I’m ba-ack! It’s me—Matilda.

Are you glad fall has arrived?

I don’t know about you, but I sure am. My antennae are not just twitchin’—they’re spinnin’. For the next six months, I won’t have to yank weeds, lug this watering can around, or scrape the dirt from under my fingernails. 

I’ve already booked a manicure, and then I’ll devote all my time to Tracy’s marketing. Yeah!

Do ya remember that secret project I was telling you about?—

No? Good grief!

Now pay attention.

Thank you!

Are you staring at the screen? Good, because I’m finally good and ready to announce Tracy’s special project.

Let me present…

Tracy Campbell’s Greeting Card Line!

 

Each greeting card is 5.25″ x 5.25″,

complete with a white envelope

for mailing and gift-giving.

The front and back of the cards are coated with

an environmentally-friendly, water-based varnish,

creating a smooth, glass-like finish.

And the price is just $3.00 each.

 

While Tracy gears up, applying the finishing touches to OUR Whimsical Shop, I’m offering a sneak preview of four greeting cards from this super-duper line, and I’ll reveal a little of her artistic journey.

Tah-dah! Oh wait, I almost forgot to introduce Tracy’s blurb.

My dream…

To share my collection of

Whimsical greeting cards,

Created from my original paintings,

Inspired by all things warm and fuzzy.

My wish…

Your friends and family

Break into a delighted smile,

Their eyes sparkle and glisten,

And a tear or two slips out.

My hope…

Knowing you cared enough

To send one-of-a-kind designs,

Sprinkled with heartfelt messages,

To those you love and cherish.

 

Once upon a time, Tracy dreamed of being a published artist.

But a wicked teacher crushed her spirit.

Fast-forward twenty-two years to 1991. That’s when Tracy signed up for a painting class.

In 1994, a friend and published illustrator encouraged her to draw her own designs.

But that grating voice from high school stomped inside her brain. “You don’t have any talent. Don’t bother trying.”

Her friend didn’t relent.

With shaky fingers, Tracy picked up a pencil and gave it a whirl.

And voila! A design was born. Okay, it wasn’t quite that easy.

But a brilliant idea popped into her head. Why not write instructions to coincide with the design?

She took the plunge, studied “How to Paint” books, and then typed up her first pattern packet.

During that time, she attended a Tuesday morning group for young moms at a local church. With the rug rats kids locked away in the nursery, she painted the morning away. The other moms loved her designs and encouraged her to teach a class. (By then, she had a handful of pattern packets.)

Then the irritating voice came a–knockin’ again. “Tracy, you don’t know how to teach.”  

Can you guess what happened next?

Not only did she get a break from her darling daughter and son, but she was asked to teach other moms how to paint. And for an added bonus–-her designs sold.

Tracy’s confidence bloomed like the flowers in my garden, and she decided to sell her expanding portfolio. Without access to the Internet, she packed up her car and traipsed all over Southern Ontario, begging and pleading with store owners to stock her designs on their shelves.

Krafty Kennedy’s, a store in London, Ontario, took a chance, purchasing all of her designs. Wait it gets better. They even asked her to teach workshops.

A few years later, she taught at national painting shows in Toronto and London.

Why stop there? she thought. Why not try to get traditionally published?

Tracy poured over magazine guidelines, sent up prayers, and dropped query letters into the mailbox. 

She waited, and waited, and waited. The rejections arrived, but Tracy kept submitting.

In 2001, after ten years of hard work and perseverance, a Canadian magazine published her first design. 

To be continued because I’ve been so busy marketing Tracy’s greeting cards that I’m pooped.

But before I fly away, here’s just one of the glowing endorsements we’ve received.

“Hi Tracy,
I just got your card. Thank you so much. 🙂  And seriously, it is absolutely beautiful! I love it! I may have just figured out Christmas! So colorful! And sweet! Just gorgeous :)” – Susanna

Have a marvelous, magnificent week!

Forever yours,

Matilda

Related Links:

Published Whimsical Works of Art 

Mindful Masterpieces

Do You Have A Marketing Maven?

P.S. There’s a “Share My Post” heading at the bottom of this post. Puh-leeze press the Email, Digg, StumbleUpon, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, or Facebook doohickeys so you can pass along this marvelous post.

If you want to receive our free posts by email, just enter your email address in the box under “Sign Me Up!”

Thank you!