Themes making reference to organizational proficiency.... so she did put your socks in wrong drawer, at least she did put them in matching pairs. This includes no messy desks, crammed closets, or cluttered purses.

Themes making reference to any personal appearance crisis...so her hair did have that glow-in-the-dark effect. You're one who said she'd look great as a blonde. This includes no pictures of women with fuzzy perms, hair curlers, or green hair.

Guys will be amazed at how much easier greeting card selection process is after eliminating above categories.

4. Do consider a humorous card, if appropriate for occasion, but only if woman has a good sense of humor. Not sure? Then leave it in card rack...better safe than sorry.

5. Humorous cards with animals are often a good bet especially if woman has a beloved pet. Use your head here guys, if you despise her dog, don't buy a card featuring animal control dude with a net.

6. Use sexy cards sparingly and only if you have a close, intimate relationship with woman. Never give a greeting card with sexual connotations to a woman with whom that is uncharted territory or to a woman with whom you have no intentions of entering that territory. It doesn't do much for image of male gender.

7. If you find more than one card that is appropriate buy more than one. Store others for next year. You can even go out on a limb here and give her more than one card. She'll love that you have so much to say.

8. Never just sign a card and give it to a woman. Remember that like me, most women cherish cards and keep them to reread, especially when a thoughtful personalized message is added by giver.

Now get out there you beasts of jungle and show women that you can rule those greeting card racks like kings that you are with same finesse that they wave a wand of mascara.

If my guidelines are too tedious or you're truly too busy to shop for cards consider using Hallmark.com to personalize and send your cards for you. They offer a very affordable and convenient service if you don't mind having card sent separately from any present you may give. You can find out more about their card sending service at: http://www.Hallmark.com

(c) 2004. Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights in all media reserved. Reprint permission granted so long as article/by-line remain intact.

As an added protection, laminating pouches are also available with UV-resistance to protect against color-fade.

If you use low quality photo paper for your digital prints, make sure to test a sample print in your laminator as smearing of photo may result.

Display

Careful planning of where you’ll hang your artwork should lengthen its lifespan considerably.

Humidity, extreme fluctuating temperatures, direct sunlight, bright light, heating vents and fireplaces can damage your previous art. Avoid contact with fluorescent lighting that emits harmful high-energy rays that can deteriorate artwork.

Hanging art on exterior walls may subject art to temperature fluctuations and dampness in climates where temperatures vary greatly with seasons. Avoid hanging artwork in kitchens or bathrooms for this same reason.

Attach small cork pieces to back of frame to prevent mold from forming, by allowing air to circulate behind your framed art.

Never use clip-on lights on frames. The area of artwork exposed to this 'hot spot' will cause drying and damage over time.

Canvas stretcher bars may expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. This may make canvas sag and/or crack paint. A professional can correct this problem and save artwork.

Cleaning

Dust frames regularly and inspect for signs of mold or insects. Make sure that all hangers and items used to secure frame are still in good condition.

Never use commercial products to clean your bare artwork. Use a feather duster to dislodge dust particles from surface. Cloth material may leave lint.

To clean picture glass that protects your artwork, never spray cleaner directly onto glass. Instead, spray your cleaning cloth and then wipe glass to avoid cleaner from running gown and seeping between glass and frame and damaging art. Avoid using a cleaner with ammonia.

Use a cleaner specifically designed for Plexiglas or similar materials such as acrylic, or use a soft damp cloth and spot clean gently to avoid scratching.

A professional may be needed to clean your artwork if you notice color changes and dullness from contact with smoke, whether it was from cigarettes, heavy use of candles, or if artwork was subject to smoke damage from a fire. See your professional if you notice any signs of mold or insects.

Special Care for different types of media

Acrylic Paintings

Not to be framed under glass, acrylics are fairly sturdy and can survive in various lighting conditions. Dusting surface lightly will prevent any build-up. Be careful when shipping acrylics in winter as extremely cold temperatures may cause cracking. You’ll have same problem when storing your acrylics in unheated attics, basements or sheds if you live in areas that experience very cold winters.

Oil Paintings

Also not for framing under glass as these have to 'breath'. Direct sunlight will fade oils over time. Choose its location with this in mind.

Make sure to dust frequently as build up may crack and peel paint. Never spray commercial cleaners on your painting. Should colors appear dull after awhile, you can have your painting varnished at your art store to renew colors and protect surface from possible cracking.

Transport your painting carefully wrapped in cardboard and protected with bubble wrap. Avoid leaving artwork too long in packaging as moisture may form and damage your painting.

Watercolors

Frame watercolors behind glass. Colors may fade if fragile watercolors are exposed to strong lighting conditions.

Oil Pastels and Chalk Pastels

Pastels are very delicate and must be handled with extreme care. Framing under glass as soon as possible is a necessity to protect easily damaged surface. Full sun can fade colors but they can survive strong light or indirect sunlight. Never touch surface of art or place anything on its surface to avoid smearing.

Charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, crayon drawings

These are just as fragile as pastels; therefore they must be handled and protected in same manner. Do not touch delicate surface of these drawings.

Ink Drawings

Also very light sensitive, fades quickly in direct sunlight. Frame under UV-protected glass.

Digital Art

Avoid touching surface of your digital art. Mount your artwork behind UV-protected glass to reduce fading. Make sure that artwork is dry before doing this. An acid free mat inserted between artwork and frame will prevent art from sticking to glass. Aluminum frames should be considered as humidity does not affect them and will not transfer to your prints. Make sure to keep your digital prints away from excessive heat for long periods of time, high humidity, direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Taking extra care of your precious artwork today will ensure many years of enjoyment later on.

(c)2004 DDesign Reprints of this article are free of charge as long as you include author portion of text