Coming soon to a screen near you!
Hello, people!
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.

Greeting Card #102 – Just For Ewe
Category: Friendship, Birthday, New Baby, Anniversary, Thank You
Inside: Write your own heartfelt message.

Greeting Card #103 – Feeling Blue
Category: Friendship, Sympathy
Inside: “Heard you’re feeling blue, just had to let you know I’m thinking of you!”

Greeting Card #104 – It’s Time
Category: Birthday, Anniversary, Celebration, New Baby
Inside: “I’m singing your praises!”
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
Do You Have A Marketing Maven?
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Thank you!
These cards look fantastic 🙂 Even though I’ve seen them before, they look so pretty on the screen.
I’m pleased with the outcome as well. Thanks for your encouraging comments, Marcy! 🙂
Hello Tracy. I’m so glad you didn’t give up. Your drawings are beautiful. I love your new greeting cards. You truly have talent. I wish you continued success.
Thank you, Paul. I appreciate your wonderful comments. 🙂
How will I be able to get your cards………..will Matilda Air Mail them to me……puleesssse….I need to know……………I just love them but I love your story behind them even more ! <3
I’m thrilled you’re interested in my greeting cards, Terrol. Once my shop is open for business–coming very soon, you’ll be able to order through a Pay Pal account. If you don’t have one, Pay Pal also accepts major credit cards.
Hey, Terrol! This is Matilda. Don’t fret, I can ship them lickety-split. I’m so happy you liked Tracy’s “behind-the-scene” story! 🙂
Those are beautiful!
Thanks, Sherry! 🙂
Charming cards, very well done.
I agree with an earlier comment, though; your story behind the cards is very compelling. Can you incorporate some of the “truths” from your life in future cards? Maybe bits and pieces…like, When someone says you aren’t good enough to do something, there’s only one reply: Yes, I am! (I’m not a good card writer, but you do have the talent, so I know you’ll think of something great.)
Thanks so much for your support and wonderful ideas. I’m still taking baby steps with this. As with every new venture, the steps are tough at first, but soon I’ll learn to dance–I mean draw. This is the beginning of something I hope to share for years to come. 🙂
You already know I love your cards, Tracy! 🙂 I think the sheep is my favorite, but they’re all beautiful and I love that bear one so much too! Good luck with your new venture!
The sheep is my favorite too! There’s more to come. Thanks, Susanna for cheering me on! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story and your beautiful card line! Will you have Christmas cards?
Hi Tina,
And there’s more story to come. Yes, for the initial line I’ll have three Christmas cards. Hopefully, all the bugs will be worked out in the next couple of weeks. That’s the plan. 🙂
These look fabulous Tracy… i like them all and the colors just pop. Best wishes with your new line of beautiful cards and I will keep them in mind for the holidays. 🙂
Thanks for chiming in and keeping me in mind for the holidays. 🙂
Thanks for sharing all your ideas and cards! I would love to buy some for myself. How do I send my address to you?
Thanks so much,
Clara
How wonderful, Clar! My email address is: tracy@tracycampbell.net. I should have included that on the post, but will do so when I announce the next batch.
Love it! You are super talented and have quite the motivational muse. Good luck 😉
Amberr, you’ve swelled Matilda’s head. Thanks for the wonderful comments. 🙂
I love the singing angel!
I always find it interesting that everyone has a favorite. Glad you loved the singing angel, Judy. 🙂
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