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Nuts & Bolts: Reminder March 2024 Design Challenge

March 29, 2024

 
Nuts & Bolts – Reminder March 2024 Design Challenge
 
 
Sunday, March 31st is the last day to submit your entries for March’s Card Design Challenge.  It’s a weekend but don’t wait until the last minute in case your submission requires edits and you may not have time to complete them before the deadline.
 
 
Theme: Make Over – Old is now NEW
 
 
image
 
 
There are special instructions for this new type of challenge which requires an improved design based on an existing one.  Be sure to read the requirements and submission details, like but not limited to below:
 
  • Choose an old card in your store which has no sales and give it a make over by creating a NEW card. DO NOT change the old card – but DO reference the PID of the old card in your posting of the NEW cards challenge submission.
  • The category and recipient MUST REMAIN the same as the old card.
 

The difference is made in the details!

Mindy

GCU Community Manager

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wanted New Cards: Glamma

March 28, 2024

Wanted Cards – Glamma

Anything goes these days for a grandfather’s or grandmother’s nickname. Some young, glamorous or just too fabulous to be called “grandma” grandmothers are opting to be called Glamma.

Please consider creating Mother’s Day, Birthday and Grandparents Day cards for a Glamma.  They should go here accordingly:

Birthdays >> For Family Relation Specific >> Grandma / Grandmother >> Glamma  cid#38000

Holidays >> Grandparents Day >> For Grandma / Grandmother >> For Glamma  cid#36290

Holidays >> Mother’s Day >> For Grandma / Grandmother >> For Glamma   cid#38004

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!

 
 

Freebie Wednesday: Free elegant Tea Soiree Clipart

March 27, 2024

Introducing Elegant Tea Soiree Clipart by TheHungryJPEG Crafts . Discover sophistication with our Elegant Tea Soirée Watercolor Collection, exclusively at TheHungryJPEG.com! Elevate your designs with 45 exquisite JPEG and PNG files featuring vintage teacups, delicate floral motifs, and chic tea party elements. Each handcrafted illustration exudes timeless charm, perfect for invitations, stationery, and digital creations. Transform your projects into elegant masterpieces with our versatile assortment of tea-inspired graphics

Available for free download for 6 more days, so don’t miss out!

Comes with complete commercial license.

Nuts & Bolts: Importance of Image Source in NTR Field

March 22, 2024

 
Nuts & Bolts – Importance of Image Source in NTR Field
 
 
The Notes to Reviewer field (NTR) is a very important field and the main means of communicating submission specific information to the review team. These notes also remain with the card permanently so they provide an important notation if cards are referenced or re-reviewed for any reason in the future.
 
 
I would like to highlight perhaps ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT USES of this field; detailing the source and ownership of your submitted image:
 
1. Created 100% artist’s original work – a simple note “this is my original work, I own all rights to use commercially”
 
2. Created using 3rd party elements – see the to date policy on 3rd party element usage
 
3. Created using AI generation – see the to date policy on AI based submissions
 
GCU’s policies hold a high bar with designs created using 3rd party elements as well as generative AI works. GCU requires a) links to the original 3rd party elements and resulting AI image (pre-post processing) and requires b) the artist to add a reasonable and transformative “value add” in creating a new and unique composition and post processing.
 
If you are using 3rd party elements in your design OR using AI generated images you CANNOT SAY “this is my original work”.  Doing so is misrepresentation and may result in your submission declined as well as your storefront closed.
 
 
 

The difference is made in the details!

Mindy

GCU Community Manager

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wanted New Cards: Thank You Split Cost / Shared Expenses

March 21, 2024

Wanted Cards – Thank You Split Cost / Shared Expenses

There are many situations in which two parties or several individuals share the expenses of an item or activity making it possible for all to enjoy or participate.  One such item is in a neighborhood with shared fences and shared driveways. If the neighbors can agree, coming together to share the expenses of the shared fence or driveway , it is a reason for thanks and pleasant neighborly relations!

Please consider creating new cards of thanks for these unique occasions. They should go here:

Occasions >> Thank You >> Split Costs / Shared Expenses

>> General  cid#37976

>> Shared / Common Fence  cid#37980

>> Shared / Common Driveway  cid#37982

>> Other  cid#37978

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!

 
 

Nuts & Bolts: 35th Louie Awards Finalists 

March 15, 2024

 
 
Nuts & Bolts – 35th Louie Awards Finalists 
 
 
Having attended the Zoom announcing the Louie Award finalists in late February, unfortunately of our 8 entries, we did not receive a finalist mention. Disappointing but fun to participate and put GCU and our artists’ work out there in the industry among so many peers.
 
Overall this year’s Louie Awards has 57 categories, a total of 1,200 entries were submitted representing 228 different companies – up 21% since last year!
 
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. 
 
If you did not make the call and wanted to watch the recording, they will share the access information shortly and I will post on our community blog.
 
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

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wanted New Cards: Congratulations New Electric Car

March 14, 2024

Wanted Cards – Congratulations New Electric Car

A new car is always exciting and a big decision. With new choices today, getting an electric car is a well thought about decision and transition.  Congratulations to someone who has made the jump to an eclectic car. 

Please consider creating cards for a category with only a few.  They should go here:

Occasions > Congratulations Cards > New Car / Vehicle > New Car > New Electric Car  cid#36968

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!

 
 

Freebie Wednesday: Free Easter Delights

March 13, 2024

Introducing our Sweet Easter Watercolor Collection on TheHungryJPEG.com! Dive into a world of vibrant Easter themed treats featuring bunny cupcakes, sugar cookies and more! With 20 high-quality PNG files included, you’ll have everything you need to add a touch of whimsy to your projects. Perfect for greeting cards, invitations, and seasonal decorations. Get creative and spread the joy of Easter with these delightful watercolor illustrations!


Available for free download for 6 more days, so don’t miss out!

Comes with complete commercial license.

Nuts & Bolts: BELATED Happy Birthday vs Happy BELATED Birthday

March 8, 2024

 
 
 
Nuts & Bolts – BELATED Happy Birthday vs Happy BELATED Birthday
 
 
Well we’re red in the face having overlooked a particular and very common grammatical rule.  
 
The proper grammar for the above subject is Belated Happy Birthday as the wishes are belated, not the birthday.
 
the details:
To wish someone a Happy Birthday after the date of their birthday, the person giving the message should say Belated Happy Birthday instead of Happy Belated Birthday. The word belated is an adjective describing a noun, in this case, the wish, not the day. The birthday is not belated; it happens every year on schedule, so don’t state Belated Birthday. What is late, or belated, is the wish for a happy birthday; hence, say, Belated ‘Happy Birthday’. Anyone who says it does not matter is absolutely incorrect.
 
 
There may be some variations (Belated Birthday Wishes, belated wishes for your birthday, etc.)  If you instead insert “late” in place of “belated” it helps you see / hear it more clearly.
 
For newly submitted cards, this guideline will be used. We encourage artists to correct existing designs but at this time we will not be doing a mandatory site-wide return for edits.
 

image

 

The difference is made in the details!

Mindy

GCU Community Manager

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Wanted New Cards: Twins / Triplets / Quads 1st St. Patrick’s Day

March 7, 2024

Wanted Cards – Twins / Triplets / Quads 1st St. Patrick’s Day

Double or triple the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day with cards for baby twins, triplets or quads 1st holiday.

Please consider new cards for this subcategory:

Holidays > St. Patrick’s Day Cards > 1st / First St. Patrick > Baby’s 1st / First St. Patrick’s Day > Multiples / Twins / Triplets   cid#3918

Remember to follow the ordinal superscript guidelines if you use 1st on the cover.  And consider design variations for gender, skin and hair color that should also be fortified in your metadata.

Lastly, here are some holiday appropriate tips for St. Patrick’s Day.

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!