Note Cards or Greeting Cards?

Which do you prefer?

I’m doing a little market research here. Let’s say there was an incredibly beautiful quilt, or part thereof, that was just begging to become a small piece of mail.

If you were going to purchase such a card, possibly in a set of 12, and in an attractive package, would you want them BLANK to write your own personal message, or would you like them to already come with a message? And what would that message be?!

To review:
Option #1: BLANK
Option #2: WITH GREETING
     a) Happy Birthday
     b) Thinking of you
     c) Get well
     d) Condolence
     e) Quilt related (give example)

Now’s your chance to change the world, or at least make your opinion known about greeting/note cards with pictures of quilts on them. Write a comment!

Thanks!
Ami :)

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

248 thoughts on “Note Cards or Greeting Cards?”

  2. I prefer blank. I still like to get a note in my snail mail box once in a while. Because I like them, I will send them. Then, I usually get an email from the friend saying how much they liked getting mail in the mail box!!!!!!

    Like

    Reply

  6. I’d go with blank! For specific occasions, it’s very easy to find cards with just about any greeting on them. With themed cards like the ones you’re suggesting, it’s nice to be able to use them for whatever need/want pops up.

    Like

    Reply

  7. I prefer the blank ones. Whenever I have bought cards with preprinted messages, I can rarely find them when I one of those occasions arises. I can prove this, as I have just moved, and have a large assortment of these cards dating back to cards I bought from a high school fundraiser. When I was in high school. Before the internet. Before cell phones. Before microwave popcorn.

    In the interest of fairness, I have purchased blank cards as well, and while I do have a lot of them in my collection, FAR MORE of them have been used, in fact, one just this week.

    The other reason for not buying preprinted cards is the impersonal aspect of them. For a birthday, I like to find the perfect card for that person. For anniversaries, some couples get a funny card and others a sentimental one. And planning ahead for a condolence card need? Morbid.

    A “thinking of you” card is nice, but wouldn’t a blank card serve the same way? Jotting down a note is quite the same as thinking of someone.

    Long for a comment, I know, (debate team experience never leaves me) but blank cards are the way to go.

    Like

    Reply

  9. Chosing between the two I would definately choose the blank ones. It would allow the card to be used for just about any occasion and have plenty of room to write inside. But for now I am currently making fabric postcards for all occasions. They are addictive and I love to embellish them with things the reciever likes. I am sure one day I will need to use your cards! :)

    Like

    Reply

    1. Blank gets my vote. People attracted to cards with quilts are most likely quilters and therefore creative and can compose fabulous greetings on the insides of BLANK cards!!!

      Like

      Reply

  18. I would say blank or with a quilty saying. If I was going to buy 12 I would say blank. If I was going to buy 5 a qulity saying would be nice. Such as, “You keep me in stitches. Get well soon.”

    Like

    Reply

  19. Another vote for blank. And possibly packaged with an equal number of appropriate sized envelopes with see-thru windows in which to mail them. :)

    Like

    Reply

  20. I buy quilt cards often. I prefer them to be blank and to be the size of a regular card, not the tiny ones. I’d be thrilled to buy them here.

    Like

    Reply

  22. I’d rather have blank. That way I could use them for birthdays, if someone is sick, someone is moving, thankyou notes, etc… For everything!

    Like

    Reply

  23. I prefer the blank cards and then I can use them for any occassion I want. Plus, I love to write the personal messages myself.

    Like

    Reply

  25. I like option #2. However rather than a specific greeting such as Happy Birthday/Anniversary, etc., I would prefer having something like Thinking of You and then you can personalize it yourself. I find that if I purchase a selection, I quickly run out of one kind. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

    Like

    Reply

  26. If I was buying them in a set of 12, then definitely blank. If they were available as singles, then I would consider them with messages inside for any of those topics, so long as I liked the message.

    Colleen

    Like

    Reply

  28. Oh, dear! All of the above Ami! I like the idea of blank cards that you can write your own sentiment, if the cards in the package are all the same on the front.
    If the cards are all different on the front, I could see having sayings inside – ie, red and green quilt on front would make a good Christmas Card, pinks and yellow – “Happy Spring!”, etc. But I also love the idea of having different quilt sayings inside – some I really like are…
    “Good friends are like quilts, they never lose their warmth”
    “In the crazy quilt of life, I’m glad you’re in my block of friends”
    “A family stitched together with love, seldom unravels”
    “When life throws you scraps, make a quilt”
    There are so many more sayings that would be great for a card! Good luck with your idea!
    Heather

    Like

    Reply

  33. I would like note cards with a quote. I print my own, often using photos of my quilts, sometimes those of the recipient, and add an appropriate quote, or a general purpose quote. Then I add the personal message by hand.
    Judy B

    Like

    Reply

  36. Blank would be best as there are so many wonderful “quilty” comments I would add depending on the person and occaion I was using the card for.

    Like

    Reply

  44. blank, because, not only am i a quilter, but i also have a wide variety of rubber stamps. many times i use a stamp on the inside of a blank card to fit my need. and i would enjoy a variety pack of 12, maybe 3 or 4 designs? ( :

    Like

    Reply

  45. I think it would be nice to get a combination packet, 6 blank, 3 thinking of you and 3 quilty sayings.
    I also like it when the sayings are not centered but a bit higher so you can add a few lines below it.

    Like

    Reply

  50. Definitely blank. The pre-written sentiments seldom match my own, and blank cards offer the one-size-fits-whatever-occasion option. Sympathy cards hardly ever say just what I want to say . . . get well cards often do not fit the specific situation . . . and I just love writing birthday cards to people I love. Also, blank offers me the option of writing thank-you notes, sorry-your-doggie-died notes, I-know-you’re-going-through-a-hard-time notes, congratulations-on-a-finished-quilt notes, and notes for a host of other occasions.

    Like

    Reply

  55. Quilter are creative spirits!. They need a blank card for space to CREATE their own individual messages!
    Thanks for asking.

    Like

    Reply

  56. My favorite is blank, BUT I love it when the blank cards come w/ a separate card w/appropriate wording for things ie.. “sorry about your loss”, “friendship is a bag of scraps” – see I’m not very good at that part :-)

    Like

    Reply

  63. My first choice is blank (just yesterday I sent 10 such notes on a “quilt” card). However, one choice left out is “Thank You” with no other comments. That would allow comments to be written as appropriate for the occasion.

    Like

    Reply

  67. I would prefer blank cards. That way I can use them for anything and everything.

    BTW, I LOVE the idea of these kind of cards! I hope they will become available SOON…..

    Like

    Reply

  73. There are lots of these type cards out there. C&T publishes many of them for their authors. I like the quilt photos on them, and prefer the ones with a blank inside so you can write your own message. Latest C&T idea is playing cards; out now is a set with photos of Jan Krentz’s quilts on them.

    Like

    Reply

  79. I would definitely go with the blank. That way it can be used for any correspondence. Sometimes just a note is required and I have even used them to write condolence notes.

    Like

    Reply

  89. Blank. If you put greetings in them, invariable 2/3 of them go to waste, as everybody uses more of one kind than others, no matter which kind they use. We should really have an exchange so people trade their unused sentiments for the ones they need more of.

    Like

    Reply

  96. A misxture of entire quilt and portions of quilts would be new and innovative. Blank is my preference.

    I still have two of your ugliest quilt cards — have to use for very special situations.

    Hugs and quilts,
    Linda

    Like

    Reply

  98. Like Vicie (#46), I think blank would be the way to go. But with a card that has suggestions of some possible wordings.
    Of course, now you’re going to do a survey to ask for possible wordings, aren’t you?

    Like

    Reply

  103. Blank. I prefer that so I have all purpose cards on hand. I’d definitely purchase some to include notes when participating in a swap, giving a gift to a quilting friend, or just sending a note of encouragement.

    Like

    Reply

  105. Blank is good, but quilt sayings could work also:

    I’m in stitches over you,
    Its been sew long since we’ve gotten together,
    Happy Quilting Month,
    Can’t we patch things up?

    They would mostly go to other quilters anyway…

    Like

    Reply

  106. I prefer greeting cards. I am always at a loss as to what to write besides the obvious “Happy Birthday, Hope you feel better” etc.
    I can always tuck in a personnal note if I need.

    Like

    Reply

  107. Blank notecards would be more versatile, you could use them for anything. That would be my preference.

    BUT… a thought just came to me (better write it down before it leaves as suddenly as it came). If you did use a pre-printed message, how about something like “Sending you warm thoughts”.

    Bonnie in Snohomish, WA

    Like

    Reply

  113. I use blank cards all the time – for everything, and I NEVER pass up a chance to buy some with quilts on them! Even my non-quilty friends like them, since they know how important quilts are in my life!

    Like

    Reply

  114. I think blank is probably best, and I would definitely prefer if they are boxed sets to have an assortment of pictures, not a whole box of the same.

    Like

    Reply

  116. I would want the cards blank….I could then use them for any occasion…and do have rubber stamps that could be used to print a special occasion…such as happy birthday or thank-you or merry christmas etc..good luck!

    Like

    Reply

  117. I would also use the blank cards more. As an Air Force wife, I have many occasions that sort of defy printed verses… situations of protocol, writing to the surviving family member of a serviceperson who has been killed in the line of duty, a get well card for someone who’s lost both legs in a bombing. Printed cards don’t cover that, but a blank card that allows me space to write something appropriate in those situations would be a blessing. Maybe these cards could have a couple of red, white, and blue or flag-quilt options, which would make them ideal for military families!
    I love quilty cards. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to ‘vote’.

    Like

    Reply

  122. I would prefer them blank as well. A card with a beautiful quilt, or part of one, is useful for so many occasions – especially to a quilty friend.

    Like

    Reply

  128. I go with blank as it allows me to personalize my greeting in my handwrititng (a lost art) and I can never find one that is exactly right.

    Like

    Reply

  131. I would prefer blank cards for all of the same reasons already given. I do, however, also like the idea of having “Thinking of You” as that would also fit any occasion. Would prefer to purchase a variety pack and not a pack that only has 1 or two designs. With good friends or family you will probably be sending more than one card a year, and I wouldn’t want to send one having the same design on it as the card I sent previously.

    Like

    Reply

  135. Blank…

    Since I always photograph my quilted projects, I have duplicates made. One goes into my album along with a photocopy of the label and any other information related to it..name of person it was given to, etc. I then use double sided adhesive tape and adhere it to a page of 8 x 10 vellum folded in half and off it goes.

    Like

    Reply

  139. Blank would be my choice, and the only ‘art front’ cards I’ve purchased or printed… And if these are of your work, can’t wait to purchase a set or two or three :)

    Like

    Reply

  144. Blank, please. My favorite all-time quilty greeting card was a card with the caption “Don’t worry, it’ll quilt out.” If I’m not mistaken, it was an Ami card.

    Yes, it was… (Ami)

    Like

    Reply

  145. I would prefer blank cards because I like to write my “own” messages……

    A ‘Twisted Sister” from the banks of Lake Cumberland, KY

    Like

    Reply

  147. Blank, like several of you, I can’t find the printed one’s when I want them and the blank will carry whatever message I want to send at the time. Love the Quilts on cards idea

    Like

    Reply

  150. I’d like blank. OR… how about a quilty saying on the outside where the pic of the quilt is and blank on the inside? That would be fun!

    Like

    Reply

  154. Definitely the blank variety for me. I usually purchase preprinted cards that are specifically appropriate to the person and occasion.
    I like attractive note cards for personal messages.

    Like

    Reply

  155. I agree–I also prefer blank. And, as, I think, Judy Leathers said, regular greeting card-size, not the little ones. When I write on those little ones, I run out of room! (Either I write large or am just wordy–most likely both! lol)

    When I do buy cards for specific occasions, I look for ones that are appropriate for the recipient, and only VERY rarely use ones that just say “happy birthday” (or whatever) in them. Therefore, I buy them individually. I’ve tried buying assortments, but have found them mostly unsatisfactory, and wind up using only a few of them.

    Thanks for asking, Ami!

    Charlotte

    Like

    Reply

  157. I like the idea of a mix in a box, like 6 blank, 3 with Happy Birthday, and 3 with Thinking of You, or quilty sayings.

    Like

    Reply

  159. HI, I agree, blank. I do have some wonderful ones that are blank on the inside but have a ‘feel’ to them on the outside, either by artwork or by a quote, say by Rumi, or whatever…so thinking this beautiful quilt will bring forth some sort of emotion, then the message wtihin will follow that course. :D

    Like

    Reply

  162. I see at least 151 comments so far, with blank clearly the choice. Before starting to read thru, my own choice was and is blank. For all the reasons given by Frank (no. 7) and everyone else! I roo have a box of specific cards that never match the person I want to greet. Can you have them in time for the quilt show in West Palm Beach??? Huh? Huh? Just kidding!

    Like

    Reply

  163. I would be much more likely to use blank ones. I might buy ones with greetings but most likely they would sit in the desk a long time waiting until I needed that particular greeting.

    Like

    Reply

  167. Blank wins, hands down. I can say it myself and the personal touch lets the recipient know that I really am thinking of them and not echoing someone else. You selling? I’ll buy.

    Like

    Reply

  173. I prefer blank. There are so many times that I need a blank one for more than just a greeting. My family & friends say that they enjoy all the sewing related cards that I send.
    Beckie in Brentwood, TN

    Like

    Reply

  175. I like the blank idea….but some quilts with holiday colors, Fall or Spring Colors, Themes like mountain stillness, ocean sunsets, etc. could be blank but in “collections”. Love your blogs and web site.

    Like

    Reply

  176. As quilt designer for BBD Creations, Inc..a small quilt related stationery business…blank is what our quilt customers prefer.

    Like

    Reply

  179. I prefer blank cards, usually. On the other hand, I’d buy them with Heather’s quilty sayings to keep on hand for my stitchin’ friends. AND I’d buy the blank ones for everyone else. Get me comin’ and goin’, so to speak!

    Like

    Reply

  184. I would prefer the card to be blank. For reasons that are the same as mentioned on the other comments. You can personalize the card for any occasion.

    Like

    Reply

  185. I feel like saying all occassion just to be different, but then I would not buy them – so I am with the majority and definitely BLANK cards would be better. Thanks for the opportunity

    Like

    Reply

  187. I absolutely love notecards, especially with quilts on the covers, but anything beautiful is good. I can personalize them in any way I want, say anthing I want, anytime I want.

    Like

    Reply

  190. I prefer Option #1 – BLANK. I like to write my own message, matching the picture on the card to the sentiment I wish to express.

    Like

    Reply

  191. I prefer blank cards. Sometimes I include poems or other personal sentiments. And some cards sit around forever with a greeting that I don’t use very often.

    Like

    Reply

  193. I prefer Blank or “Think of You.” Either one allows for a variety of messages to be written to someone.
    Phyllis Sherwin

    Like

    Reply

  195. I’ve always been a little out of step with others. I like a verse but depending on the person it is going to, I would also add a personal message.

    Like

    Reply

  198. I’m going to have to go with the majority here. For quilt cards that I’ve bought in the past, the blanks are the best, because quilts cover a lot of needs and then my greetings can be whatever fits the situation whether it be a short note, thank you, condolences, or the beginning of a letter! I wrote to my grandma every week for the last 5 years of her life, and she got quite a few quilt cards! It still feels strange after 6 weeks, to not write to her on the weekend….

    Like

    Reply

  200. I prefer blank so I can add what I like or use it to write a short note just to keep in touch. Glad to have these as most of my elderly relatives do not have computers and then….no email.

    Like

    Reply

  202. Blank — I like the option of writing my own message and using them for multiple occasions … or no special reason other than bringing a smile to someone’s face! :)

    Like

    Reply

  205. Definitely blank. I thought of maybe 20 different kinds of messages I would need, so that won’t work–I have the same problem with my vast array of cards, there is never one with the right words so I end up using a note card and adding my own message.

    Like

    Reply

  207. I’m not the same Sandy as 197 changing her mind. I’m a different one who definitely prefers blank cards. I usually pick up a couple of blank cards with quilts on the front when I’m at the National Quilt Museum. I’ve used them as Thank Yous, Sympathy Cards and Birthday Cards but not at the same time!

    Like

    Reply

  209. I hate blank cards. When I must send a blank card I make my dog write it for me. He wrote our Christmas Card Letter last year. Penmanship isn’t great, but otherwise he gets the message across (that I don’t have time for writing my own blank cards). I may be preaching to the choir on this one since Madison’s blog is fantastic. As far as the message goes, I’d like to buy a quilt card with a quilt related metaphor (lives being patchwork, scraps making us whole, many pieces stronger and more beautiful than one, etc.) and information about the quilt on the photo.

    Like

    Reply

  212. I’m going against the flow here by picking Option #2B. With this card you can personalize it, with your own comments, for the occasion.

    I sure hope to see these cards soon, whichever style is chosen.

    Like

    Reply

  216. I agree with what seems to be the vast majority- blank is the way to go. A quilty card can be used for so many occasions that it’d be a shame to limit the selection.

    Like

    Reply

  217. I am in the group that would love to have them blank. This way we can personalize them to be a birthday greeting or just a thinking of you greeting or whatever!

    Like

    Reply

  218. I would like an option of either; however, it that’s not possible, I would definitely prefer blank – these would be a great gift card when gifting a quilt to someone. After your personal message, a little PS with care instructions could easily be included.

    Like

    Reply

  220. I prefer blank cards–that way when I forget someone’s birthday and realize I am going to see them on or around it, I can dash off a birthday greeting. Also great for thank you notes!

    Like

    Reply

  223. I am with the majority on this..blank cards are my preferred options. I do like the Red, White and Blue combo that someone mentioned as that is and has always been my favorite color scheme. I also enjoyed the quilty thoughts that people had for them.. There is just something so comforting about a quilt..even in a picture!

    Love the idea!

    Like

    Reply

  225. Definitely Blank— Those of us who still write letters and send cards will most often write our own sentiments to suit the occasion.

    Like

    Reply

  227. I would go with blank cards. My guild has been very successfull selling cards that we made of a quilt commemorating the 375th anniversary of Boston’s founding. We did fifteen different designs – the front, the back, the seal of the city, and one of each of the twelve block designs. With the cards blank, people are able to use them for any occasion, and seem to like the flexibility of that.

    I would recommend having a number of designs. People stop to look at each and decide what they like best. We made up variety packs and single design packs too, mostly packs of fifteen. We do sell packs of five and some singles. The variety pack of 15 different designs is the most popular.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I make blank ones, recently I have made quilt patterns with scrapbooking paper and glue sticks work best. Photos of quilts work good too.

      Like

      Reply

  238. I prefer blank cards – that way, I can use them for many occasions. There are lots of quilting events that can use a card and I can make them up as I please. For instance:
    1- Congratulations! You finished your quilt!
    2- Congratulations! You started another quilt!
    3- See you at the Quilt Show on ____________
    4- You’re invited to a Quilt Weekend on ________

    See what I mean?

    Like

    Reply

  240. Personally I like blank cards because pre-printed cards do not say whatever I’m wanting to say that time. But quilt related cards would be great with “Peaceful Piecing”. That would allow me to add just a thought to quilt buddies. That is usually my sign-off in cards and notes.

    Like

    Reply

  241. I prefer cards blank so I can write my own sentiments. However, I also have a hard time using beautiful note cards because I hate to send them and not have them to look at…so I usually buy 2 packages of each…one to send and one to keep.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment