I made a card this week . . .

There are so many talented people making beautiful cards these days! I’ve often thought I’d like to try it.

The process appeals to me because it’s a mini version of making a scrapbook. You use a lot of the same tools and supplies but you are finished much sooner. I know I wouldn’t have the stick-to-it-ive-ness to complete a large scrapbook.

As I’ve mentioned to Carol, I am not good at working on a weeks-long project. With most of the arts that I’ve learned, I try to do small projects otherwise they tend to languish in an unfinished state. Guess I like the old instant gratification! For example, if I were quilting – it would be placemats – not a queen-sized quilt! When making a card, I can play with all of the pretty papers, stickers, ribbons, and rubber stamps – and still have a finished project fairly quickly.

Last week, as Valentine’s Day was approaching, I planned to make a few Valentines – but time ran out.

Made only one . . . for my Valentine . . . of 37 years . . .

I was in kindergarten when I married don’t cha know. 😉

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It turned out OK, for a beginner. You can click on the photo to make it larger.

It was fun and actually reminded me of my earliest school years, when our class would spend an afternoon every week making little “art” projects with colorful construction paper, glue, and our blunt edged scissors.

Now if you were to ask me what I liked best about making this card, I’d have to say . . .

He liked it!” 🙂

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Wait a minute, Mr. Postman!

One of the contest questions in last week’s “giveaway” was . . .

“When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper; put it in an envelope; put a stamp on it and mailed it?”

I must admit I asked this question with fingers crossed that many of you would say, “all the time”.

I shudder to think that email may completely replace the hand-written letter someday. The encouraging news is that the majority of people – who answered the question – do actually write letters and love receiving them in return!

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Some of you communicate by snail mail quite often; others include hand-written notes in your Christmas cards; still others write letters on paper for elderly relatives who are not computer savvy, but most of you seem to agree there’s nothing like a hand-written note!

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I have a cherished stack of letters and cards from family members that are no longer with us. Their notes are absolute treasures and part of their legacy. Many were written to me during special times – like when my children were born. There are also family recipes written on assorted scraps of paper or recipe cards – some have precious “hints” added in the margins! My favorites are the sweet, newsy, everyday kind of letters – they’re just brimming with tales of the past. Now and then, I come across some of them, unintentionally, and a glimpse of the handwriting brings back a wave of wonderful memories. Reading the messages is a chance to “visit” with loved ones, once again.

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Some would argue that an email can be printed and kept, but it seems a poor substitute for handwriting on a pretty card, or scented stationery, or even plain old yellow lined paper!

I worry a little about today’s kids. They don’t have to spell because there’s spell check; they don’t have to multiply or divide because there are calculators; they don’t even have to “talk” because there is texting and instant messaging.

My hope is that they’ll experience written communication often enough to realize how special it is – so much more warm and fuzzy than a keyboard! Otherwise, I fear that handwritten letters may someday become as quaint as the inkwell.

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