I know you've seen them...those amazingly beautiful cards that people pass around because they're just so cool that they have to share them with all their friends. Sure, there are a lot of keeper cards that get high mileage on the web, but I've fallen in love with the wonderful looking and sounding cards that come from the workshop site of Jacquie Lawson. (www.jacquielawson.com)
Jacquie is an extremely talented artist from the UK who creates lovely and fun greeting cards on her computer that you can send to friends and family. Along with her small team of equally talented friends, they create the artwork and music (much of it their own). Then they blend it altogether into some of the most amazing Flash greeting cards you'll find on the web.
And yes, although the artwork, design, music and ideas can be truly amazing combinations...I was totally taken in by Chudleigh. Chudleigh is Jacquie's dog. He and his furry friends are featured in many of Jacquie's creations.
Chudleigh has his own spot on the card site where he shares his experiences with visitors. I love keeping up with Chudleigh and his adventures through his journals. And just to make sure there's no misconceptions about what Chudleigh has to say, friend and accountant,
Malcolm, who is fluent in Dog Speak, regularly discusses the events of the day with Chudleigh so he can help ghost write Chudleigh's journals. (And yes, this photo below of Chudleigh dictating to Malcolm just kills me...how fun!)
What's also great fun is how many of Jacquie's cards are interactive. You don't just sit back and watch...with many, you get to follow along with the exploration by clicking here and there to help complete the creation...turn little trees into beautiful holiday decorations, light the candles, open the gate to let Chudleigh and his friends run in and even start the snow falling.
Kids and adults love clicking around to see what the final outcome of the message will be.
Jacquie claims that her cards are the Classiest Cards on the Web...and who can argue? True, they sample some of the most pleasing music available to add to their cards, but they also compose much of their own music to enhance the experience.
But don't think that all their cards are only for the big holidays! Jacquie is assembling quite a nice library of cards, which include anniversaries, birthdays, baby, seasonal, kids, adults, mom and dear ol' dad.
In fact, you can even download some of these incredible creations to run as screen savers on your computer. Watch as the images dance across your screen to eventually assemble into a lovely image on your monitor. Or add Chudleigh's antics to your desktop.
You need to subscribe to Jacquie's web site for a nominal fee in order to send out cards as your own greetings. But the cost is only about $8-10, depending on what country you reside. And the process is very easy...choose your card, add the recipient's email and send. Simple! But nice features are available to make sure the process is not only simple, but complete.
You get an addressbook to keep updated with contact so you can easily find the email addresses you need, including a birthday field. Emails will not only be sent to your own inbox to let you know the status of all your card mailings, but you can also see when recipient's pick up their cards. They've done a nice job automating the process so for your year's subscription, you can send out as many cards as you want. And I've sent out tons!
Win a Subscription to Jacquie Lawson's Cards!
And now you can try to win your own one-year subscription to The Classiest Cards on the Web. Jacquie has graciously offered our readers FIVE free subscriptions! Below is a link to enter. Note that, due to the holidays approaching, this drawing will ONLY LAST until November 15th, 2004! On that day, Chicago Time, we will spin our wheel and pick the winning database entries for five lucky TechTrax subscribers. You will be notified that you have won, but you MUST REPLY back within 24 hours to claim your prize. (Clean out those inboxes so your mail doesn't bounce!) See the entry page for details.
If you don't win a free subscription, remember it only costs a couple dollars to subscribe so you can send out these wonderful cards. Why wait? Subscribe now...and if you win, too...they can add your winning subscription as an additional year to enjoy Chudleigh and his friends!
Click here to enter this drawing.
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