She's among a growing number of people who create seasonal greeting cards, calendars and iron-ons with digital precision using their personal computers. Rogers, a Webmaster for two genealogy groups, uses her PC-based research to make albums, tote bags and posters. The kids create paper crafts, window ornaments and T-shirts with minimal supervision, Virostek says. But the software appeals to all ages. Virostek creates personalized Christmas ornaments to give to each family that attends her New Year's party.
People just love that.
Bulletin boards, Internet newsgroups and proprietary services such as the Micrografx area on America Online help crafters share ideas, download graphics and display photos of their handiwork. The big names of the software and greeting card businesses have joined forces to offer home computer users stationery solutions. Some not only offer the power to create store-quality cards, but also calendars, stationery, photo albums and a variety of paper gifts. Many have Web sites so users can download more designs and share ideas. Users have the option of printing the cards themselves, having American Greetings do it and sending the card using snail or e-mail.