<Back to Press It’s in the Cards Oregon Live - December 13, 2005 Have you ever received a card so beautiful you wanted to frame it? Anna Courval, founder of Simple Sentiments™ cards, has found an ingenious way to solve this issue by selling gorgeous, handmade cards, each hand painted in watercolors and offered in four great format options: 1. A frameable card 2. A framed single image 3. A framed theme collage 4. A hand-painted treasure box Neat idea, huh? But what really makes Simple Sentiments™ fabulous are the designs themselves. Alternately feminine, cute, classy, and chic, these dainty images say a lot in a small amount of space (hence the name, perhaps, “Simple Sentiments™”). You can choose from the categories of Holiday, Diva, Occasions, Farm, Gourmet, Zen, Baby, or Zoo, and each original design is centered gracefully on the card, treasure box, or framed picture, and signed by the artist. With a theme collage, you also have the fun of choosing several images from a particular category, which are then artfully grouped together and framed with a double shadow mat. These designs are not only the perfect card accompaniment to a special gift, but when framed or put on the lid of a hand-painted paper mâché box, they’re also a beautiful decorating item. “I’ve been working as an independent graphic designer for the last nine years,” says Courval, when asked what inspired her to start the Simple Sentiments line. “It’s been great having my own business, but at the same time, I’ve always had a client to please, which means I can’t just do whatever I want. I’ve always talked about wanting that kind of freedom, so I decided that this year would be the year I did it!” As the daughter of a commercial artist, Courval has always been an avid doodler, and fell in love with watercolors at an early age as well, completing her first painting at age three. The combination of these two talents seemed an ideal way to launch her new business, and after looking at her website, I couldn’t agree more. For instance, thrill the girly girl in your life by choosing a design from the Diva category, such as a high heeled shoe, tiara, sunglasses, or lipstick. Create an original and personalized theme collage for a baby shower gift by selecting images from Baby, Zoo, or Farm images, and peruse the Occasions category for a set of champagne glasses or wedding rings to make a frameable wedding card. The Zen, series are ideal for the yoga lover in your life, and the Gourmet images make a great gift or card for the chef, wine connoisseur, or margarita/martini lover. If you’re still struggling to find a gift for someone on your holiday list, check out Courval’s Holiday collection, and for just $35 create a single, classic, framed holiday image such as snowflake, Christmas tree, or gingerbread man. These images are also ideal for your holiday cards or even the thank you notes that you’ll be sending out soon. Check out the website at www.annacourval.com, and be prepared to fall in love with Courval’s designs. If you’re anything like me, you’ll not only find several images you’d like to give to special people in your life, but you’ll quickly fill your own wish list as well!

Members of the media To request a press kit, please call Anna Courval at 503.381.0424 or email press_request@annacourval.com

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