make the cards more appealing and informative:
Essential Details
Include crucial information such as:
- Date and time of the reunion
- Venue location
- Any specific themes or dress codes
Engaging Extras
Add a catchy P.S. to generate excitement, for example:
“P.S. Don’t forget to bring your yearbooks and old photos for our gnarly memory wall!”
Personalization Options
Offer customization choices to make each invitation unique:
- School colors or mascot incorporation
- Class motto or song lyrics
- Iconic local landmarks from the 1980s
RSVP Information
Clearly state how and when to respond:
- RSVP deadline
- Contact person or website for responses
- Any additional event options (e.g., pre-reunion mixers)
By incorporating these elements, the reunion invitations will not only inform but also excite the Class of 1985 about their upcoming 40th reunion celebration. These cards can serve as the perfect kickoff to a memorable event, blending nostalgia with modern communication methods.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Wanted New Cards – Class Reunion Invitation 1985
Wanted Cards – Class Reunion Invitation 1985
With this new year of 2025 means the graduating class of 1985 wil be upon their 40th reunion – a big one!
Please consider creating reunion invitations for the Class of 1985. They should go here:
Invitations >> Reunion >> Class Reunion > Class Specific >> Class of 80s cid#2017
Similarly, consider creating invitations for a 40 year reunion, here:
Invitations >> Reunion >> Class Reunion > Year Specific cid#2028
NOTE: be sure to follow the guidelines for original indicators in your cover design (40th) here.
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
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Celebrating a Legacy of Hope and Equality
On January 20, 2025, we will commemorate the 30th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a National Day of Service. This federal holiday, observed on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of Dr. King, a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement.
Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to racial equality and social justice through nonviolent resistance has left an indelible mark on our nation’s history. His famous “I Have A Dream” speech continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the ongoing quest for a more just and equitable society.
This day is not just about remembrance; it’s a call to action. Designated as a day of service, it encourages all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities, embodying Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.
Greeting Card Ideas for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
When designing greeting cards for this important day, it’s crucial to focus on themes of unity, equality, and service while being mindful of copyright restrictions. Here are some ideas that respect these guidelines:
- Unity Hands: Create a design featuring diverse hands joined in a circle, symbolizing unity and cooperation.
- Dream Clouds: Illustrate a sky filled with dream-like clouds, each containing words like “Equality,” “Justice,” and “Peace.”
- Candle of Hope: Design a card with a single candle, its flame representing the enduring light of Dr. King’s message.
- Inspirational Quotes: Use general quotes about equality and justice, being careful to avoid direct quotes from Dr. King due to copyright issues.
- Service Silhouettes: Depict silhouettes of people engaged in various community service activities.
- Dove of Peace: Incorporate a dove, a universal symbol of peace, with olive branches or rainbow colors.
- Bridge to the Future: Illustrate a bridge spanning from past to present, symbolizing the ongoing journey towards equality.
- Tree of Diversity: Design a tree with leaves of different colors and shapes, representing diversity and growth.
Remember, when creating these cards, focus on the spirit of Dr. King’s message rather than using his direct words or image. By emphasizing themes of unity, service, and hope, we can honor his legacy while respecting copyright laws.
As we approach this meaningful day, let’s reflect on how we can contribute to our communities and continue the work towards a more just and equitable society for all.
Happy Designing!
Corrie
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Dash of Inspiration: January Design Challenge
Happy New Year, fellow artists! We are kicking off the year with our usual Color of the Year from Pantone, so let’s get to it …
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Theme: Pantone Color of the Year 2025 – Mocha Mousse
Requirements:
- Create a new design using the 2025 Pantone color: Mocha Mousse
- 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do NOT use trademarked terms “Pantone” in your meta-data. You can however use individual terms like: color of the year, mocha, mousse, etc.
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Entry Deadline: Friday, January 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:
Any
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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: January 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:
- Pantone Color of the Year 2025 Page
- GCU Pantone Color of the Year 2025 Blog Post
- GCU Pinterest Color of the Year 2025 Inspiration
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Be inspired to create and learn something new!
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Nuts & Bolts – 2024 Top Nine Instagram
Nuts & Bolts – 2024 Top Nine Instagram
Social Media is a great way to share your creative works and things that inspire, entertain, and maybe even annoy you. It’s also a great repository or chronicle of your past years. Again, let’s have some fun and share your best 9 posts of 2024, hopefully they are greeting cards or your creative works!
Here is some info about the Top Nine app and image creation.
Similarly, many artists are posting a grid of ArtvsArtist recaps featuring themself and an array of their favorite or representative work from the past year.
Be sure to tag us @greetingcarduniverse
Looking forward to seeing your best nine on Instagram and much more of all of our artists in 2025. Happy new year everyone!
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Nuts & Bolts – Year End Holidays Office Closure
Nuts & Bolts – Year End Holidays Office Closure
For your planning purposes, in observation of the Christmas and New Year holidays, GCU offices will be closed on the following days:
Tuesday 12/24 – closed
Wednesday 12/25 – closed
Wednesday 1/1 – closed
This includes our dedicated Card Review team members who will not be reviewing cards on either of those days / times.
ALSO our Card Review team members and GCU personnel will be taking some additional days off between December 23nd and January 2nd so staffing will be present but very light.
Thank you for your understanding & patience while we all enjoy the holidays and hope you are doing the same!
From all of us at GCU, Happy Holidays and best wishes for a prosperous, healthy, and joyful 2025!
The difference is made in the details!
Mindy
GCU Community Manager
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Greeting card artists, it’s time to tap into the luck of the Irish and create some heartwarming St. Patrick’s Day cards for students away at college! Here are some text ideas to inspire your designs, tailored for different relationships:
From Parents to College Students
Loving Messages with a Touch of Green
- “Missing you more than a leprechaun misses his pot of gold. Stay lucky and study hard!”
- “May your dorm room be filled with four-leaf clovers and your exams be blessed with Irish luck!”
- “We’re proud of you, our little shamrock. Keep growing and shining at college!”
- “Remember, you’re our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”
Humorous Notes with Parental Wisdom
- “Don’t rely on the luck of the Irish for your grades. But if you do, don’t tell us!”
- “May your coffee be strong and your homework be light this St. Patrick’s Day!”
- “We hope you’re wearing green and not just drinking it. Miss you!”
From Grandparents to College Students
Warm Wishes with Traditional Flair
- “May the road rise to meet you in all your college adventures. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, grandchild!”
- “Sending you a warm Irish hug across the miles. You make us proud every day!”
- “May your studies be blessed with the wisdom of St. Patrick himself!”
Playful Messages with a Dash of Nostalgia
- “Remember when we used to bake green cookies together? This year, we’ll eat an extra one for you!”
- “Your grandfather/grandmother says to study hard and party harder… just kidding about the latter!”
From Siblings to College Students
Cheeky Remarks with Sibling Love
- “Miss having someone to pinch on St. Patrick’s Day. Hope you’re wearing green!”
- “Bet you miss mom’s corned beef and cabbage now, don’t you? Happy St. Paddy’s Day, nerd!”
- “May your beer be green and your roommate be clean. Miss you, bro/sis!”
Supportive Notes with a Twist
- “You’re luckier than a four-leaf clover to have me as a sibling. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”
- “Keep acing those classes! Remember, I need someone to mooch off in the future. Love you!”
From Friends to College Students
Fun Messages for Long-Distance Friendships
- “Wishing I could share a green beer with you! Let’s FaceTime in our leprechaun hats later!”
- “May your St. Patrick’s Day be as awesome as finding an empty laundry room on campus!”
- “Missing our shenanigans! Save some luck for when we reunite!”
Encouraging Words with a Festive Touch
- “You’ve got the determination of the Irish. Crush those midterms and then celebrate!”
- “May your college days be as rich as Irish folklore and twice as entertaining!”
Remember, the key to creating great St. Patrick’s Day cards for college students is to blend humor, encouragement, and a touch of homesickness. Use playful Irish-themed puns and references to campus life to make your cards relatable and fun. Don’t forget to incorporate traditional St. Patrick’s Day symbols like shamrocks, leprechauns, and pots of gold in your designs to complement these messages. Happy creating, and may the luck of the Irish be with your card sales!
Happy designing!
Corrie
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Wanted Cards – St. Patrick’s Day Away at College Relationship Specific
Students that live away at college love to get mail and receive something special from home. St. Patrick’s Day is no different.
Please consider creating relationship specific St. Patrick Day cards for students away at college. They should go here:
Holidays >> St. Patrick’s Day >> Away at College and in the relationship specific sub-category.
See important tips and guidelines for St. Patrick’s Day here and here.
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 