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By Mary Therese Biebel mbiebel@timesleader.com
Features Writer
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he front of one greeting card practically sighs, “Holiday (Schmoliday).”

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Tracey Selingo poses with some of the greeting cards she designs and markets online out of her Shavertown home.

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‘Less is more’ as far as the streamlined designs of Tracey Selingo’s greeting cards. You’ll find samples of her latest designs on www.etsy.com.

S. JOHN WILKIN photos/THE TIMES LEADER

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Open it and you’ll find the message “Here’s your freaking card.”

If you and the folks in your address book share an irreverent sense of humor — or maybe feel a trifle over-burdened by December demands — that could be the perfect way to express yourself this season.

If your friends are more sentimental, you might prefer to send them a Santa face with the simple message “Believe.” Or perhaps a picture of a stately reindeer, or a collection of your children’s faces printed with the wish, “May your days be filled with peace and joy.”

Tracey Selingo of Shavertown has designed all of the above, and she’s creating more cards every day.

“I love clean designs,” she said. “I always think less is more, especially with a card.”

Indeed, the sentiments of some Selingo cards are so straightforward, she can sum them up in one or two words, such as:

“Oops.”

“Yippee.”

“Oh, my.”

Juxtaposed with geometric patterns, those perky little messages let you know what to expect when you open the card.

“I love simple,” she said.

Part of the simplicity of Selingo’s life is that she creates and markets her cards from the convenience of her home studio. The cards can be ordered from her Web site, www.linkwritenow.com as well as at www.etsy.com, where you’ll find a plethora of hand-made items.

“It’s a great online community of artisans,” Selingo said.

Under the “Shop Local” listing on www.etsy.com, you’ll find loads of Pennsylvania products crafted by other artists, ranging from pendants that have transformed road maps of Keystone State regions into jewelry to campaign-style buttons that showcase “The Office” characters Michael, Jim, Dwight and even Creed as studly Scrantonians.

“I actually just started putting things on etsy,” said Selingo, who began her business a few years ago by making customized photo cards for friends.

She introduced her wares during a stationery show at the Javits Center in New York City and has been selling them both retail and wholesale.

“When I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a writer. Then I realized poetry wasn’t going to pay a lot of bills,” said Selingo, whose resume includes running her own advertising business, ink corp., as well as establishing an advertising track for students at King’s College.

Nowadays, her creativity works its way into all sorts of greeting cards, from an excuse card on which you can fill in the blanks to explain your child’s absence from school to a holiday card that pokes fun at the tiresome year-end letters some people receive. You know what they’re like: brag fests about a family’s game-winning touchdowns, promotions at work and A’s in algebra.

Selingo’s card that pokes fun at boastful letters dishes up a demo. “Little John enjoyed a very successful T-ball season. He had three RBI’s,” she printed on what she describes as “the snarky card.”

“He was a star in kindergarten, too, earning top honors in art and reading,” the card continues. “For those of you wondering, he still enjoys riding his bike and playing nicely with his sister. Jenny enjoys playing with him, too. She also loves her dolls and paint brushes. First grade was a real breeze for her.”

“It’s a little sarcastic, I know,” Selingo admits with a giggle.