There is still time to order before Christmas!
Order by 10:00pm on Friday December 16th for your order to ship out on Monday December 19th.
**We do recommend selecting XPRESSPOST shipping to insure that your order arrives before Christmas (1-3 business days anywhere in Canada)
We will be closed from Monday December 19th (last day for orders to ship out) until Monday January 2nd. This will allow us to enjoy the holidays with our families and get the many great new things coming to Grace Announcements ready for 2012. All orders placed during this time will be started on Monday January 2nd.
It is great to have a stack of business cards from all of the great people you met at the latest conference but what do you do with them now?
Make any notes on them of important things you want to remember (if you didn’t do it at the event) and it is best to contact anyone you want to create a further connection within a couple of days while everything is still fresh in your and their mind. Timing is key. You don’t want to email about a conversation with someone you met 6 months prior because most likely they won’t remember.
You need to do something with the actual cards. There are so many great items on the market to organize the stack so you don’t have the drawer full mess that makes you spend 15 minutes just looking for one card. Of course there is the there is the traditional Rolodex. But here are some of our picks on what you can do with all those cards:
If you want something a little different you might want to take a look at this business card file box, made with vintage record album covers available from FreestyleGifts on Etsy. I think this would look great on my desk!
For all of you iPhone users you need to check out the business card scanning app CardMunch. You capture an image of a business card with your phone and real people scan it and it automatically scans it for all of the information to be added to your contact list. It also connects withLinkedIn in just one tap.
Watch here for more info:
The one thing that sets Grace Announcements apart from our competitors is we don’t think inside the box and we don’t like to make our customers. We specialize in custom options, whether it is design or paper. Send out this year’s holiday greeting cards with style, and sure to fit every style and budget. From modern to traditional we have cards to suit all styles. Grace Announcements also offers our cards in many different formats that are sure to be noticed. From flat single sided photo cards and double sided card stock cards to folded card stock cards all available in many different sizes. We like to provide you with many options in hopes that you will find something that is perfect just for you to express your style and personality. You will also find holiday card designs that include anywhere from one to six photos allowing you to show off your family.
Having trouble deciding? Not to worry. With every holiday card order from Grace Announcements you will have your own personal designer who will help decide which Christmas card will suit your style best. So when Christmas rolls around this year, make sure you leave a lasting impression with your Christmas Cards. Feel free to contact us with any questions or special requests for your card, let us know how we can help at info@graceannouncements.com
Here are a few folded holiday card custom designs:
And a folded birth announcement and Christmas card in one combination:
So if there is something you want for your holiday card this year please let us know.
Business cards have become something that almost everyone wants to have. They aren’t just for the employees lucky enough to work for a company that prints them for each of their employees. Anyone and everyone has a business card, from a personal card you might use while job hunting, to a mommy card that you can hand to another parent you meet at the park and want to set up a play date with. But the newest type is the blogger card. To me it is a mix between a personal card and business card. With the number of blogging conferences each year it is understandable why so many have these. Why not put all of your information on a card that you can use when you connect with another blogger or a company at the conference.
When asked what people should put on their cards they need to think “What does your business card need to do for you?” Before you order up your first batch of cards you need to think of a few things. What is the purpose of your card? What do you want it to accomplish? What information do you want to put on it? This is a question we get asked a lot. I am a believer that it should be what you want to put on it. If you want to put your full name, phone number, email, blog, facebook, twitter and LinkedIn then do it. We think photos are a great addition and allow people to easily remember you once they are home and looking over the cards they collected weeks later.
We asked business coach, Lara Galloway (@mombizcoach on twitter) for her tips.
Lara says that it is very important to have a call to action on your card so that it doesn’t end up on the bottom of a bag to never be looked at again. Do something to draw attention to your website, maybe you have a special promo or offer a link to your latest e-book or video. Giving people a reason to hold on to your card and visit your website is what it is all about.
So now you have the business card (maybe you ordered a great custom design to match your blog like we at Grace Announcements are so well known for) and you are ready to hand them out. But many wonder what is the best way to do that. How many times have you gone to an event, business cards in hand (or purse) ready to hand out, and you forget to even pull them out?
Lara says that your conference badge is a perfect place to but a small stack of cards. They are right there with you at all times making it very easy to hand out.
When you are in a conversation offer them your business card, and always make sure you ask for one of theirs too. Have a goal to have more cards from other people then what you hand out yourself.
These tips will help you put a dent in the big box of business cards you ordered, because after all it seems that people order new cards each year so you don’t want to be throwing them out!
Be sure to check back as we share some great ideas and tools on what to do with all of those cards you collected.
Grace Announcements founder, Lindsay Brewda, has been nominated for Mom Entrepreneur of the Year and needs your vote. The voting closes September 12th and the 10 nominees with the most votes will go in front of the judging panel to be selected as Canada’s Top Mom Entrepreneur.
So we are calling on all of our fans, friends and customers to vote for us. It only takes a minute and you can vote daily. As a bonus to you for every vote you place you are entered to win $100 worth of Mabel’s Labels products!
http://momentrepreneur.savvymom.ca/entry/4458751-Grace-Announcements
The prize will allow me to grow the Grace Announcements brand across Canada, along with provide me the guidance and mentoring to confidently take the business to the “next level” adding our wholesale and affiliate programs so that we can explore new partnership opportunities. I would expand our marketing plans and would love to hire more designers to work with me.
To thank you for your time we are going to give a 15% off coupon to be used on anything on our website. Simply use THANKS15 on checkout.
Thanks for your support!
Lindsay Brewda
Owner, Grace Announcements
As you may have heard in the news, Canada Post forced a lockout on July 15th.
Canada Post has been the main shipping company for Grace Announcements since 2005, so this news has a great effect on our operations and the ability for our customers to mail out their announcements/invitations to their friends or family. We have been working closely with other shipping companies since the first threat to have a backup plan in place to continue to full fill orders. But since this strike causes a complete stoppage of mail delivery we know this will also have a great impact on our customers. We have a few options to still allow you to be able to continue with your news or event.
1. For anyone who places an order on Grace Announcements website and would like their order shipped we are happy to do that, we have accounts with UPS, FedEx and Canpar to send you your order. But depending on where you are located in Canada there could be an additional shipping charge. We will communicate with each customer on what this charge will be after your order is placed. Of course if you are in the GTA you are welcome to pickup your order from our Newmarket studio.
2. For regular card orders we will also provide a digital proof to you at no charge that you can email to all of your friends and family until the strike is over and you can mail out your actual cards.
3. The most recommended option is to order our Do It Digital Card – this is a high resolution jpeg version of your design that you can email to your friends and family or print yourself. Why allow the strike to stop you from sending out fantastic custom designed invitations to your child’s 1st birthday when you can email them.
We thank you for your understanding in this time. If you have any further questions regarding the strikes and shipping, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing info@graceannouncements.com.
Lindsay Brewda
Owner, Grace Announcement
There is always speculation about celebrities and if and when they are going to procreate. The media is constantly guessing whether a star is preggers or will be in the near future.
Who will announce that they pregnant next? Here are my top five picks!
Katie Holmes
Is she or isn’t she? That has been the question recently as Katie Holmes’s so-called baby bump has been photographed endlessly. Although her rep confirmed she is NOT pregnant, the rumors continue to fly. I think we just want to see Tom and Katie have another child, and Suri have a sibling! If Katie has another girl, would Suri be jealous? If they had a boy, would he look just like Tom? Ah the questions!
Kate Middleton
Now that the royal wedding and honeymoon is over, when will the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a baby? We are all anxious for a royal baby!
Gwen Stefani
Gwen and rockstar hubby Gavin Rossdale already have two boys, Kingston, 4, and Zuma, 2. Will this hot couple try for another baby, a girl perhaps? Come on Gwen! Look at Victoria and David Beckham – they have three boys and they were brave enough to try for a girl. And look – it happened! We want to see a bleach-blonde little Gwen running around your brood.
Beyonce
Tick tock – is Beyonce’s biological clock ticking yet? She and Jay Z have been married for three years… isn’t it time to make some offspring? Beyonce is releasing a new album which means she’ll likely go on tour! So a baby might not be in the cards quite yet.
Fergie
There have been countless rumors that the Black Eyed Peas singer is preggers but she is NOT – not yet anyway! She and hubby Josh Duhamel recently said they are ready to start a family soon so a baby will be on the way, eventually!
Maria is the mom of two rambunctious boys and publisher/editor of www.amotherworld.com, an online lifestyle magazine for the modern mom. Follow her on Twitter!
As many of you are aware the Canadian Union of Postal Workers are doing rotating strikes. This allows us to keep our regular shipping rates. Orders might take an extra day or two to arrive to you so if you are in an extreme rush please let us know so we can work out other shipping options.
• All Canadian orders will have the option of the $8 standard shipping option or upgrading to the $12 express shipping like before the strike.
• If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you are welcome to pick up your order from the Grace Announcements studio which is located in Newmarket, and save the shipping charge altogether.
As usual you will receive a shipping notice once your item has shipped.
We will update again if there are any changes to the strike. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Lindsay Brewda
Owner, Grace Announcements
Yesterday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers informed Canada Post that they intend to begin strike activities at 11:59 pm on Thursday, June 2, 2011.
We are not happy about this decision, and have been forced to make a few changes to our shipping practices until the strike is over.
• All orders will be shipped using FedEx, UPS or Canpar. The $8 standard shipping option has been removed for this time and all shipments will cost the $12 express.
• If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, you are welcome to pick up your order from the Grace Announcements studio which is located in Newmarket, and save the shipping charge altogether.
As usual you will receive a shipping notice once your item has shipped. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Lindsay Brewda
Owner, Grace Announcements
Over the past few years I have become creative in my cooking; trying new recipes and new foods. My kids have eaten and enjoyed everything from chicken to cuttlefish. That was, until recently when now all they want to do is eat pasta. So, I have sought out help through the cookbooks and other moms. For cooking inspiration I look to the following:
- Other moms who have great ideas on meals
- How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
- Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home by Mollie Katzen
- recipes pulled from :Canadian Living, Canadian Parent,Chataine. and Bon Appetit
- my garden
I do pride myself on making delicious, home cooked meals. I take supper time seriously. It is family time. A time to eat together and chat about the day’s comings and goings. But recently my little foray into family time has taken a dive. The kids simply won’t eat and won’t sit still. We have tried everything – multiple main courses, pasta or rice at each dinner, separating the kids, bribery. You name it, it has failed. The kids refuse to eat. I know I have a choice. Fight them and try to make them eat, or accept their antics and hope for the best. I have chosen the latter. And so for now, I will continue to cook. Continue to hope. And just keep trying to preserve the sanctity of dinner time.
Here is one recipe I can actually get the kids to eat – especially if they can pick the vegetables from our garden. So glad spring is here and my garden is coming alive.
Whole Wheat pasta with freshly picked spinach and tomatoes and feta cheese
Cook pasta until the way you like it.
In the meantime, saute up some garlic in olive oil. Add tomatoes and spinach and cook for a few minutes. Add feta cheese and let it melt into the vegetables (I usually cook for a minute, then turn off the heat and let it melt from the heat of the pan.
Dinner is ready.
I have added cooked shrimp and leftover chicken and salmon to this recipe. I have also seasoned it with fresh basil, cilantro and oregano.
The kids love it. Especially when the pick the vegetables from our garden.
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