WELCOME TO MY BLOGS
ABOUT KALICO KARDS
Some of my fondest childhoom memories are of the times I stole away to the attic where my grandma stored boxes of quilting appliques - small pieces of calico fabric shapes. I spent hours laying them out on the attic floor to form birds, butterflies and flowers. This had to be the seed for Kalico Kards many years later!
As for the name "Kalico Kards" - 17 years ago cotton fabric to me was "calico" and being original, I just gave the word a new look by changing the "C's" to "K's"! I've added "Keepsakes", and the Kalico Kub, who "bears" our gift-baskets lovingly and I'm sure that "K" will open many other doors to my kreativity!
Each Kalico Kard is individually handmade by me - the designs are handcut and the messages and greetings are handprinted on 65lb quality card stock cut by Parkland Bindery, a local printer, to size 4 1/2x6 1/4 and they each come with a quality envelope. The designs are of cotton fabric yardage purchased from local shops in the Allentown and Lancaster areas. Each card is created in my own home where we turned our sunporch into a card studio! Kalico Kards are marketed locally at craft shows, at Cottage Crafters, and at Allentown Sewing as well as on this website. I try to keep my pricing simple - and so shipping is included on everything purchased here.
A Kalico Kard is not just a greeting card, it's a gift - and everyone loves to give and receive gifts. Kalico Kards are extravagant gifts - gifts of the heart like acknowledgement, acceptance, appreciation and encouragement - the priceless gifts of love. Because they are gifts, customers tell me they want to keep the cards instead of sending them - they like the extravagant feelings Kalico Kards stir! Their recipients hang onto them also for the same reason - they also like the extravagant feeling Kalico Kards stir - so they display them or frame them or recycle them (read some of their reviews received by clicking here )...this is why Kalico Kards are called "keepers"!
Recently, I created a new line of Kalico Kards called "Keepsake Kards", (click here to view) for extra-special occasions like a Baptism, Graduation, Confirmation of Faith, First Holy Communion, Congratulations for a 21st, 50th, or 75th Birthday, a Career Promotion, Recital, Dance Review, etc. - you choose the occasion and we create the card for it! We personalize these cards with their name, the date and the occasion - and whenits matted and framed it becomes a visual reminder, not only of their special day, but of your love and thoughtfulness. The perfect little frame for these special cards can be purchased here (click here to view)...they are called "Keepsakes"!( click here to view a display of them) I've given many as gifts and know from experience how grateful their recipients are for them. Our shadowbox will enhance any Kalico Kard and turn it into a thoughtful gift: for a grandson who's a Little Leaguer, a Son who is a team soccer player, a nephew who's a High School football star, a grand-daughter who loves to dance, a sister who's gonna be 21, a friend who is in need of encouragement, or an uncle who has everything and loves golfing!
I could go on and on about the gift Kalico Kards are - everyone knows how much I love creating these greeting cards- many of the hours I spend on them are blessings in disguise! I'll write more later....
Sincerely- the kardlady
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Creating cards began as a hobby for me 18 years ago - my mother was the card sender needing more cards than most. She encouraged me to market them when friends and relatives wanted to know where to get the unique greeting cards she sent. My first craft show was at the local YW/YMCA. I displayed them in 4 small handmade quilts with pockets, I lai each of these over 2 pieces of plywood hinged together that opened like a tent. Everyone loved the cards (and the unique display) and that was all I needed to know! Since then I've done hundreds of craft shows over the 17 years I've been making and marketing Kalico Kards - all of which are created personally by me from January to June, and July to December I concentrate on marketing them.
You could say Kalico Kards are my passion - I work at them every opportunity I get - I even take cuttings along on vacation - because I enjoy what I do! First comes the idea, then the design and the shopping for suitable fabrics, and the tracing and cutting of the designs. Then comes the actual putting the card together and the handprinting - lastly the showing! Each task takes patience - some cards are born in an instant, others lay on the drawing table for months, even years before their time arrives, however - every one has the same aim and purpose: to touch someones heart in a very special way! Time stands still when you do what you love and love what you do!
Because I create all my cards individually, I can make you a card for any occasion you need a card for. I'm not able however to display every card I create in my website catalog - there's just too many! But if there's a unique or special greeting you're seeking - a specific topic or design or occasion - please don't hesitate to ask me - it may already be in my stock!
Kalico Kards have so many friends - I've received so many nice comments, phone calls, emails, and letters that inspire me! I know my purpose in life is encouragement - only because I am moved by others words. I have a large collection of sayings, slogans, witty words and quotes - bits and pieces of inspirational material - that have touched me in a special way. I use some of these often in a Kalico Kard. Putting words togther with an image in a unique way has always inspired me: example - the LeDress card - this idea came from a shower curtain - instantly I knew it was a Kalico Kard - the words just popped into my head! Then there's Kate who's a symbol of faithfulness and grace on my sympathy card , just plain confidence on a birthday card and a tactfully sweet and a little witty on a belated birthday card . When putting the right words with the right design, my heart sings - and Kalico Kards are the overflow or that joy- I truly love sharing it!
I've enjoyed sharing this with you and thank yo much for listening, for your time, and for caring. May Kalico Kards bless you and those you send them to as they have blessed me !
Affectionately - the kardlady
You may add a brief response to this blog by clicking on add a message below and it will be edited and printed. Any other inappropriate responses will be deleted.
Comment: "It Has Been A True Blessing To Get To Know You And Learn More About How
Kalico Kards Came To Be - I'm A Very Sentimental Fool Myself So I Just Love These
Cards & Look Forward To Ordering Some Soon. God Bless You Dianne & Much Luck & Love
As Always - Shanni - MOMPOWEREDDREAMS.COM
