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Need high quality sexy, stylish card

jadams0888

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My wife is into paper. She dislikes common hallmark cards. I have anniversary coming soon and she's made comments to her friends that she doesn't care about the gift as much as the "thought" (yeah, right!). But, supposedly a really nice card w/ some heartfelt words would mean more than an expensive gift. I'm sure I can't get away w/ out a gift, but times are tight and if I can get a card and not so big of gift...I'm all for it.

Any advice appreciated. I have no idea how to find a cool, high-end anniversary card.

Thanks, Befuddled
 

rdawson808

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Sorry, I don't know any sources. But I thought you were going to say that you wanted to buy her nice stationary. Isn't that what you meant? Huh?
smile.gif


Good luck. I'm still searching for both a wedding gift for my (to be) wife and a gift for my best woman. I'm as lost as you.

b
 

Huntsman

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I truly dislike giving Hallmark cards. Their slogan is something like 'when you care enough to send the very best' -- instead I always feel it is more like 'when you care so little you pop into the most convenient store in the mall' and pick out a card. It is essential to me that when the recipient gets a card I have sent, that they know, 1) exactly who it was from from the card itself (as opposed to my name being on it), and that I obviously picked it out for them, specifically, again, just from the card itself. Most of my card sources are small, boutique florists/gift stores that carry cards from smaller labels, not Hallmark, American Greetings, Gibson, et al. For more 'available' places: Barnes & Noble occasionally has some 'different' cards, as do some of the larger, better grocery stores here in the Northeast US. I have also bought vintage greeting cards. I had a store near me that used to carry cards from here, a lovely little English stationer (I find I appreciate the English aesthetic in things, as well as the non-standard sizing). It is interesting to tell someone, after they have commented on the card, that you had it imported from England. http://www.judyballcards.co.uk/ If I knew someone in the SO or potential SO class, I would certainly buy some handmade paper and commission a student artist (college art students like commissions) to do something very specifically tailored to the Lady and the occasion, then get a calligrapher to write the inscription. This may be an option for you. Also, if you are of a literary bent, compose a love lettert, and handwrite it with care on good stationary. I don't have and SO, but the ladies to whom I have sent handwritten personal letters (not always in an amorous sense, even just a thank-you) have always said they would keep them forever. IOW, invested effort, thought and emotion does seem to pay off. Good luck and congrats, Huntsman
 

jadams0888

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Their slogan is something like 'when you care enough to send the very best' -- instead I always feel it is more like 'when you care so little you pop into the most convenient store in the mall' and pick out a card. It is essential to me that when the recipient gets a card I have sent, that they know, 1) exactly who it was from from the card itself (as opposed to my name being on it), and that I obviously picked it out for them, specifically, again, just from the card itself.
Huntsman-You sound like my wife! Good advice. Thank you. Unfortunately, the link for judyballcards doesn't seem to be active anymore. I'll keep searching the web for more sites w/ decent looking cards or stationery...
 

lawyerdad

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How about making a card and writing the interior sentiments yourself? I think that for most women, the personal touch would more than outweigh the lack of expertise.
{Or what Huntsman wrote, which I should have read before posting.}
 

Quirk

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And to show that you really care, study basic italic calligraphy -- its an easily-acquired skill that all too few take the time for.
 

jadams0888

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All good advice. I did some web searching and found a few good sites:

www.remanents.com

www.papermints.com

and

www.soleberry.com

I particularily like the "connect w/ style" gift boxes on remanents. If I combine that gift w/ a "black bra" card and work on my writing skills as huntsman suggests, I should be milking this for a while...

Thanks all.
 

GQgeek

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do a search on the forum for high-end stationary. There's really nice paper out there but you have to know where to look. You could also use a wax seal with a little flower in it as a finishing touch or apply a scent to the paper. I did this once and it was very well received. Wax seals take a bit of practice to do well, but it's worth it.
 

lawyerdad

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You could hire Getsmart to tattoo a card on the body part of your choice. If you go that route, just be sure in your mind that this wife is a keeper . . .
 

Huntsman

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Originally Posted by jadams0888
Huntsman-You sound like my wife! Good advice. Thank you. Unfortunately, the link for judyballcards doesn't seem to be active anymore. I'll keep searching the web for more sites w/ decent looking cards or stationery...

Thanks, that's one of the nicer things that has been said about me.

Sorry judyball is offline; I was there not long ago and hope it is only a glitch of some sort. Wish I had some others to offer.

Regards,
Huntsman
 

rdawson808

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Speaking of making your own..

I have on many an occassion made my own cards in the style of a Matisse cut-out. It takes surprisingly little talent (trust me, I have very little), some construction paper, glue, and an exacto knife.

Designs have included a b-day card with a shooting star (starting in the lower left corner and arcing out all the while growing larger) and Cupid shooting a heart, obviously for St. Valentine's Day. I think I did a NYC themed one for my nephew's b-day also. That one included some pre-made things (I think they were stickers--I honestly can't remember now) of the empire state building and a classic car.

And I will undoubtedly make one for my fiancee for our upcoming wedding.

bob
 

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