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Freebie Wednesday: Cotton Candy Digital Papers.

February 24, 2021
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Cotton Candy Digital Papers is the freebie this week.

This collection of 12 sweet candy themed digital papers are here for all you sweet lovers! All files come in JPEG format! 

This sweet freebie is brought to you by MutchiDesign! Only available for a week on the Hungry Jpeg site!

 

This product comes with a commercial license.

Nuts and Bolts: Reminder February 2021 Design Challenge.

February 19, 2021
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Nuts & Bolts – Reminder February 2021 Design Challenge

February is a short month and can catch us by surprise. With one week left, leap or hop to completing and submitting your Stock Card Creations Design Challenge entry.    See February 2021 Design Challenge here.   The theme is Bunny – Bunnies.

Simply submit your card for review as usual and include a Note to Reviewer “this is for February’s design challenge”.  (Psst … since we’re getting close to the deadline go ahead and submit your design for Fast Track review and tell the reviewers Mindy said it’s ok).  

NOTE:  After your card is approved, 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 design challenge blog. We’ll forward your entry to the jury.

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Wanted New Cards: Grandpa / Grandma Would Have Loved You Day

February 18, 2021

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Wanted Cards – Grandpa / Grandma Would Have Loved You Day
 
 
A fond way to keep the memory of a grandparent who has passed too soon to have met his or her grandchild(ren) is the unofficial “Grandpa / Grandma Would Have Loved You Day”.   
 
Please consider creating cards for this occasion.  The cards should go here:
Holidays >> National / International Days >> Grandpa / Grandma Would Have Loved You Day
 
Consider cards specific to grandchildren, granddaughter, grandson as well as for different ages of grandchildren, not just young ones.  Be sure to refine your meta-data to address the age group:
 
We’d like you to create at least one card for these categories using the Stock Cards function or your own graphic designs.
 
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”.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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Freebie Wednesday: Glamlips Font.

February 17, 2021

Glamlips is an elegant and flowing handwritten font. It is PUA encoded which means you can access all of the glyphs and swashes with ease! It features a varying baseline, smooth lines, gorgeous glyphs and stunning alternates. It maintains its classy calligraphic influences while feeling contemporary and fresh. Fall in love with this font and bring your projects to the highest levels! Available on the Creative Fabrica site.

This product comes with a commercial license.

Nuts and Bolts: In-Store Pick Up Update

February 12, 2021
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Nuts & Bolts – In-Store Pick Up Update

GCU’s In-Store pickup option has been a great solution for shoppers who need their cards on the same day or next day.  A great option for last minute shoppers. These orders were printed and picked up in the stores’ photo departments. The majority of GCU’s In-Store pickup locations were Target stores. Unfortunately most Target locations have closed their photo departments.


Since June of 2020, GCU has no longer offered In-Store Pickup. We are in development with another partner to offer this service and expect to have it operational later this year, 2021.   In the interim, shoppers can upgrade their shipping options for cards mailed back to them with blank envelopes.  Cards mailed directly to recipients are not eligible for upgraded shipping.

 When communicating with shoppers, please do not recommend in-store pickup if they are in a rush but instead expedited shipping. Thank you for your understanding.

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Wanted New Cards: Mother’s Day both my Moms from Twins.

February 11, 2021

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Wanted Cards – Mother’s Day both my Moms from Twins
 
Gay and lesbian couples who week fertility treatment to have a family can often result in muliples – twins, triplets, quads.  
 
Please consider creating cards for this new sub-category:
 
Similarly:
 
Consider a variety of ages of the children and gender combinations and refining your meta-data accordingly.
 
We’d like you to create at least one card for these categories using the Stock Cards function or your own graphic designs.
 
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”.
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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Freebie Wednesday: Sweety Blue

February 10, 2021

Sweety Blue is a simple and friendly handwritten font. Its natural and unique style makes it incredibly fitting to a large pool of designs. The only limit is your imagination! Available as free download at Creative Fabrica.

 

This product comes with a commercial license.

Dash of Inspiration: 2020 Founders’ Choice Awards.

February 9, 2021

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Dash of Inspiration – 2020 Founders’ Choice Awards
 
Wait no more! We are pleased to announce the Founders’ Choice Awards for 2020 in all their silly, masked, creative, and top selling socially distanced glory!  In December, we tossed around the idea of creating a new COVID category award but then, no surprise, nearly all the cards that rose to the top this year were COVID themed. An accurate reflection of how pervasive and impactful the pandemic has been on everyone – artists and shoppers.

1. Best New Artist: Sabina Kovacheva of SABIVO Designs

Screenshot_2021-02-09 18th Birthday Party Watercolour Floral Cake with Candles card

Honorable Mentions Best New Artist:

  Amanda McDonough of Paper Yay

Screenshot_2021-02-09 A Magical Unicorn with Age 4 Balloon Blank Inside card

and Cynthia Shatzel of Cynthia’s Art Designs

Screenshot_2021-02-09 Happy Anniversary Couple on Horseback Riding into a Western Sunset card
 
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2. Best Overall New Card: 
 
Amy Hadden with PID 1606038

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Honorable Mentions Best Overall New Card:

Betsy Bush of Dragonfire Graphics – PID 1606850

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and Sandra Rose Designs – PID 1583424

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3. Hottest Seller – CHRISTMAS:

Doreen Erhardt of SalonOfArt  –  PID 1643332

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Honorable Mentions CHRISTMAS Hottest Seller:

Michelle Lanoue of Illustrations by Michelle – PID 1654418

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and Mindy PiercePID 1641868

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3a. Hottest Seller – CHINESE NEW YEAR:

Doreen Erhardt of Salon Of Art –  PID 1655578

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Honorable Mentions CHINESE NEW YEAR Hottest Seller:

Teri Nelson Kuster of Che Bella Nota PID 1631938

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and Tanya Hall of Moonlake GreetingsPID 1647954

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3b. Hottest Seller – BIRTHDAY:

Sharon Dominick Photography – PID 1606092

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Honorable Mentions BIRTHDAY Hottest Seller:

Sharon Dominick Photography – PID 1606764

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and Mike Baldwin of CorneredPID 1619538

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4. Best Custom Front (Text):

Annie Lang of Annie Thing’s Possible PID 1654068

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Honorable Mention Best Custom Front (Text):

Teri Nelson Kuster of Che Bella Nota – PID 1607434

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and Sharon Dominick Photography –  PID 1616652

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5. Best Custom Front (Image):

Mindy PiercePID 1595122

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Honorable Mention Best Custom Front (Image):

Teri Francis of Squirrel Hugger Greeting Cards – PID 1637246

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6. Best Business Logo/Name: Ramelle Richardson of Eloquence by Ramelle PID 1661672

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and Mindy Pierce – PID 1659080

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7. Funniest Card: Pamela Jorgensen of PAMJARTSPID 1606400

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Honorable Mentions Funniest Card:

Sharon Dominick Photography – PID 1606842

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and Greetings from Anne PID 1608834

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8. Most Creative Stock Card Creation (BigStock):

Doreen Erhardt of Exclusive CreationsPID 1629578

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Honorable Mention Most Creative Stock Card Creation (BigStock):

Pamela Jorgensen of PAMJARTS PID 1607394

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and Stacia Gorge of Good Things by GorgePID 1600176

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9. Rising Star:

Cynthia ShatzelPID 1655706

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Honorable Mention Rising Star:

 SABIVO DesignPID 1628468

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and Carol KearnsPID 1607722

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10. Custom Request – Nailed it:

Cisillia Tay – PID 1599676

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Honorable Mentions Custom Request – Nailed it:

Alda Monteschio of Heart Tugs – PID 1629032

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and Cards by Gail Pepin –  PID 1650618

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11. Best Uncommon Card:

Teri Nelson Kuster of Che Bella NotaPID 1611190

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Honorable Mention best Uncommon Card:

Kate TaylorPID 1611504

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and Joy Ellaga of Creating with JoyPID 1616408

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12. Best Design Challenge Submission:

Sharon Dominick PhotographyPID 1657904

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Honorable Mention Best Design Challenge Submission:

Simply Put by Robin – PID 1608578

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and Liz Van Steenburgh of Starstock Greetings PID 1598400

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13. Simply Clever:

Greetings by Anne – PID 1606408

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Honorable Mention Simply Clever:

 Kathleen Johnson of Encouragers for Christ – PID 1610332

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and Stephanie Laird PID 1608180

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14. Reviewers’ Choice:

Fiona, Reviewer #825 – Joyce Geleynse of JoyfulArt Cards PID 1658192

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Ella, Reviewer #758 – Colleen Kong-Savage of Konga Line – PID 1641880

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Mackenzie, Reviewer #528 Nancy Mink – PID 1636422

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Desiree, Reviewer #121 – Christie Black Creations from the HeartPID 1653948

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Phoebe, Reviewer #443 – M. M. Anderson Art – PID 1663764

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John, Reviewer #233 – Mindy Pierce – PID 1641868

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Catherine, Reviewer #871 – Christine Quimby Art PID 1662694

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Victor, Reviewer #992 – Ron MagnesPID 1641216

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Sue, Reviewer #120 – Cher Jiang – PID 1658182

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Jessica Renee, Reviewer #937 – Randy Burns – PID 1621834

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So there you have it, a true reflection of 2020 chronicling the ups and downs of the year. Your creative works continue to exceed shoppers’ expectations and chronicle the landscape of their lives. Thank you to our amazing community of artists for your endless creativity, support, and your resilience during a very challenging year once again making Greeting Card Universe the go to site for Any Card Imaginable. 

Mindy

GCU Community Manager 

Nuts and Bolts: New Earnings Thresholds Effective 1/1/21

February 5, 2021
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Nuts & Bolts – New Earnings Thresholds Effective 1/1/21
 
 
Introduced 7 years ago, the quarterly thresholds for artists’ earnings were announced in July of 2013.
 1Q = $150     2Q = $150     3Q = $150     4Q = $300  
 
Artists who meet or exceed the quarterly threshold earn Premium Earnings (double).  Artists with more than one storefront can combine store earnings to reach the thresholds. 
 
Note: Stock Card Creations earnings are not eligible toward meeting the thresholds. 
 
Effective 1/1/21, GCU will be increasing the quarterly threshold amounts.   
 
The new thresholds are as follows and will first be reflected in 1Q 2021 earnings:
1Q – $250      2Q – $250      3Q – $250      4Q – $500
 
Please let us know if you have any questions.

The difference is made in the details!
 
 
Mindy
GCU Community Manager

Wanted New Cards: DOGust Aug 1 cards

February 4, 2021

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Wanted Cards – DOGust Aug 1 cards
 
One basic fact most of us know is our birthday and the birthdates of those close to us.  It may even be an ice breaker question you ask when getting to know someone better. Turn our thoughts to shelter animals. In most cases, the exact age and certainly birthday of the animals are unknown. 
 
August 1st, under the name of DOGust 1st, is acknowledged as a universal birthday of rescue, adopted, and shelter dogs. 
 
Consider creating cards for DOGust 1st.  They could address a couple different sentiments … to a specific dog with an unknown birth date to celebrate his/her day of birth. Or for general awareness leveraging the day to raise awareness for the countless shelter and rescue dogs in need of their fur-ever home. 
 
These cards will go here:
Occasions >> National & International Days >> DOGust / August 1st / Birthday for Shelter Rescue Dogs

 

See some info here:
 
As always with animal cards, consider a variety of breeds and be sure to fortify your meta-data so shoppers can easily find what they are looking for.
 
We’d like you to create at least one card for these categories using the Stock Cards function or your own graphic designs.
 
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”.
 
 
 
 
 

 

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