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Finding the Right Words

© Anna Morvee

Not everyone can come up with a witty or sensitive saying or verse. Our projects can benefit from a well-chosen quote, poem, or a special one liner. Cards, magnets, bookmarks, cards, booklets, calendars and more gain more individuality when an appropriate verse or saying is used.

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when choosing your verse.

The recipient of the project: Young, teen, adult, male, female, or relationship to you.

The Tone: Tone sets the mood of the card. Examples may include light, serious, sentimental, and spiritual.

The Occasion: Birthday, baby shower, wedding anniversary, new home, the list is endless.

Your style: Each of us has our own style - the way we convey our thoughts and meanings to others. For example: My tendency is to give cards with sayings that are more serious, but short and meaningful. Yours may be humorous, spiritual, or short and sweet. Over time you will see your style develop. This comes from paying attention to what you tend to choose for each project. Of course there is deviation when you take the above points into consideration. A test of this is to look at some of the projects you have made, or if you are brand new to computer crafting, look at the kinds of cards you have bought. This can give you a hint to your style. This is also helpful to know, because when you are searching for that verse you will already have an idea of what you are searching for.

With the Internet so readably available, there are thousands of sites that offer sayings and verses. It is important to keep copyright into consideration. I am not an attorney versed in Intellectual Property law, but I will supply a link to the U.S. Copyright Office Home Page at the end of the article or you may consult an attorney with specific questions. I mention this because using others work with out permission is illegal. Here are a few rules that you can follow that will make selecting sayings, verses and poetry from the 'net or other sources easier. Always give full credit to your source, and if possible as for permission. Also read any disclaimers that may accompany the web site or the book you are quoting from. Don't forget that most of the publishing software that you may be using comes with its own quotes and verses. The most important thing to remember is to give proper credit and never claim someone else's work as your own.