I love, love, love this card.

I wrote and edited this one years ago and it has been in the American Greetings Easter line ever since. I was really inspired by the idea that Easter morning is the beginning of something amazing and miraculous. I like the simplicity of it all, too. It has a softness that’s really lovely and understated.

The card also features Bible verses from the Gospel of John (which is my absolute favorite book of the Bible). The first is my girl, Mary Magdalene, speaking. “I have seen the Lord,” she says as she runs to tells the other disciples that she has discovered Jesus very much alive at his tomb. The second quote comes from the story of Thomas, who doubts that Jesus has risen from the dead and refuses to believe it until he can see for himself. Naturally, Jesus obliges, and Thomas believes. But he tells him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

So, I love the juxtaposition between these two verses. Mary has seen Jesus at the tomb. Thomas has seen as well. But Jesus is also telling us that it’s a blessing when we believe without being able to see first. Faith involves investing our hearts and lives in a mysterious and unseen world. That’s the beauty of Easter morning. It’s the miracle that began almost 2,000 years ago and that we still carry with us today.

Front:

As the sun came up
on Easter morning,
the miracle was only beginning…

“I have seen the Lord!”

John 20:18

Inside:

“Because you have seen me,
you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen
and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

May the wonders of this season —
the beauty of springtime,
the newness of life,
the Resurrection of Jesus —
fill your heart with joy
and your life with love.

I edited this new card for Graduation this year and it turned out so great! I love the cool paperclip attachment and how fun and youthful it looks.

I got the idea for this one from some cute t-shirts I saw at the mall. A lot of them were funky little checklists, so I thought that would make an awesome card for this year’s grads. I worked with one of the writers and she came up with this great piece of copy.

Oh, and you can probably tell from the card rack behind this one, but you can find this bad boy in stores right now! It’s perfect for the Class of 2012!

Front:

Graduation Checklist

• Finals behind you.
• Looking good in cap and gown.
• Tassel in place.
• Glowing smile.
• Diploma frame ready.
• Personal theme song in head.
• Hopes high.
• Dreams big.

Inside:

You’re on your way
to awesome things!

Congratulations

This was done for our Military line, which is only available in stores on military bases. I loved the idea of using technology to connect across oceans, so that’s what inspired me to write this Missing You card…

Front:

Me: Miss You
Today

Me: Miss You
1 Day Ago

Me: Miss You
2 Days Ago

Me: Miss You
3 Days Ago

Me: Miss You
4 Days Ago

Me: Miss You
5 Days Ago

Inside:

My status
hasn’t changed
since you left.

Hurry Home

Front:

For My Husband
with Love

Before we met,
I never expected
to find someone
as wonderful as you,
someone so kind,
honest,
and tender,
someone so perfect
for me…

Inside:

From the moment
I saw you,
I knew my heart
had found forever –
I’m so happy
you came into my life.

Happy Valentine’s Day

We wanted something that would speak to the issue of bullying. Something you could send to support a friend or loved one who might be having a tough time at school.

I was really inspired by the wonderful videos that were made by the It Gets Better project. I wanted the card not only to express hope for the future, but love and support here and now.

I ended up significantly rewriting an older piece to make this one work. I think the end result is lovely.

You can find this card in the Support section in Target stores where American Greetings products are sold.

Front:

Some days are hard.
Some days it might seem
like no one understands
what you’re going through…

Inside:

But it gets better.

There are people
who are on your side.
There are people
who love and care about you.

I know,
because I’m one of them.

Miss Match is a sweetheart and she’s one of my favorites from The Lost Socks. Her name was inspired by the short-lived TV show, Miss Match and her story manages to finally work in a “sole mate” pun. Sorry, I couldn’t resist…

Front:

Miss Match says,
“Celebrate your birthday
with the ones you love.”

Inside:

…in other words,
people like me!

Have a Great Day

Character story inside:

From the mysterious realm beyond the dryer –
it’s The Lost Socks!

Introducing
Miss Match

Separated from her
other half years ago,
Miss Match misses
those romantic nights
and longs to be reunited
with her beloved
sole mate.

Front:

Judge Darn says,
“I hereby sentence you
to one day of birthday cheer!”

Inside:

Have all the fun
the law will allow!

Character story inside:

From the mysterious realm beyond the dryer –
it’s The Lost Socks!

Introducing
Judge Darn

Odor in the court!
A stinky Judge Darn
was ready to be washed,
but sadly didn’t make it
past the rinse cycle
when he was crushed
by a rather large brief!

Front:

Footloose says,
“It’s your birthday –
dance ’til you can’t dance no more!”

Inside:

Groove to the music
of a happy day.

Character story inside:

From the mysterious realm beyond the dryer –
it’s The Lost Socks!

Introducing
Footloose

Never one to miss
a sock hop, Footloose
wanted to take a spin
before the big dance,
but got lost on the
laundry room floor
after doing the twist
with the agitator.