Hope is in the Cards

The great people at Cardstore.com just informed me that two of my cards have been selected to be included in the Hope Is In The Cards TM campaign!

What's that, you ask? Small business owner Russ Haan began the grassroots Hope Is In The Cards campaign to lift the nation’s spirit in a concrete and compassionate way: by sending greeting cards. His goal is to send 300 million messages of encouragement by mail during the Week of Hope, from September 1st to 7th, 2009. Visit the official website to learn more: www.hopeisinthecards.org

From September 1st-7th, Cardstore.com is offering customers one free personalized card from our Hope Collection mailed directly to a friend, loved one, or anyone who needs a little hope. We gathered 50 of our most uplifting card designs for our Hope Collection, ranging from thank yous and congratulations to friendship and encouragement cards.

How can you participate?

Check out this video from Cardstore.com and get inspired to send a little hope. It’s easy! Visit Cardstore.com between Sept 1-7 and

• 1. Choose a card from the Hope Collection
• 2. Add a photo and personal message
• 3. Enter code SENDHOPE at check out and we’ll print and mail it directly to anyone you’d like, at no charge to you.

Enter to win a set of personalized stationery by posting a message on Cardstore.com's Facebook Fanpage about how you sent your message of hope.

Terms and Conditions

Free card offer is valid for one card per customer from the designated Hope Collection. The shipping option must be direct mail to your recipient. SENDHOPE coupon code is valid from 9/1/09 at 12:01 ET to 9/7/09 at midnight PST.

Flower Power

Could zinnias be any cuter? This little planter sits outside our kitchen door where we pass it by each day. It has been blooming constantly for almost two months, and each time a flower opens, it's quite a surprise! In the early early spring, I went to our local garden center and picked out a variety of zinnia seed packets with colors that I thought would look nice together. I brought them home, emptied all the packets into a bowl and stirred them together...making a surprise blend!

At Surtex this year, I gave out small envelopes of this same surprise blend. So if you happened to have picked one up at the show, and planted it, I hope you've also been treated to this cheerful, summery bouquet of vibrant and inspiring colors!

If you decide to make your own blend, one pointer is to be sure the seeds you buy require the same type of sun exposure (full sun, part sun, part shade, full shade). Water regularly and enjoy!