When Life Gave Me Too Many Occasions... I Made Cards

People use greeting cards more often than we realize.

Not long ago, I had to choose a graduation card for the eldest son of one of my closest friends, who just finished 8th grade. A few months before that, I sent a card with a large bouquet to a dear friend, marking one year since she lost her beloved mother. In February and March, it was time to celebrate the birthdays of childhood friends who now live far away. In April, it was my husband’s birthday. In May, I sent a heartfelt Mother’s Day card to my dear mother-in-law, and in June, a Father’s Day card to my father-in-law.

made for my wonderful Mother-in-Law

And somewhere in May, there’s Teacher Appreciation Week—when I write little notes of thanks to each of my child's subject teachers and pair them with small gifts. Then there are anniversaries in January and October, the November birthday of a friend I deeply admire, and of course, the flurry of Christmas cards I send in December—along with one very special card for my son’s birthday, which is always a highlight of the year.

Thank You Cards

Sometimes, I send cards not for a special occasion, but simply to say “thank you,” “I’m thinking of you,” or “I hope you're okay.” For loved ones, I often spend hours designing a handmade card that feels like a gift in itself. But life isn’t always so leisurely—there are also times when I need a card, fast.

I’ve rushed to nearby stores and picked out cards that were just okay. I’ve ordered online and hoped they’d arrive in time. But more often than not, I couldn’t find one that truly felt like me—something that reflected what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it.

So I thought, why not create my own?

That’s how my journey into digital printable cards began.

Of course, printable cards are already a popular category on Etsy, with countless options available. I don’t know yet how much of an impact my designs will have in that sea of creativity. But even if many of us express similar messages—“congratulations,” “happy birthday,” “I miss you”—each of us brings a unique voice, style, and heart to the table. That’s what gives me hope and joy: showing up consistently with my own style, in my own way.

One of the biggest advantages of printable cards is that once you download a file, you can print it as many times as you like. You can use different types of paper, add stickers or ribbons, or decorate it however you wish. Though it's printed, it can still feel beautifully handmade. With just one design, you can create multiple variations depending on how you choose to personalize it. And of course, printable cards are budget-friendly, which makes them easy to gift again and again.

This video will cost about 1 min. 30 seconds of your life.

Now, I do hand-draw my illustrations and add colors myself, so I can’t price them as low as AI-generated designs made with a prompt and a few clicks. That’s a challenge I’m still figuring out.

But even so, I find so much joy in this limitless world of digital art. There’s so much I want to create. So much I’m excited to share.

And it all started with a card.