clockdoc, thanks for sharing your project. Your cards look great and I'm sure your great-niece really appreciates your help! I will explain how I make greeting cards in case it might give you ideas for yours. I'm fairly new at the process myself, so I'm also looking for ways to improve!
I used to use the perforated "note cards" card stock paper by Avery, but I found it too expensive. Recently I started buying unperforated 8.5X11 card stock paper (white and textured tan) and then I cut and fold myself. I bought a straight-edge paper cutter to assist. That seems to be working well and boy does it save me a lot of money.
In terms of printing, I actually print my photos on separate paper, making them a slightly smaller size than the card stock itself. Sometimes I even leave on a slight white border around the photo. Currently I use Epson Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper for this, although I'm interested in upgrading to something better (the photos aren't as richly colored). I'd ideally like to use my regular premium glossy photo paper, but unfortunately it's much more expensive. Then I just tape the photo with double-sided tape onto the card and put my title and signature in pen below right onto the card itself.
Finally, I sometimes package my cards & envelopes depending on use. I recently bought a bunch of card bags and card boxes from
www.clearbags.com. I'm expecting them in the mail soon. Their prices seem reasonable when you buy in bulk. Currently I am selling to friends and family mostly and they like to order packs of cards to give as gifts to their friends and family. Having them packaged in a clear card box or in bags is nice.
Here's an example of a finished product (sorry I took this photo a while back and the glare masked my sig & title):
(my new bags will be a tighter fit too)
Keep us updated as to your progress. As I said, I'm looking to improve my work-flow as well as I (hopefully) get more customers!