Ideas
One of the greatest challenges we face as T4T cardists is deciding what types of cards to make. The reason this is such a challenge is that we are serving such a diverse audience. We want our cards to be appealing enough to be chosen and used. So coming up with themes and ideas can be a challenge.
Please remember that these cards are not as much TO the Soldiers as they are FOR them. Styles, themes, and sentiments should be appropriate for family and friends at home. Here’s an idea. Put yourself in a Soldier’s boots and imagine what he or she might select if they were shopping for a particular greeting card. What might appeal to them? Who will be receiving this card?
Several of our most popular all-occasion themes are:
*Birthday (for a wife, husband, small child, school-age girl or boy, “tweens” and teens, young adults, grandparents, relatives)
*Miss You/Love You (not much explanation needed here)
*Humorous cards (keep it clean!)
*Get well *New arrival *Anniversary (both for husbands and wives)
*Sympathy * “Just a Note”
Cardists have almost unlimited resources, too. Stamping, photography, other paper arts, watercolor—all can be incorporated into simple greeting cards. One design may be repeated on several or several hundred cards. Not to worry—we carefully select card types and create a nice variety for every box we mail.
In developing ideas for cards, there are several “musts”:
The card MUST be simple.
It MUST be in good taste.
It MUST be well crafter with particular attention to detail and quality of workmanship.
It MUST be decorated only on the front and not inside.
It MUST be made from the heart.
In the near future, we hope to post pictures of sample cards so that you can see what our cardists create. We are also making a presentation called Cardmaking 101 which will hopefully provide more ideas and suggestions. Stay tuned and stay creative!
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