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I always try to send handcrafted cards. When I design a card I really like, I make several of them. I usually don't stamp the sentiment in the card until I actually need it because many of my designs would work for several occasions.
For the ones that I KNOW (from past experience) will just barely look at the card (any card, handmade or Hallmark) and toss it in the garbage before an hour is up...to those I get the 2 for a buck type or send an ecard greeting. But now and then there is a Maxine, the Shoebox Lady card that I just have to get when it really fits the occasion as nothing else would.
I do mostly all handmade now. It's appreciated more by the recipient, and since I've been doing it for a while now, come to be expected (well, not really, but more excitement comes from opening the hand made card).
I don't think I save money by doing it, but it's my hobby. And it fits well with my other hobby....shopping!
Oh, the last one's perfect for me... mostly not for the "in the jam" but because I don't really care for the person (hubby's coworker that I've never seen for example). I am mean... but at least I'm honest
I will usually buy one if I'm pressed for time and/or was lazy to get a card made. The worst would be that I simply forgot >.< I'll sift through my stash to see if there's one that looks decent enough to give out, if not, I go to target and buy one.
__________________ Member of RAK, BRAK, & Soldiers' Angels (Ladies of Liberty & Cards Plus team) My Blog
Proud Fan Club member
April, I understand and respect what you are saying....but I just went to your gallery, and you are selling yourself way short! Your cards are works of art, and I don't think anyone would think you are "cheaping out" to send cards as lovely as yours are.
I really think the majority of people these days understand that anything handmade takes time and thought, and that message comes through loud and clear in your cards.
Wow, that's SO sweet of you - thank you! What a lovely way to start my soon to be hectic day! I'll have to rethink the sympathy card thing (that's always a card I'm sorry to need). It's nice to know that most people are starting to appreciate handmade things. When I first started a few years ago I got some of the "you must have too much time on your hands" type comments. Not so much anymore so it's great that things are starting to change and handmade is becoming more appreciated. Thanks again for your kind encouragement!
I *LOVE* to spend a half-hour in the card section--it inspires me!
I do occasionally buy a card, if it's something I find hilarious, or so perfect for the individual/occasion, but, I couldn't make something similar with what I have at home. And, I don't feel guilty about it!
I agree with you Julie! I love browsing through the sea of cards!
I too have bought the occasional card that sings when you open it, etc. I can't possibly CASE those! LOL!
__________________ Jennifer
To the world you may just be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
I usually have a stash of my handmade cards to use but sometimes I do buy one when I'm in a jam or pressed for time. For some reason I don't have any sympathy cards ready to use and I needed one the other day so I had to buy one.
I try to stay stock,I am a little behind now because I have been working on my Christmas cards but card making is not cheap cards and i could buy a card for less but i love this to much and i can't say this enough card making is so relaxing to ME.
__________________ In my Father's house are many manison hope yours is next to mine!
I am strictly forbidden from buying cards! ;)
My husband refuses - even if we are in a pinch. So I have to make sure to not get pinched - hehehe.
I do like to look though for inspiration.
what....buy a card for $2.50+ or make one for $5.00+.....i go for the latter, too much fun and i have to justify my toys. also, friends expect handmade from me.....if i send to someone who really doesnt appreciate the work... i do a really simple one.
I am new to cardmaking and made all of my Christmas cards this year. I usually buy a special Christmas card for my mom, sister, son, DIL, and grandchildren. I went to look for those cards last weekend and was absolutely turned off by the ridiculous prices! 3.99 for ONE card!!! I can buy a whole package of blank cards for that price!
I mailed my handmade cards yesterday and have already received two phone calls thanking me and commenting on how pretty the cards were. Granted the calls were from my mom and sister but it was really nice to hear that my efforts were appreciated.
So I've decided that my 'special' cards will also be handmade.
I too still like to browse...lots of gorgeous cards to inspire my homemade ones as well as other cool things like gift card holders, small boxes/bags etc...
When I look at the prices on Hallmark cards (especially the Canadian prices), I don't feel so bad for what I charge when I sell mine (mostly to my mom) :mrgreen:
__________________ Alanna
"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eyelet..." Gallery & Blog
Everybody I send a card to EXPECTS to get a handmade original so how could I send some store bought thing...HA! I haven't bought a card in years and I seldom look at the ones in the stores. I get ideas and inspiration off blogs and SCS of course!
Ditto!
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
haven't bought any since i started stamping....I would be in Divorce court if i bought a card, with all the stamps sets i have
That is too funny! That's exactly what I feel. According to my husband, I dont need to buy any store bought cards.
__________________ Bonnie~Proud Fan Club Member~Marine Wife My Gallery~One of Kota's Kids My Blog~Bonnie's Creative Corner Every Job is a Self-Portrait of the Person Who Did It. Autograph Your Work With Excellence.~Author Unknown
I do occasionally buy a card. Most often though, its for a kind of "secret sister" thing at work, and a handmade card or tag would give away the fact that it was me! (Since I'm the only one who stamps.) Other than that, I very seldom buy a card, but I don't feel guilty when I do.
__________________ "You may not have lost all your marbles, but there's definitely a hole in the bag." Grumpy Cat
Before I got into stamping, I was a Hallmark junkie. I haven't purchased a pre-made card in years now. I still like to browse around Hallmark from time to time... have eben been known to steal a few ideas from cards there but, if I purchase anything in Hallmark now, it's a small gift item, not a card. I figure this is the only way to justify how much money I spend on stamps and supplies!
I make most of my own cards but I will buy cards that crack me up or have humor that fits the recipient. There's no way I could duplicate some of those! (we need more fun and sassy stuff in the industry) Most of my family looks forward to their homemade cards though so I'm afraid they'd feel bad if I bought them one.
I have a small stash of store bought cards that I purchased for ideas...ie the curve on them, color combinations, things I know i would forget when I come home.
Well, now that I've said that I don't buy cards, I do admit to buying the Hallmark cards that play songs when you open them for my family this Christmas, BUT I covered them with handmade cards! Yes really! LOL I just love the music...
__________________ Pat Scatter Joy! Throw kindness around like confetti!
Nope, haven't bought a card since I started stamping. My dh even asks me for cards that he needs.
Funny story; I was doing a craft show this fall, and the nicest old lady was just oohhing and ahhing over my cards and telling me that Hallmark should know about me. I said 'Thank you' of course, but when she left my dh said something like 'bah Hallmark, you're better than them' . Well we thought she had left, we then heard this voice say 'what, nobody is better than Hallmark!' We just started laughing.
I went to Hallmark and bought a box of really gorgeous cards to send to immediate family for Christmas. I had spent hours and hours making a bunch of cards for work, and didn't have it in me to make more Christmas cards after that! I think most everyone was shocked to even GET a card from us since I'm usually so late.
This card company has different lines with some hilarious cards! I haven't bought any cards in a long time but would from them. I still have a stash I'm working through from a couple of years ago before I started stamping.
Never ever buy cards anymore. I always have a good supply on hand. The thing about the Hallmark and others getting so expensive is that since I have purchased so many supplies (lol) over the last couple years if you rolled that into my card prices...I shudder to think what a card would be worth...Oh well I just keep making them and buying more "stuff".
Blessings.
I never bought cards even before I started making them! So I sure would not buy one in the store now. I hated standing there and trying to pick one out, it seemed like such a waste of time. So finally, friends and family are getting cards from me....lol.
I do agree with another stamper, I really don't think I am saving money by making my own, but I love creating them. At the same time, if I now bought one, I WOULD consider that wasting my money and time.
Heck no! If someone got a store bought card from me, they'd think I didn't care ;).
Sometimes I really wish I didn't make cards - other friends just pop out, buy a card and present and that's it. It takes soooooo much longer to make a card when you're me!!! And I always leave things to the last minute! (yes, that was a New Years resolution that ended 3rd Jan, 11 am when I was making a card for my daughter to take to a party at 12.30!) Anyone who knows me would be HUGELY offended to get a bought card! I should have taken up knitting socks as a hobby!
Oh Heck Ya! For the people that don't apperciate hand made cards!!!
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
I have not bought a card in years. I don't look at them either. None of them are as good as any average card you could see right here on SCS! They certainly aren't as good as the MANY above average cards that are posted here every second or so!!
I have only bought two shop bought cards in the last 7 years - and they were sympathy cards which I don't feel comfortable making. The rest of the time, folks get my handmade cards.
I have ordered funny online cards from Moonpig a couple of times - you upload one of your own photos and can add text etc. and then the card is mailed direct to the recipient. It' s great fun to stitch up your close friends when you have a funny/interesting/compromising photo to work with LOL!
