Simply Charming

 Charms to Accent the Stories of Our LivesStory of our lives

Today we have a story written especially for us from the story teller herself. Tania recently looked into getting some charms from us for some extra special custom gifts and, when we heard the story behind them, we were absolutely speechless for how wonderful it was. Kat's first words were literally "I'm speechless.... This was amazing to read, it makes you laugh ,teary and smile all at once." So without any more introduction, I give you Tania and her story

Growing Up United

"My parents punishment if we fought was to make us hug “Until we learned to love each other”, and their constant words were 'You need to be there for each other, what if one day we are not there for you?' Naturally we grew up very close. Yes, there were fights, (we are all girls), but there was more doll playing and fort building. It is not until now that I understand fully what they had meant, and in everything that has happened, that is the most valuable thing they did for us - raise us to be united."

A Diverse Family of Parents

"I am the trail blazer in the lot and the first one to have a baby. Of all my pregnancy worries, the biggest one that plagued me was that my child would grow up without loving grandparents. I was sad for days concerned that if something happened to my husband and I, then my baby would have no place. Then I realized that I was wrong, I have had my sisters! Those childhood memories and the words my parents had said plenty of times rushed in and I felt relieved."

We will continue Tania's Story Shortly in another installment! Stay tuned for Part 2: "Meeting the Family"
Andrew Griepsma
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Lending to New Entrepreneurs

 Kiva Microlending 

Kiva Lending to Support Entrepreneurs

Today we are proud to announce that we have sponsored our 5th entrepreneur through Kiva Microlending. As I'm writing, I'm realizing we have not included our participation with Kiva on the site but, basically, we take 5% of our profits and use that money towards supporting entrepreneurs all over the world through Kiva. As a greeting card and gift company, we are all about giving and whether that means we help YOU give gifts or we enable others to chase their dreams with small monetary gifts, we're down. Because we know how much work is involved in small business!

Supporting Small Businesses and Families

Sandra Elizabeth from Kiva MicrolendingWe have supported a number of different endeavors in the past but, this time around, we will be supporting a woman by the name of Sandra Elizabeth. She is from El Salvador and is looking for $275 to buy beans to help support her farm and family. She lives with her husband and children and, together, they grow beans and corn to sell at a local town market. This is the only source of income for the family. The loan will help her see her dream of filling all of her land with crops to provide a larger income for the family and help make a better life for her kids!

Giving Back in More Ways

Feel free to support Sandra on your own or any number of people through Kiva to help people realize their dreams. It certainly makes us happy to see them succeed. We'll be sure to post information about Kiva and about the people and businesses we support in the future!

You can find Sandra's Profile by Clicking the Link

Andrew Griepsma
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If These Quotes Could Talk

 quote magnet funny message

Quotes are Better when They aren't on Paper

The Quotes didn't work the first time so why didn't I clue in after that? I just over-thought it when I should have went crazy, creative, and let myself loose. The quotes still didn't work but we had just got into the OOAK Vancouver Show so I didn't think about them anymore. Now, I went to school at UBC and all my friends were there and came to see us at the show and Kait, one of my besties, was all like "well why don't you put something that I'll actually use on the cards?" She clearly wasn't a charm fan - although she did buy a bookmark card :) Anyway, to spite her, and knowing her love of random stuff on the fridge, I took that quote idea, made it into a magnet quote and wrote something like

"I Love You Even When You're Stupid"one of a kind show vancouver

and sent a picture to her. I liked that. So I started playing around with more. They were into Ryan Gosling (still are) at the time so "I Love You more than Ryan Gosling" - this was getting fun. I just kept going with it and her. "You're my favourite best friend"  - "Wine and You My Two Favourite Things"  - "A Graduate? In What? English?" (I graduated with a B.A. in English and she is a Chemical Engineer now going for her masters) I Think I was onto something and, so, when OOAK Toronto Spring Show rolled around I tried out a couple hundred of them. They all sold out. Immediately. So we took the train home, made more magnets and went back only to have them fly again and again. It was a good show but, really, it was the start of something so much more - 

My True Creativity :)

Andrew Griepsma
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Mini Horse Shows

 

Great Dane Cards as Gifts

Today, interestingly, is about more dogs and the cards that come along with them - or in this case, small horses. One of Kat's greatest friends in the world, and my aunty, Lisa just visited us from her horse farm in Johnson City, Texas! We try and visit, in either place, at least once a year when we can get time but WOW has her year ever been a busy one. Yes, Lisa has a horse farm with 7 horses but more importantly she has 3 mini horses; Great Danes.

Professional Great Dane

great dane picture

Lisa has just recently started showing her Great Danes - first Ruby and now Ty - and has been doing kind of well. Ruby became a champion first and now, the puppy, Ty, is going for his Grand Champion honors. And when I say small horse, he is almost 4 1/2' tall and weighs 185lbs and is the biggest suck in the world :) So because she has been doing so well at the shows and attending more and more, she figured it might be a nice touch to send "Thank You" cards to the judges and show organizers. Just another interesting application of wild stories that our cards come into contact with. Also, he may be here in August for a show in Toronto - I will have to let you know how he does :)

Apparently it's the small dogs you've gotta watch for! The big ones are babies..


Andrew Griepsma
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Cute Puppy Story

Cute Puppy Border Collie Puppy 

Cute Puppy Story

We just recently got a new puppy after our 13 year old Border Collie, Kelsey, passed away this past December. It was absolutely one of the hardest things in the world (as any dog owner will know) but we are dog people and we love to have a pup around to put some extra joy into our everyday activities. Despite that attitude,  accepting Ally into our world was a little weird. Kels was the smartest dog in the world and a new puppy just didn’t seem to live up to all that she was. 

Border Collies are NOT to be Under-Estimated 

ladder for border collie to get onto bed

Well, silly us. At 4 months old, Ally girl is shaping up to be every bit as smart as Kels. My dad, Big D, is completely against the puppy being up on the bed. Kat and I want to cuddle and think it is super cute but he usually ends up winning and down she goes. The bed she wants on is REALLY tall and she can’t get up herself so today, in two tries, I got her up this ladder onto the bed. She only does it when he isn’t around and doesn’t even need a treat to entice her now.

Welcome to the fold Ally :)

Andrew Griepsma
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Graduation Card Headed to Ireland

graduation card with congrats magnet quote 

Graduation Card Congratulations Quote

Today's story comes from Ireland - or rather, we've added to their story. 

Susan decided on a magnet note card in aqua with the quote portion "You Make Me So Proud". She needed something special for her eldest daughter Cassie who is just graduation elementary school and is headed to the scary world of high school. As the eldest daughter (12) Susan told us of the difficulties of seeing their eldest grow up so quickly. She knows that the next few years will be filled with challenges and tantrums! but also potential and happiness - It is that fragile balance between wanting to keep someone close while at the same time glowing with pride as they make strides to become their own person.

With three more daughters to follow, Susan knows she'll expect battles to come but she wanted to mark this special occasion for Cassie and leave her with a little something to remind her that she loves her and supports her - and is proud of her! A young woman herself, we certainly wish the best of luck to her and Cassie as they take on the new challenges ahead.

Thank You Susan!

Should you want to take a look, here is the card Susan should expect for her daughter:


Andrew Griepsma
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