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KALICO KARD BEGINNINGS
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the times I stole away to the attic where my grandmother stored her boxes of quilt appliques: small pieces of cotton fabric shapes used for sewing onto quilts. I spent hours laying them out on the attic floor to for birds, butterflies and flowers - not realizing then I was planting a seed for Kalico Kards to bloom many years later!
The first calico that I knew of were small printed cotton fabrics which came from the rectangular sacks that held animal feed and plant seeds, flour and sugar, etc! 50 years ago many homes in farm country had tea towels, aprons, curtains, tablecloths, napkins, even clothing the women created from recycled calico feedbags! Because I use cotton calico fabric for my designs, I just changed the "c" to a "k" and came up with "Kalico Kards" for the fabric handmade cards I was creating! I've since added other some other new products calling them "Keepsakes", and then the Kalico Kub , who is my mascot "bear-ing" the special Kalico gift-packages with lots of love and a smile, which are all vehicles for Kalico Kards! Later my motto: "Konnect with a Kalico Kard" was added to the website, as well as my goal: "Kalico Kard Konnections" !
Each handmade card is unique and individually made in my studio here in Allentown, PA. The designs are handcut from fabric and the messages and greetings are handprinted on 65lb quality card stock, thanks to Henry at Parkland Bindery, Whitehall & Walbert Ave. in Allentown - Henry cuts it to size 4 1/2x6 1/4 for me. The fabrics are purchased from a Lancaster shop, and a few local shops including Allentown Sewing, 725 N. 15thSt. rear, who also carries Kalico Kards! I market my cards locally at craft shows which are posted on the events calendar with dates as they are secured. My revolving card rack at Cottage Crafters Antique & Craft Mall has a nice display to choose from and of course my online catalog at www.kalicokards.com has more than 250 cards to choose from which are presently half price with free personalizing and free shipping with a $20 purchase!
Kalico Kards are not just any ordinary greeting card, each one is a gift of one heart to another! People love giving and receiving Kalico Kards - in their hands they feel magical. I've been told by those who purchase them they don't want to send them out, they want to hang onto them! I've also been told by those who've received them that Kalico Kards are "keepers" - they display them, frame them, and recycle them - you can read some of their reviews here!
Recently a new line of "Framed Keepsake" gifts has been created for those special moments when a card just isn't enough! Your card choice can be personalized with your loved ones name(s), date and the occasion, and framed for you (no charge) as a visual memory ready for display - a lasting gift your loved one will cherish. There is also "Keepsake Kards" with special charms for a Christening/Baptism , Graduation, Confirmation/Affirmation of Faith, and First Holy Communion. You can also create a keepsake gift from our regular line of Kalico Kards for a Wedding, a special Anniversary, a special birthday, or career or job promotion, Recital or Dance review, etc. The occasions are endless, and there's a card for every one of them. When framed in one of our choice frames with a mat any Kalico Kard becomes a Keepsake - a visual reminder for them to display of that special day and your love and thoughtfulness. (click here to view)! I've created many and know from experience how grateful their recipients are for this precious gift of love. There's even a keepsake for the grandson who's a Little League player, or for your son the soccer or football star, or your grand-daughter who's a cheerleader or loves to dance, or a sister who's a tennis diva, or a friend who's in need of encouragement, or an uncle who loves to golf!
I could go on and on about Kalico Kards and the gift they are! Everyone who knows me knows also how much I love creating them. The time spent is actually a blessing in disguiseI I'll write more later....you can be sure of that!
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 those unique greeting cards she was sending. My first craft show was at our local YW/YMCA. I quilted a fabric display (image below) with 24 pockets, each holding 6 cards which I
placed over 2 pieces of plywood that I hinged together at the top. Everyone loved Kalico Kards and my handmade display of them - and that was the first of many racks created to display them, each larger than the last! Recently Kalico Kards received a blue ribbon and 2 yellow ribbons for a dislay created for The Great Allentown Fair. The blue ribbon brought back fond memories of another time I received a blue ribbon, which will always be cherished - a "Peoples Choice Award" received in 1995 at the "Gallery in the Park" show in Perkasie, PA!
From January through June you will find me -"the kardlady" - creating Kalico Kards, and the rest of the year, you'll find me selling them! In 2006, 17 years after their beginning however, Kalico Kards were introduced to the world wide web which opened a new door for marketing not only Kalico Kards, but Kalico Keepsakes and Kalico Giftpackages, all year round! You could say Kalico Kards are my passion because of the time I spend working at them. First the idea and then a design is created. Finding a suitable fabric is next, but putting the pieces of the card together is my favorite part! The handprinting of the greeting and its message is the last step! Each task takes patience- some cards more than others. Sometimes a card is born in a moment, other cards take a long time before completed! Each card however has one aim and purpose: to "konnect hearts" in a very special way. Time stands still however because I'm doing what I love!
Because each Kalico Kard is created individually, a custom made card is never a problem - I love the challenge! So if you're seeking something unique and special - a specific topic, design or occasion - don't hesitate to ask me!
Kalico Kards are "magical", because of the way they "konnect" people to people: me to you, you to your friends and loved ones, and your friends and loved ones to others and some back to me again! I've heard so many wonderful stories when I meet my customers at the local craft fairs, they send me notes, email me or send me notes and letters. I never grow tired of hearing their stories about how Kalico Kards worked for them.
My passion and purpose in life is encouragement, I know this because I myself am always moved by encouragement! I have a notebook filled with bits and pieces of inspiration - sayings, slogans, witty words and quotes gathered over the years - words that touched my heart. I use this collection book as a resource for the messages handwritten in my cards! Putting words together with images in a unique way has always been a love of mine. For example- the LeDress card - would you believe the idea came from a shower curtain? I instantly knew it was a Kalico Kard because that image said to me: "we still got it!" And then there's Kate- who you will find on a birthday, belated birthday and sympathy card: she's the perfect image of faithfulness and grace in time of need - bold confidence when it comes to life and living, and tactfully sweet as well as a little witty when she needs to be! When I can match the right words with a design my heart sings, just as it does when customers relate their Kalico Kard stories or make nice comments while browsing through the cards at a show - blessings and encouragement to keep on keeping on with what I love!
Thank you for allowing me to share my love for what I do best! I pray Kalico Kards will bless you in the same way, as well as your friends and loved ones!
Affectionately - the kardlady
You may post a brief response by clicking on add a message below.
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
