The Princess Who Became a Nun
 | Princess Ileana, daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania, great granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England and Tsar Alexander II of Russia, once went with her mother during World War I, helping wounded Romanian soldiers in hospitals. By the time her parents died and war broke out afresh in Europe during World War II, the princess was married to an Austrian archduke and had given him six children. When her brother, the king of Romania, abdicated at the insistence of Communists in 1947 Ileana (who had moved back to her home country with her children in fear of the Nazi regime) and the royal family were exiled and Click to Read more… |
Design Challenge Winner: June 2015
 | Each month, Greeting Card Universe hosts a Design Challenge for our artist community. Cards may be in any category and are designed around a specific theme. Winners are selected by a panel of judges. Winning cards may also be found at our special Pinterest board or by liking us on Facebook. In June 2015, the winners of the challenge are: First Place: Barbara Schreiber Second Place: Liz Van Steenburgh Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all artists who participated! |
5 Things You Didn’t Know About America’s Birthday
 | July 4 is celebrated as Independence Day in America, a time of parades, fireworks and barbecues, when patriotic citizens recall the freedom won from Great Britain by the thirteen colonies in 1776. Here are 5 things you may not know about the United States of America’s birthday: The very first proto-Independence Day celebrations took place in 1776, the same year the Continental Congress declared the colonies’ freedom. Mock funerals were held for the English monarch George III, along with the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence. Nine of the original colonies voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence. Voting no were South Carolina and Pennsylvania, New York abstained Click to Read more… |
Happy Birthday, Canada!
 | Canada Day, observed annually on July 1, celebrates the birthday of Canada as a united nation with parades, barbecues, lots of fun activities and fireworks. Here are some fun facts about Canada you may not know: Prior to 1965, the Canadian flag reflected the country’s origins as a British territory. However, with the advent of Canadian independence, a new flag was needed to better represent the new country. The search began in 1925, but it wasn’t until 1965 that the current maple leaf design became official. The national anthem, “O Canada” was written by Sir Adolphe Basile Routhier and Calixa Lavallée was originally sung in French Canadian. Various English language versions Click to Read more… |
Summer Camp for Adults
 | Summer is here and it’s camping time! Many families send their children to camp for a few weeks to have fun, socialize with other children and learn something new. All kinds of camps for kids are available, from astronaut camp to adventure camping, but did you know there are special summer camps adults can attend? Here are a few of the more unusual: Wine Making: Weekend courses in wine making called “Crush Camp” are available in California at a number of wineries. Adults are exposed to every stage of wine making. Most courses include a gourmet dinner. You’ll usually find other activities of local interest like hot air balloon rides, etc. Click to Read more… |
The Ramadan Feast
 | Ramadan is more than a day, for Muslims this religious holiday is a season lasting in 2015 in the US from June 17 to July 17. During Ramadan, a time of spiritual reflection, Muslims do good deeds and acts of charity, pray and fast from sunrise to sunset. Eating is only permitted during the evening. Traditional foods are enjoyed during the feasts, often shared by friends and family. In fact, some foods are required to be served. Here are some of the traditional dishes of Ramadan’s iftar table for various countries when breaking the fast: In Morocco, chabbakia is a fried dough flavored with orange blossom water and sesame seeds. Click to Read more… |
May Design Challenge Winners
Each month, Greeting Card Universe hosts a Design Challenge for our artist community. Cards may be in any category and are designed around a specific theme. Winners are selected by a panel of judges. Winning cards may also be found at our special Pinterest board or by liking us on Facebook. In May 2015, the winners of the challenge are: First Place: JJB Designs Second Place: Audrey Drake Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all participating artists! |
That Tingling Feeling: Electrifying Congratulations
 | Regardless of whether your house is on a city power grid or you generate your own power through solar panels, wind, etc., if your house is wired for electricity, at some point you’ll need the services of a certified/licensed electrician. An electrician goes through courses at a trade or vocational school, then graduates to further training and on the job apprenticeship under an experienced electrician before he or she can become certified or licensed according to their state’s regulations. Electrical work should only be done by someone with the proper certification—work with electricity can be deadly and should never be attempted by amateurs. If you have a friend or family Click to Read more… |
A Memorial Day Remembrance for Armed Forces Animals
 | Dogs and cats – and pigeons, horses, oxen and even elephants – have served with Army and Navy service persons for much of history. These brave animals have not only provided essential services and moral support for soldiers and sailors under wartime conditions far from home, they’ve saved lives and sometimes given their own lives for the humans who cared for them. The HMS Hermione, a British Royal Navy anti-aircraft cruiser during WWII, acquired a ship’s mascot shortly after it entered the war in 1939: Convoy, a black and white cat who was not only officially listed with the ship’s crew, but assigned a sailor’s kit including a pint-sized hammock. Click to Read more… |
3 Heroes Honored on Memorial Day
 | Memorial Day in the United States is celebrated on the last Monday in May, a day set aside for honoring those who have served their country in the Armed Forces, the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. Here are three heroes who may be unknown to you, but should be remembered. Private Roger W. Young: As a young man, he joined a company of the Ohio National Guard in 1938. His company was activated in 1940 and became part of the 37th Infantry Division which was assigned to the South Pacific. Young has a hearing problem and at his request, was demoted in rank from Sergeant to Private. On July Click to Read more… |
