Skip to content

Nuts & Bolts – Copy/Paste Text Errors

September 26, 2025

Nuts & Bolts – Copy/Paste Text Errors

We have seen random examples that may cause artists confusion. We’ve had some head scratching on the review team’s side as well. Cryptic characters in text (inside verse or in your submission meta-data fields).

You will either see cryptic characters or receive an error message about bad/unsupported characters.

For example: the letter “e” showed up as this: â€œeâ€

This usually happens when the artist has copied text from a word processing doc and pasted into their card submission. This seems to happen most often with punctuation (exclamation mark, apostrophe, etc.). 

The solution is easy! Simply delete the text and type it in directly.

The difference is made in the details!

Mindy

GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com

Wanted New Cards Extra – Congratulations Foster to Adopt

September 25, 2025

Wanted Cards Extra – Congratulations Foster to Adopt

In the world of animal rescue, foster families play a crucial role. They provide temporary homes, socialization, and love for pets who need a safe space before adoption. But sometimes, something wonderful happens—the foster pet and foster parent realize they’re a perfect match. What’s meant to be a short-term arrangement becomes forever.

This is often called a “foster fail”, though in reality it’s a heartwarming win for both pet and human. That’s why Foster to Adopt Congratulations cards are such a perfect fit for Greeting Card Universe. These cards celebrate a joyful milestone: when a rescue pet finds not just any home, but the very best one with the person or family who already loves them.

Right now, this category is underrepresented at GCU. It’s a growing niche with lots of potential—pet lovers, shelters, rescues, and foster families are always looking for ways to celebrate these special moments. And remember, it’s not just cats and dogs! Horses, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, and even pigs sometimes go from foster to forever.

Where Your Cards Should Go:

  • Occasions >> Congratulations >> Rescue / Shelter Adoption >> Foster Fail / Foster to Adopt (cid#34020)

Card Text Ideas

For Dogs & Cats
Front:

  • “From Foster Fail to Forever Family!”
  • “Sometimes the best adoptions happen by accident.”
  • “You fostered… and then you fell in love.”
  • “Congratulations on your Foster Win!”
  • “Rescued, Fostered, Adopted… and Loved.”

Inside:

  • “What a lucky pet to find their forever home with you. Congratulations!”
  • “Not a fail at all—just the happiest ending possible.”
  • “Your foster journey was meant to lead to this moment.”
  • “Every paw print tells a story. Yours just became a forever one.”

For Other Rescue Animals (horses, rabbits, birds, pigs, etc.)
Front:

  • “From temporary guest to forever family—congratulations!”
  • “Who could resist those eyes/feathers/whiskers/ears?”
  • “A foster fail with the happiest ending.”

Inside:

  • “Congratulations on making your foster a forever friend.”
  • “From foster care to forever care—your heart knew best.”
  • “This is what love looks like. Congratulations!”

General / Non-Specific
Front:

  • “Foster Fail = Forever Win”
  • “Because some goodbyes are just too hard.”
  • “The best kind of foster story has this ending.”

Inside:

  • “Congratulations on adopting your foster—you were always meant to be.”
  • “Sometimes love rewrites the plan.”
  • “Here’s to forever happiness—for you and your new family member.”

Design Ideas for Artists

  • Playful typography featuring phrases like Foster Fail = Forever Win.
  • Happy pets (dogs, cats, or other rescue animals) with celebratory touches like balloons, paw prints, or confetti.
  • Cartoon-style illustrations of pets moving from a “foster” crate or temporary setup into a cozy home or family scene.
  • Heartwarming photography of rescue animals with their new families.
  • Neutral, non-species-specific designs (like paw prints, hearts, or “home sweet home” motifs) that can work across all kinds of animals.

Tip for Artists: Use both the terms Foster Fail (popular in rescue communities) and Foster to Adopt (a more general phrase) in your card titles, metadata, and designs. This ensures your cards appeal to a wide audience.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Wanted New Cards – Congratulations Foster to Adopt

September 25, 2025

Wanted Cards – Congratulations Foster to Adopt

The role of animal pet fostering is to care and possibly socialize and rehabilitate a pet for adoption supplementing the care and space of an animal shelter. Sometimes the foster family is a perfect fit and the foster parent / family cannot part with the pet and adopts them. This is often called a foster fail but is a winning situation!

Please consider creating cards with Congratulations to Foster Fail or Foster to Adopt. The category could use more cards for both dogs and cats as well as other rescue animals like horses, birds, pigs, etc.. They should go here:

Occasions >> Congratulations >> Rescue / Shelter Adoption >> Foster Fail / Foster to Adopt cid#34020

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

Wanted New Cards Extra – Boston Tea Party Day.

September 24, 2025

Wanted Cards – Boston Tea Party Day / December 16

December 16 marks a historic event in American history—the Boston Tea Party of 1773. On that cold night, a group of American colonists, frustrated with taxation without representation, disguised themselves as Native Americans and dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance helped spark the American Revolution and remains a defining moment of protest and independence.

Boston Tea Party Day is observed each year on December 16 to commemorate this iconic act of resistance. It’s a day to reflect on courage, freedom, and the bold spirit of standing up for what you believe in. Greeting cards for this day could be patriotic, humorous, or historical in theme. They could appeal to history buffs, educators, students, or anyone who enjoys celebrating unique national observances.

Where Your Cards Should Go:

  • Holidays >> International & National Observations >> Boston Tea Party Day / December 16 (cid#39372)


Card Text Ideas

Patriotic / Historical Tone
Front:

  • “No taxation without representation!”
  • “December 16, 1773 — The Tea Was Just the Beginning”
  • “Boston Harbor: The Steepest Tea in History”
  • “Celebrate Freedom. Remember the Boston Tea Party.”

Inside:

  • “Raise a cup to the brave acts that brewed a revolution.”
  • “On Boston Tea Party Day, we remember those who stood tall for liberty.”
  • “Here’s to boldness, freedom, and a splash of history!”
  • “The Boston Tea Party—proof that even a tea spill can change the world.”

Humorous / Lighthearted Tone
Front:

  • “The Original Tea Spill — 1773”
  • “Some like it sweet, some like it strong. Boston liked it… in the harbor.”
  • “Happy Boston Tea Party Day — steeped in history!”

Inside:

  • “Wishing you a revolutionary day filled with freedom and maybe a spot of tea.”
  • “Celebrate Boston Tea Party Day—because sometimes spilling tea IS a good thing!”
  • “No taxation, just celebration!”

Design Ideas for Artists

  • Historical imagery: Boston Harbor, wooden ships, crates of tea, colonial dress.
  • Patriotic elements: American flags, eagles, bold red/white/blue color schemes.
  • Whimsical takes: teacups tipping over, floating tea bags with colonial hats, cartoon “rebels” tossing tea.
  • Typography-focused: Revolutionary quotes, protest slogans, bold hand-lettering.


Tip for Artists: Just like other quirky observances (like Mole Day or Pi Day), Boston Tea Party Day cards can swing from educational to humorous. Think about audiences—history teachers, students, patriots, or anyone who enjoys a witty nod to history.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Nuts & Bolts – 3Q25 Earnings & Payment

September 19, 2025

Nuts & Bolts – 3Q25 Earnings & Payment

It’s almost payday! The 3rd quarter payments for 2025 will be processed reflecting commissions earned from 7/01/25 – 9/30/25 sooner than you know it. Part of this process is reconciling those stores who have met the quarterly threshold. 

Moved recently? Before 10/13, be sure to update your artist account with your current mailing address if you receive a mailed check. Better yet, change your payment preference to PayPal, see the many benefits here.

If you are an artist residing outside of the United States you’ll need to have a W8-BEN form on file to receive your payment.  See here.

We are nearing the final quarter of the year! Wishing everyone strong holiday card sales to take us into the new year.

The difference is made in the details!

Mindy Rosso

GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com

Wanted New Cards Extra: Clergy Appreciation Month / Day

September 18, 2025

Observation days are a wonderful way to honor professionals across all kinds of industries—and clergy are no exception. In October, many congregations across the U.S. and beyond celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month, with a special focus on Clergy Appreciation Day (typically the second Sunday of October). Some groups choose to highlight it for a single day, others dedicate a whole week, and some extend it throughout the month. However it’s observed, the purpose remains the same: to thank clergy members for their guidance, leadership, and spiritual care.

Why Clergy Appreciation Cards?

Just like Teacher Appreciation Week or Nurse’s Day, this observance is about showing gratitude to those who dedicate themselves to others. Clergy members—whether pastors, priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, or other faith leaders—often work long hours behind the scenes, providing counseling, comfort, and support. A thoughtful greeting card is a simple but heartfelt way to say, “We see you. We appreciate you. Thank you.”

This is a popular category in the greeting card industry, as many faith communities actively seek ways to express encouragement and thanks to their leaders. GCU artists can fill this need by creating a variety of designs—from reverent and elegant to lighthearted and warm.

Where Your Cards Should Go:

  • Holidays >> Occupational Appreciation Observances >> Clergy Appreciation Week / Day (cid#39360)

Card Text Ideas

For Clergy Appreciation Cards
Front:

  • “Guiding hearts, lighting paths—thank you.”
  • “To a Shepherd with a Servant’s Heart”
  • “Happy Clergy Appreciation Day!”
  • “Your dedication is a blessing to us all.”
  • “Faith. Hope. Leadership. Gratitude.”

Inside:

  • “Your ministry makes a difference in so many lives. Thank you for leading with love.”
  • “We’re grateful for your wisdom, compassion, and spiritual guidance.”
  • “May you feel God’s richest blessings as you continue to bless others.”
  • “Your tireless work doesn’t go unnoticed. Wishing you joy this Clergy Appreciation Month.”
  • “With deep gratitude for all you do to shepherd, inspire, and encourage.”

For Congregation-Wide Use
Front:

  • “From All of Us with Thanks and Blessings”
  • “Our Church Family Celebrates You!”

Inside:

  • “Your leadership is a gift to our entire congregation. We are so thankful for you.”
  • “We celebrate you today with gratitude and love from all of us.”

Design Ideas for Artists

  • Symbols of faith: crosses, doves, open Bibles, stained-glass windows, candles.
  • Warm, uplifting scenes: sunrise, light shining through trees, hands raised in gratitude.
  • Congregational imagery: a church community, group of people showing thanks.
  • Simple florals or elegant typographic layouts for a reverent, timeless look.
  • Playful or contemporary options: bright colors, hand-lettering, modern minimalism.

Tip for Artists: Since clergy serve across many denominations and faiths, consider offering both general, non-denominational designs and Christian-specific imagery. Cards with a neutral tone can reach a wider audience, while faith-specific designs will resonate deeply with certain buyers.

Happy Designing,

Corrie

Wanted Cards – Clergy Appreciation Month / Day

September 18, 2025

Wanted Cards – Clergy Appreciation Month / Day

Observation days are popular ways to show appreciation for different industries and occupations.  

Please consider creating new cards for both Clergy Appreciation Week and Day as some organizations observe different durations. They should go here:

Holidays >> Occupational Appreciation Observances >> Clergy Appreciation Week / Day cid#39360

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

Nuts & Bolts – Artist Interviews

September 12, 2025

Nuts & Bolts – Artist Interviews

One of the many perks of being a GCU Design Challenge winner is an interview.  These mini-interviews are fun reads and a peek into the makings of the winning card.

Be sure to read and learn more about …

May’s Winner, Garrett Overheul of GRObot Greetings

July’s Winner, Christie Black of Creations from the Heart

Congratulations to Garrett and Christie on their cute and uniquely creative Design Challenge wins!

Time to challenge your noodle by entering September’s Design Challenge. Submit your entries by Sunday, October 5th.

The difference is made in the details!

Mindy

GCU Community Manager
mindy@gcuniverse.com

Wanted New Cards Extra – CDI Week / Clinical Documentation Improvement

September 11, 2025

Wanted Cards – CDI Week / Clinical Documentation Improvement

If you’ve never heard of CDI Week before, you’re not alone. CDI stands for Clinical Documentation Improvement (or Integrity), and it’s a specialized field within healthcare that focuses on ensuring patient medical records are complete, accurate, and tell the whole story. The professionals in this field—Clinical Documentation Specialists (CDS)—are the unsung heroes behind the charts, bridging the gap between clinicians, coders, and the healthcare system.

Each September, CDI Week shines a light on these dedicated professionals. In 2025, it will be observed September 15–19. This annual celebration recognizes the importance of clear documentation for quality patient care, accurate coding, and proper reimbursement. Think of it as a “thank you” week for the people who keep the paperwork precise and the records reliable.

Why Greeting Cards?

Like nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare pros, Clinical Documentation Specialists deserve recognition too. A thoughtful card can celebrate their hard work during CDI Week, or congratulate them on achieving their CCDS (Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist) certification. These moments are big career milestones and rarely get spotlighted in the greeting card world—meaning a great opportunity for GCU artists to step in and fill the gap.

Where Your Cards Should Go:

  • Holidays >> Occupational Appreciation Observances >> Clinical Documentation Improvement / CDI Week / September (cid#39355)
  • Occasions >> Congratulations >> Becoming a Licensed / Certified >> Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist / CCDS (cid#39356)

Card Text Ideas

For CDI Week Appreciation Cards
Front:

  • “Clear notes. Clean charts. Countless thanks!”
  • “Happy CDI Week to the pros who keep it all documented!”
  • “Behind every accurate record is a brilliant CDS.”
  • “CDI Week: Celebrating those who make every word count.”

Inside:

  • “Your dedication ensures patients’ stories are told correctly. Thank you for all you do!”
  • “Because of you, the details matter, and patients receive the care they deserve.”
  • “Happy CDI Week to a true documentation hero!”
  • “You may work behind the charts, but your impact is front and center.”

For CCDS Certification Congratulations
Front:

  • “Certified and Documented—Congratulations!”
  • “Congrats on becoming a CCDS! You’ve written your success story.”
  • “Your expertise is official—CCDS and proud!”
  • “Celebrate the codes, the charts, and this career milestone!”

Inside:

  • “Congratulations on your CCDS certification—your hard work paid off!”
  • “You’ve achieved a credential that proves your dedication. Well done!”
  • “Becoming a CCDS is no small feat. Proud of you and your success!”
  • “Your career path just got even clearer—congratulations, Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist!”

Design Ideas for Artists

  • Medical chart, clipboard, or stethoscope paired with celebratory elements like balloons, confetti, or flowers.
  • Fun “documentation humor” (sticky notes, pens, highlighters, checkmarks, tick-boxes).
  • Professional and uplifting designs that blend healthcare imagery with warm congratulations.
  • Playful word art using acronyms (CDI, CDS, CCDS) integrated into the design.

Tip: Think of CDI Week as similar to Teacher Appreciation Week, but in the healthcare world—cards that are uplifting, fun, or heartfelt will resonate.

Happy Designing!

Corrie

Wanted Cards – CDI Week / Clinical Documentation Improvement

September 11, 2025

Wanted Cards – CDI Week / Clinical Documentation Improvement

CDI Week, observed in September, is for the field of work and professionals (CDS, Clinical Documentation Specialist) in Clinical Documentation Improvement. Learn more online and here:

https://www.cdia.com.au/cdi-week-2025

Please consider creating cards for CDI Week which is celebrated Sept 15 – 19 this year.  They should go here:

Holidays >> Occupational Appreciation Observances >> Clinical Documentation Improvement / CDI Week / September  cid#3935

Also consider cards for congratulations on the certification of a Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) that should go here:

Occasions >> Congratulations >> Becoming a Licensed / Certified >> Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist / CCDS   cid#39356

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