Software Review of:
Hallmark Card Studio 
Deluxe Version 2 

Requirements to install this program are Windows 98/95/NT 4.0, a Pentium 100, 16MB RAM, 59 MB hard drive space, a 4x CD ROM and of course, the usual 800x600 16 bit color, mouse and keyboard.

Hallmark Card Studio Deluxe opens for the first time with the option to invoke kidsafe features so that one can be quite comfortable with letting their children utilize the software. There is also a tutorial that utilizes pictures but primarily requires reading to be of benefit. This is unlike so many tutorials that I have viewed lately that had movies and sound. With this software, it is possible to create cards, e-cards, stickers, labels and many other projects. There are professionally designed products from traditional to contemporary designs. Pre-designed cards are easy to personalize by clicking the text to change a relationship, name, occasion or delete all text and write your own. Also, you can purchase additional cards and projects on line at www.hallmark.com. You can also order Hallmark paper at www.hallmark.com or by calling 1-800-961-1201. I like to do my own cards not only for the sense of creativity but largely because it is so much cheaper than buying cards from a card shop or card rack. I do like to splurge though and get at least the envelopes from Hallmark, because they are embossed with the Hallmark logo.

I needed cards for a baby shower that I had been invited to this weekend and so this was the start of my review. I explored the professionally designed cards and found one immediately for the father-to-be. It showed a papa bear holding a baby bear and on the inside was a perfect verse that I could personalize with the expected baby’s name. I chose and printed this card immediately. Feeling quite pleased with my selection, I went on to find a card for the mother-to-be. Again I found a card with little bears, rubber ducks and other baby graphics that could be personalized.

The next card that I needed was a “get well” card for someone who had just had surgery. Again I looked to the pre-designed cards and found several that were suitable for this person who had surgery on an outpatient basis. There were also cards for in the hospital, extended illnesses, and other ways to express your thoughts to someone who is not feeling quite up to snuff. I chose for this person a card with a floral theme and a verse that expressed my wishes for him to make the best of a bad thing and enjoy those things that he cannot usually take time to enjoy. There is another card that I almost chose that is equally appropriate.

Then it was on to try the blank card section. I needed a card for a wedding anniversary and was not quite satisfied with the pre-designs. I decided to go with a half-fold horizontal. After browsing an unbelievable number of pictures in just two categories of pictures I selected a stock photo of the Big Bend, which is a favorite vacation spot for this couple. Although there is a wide choice of messages, none quite suited me and I wrote my own message, put my logo on the back and printed.

I decided that with the spring holidays, I needed to check out the Holiday card selections. There are cards for 19 different holidays. All of the usual holidays are included plus Boss’s Day, Christmas Boxed Cards, Grandparent’s Day, Nurse’s Day, and Sweetest Day. Between you and me I am not sure when “Sweetest Day” occurs, but there are some nice cards for the day. It was time to do a St. Patrick’s Day card. There were only two pre-designed cards for this holiday but it was easy to change the text to make a card suitable for the recipient and I did just that. I checked out the Christmas Boxed Cards because I found the category to be puzzling. Although you print out the cards and can print more than one at a time, these are simple, rather generic cards much like you would find in a box in a store during the Christmas season. In a separate category, the Christmas choices are divided into 49 categories including a Christmas card from a pet, Christmas “Thank You” cards and a category for friends. There is also a category of Christmas cards suitable for someone who has experienced a loss at the holiday season.

This software is all that the ‘Sampler CD’ promised and more. (Yes, I did find the card that had so intrigued me in the sampler.) There is so much that one can do with this product from the pre-designs which are excellent to creating your own greetings with stock photos and messages or your own pictures and messages. There is also an excellent manual that accompanies the software. It is definitely worth the cost even without a rebate, especially since you have the money back guarantee.

I found Hallmark Card Studio 2 Deluxe at Office Depot for $49.99 with (at that time) a $20.00 rebate and a $15.00 manufacturer’s rebate. I also saw the software at Sam’s Club for $39.99 with a rebate. The manufacturer’s rebate is good on purchases made from now through August 31, 2001. Rebate coupons are available on the Web at www.sierrahome.com. Sierra Home is so sure that you will like this software that they offer a 90 day money back guarantee if for any reason this product does not fulfill your needs.