Is it just us, or do people with what we can only assume must be heaps of washing, take great photographs? We've noticed some amazing shots in the Flickr pool recently, involving pegs, washing lines and MiniCards. Here's a few examples:
This beautiful shot by LiaSterkenburg reminds us of guitar strings. Never mind whistling while you work, strumming a tune while you wash sounds like much more fun:
sapaho on the other hand, demonstrates the simple - but commendable - concept, of washing like colours together. Taking no risks, she's even hanging out the cards with blue pegs...
These blue pegs are a little bigger, but still make for a vibrant shot, featuring complementary colours by RONCHY
Despite missing the blue-peg memo, °Giulietta° took this perfect shot of her cards - little works of art themselves:
And last but by no means least, ash-lip puts her cards out to dry in a more unconventional way, with this little MiniCard stand, made with mini-pegs!
If you get a sunny weekend, and you're putting the clothes out to dry, why not try a shot yourself? We like to know our little cards are kept nice and clean...
We've been nominated for a Webby, for 'Best Visual Design - Function'! It's very exciting for us, this is the second year running and is a big achievement for the whole team. Last year you helped us win the People's Voice award - do you think you could help us again?
They've actually made it much easier to vote this year - you just head over to The People's Voice site, signup (which is quick and easy), and you'll find us via the dropdown menu, 'Best Visual Design - Function'.
We admit 'function' doesn't shout 'glamour/excitement' but it is what helps making things with MOO easy, and it's always on our minds. It's wonderful for us to be recognised for this, so if you have a moment, we'd be extremely flattered if you could vote for us.
At last - the moment you've all been waiting for - the winners of the MiniCard Box Mini-Competition! The competition closed on Sunday night, and we've been deliberating ever since. There was a great range of entries, from the theatrical to the practical, the lavatorial to the botanical. Thanks so much to everyone who entered and joined in the fun.
And now, without further ado:
The funniest photo of the new MiniCard box
We were just the tiniest bit gobsmacked by this. And when I say 'tinest' what I mean is 'completely'. But, if the new MiniCard box can give a girl a grand day out, who are we to argue? Congrats to Sweet Peas Photography!
The most interesting re-use of the new MiniCard box
A beautiful set of photos, we thought this re-use was imaginative, inventive - and stylish to boot! It's the MiniCard box as jelly mould:
Ta da!
Now we're wondering if we could squeeze a whole 'Cooking with MOO' book (cmook?) out of this. Congratulations to ocook
The photo of the new MiniCard box in the most unusual location
How on earth tony_the_bald_eagle got a shot of our MiniCard box-making-process we'll never know - but it seems he's at last documented the fact our new boxes are hatched, not made*! Wrapped in foil our rare-breed eggs are carefully incubated for a total of seven weeks, before their furious wriggling cracks the shells. Congratulations to Tony for this action shot, of a new MiniCard box emerging!
*This might not be 100% true.
Special Award for Culture
The judges felt we should also give a prize to itchy_fingers for her dramatic production of Shakespeare's classic, Macbeth. Congrats for making us smile - we're looking forward to the full stop-frame animated feature, which we're sure is coming soon!
The first person to post a photo of the new MiniCard box
This has already been announced, but here's that photo by no5 Robsta again, in all its glory:
Well done for being so quick off the mark!
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So, congratulations to all our winners, we'll be contacting you tomorrow with details of your MiniCard prize. Thanks again to everyone who took part!
Just a little reminder, we're having a mini-competition on MOO at the moment, to celebrate our mini-design alterations on our MiniCard box. The winners each receive a free pack of MiniCards and shipping!
You've got 6 days left to enter, so if you've ordered MiniCards recently, and you're waiting patiently by the letterbox you should still have time. The competition will close at Mindnight GMT, Sunday 12th April.
These are the categories:
• The funniest photo of the new MiniCard box
• The most interesting re-use of the new MiniCard box
• The photo of the new MiniCard box in the most unusual location
- and there was another category too - which has already been won by no5 Robsta - who was the first person to post a photo of the new MiniCard box on Flickr!
These are some other weird and wonderful entries we've spotted:
A night at the mini theatre, by itchy_fingers
An unusual business networker, taking an opportunity to share contact details, with Sweet Peas Photography
Bowled over, one little lady takes a dip, in the most unusual location - and is spotted by the ever camera-ready Sweet Peas Photography
Claws for thought, David Norfolk stands well back, as the packaging unwraps itself:
And finally, don't forget to keep your MiniCards clean! Luckily JenniferLou has lots of super-cute help from bathtime buddies:
Grab your camera and get snapping!
We have no idea how you figured it out, but yes, our 'new product announcement' yesterday was just for April Fool's day. I must admit, we had far too much fun planning and making it - and that was doubled by reading all your comments.
Just incase you didn't know, we do sell real Eco Friendly Business Cards, which we think are quite super. We just don't WRITE THE NAME IN CAPITAL LETTERS and they actually do come 'ready assembled', with both the words and the pictures attached:
The stock is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable - and the free holder is 100% recycled pulp board and recyclable too. For anyone in the USA worried about the airmiles, you'll be glad to know that soon we'll be printing and shipping in the USA, and so not only will your cards arrive much quicker, but they'll have less distance to travel too.
These are some customer shots of our Eco Friendly Business Cards:
Colourful photos, by Laura A
Antiqued images showing the beautiful jewellery of >kotomigd
And technobiosphere took a shot of the free holder - the wraps are recycled, and removeable, so you can use the subtly branded case to carry your cards safely in your bag.
We also know from experience, that you need somewhere to keep the cards people give you - so the holder comes with two little index cards, ready to help you store other people's cards, without getting them mixed up with your own - you can see then here in another nice shot from technobiosphere. One says 'mine' - and the other, 'theirs'.
As you can see, we like to have some fun (all be it practical fun) with our non-April-fool's packaging too. Why not? Getting your own Business Cards should be exciting and special - and to be honest, the plastic boxes we received our business cards in before we started MOO were neither exciting, nor special. We hope this packaging might be something you want to keep, re-use and make the most of.
Anyway.
Time to get cracking on the USA launch now, thanks for dropping by and joining in yesterday's fun!
As you know, we like to listen to the things our customers are suggesting. On your suggestion we added the image upload to the front AND back of Business Cards. Next we upgraded the preview tool, and still your suggestions keep coming. You love our 100% recycled, eco-friendly Business Cards, but some of you want more. You want to be SUPER ECO FRIENDLY.
Well, we hear you.
We're excited to announce the SUPER ECO FRIENDLY Business Card!
Part of MOO's New 'Business Basics' range, they're as green as it gets.
How is it so green?
The answer is simple. We send you the the words and pictures, you re-use the business cards other people have given you.
In this business climate, words are vital. They're what makes a business tick. Think about it, without words, What would your business be called? Nothing. You need words - words of the highest quality.
But sometimes, words aren't enough. You also need pictures - they give you that competitive edge. Time and time again we see pictures on Business Cards and we know you've achieved networking nirvana with images of your artwork, your product range or your services.
Look: here's an example of a card with neither words nor pictures. Will this sell your business?
You'll be glad to know with MOO SUPER ECO FRIENDLY Business Cards, both words and pictures are supplied as standard.
But how do SUPER ECO FRIENDLY Business Cards work?
It's so simple, even your well trained dog could make one.
Your SUPER ECO FRIENDLY Business Cards arrive in a recycled brown box. Here's a shot of Steve, taking delivery of his order. Steve is going to a networking event this evening, he's excited - and ready to get cracking.
Inside the box is a handy set of instructions. Everything is clearly explained - no need for a design degree here! In a rush? No problem! Make up some cards now and take this pocket guide with you. Why not make the rest of your cards while you travel?
Armed with all the knowledge he needs, Steve gets ready to make his Cards. He's following these simple steps:
Step 1
Collect all the business cards you've ever received. Yes, those cards wasting space on your desk, at the bottom of your bag, or hidden in your drawer - collect them all. It's time to apply some MOO Magic!
Using the brush and paint supplied, simply paint over the details on both sides of the cards you've been given by other people. The paint is water-based, quick to dry, and made of only natural ingredients. We don't recommend it, but this paint is so environmentally friendly, you could even drink it!
(Note: in the event of paint in eyes, rinse eyes immediately with clean, fresh water. If any symptoms persist, seek the advice of your local pharmacist).
Step 2
Open your MOO Business Basics Words. All the words you need for your Business Cards are here. Your name, your business name, your phone numbers, your email address. Some of our user-testers have even added their twitter urls!
Step 3
Simply glue the words to your previously prepared SUPER ECO FRIENDLY Business Cards. This is quick and easy with tweezers - making a complete card takes only 15 minutes!
Step 4
Flip the card over, and get to work on your photograph. When you upload your images to MOO, our back-end software turns them into traceable outlines. Using these outlines and our custom made carbon pad, you can trace a different image on the front of every card!
Step 5
There is no step 5! Yes, it takes just 4 simple steps and only 25 minutes to create a SUPER ECO FRIENDLY Business Card.
That's just 1250 minutes to make a complete pack of 50. (Or just over 20 hours for those who like their time the old fashioned way!)
Still in beta phase right now, we're launching these in the next few months. Subscribe to our blog or sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear the latest news.
