The Right Card Always-Hallmark Giveaway-CLOSED

Have you started looking for you holiday greeting cards?  No?  Wow!  I have been to our local store and seen the new Hallmark displays.  I know of several I want to get already.  I want to send the 'Stache card to our KT up in Missouri.  This bright red card showcases Saint Nick’s thick, white mustache. Remove 

the furry ‘stache and use the adhesive strip to wear it yourself and fully embrace 

the joy of the season — hopefully you’ll get some free milk and cookies, too.  I know KT would take the removable Santa mustache off of the card and put it on right off.  Oh what fun photos that will provide.  

The Grandbabes as well as Princess Emma will be counting down the days til Christmas.  It will be easier when they have one of the two new Countdown Cards.  One with Santa and the other with Mickey.  I am going to set each one up before I pop them in the mail.  Something to make them have that extra bit of excitement!  Better is that they can use these every year!  (Well until the batteries run out or I figure out how to replace them.)  There are also a card that has a Recordable Wish list.  
Children can record their wish lists directly into this card to let Santa 
know what they’d like to receive for Christmas. Fun for all ages, the 
Recordable Wish List card is especially perfect for little ones who aren’t 
yet able to write a wish list for Santa.   

Last year we gave the two Grand Babes that are brother and sister a Hallmark Recordable Story Book.  Dear Hubby and I shared recording us reading the book for them.  I found out that they listen to it almost every night.  Loving their special bed time treat from Nonnie and Coppie.  This year we are going to be adding on for our youngest Grandbabe, Scotty.  I hope he two grows up listening to us.  Now there is also the Interactive Story Buddy.  We have the bear for a special gift this year.  But there is also now Jingle All the Way with an adorable white puppy to read to that lil someone.

For my 8 year old grand daughter there is Hallmark's Justin Bieber cards are sure to bring holiday cheer to her.  I have one all ready to mail out.  What do you think?  Are your girls just as freaked out about the Bieber?   If not then pick up a box of holiday cards.  I love the pop up cards I have to send out.  I also noticed at the store that many boxed card sets where 50% off too!  Go see if it is the same for your store.  

Hallmark was happy to include cards for me to send to my own grand babes and extras to share with a Crazed Mind reader as a giveaway (approx. retail value of the giveaway: $45-50).  Isn't that lovely to have a chance to share?  

The Hallmark holiday greeting card pack will include:

·         An Interactive Recordable Greeting

·         An Interactive Countdown Greeting

·         An assortment of additional boxed and Signature Collection greetings

It is really easy to enter to win. Just comment below.  I want to know what would you like to share the most of the items at Hallmark Christmas site.  Pop over, look around and then come back and tell me what you fell in love with.  You can get an extra entry by tweeting.  Just post this tweet and leave the link in the comments below.  You can do this daily!

I am winning a @HallmarkPR holiday greeting card pack with @CrazedMind. You can too at http://theysayimnuts.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-right-card-always-hallmark-giveaway.html

OUR WINNER IS DEE!  CONGRATS!

That Perfect Card

My goodness how the time does slip by.  I am sure your just as busy at your home as I am here.  We have been doing all of the day to day life but add in the extra gotta get done too.  The poor yard was ignored all summer with the heat wave.  And now it has decided to rain.  The most lush yard of horrid weeds you ever did see has cropped up.  So as soon as it stops raining (which we do not really wish for it to do) it is time to drag out the lawnmower.  In December no less.


The Christmas tree has also been hauled out of the garage.  Dusted off and made to shine with the lights, garland, tinsel and ornaments.  Looks pretty okay to me.  And we took down many of our day to day knick-knacks and photos to put up Christmas decorations.  It looks good and so far doggie and kitty safe.  Of course we are keeping the gifts put up.  I can just see how they would all be torn up if they were out unguarded.  


And as always there are last minute gifts to wrap.  You have that at your home don't you.  Something that caught you attention at the last moment.  Or you found in the back of the closet where you hid it last April.  Oh and I had to get some special cards out.  Yes, we have the traditional Christmas cards.  I am a recycler in the worst way.  I use the ones from last year to make tags for my gifts this year.  Honestly!  But I have 3 special cards from Blue Mountain Arts that I just have to share this season.  


One if for my niece who is having to really pull up the boot straps and get down to the nitty gritty in life.  Her husband left her this fall with 3 young girls and no job, car or cash.  Well she did not waste any time at all.  Got a job, found a rent house and is doing what needs to be done.  I know how hard it is on her.  But at the same time, so very proud of her hard work and determination.  In the middle of all of this muck and mire I want to remind her of how wonderful she is.  So I have one that tells her just that.  Some of what this card says is:


"Life can disappoint you sometimes,
and things happen that you didn't expect and don't deserve.
But I know the amazing person you are,
the beautiful dreams you have,
and the wonderful gifts you possess..."


It goes on to tell her how proud of her we are.  And that she is capable of doing much more than she ever expected to do.  More so that she is loved, honored and cherished.  I know it is just the right card for her right now.  


I also have a friend who does not celebrate the holidays in the manner we do.  But I love letting her know just how special she is to me.  Over 25 years of friendship is not to be sneezed at.  And lifetime friends are to be treasured.  So instead of the traditional Christmas card she is getting one of the Blue Mountain Arts cards.  These cards are the creation of Susan and Stephen Schutz.  A start up company 40 years ago that became a nationwide known go to greeting card to find the one that really said just the right thing.  I have always adored the water color art work on the cards along with the perfect poems.  “We are proud to launch our new Blue Mountain Arts Classics greeting cards,” said Susan. “These are emotions and messages about the most important things people are compelled to share with others. Lovely designs are captured in brilliant hues, printed on embossed Deckle cut paper to provide the finishing touch of a feathered edge. These are cards that people will treasure forever.”


The very best of the 3 cards I am sharing this year is the one I gave already to College Girl.  She is my solace, my soul within, my amazing awe.  And I just had to find a way to let her know how much I honor her, adore her and want to always be there for her.  Well of course, that is just what I found in the card for her.  (I told you this is the perfect card company.)   I hope they don't mind, but I just have to share this one with you.  Now remember these are copyrighted.  So please just read, don't use it!

For My Beautiful Daughter


I looked at you today and saw the same beautiful eyes that looked at me with love when you were a baby...
I looked at you today and saw the same beautiful moth that made me cry when you first smiled at me when you were a baby.  It was not long ago that I held you in my arms long after you fell asleep and I just kept rocking you all night long.  I looked at you today and saw my beautiful daughter--no longer a baby but a beautiful person with a full range of emotions, feelings, ideas and goals.  Every day is exciting as I continue to watch you grow.  I want you to always know that in good and in bad times, I will love you.  And that no matter what you do or how you think or what you say, you can depend on my support, guidance, friendship and love every minute of every day.  I love being your mother.


Well?  Isn't that perfect?  Well it is for us.  Especially with the rocking part.  She is 24 and to this day I can wrap my arms around her, rock and she starts to drift off.  You know it brought tears to my eyes and to hers. I am so happy to be able to tell her just how I feel in such a simple yet beautiful way.  


So what is the lil different things you do during the holidays?  Do you single out those very special people in your life and let them know they are honored?  Oh and just so you know, Blue Mountain has Christmas cards too!  Thanks so much to them for sharing with me.  It is also appreciated.

Back To School Giveaway

I wanted to share some good news with you.

For years, “do-gooder” moms and book lovers have shopped Better World Books for its big discounts and even bigger impact on the environment and literacy.  And now the company has some seriously good news to share.  But first – for those who don’t already know – here’s how it works.  Better World Books collects discarded books from libraries and campuses around the country, and sells them on BetterWorldBooks.com. For every book they sell, a cut of the money goes back to the library or campus it came from, and another goes to non-profit literacy organizations like Books for Africa.  Consider the fact that they sell millions of books every year – and those dollars start to add up.  Which leads me to the point of this post.

Since its launch in 2003, Better World Books has raised millions for libraries and literacy – and in a few days, it will hit the TEN MILLION dollar mark! They’ve even got a cute ticker on the homepage “counting up” to $10 million…looks like it’s just a few days away.  That huge pile of cash is in addition to Better World Books’ contribution to the environment – the company’s business model has helped divert over 40 million books from landfills!  To celebrate its big milestone, the company is planning an exciting announcement on August 15. Check back in with them then to find out what it is!

Princess Emma turned 5 just about a week ago and had her party at the local bowling alley. It was her first time to bowl and she just had the best time. She got a a lot of wonderful gifts but one of her favorites (and her moms, the Other Mother) is an early reading program called Start to Read. It is put out by School Zone publishing and is just a great little set. It came with five books to read, 1 comprehension book, a read along/song cd and a parent guide.  Level 1 books are designed for emergent readers, ages 4-6, and have limited vocabulary – each book introduces between 9 and 50 words. Utilizing short, one-line sentences, the titles in level 1 provide simple picture clues that significantly support the text.

 

Fun Features & Big Benefits

·         Memorable stories and characters

·         3-step approach to reading

·         Comprehension workbook activities

·         Story narration on audio CD

·         Whimsical, age-appropriate songs

I can't really say if it is helping her learn to read since we have only had it a short while but I can say she has really been enjoying it a lot. She loves the books that are in it!  We should see how it is working soon since Princess Emma will be entering school this month.

And while thinking of back to school, I have a lil surprise for Princess Emma and College Girl.  They are both going to have Back To School greeting cards sent to them.  P.E. for her first day of school.  And C.G. for returning back to college and living on campus.  I know they both will love getting the mail letting them know how much we love them.  And sharing our pride in them too!  What do you think? 

Here is Princess Emmas,

And College Girls,

This was fun.  I went online to Greeting Card Universe to find the right cards.  I then was able to personalize them.  Text, messages and even color and type face.  Next I put in the info to have them shipped directly to Princess Emma.  College Girls will come to my home with it's own envelope.  I have to wait til I have her mailing address at school to send hers to her. 

By the way, FREE SHIPPING when you order 10+ cards - use code 2011AUGSHIP10 - Ends Friday (U.S. only).  I am also going to share with you.  You see you can win 2 greeting cards for your own special occasion.  Easy peasy!  Just leave me a comment below on what you would use your cards for.  And make sure you leave an email so I can reach you too!  Extra entry?  Well like Greeting Card Universe on Facebook, leave them a comment and send me the link that you did.  Simple as that!

I do have to thank all that have helped me here.  For the giveaway hosting from Greeting Card Universe.  And thanks to School Zone for letting me help out Princess Emma.  Of course I did not get paid.  But was happy to have the products to review.  You check out these folks.  They treated me well and I am sure they will do the same for you.

Thank You Card Winner

We have a winner for the Digital Room Thank You Cards Giveaway.


MJ said... 7

I teach kindergarten. I use thank you notes for parent volunteers.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

MJ you win:

Giveaway Prize:

(50 ct.) 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5") Custom Thank You Cards with 4 Baronial Blank Envelopes

14 pt Cardstock Gloss coating

Full Color Outside and Blank Inside

Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only. Must be 18 years old and up.

I will email you this morning and I have 24 hours to get your address in to Digital Room.....Congrats!

Thank You!

I am working on my Thank You cards for this year. Yes I have thank you cards printed up every year. I find that having them all ready makes it that much easier to remember those who have gone that extra step for me. I have a great cousin (by marriage) that sends me the cutest lil "no day" gifts. Glad I will have a thank you card all ready to go when those type of things arrive. Many times another of our blogger friends will pop something off to us and I love being able to send them a Thank you card too. I was out this last month and actually was sadden that I could not send one off right when I wanted too.

Who do you send Thank you cards to? Only for birthday gifts? Or did you remember to send any at all? I am sure that many of us want to do this lil courtesy but often just not having them on hand makes it just that much harder. Well we are going to fix that for one of you. How? Well of course with a give away of Custom Printed Thank You Cards from the Digital Room.com.


Giveaway Prize:

(50 ct.) 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5") Custom Thank You Cards with 4 Baronial Blank Envelopes

14 pt Cardstock Gloss coating

Full Color Outside and Blank Inside


Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping

Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only. Must be 18 years old and up.

Now how do you win? Well the same as always... Comment, Comment, Comment!

Entries are as usual.
1 for visiting Digital Room.com and telling me what their logo is?
1 for commenting on when you use thank you cards.
1 for following this blog.
2 for putting this giveaway up on face book (leave two comments).
5 for blogging about this giveaway (leave five comments).
1 for twittering and you can do that daily (leave comment and link for each).

Please be sure we have a way to contact you with email or blogger page to let you know you won! Ok folks here we go! I will pick a winner by random number on April 26th, 2010.

Post Card Winners

Today is the day to announce my (2) LUCKY PRIZE WINNERS THAT WILL RECEIVE 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS.

The winners are:

Mary's B & B said...

Image via Wikipedia

1

I'd love to make cards of the great places around town!

DH's Boss said... 3

I bet I could do a fantasy one of my family....Heck we are all from some fantasy anyway!

I know that Mary plans on using them for the B & B guest. I can not wait to see what DH's Boss comes up with. She does the neatest fantasy photos and the coolest tattoos. I am sure hers will be quite inventive.

Last Day to Enter for FREE Cards

Tonight I do the drawing for your FREE 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS.

Image via Wikipedia

Make sure you go and enter so you can win. Yes, you will pay the shipping (low cost around $5.00). But you can pick what picture you want on your cards. I know Mary at Mary's Bed and Bath is hoping to make some postcards to leave in the B & B. This way visitors can send a note from their travels back home.
I bet that many of you would like to do the "family photo" on Christmas cards. I have seen some that are really cute with matching clothes or all the family pets in there. Of course you would never forget some of the REDNECK photos I have seen too! EWWW!
But you pick...just have to enter first!

Making the Just Right Card

These tips were provided by the Photo Affections, an online photo greeting card company. I was hoping they would help when we are working so hard to get that just right card. It seems we make more cards than we purchase in the store. Frugal thinking pays off there. But we are not the pros who think up some of those great and witty words. So hope these make things just a lil easier. Don't forget you can Win Your Personal Greeting Cards here.

How to build the perfect holiday photo greeting card

1. Use humor. It opens hearts and lets friends and relatives see the fun side of your life.
2. Bring captions into play. Keep them short and sincere.
3. Select a photo with special sentimental value. Don’t worry about the finding the photo where everyone looks “perfect.”
4. Use only 1 – 3 photos. Too many dilute the meaning of the card.
5. Juxtapose past & current photos. This highlights the growth of your family.

RSVP Etiquette

(parents should carry on the tradition and not let this courtesy fall completely by the wayside in future generations.)

1. ALWAYS RSVP to any event; and as promptly as possible.
2. Respond by deadline: the deadline is very important, not only for food and drink counts, but also for the hostess to prepare for the event.
3. If you have RSVPed for an event and, at the last minute, need to cancel—make a quick courtesy phone call to the host.
4. An invitation that is addressed specifically to your name and does not specify “and guest” means you cannot bring a guest.
5. If your children’s names are not on the envelope, you should always ask if you’d like to bring your children along. If their names are not included, it might mean children are not invited; or it might be an oversight, so you should always ask.

5 Tips for Creating the Perfect Birth Announcement

1. Select a card that shows your family’s style—unique and individual to represent you and your new baby. Selecting a photo—choose one with sentimental value that evokes a special memory.
2. Keep it simple—a simple introduction followed by the birth details such as name, weight and birth date is ideal.
3. Save time and money by using an Internet photo card company. Easily select a template and then insert the photo and text. Once complete, the birth announcements are delivered directly to your home.
4. Research photo card company websites prior to the birth. Then, insert the photo and information to complete the project when baby arrives. Traditional etiquette suggests birth announcements be sent within 6 months of the birth.
   

Win Your Personal Greeting Cards

Well here is your Christmas card give away. At least you can use it that way. Or is it your wedding announcements, baby shower, anniversary or just that plain ol' We wish you was here card? How about letting the kids design your new cards with their artwork? Of course you can always have the family picture for all to see.

Now you can create the cards you would like to share with your family and friends. Design it with the picture you want on it . And get them all for FREE!

Yeah, I like that word too. UPrint is hosting a give away here at Crazed Mind. And

(2) LUCKY PRIZE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS

250 7 x 5" Greeting Cards (Half-Fold); 10 pt Cover with matte or gloss coating

Full Color Outside and Blank Inside (4/0)

Shipping Must be Paid by Winner. Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.

I plan on having Custom Postcards made for me. I think that my photo of the bluebonnets in the snow would make a beautiful postcard for my lil town. What do you think?

Or, should I make up this classic winter church for my Christmas Cards?

Of course I could make up some postcards for Mary's Bed and Bath to be used for the guest when they visit?

Well you can enter by leaving a comment and tell me how you would use 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS.
To get extra entries Tweet @CrazedMind and leave a comment here letting me know.

You also get extra entries when you have my button on your blog, subscribe to me with RSS, follow my blog and had someone else enter to this give away too. Of course you need to let me know here that you have done this in my comments.

I will select a winner on SEPTEMBER 1, 2009. Make sure I have your E-mail so I can let you know you have won. UPrint will be emailing the winner with their own coupon code.