tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56592843605647892622024-03-12T19:25:09.501-04:00a thoughtful blogamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-90617890494093075772018-07-05T17:20:00.001-04:002018-07-05T17:21:29.751-04:00Advice for Writing Sympathy Notes
The number one piece of advice for writing sympathy or condolence notes: always write them.
Write them right away while the news is fresh and you are aching for something you can do to help.
Write them a week or month later just to remind the grieving that you are still thinking of them.
Write them in six months or a year when you are feeling guilty that you haven't written. Itamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-36014859189756590272018-06-26T01:32:00.000-04:002018-06-26T01:32:09.478-04:00Writing Again (an Update)
Dear friends,
I have been cleaning up some things on the blog over the last few days, and I am afraid blogger may have sent out some seemingly spammy emails to anyone who has signed up to receive email updates. I am not sure how that happened, but my guess is that it occurred because I updated and tweaked some old posts and moved things around on the site.
I am making plans to be backamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-49731139727828628122014-05-15T16:39:00.000-04:002018-06-25T02:31:04.400-04:00My Favorite Under-$25 Gift for Paper Lovers
I bought my first set of envelope templates from Paper Source about six years ago, and I love them so much that I have given them to almost everyone I know.
They are a really affordable and useful gift for anyone that enjoys letter writing or paper crafting. If you want to make someone an "everything you need to make your own handmade envelopes" kit, just package up these amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-8168470532241868702014-04-29T19:45:00.003-04:002018-06-25T02:34:32.615-04:00Guest Post for Life & Co
Hello again! I just wanted to drop in today to mention that the ever-so-lovely Nia Neve of Life & Co (the lady responsible for the lovely mail above) featured me in a guest post on her blog today.
In the post I talk about our move to the desert and give you a peek into my creative workspace. If that interests you, come over to Life & Co and sayamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-4206618409656224692013-11-03T00:28:00.003-04:002018-06-25T08:24:41.017-04:00How to Find Penpals on Instagram, Part 2
So now that you have the background behind how I kind of stumbled into this penpalling thing, you know I am no expert. But here I give you my perspective (geared towards making pen friends through Instagram) in 6 simple steps.
Step 1: Write a letter to someone you know.
If you are interested in snail mail and pen palling, I suggest starting with those closest to you-amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-61015395727309117952013-10-30T01:33:00.001-04:002018-06-25T08:25:09.406-04:00How to Find Penpals on Instagram, Part 1
Recently on Instagram, Sarah asked me how I got into penpalling and if I had any information about this sort of thing on my blog. I had been writing a little post in my head for a while now, and her question prompted me to finally get it together.
How I got started
I have written to friends and family since I was little and have even had a couple of penpals (friends amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-27540081252749221652013-09-27T11:43:00.000-04:002018-06-25T01:47:05.307-04:00Come say hello at Paper Pastries!Happy Friday, friends!
I wrote a guest post for Paper Pastries, one of my very favorite paper blogs (and shops) about how I like to use rubber stamps and paper punches in my snail mail. Come say hello and pick up a few ideas for a crafty fall weekend.
I hope you enjoy!
:)
amber
P. S. I guest posted for Paper Pastries last year as well, and you can find that post (all about tiny amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-78428593553523112782012-11-09T07:00:00.000-05:002018-06-25T02:56:37.856-04:00a "thinking of you" gift
As a follow-up to Wednesday's post, I thought I would share what we sent to Lindsey's family this week as a thinking of you gift.
A few weeks ago, Amanda from Wit and Whistle shared a little round up of some of her favorite Etsy finds, and I spotted these golden butterflies in the list. Immediately, I thought of Lindsey and her family because Lindsey loved butterflies, and since her amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-51285029155485668112012-11-07T09:23:00.001-05:002018-06-25T02:58:54.542-04:00worth a great sorrow
I attended a conference last week where I had the privilege of hearing Nancy Guthrie speak to a group of women for two breakout sessions. I was familiar with a couple of Nancy's books prior to the conference, but I had no idea how many books she had written or that a major theme in her writing is seeing God in the midst of suffering.
In the second session, Nancy shared some excellent amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-45046869005921422652012-10-26T07:00:00.000-04:002018-06-25T03:01:36.361-04:00a care package for my cousin
A couple of weeks ago I asked for suggestions for a care package I was putting together for my 12-year-old cousin Ryan, who was undergoing knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.
I got some great suggestions in the comments of that post, some on facebook, and some by email, and I am going to compile them into their own post. For now, I thought I would tell you what I sent.
I amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-78895736807169319942012-10-24T07:00:00.000-04:002012-10-26T00:33:16.540-04:00a "book of notes" for my mom
Here is another "book of notes" that I made recently. This one was for my mom . . .
As you can see from the pic below, I call her Mama. :) That's what she called her mom, and that's what I grew up calling her. She is originally from North Carolina, so maybe that's why? I never thought a thing of this until I went to college and someone said, "You amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-7690028733507338182012-10-19T10:01:00.000-04:002018-06-25T08:27:43.804-04:00The Weekend List 10/19/12
Happy Friday, friends!
I was planning to tell you more about the care package for my cousin, but then I realized that the post was getting too long to write for today. But that's okay, because I can tell you about that next week and leave you with some inspiration for the weekend instead. :)
What are your plans for this weekend? Here are a couple things on my list . . .
amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-35511321930526676252012-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:002012-10-26T00:34:01.596-04:00"book of notes" for Joy
Earlier this year, I came across these amazing "book of notes" posts by Danni of Oh, Hello Friend. I almost died.
I knew I was going to HAVE to make my own, but I pretty much spent the next several months just going back and looking longingly at the ones Danni made.
Finally, this summer I spent an evening making a book of notes for my friend Joy. I still owed her a amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-32186701258026322532012-10-16T07:00:00.000-04:002012-10-16T07:00:00.169-04:00Sent: Week 1 of 52A long-overdue letter/card for my mom (this will get its own post at a later date because I want to show you what's inside!) . . .
The care package I put together for my cousin for after her knee surgery (more on that later as well) . . .
And this letter for my friend Gina.
I spent a little time Saturday morning just writing, and it felt so nice.
I love amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-11440923201324202342012-10-12T08:00:00.000-04:002018-06-25T08:30:36.099-04:00Staying Connected (Weekend Reading 10-12-12)
Caroline, staying connected
I have been a big fan of the lifestyle and relationship columns and the "Your Words" reader submissions of Real Simple over the years. Nowadays, I also like to dig up old gems on their website, especially since "keeping in touch" has been a recurring theme in the magazine.
In this "Your Words" piece from 2009, readers answer the question
amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-35999305152275118202012-10-11T09:05:00.000-04:002018-06-25T08:32:22.438-04:00little notes are thoughtful . . .
Whenever I send out a card or letter lately, I like to include little business card-sized notes in the envelope along with it. It's kind of like including a little gift in with the card--something the recipient can hold onto and use as a bookmark or tape up as a reminder somewhere (I stuck a few strips of washi tape to wax paper and included that with the little notes as well).
Theamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-71749634452136754472012-10-10T10:04:00.003-04:002012-10-26T00:35:08.766-04:00diy envelope liner (from scribble art)
Yesterday, while Caroline and Lincoln were busy making cards for family members, Roman was busy scribbling with (and eating) markers.
Even though the activity ended in a meltdown for Roman (he was very angry after I took a bitten-off marker tip out of his mouth and declared marker time over), we did get a great piece of one-year-old scribble art out of it.
I copied it and made it amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-30186617215820090702012-10-08T07:00:00.000-04:002018-06-25T01:55:17.944-04:00what would you send in a "feel better" care package?
"feel better" letterpress card from Smock Paper
Happy Monday, thoughtful friends!
I have a question for you all . . . my 12-year-old cousin is having ACL surgery this Thursday, and I want to send her and her mom a little care package (I'd like to get it in the mail tomorrow).
Do you have any suggestions for me? My cousin seems super young to be having surgery for her ACL :( , and heramberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-50758882868400227412012-10-05T11:20:00.000-04:002012-10-05T11:21:19.904-04:00"a phone call answered on the second ring" . . .
Or . . . "1-800-CONTACTS is thoughtful."
It struck me as kind of funny when I saw this phrase on my box of contacts.
"I am, a phone call answered on the second ring" . . .
For one, I was thinking, "Now that is a pretty poetic message for a contact lens company."
Two, it really touched me, which seemed silly to me because--like I said--they are just a contact lens company!
[Three,amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-82641463652541058672012-10-04T07:00:00.000-04:002018-06-25T01:59:53.550-04:00take my life and let it be
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>
0
false
18 pt
18 pt
0
0
false
false
false
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>
<![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-18146251784170216762012-10-02T08:54:00.000-04:002012-10-02T09:10:24.158-04:00picking up the phone is thoughtful . . .
"Call Your Mother" sign from Daisy Shoppe
I don't really "journal" on this blog, but today I just feel like writing what's on my mind . . .
Sometimes I think it is quite ironic that I write a blog about being thoughtful and often fail to do the simplest of thoughtful things like call my own mother . . . this kind of had me discouraged last week/weekend. I am not a very good phone amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-77821516736507834392012-09-28T10:31:00.002-04:002018-06-25T05:06:34.162-04:00How to Write a Sympathy Note
“When a person is bereaved the simple, sincere expressions of sympathy you write are deeply felt and appreciated. At this time of withdrawal from the world,
your letter can be a warm and understanding handclasp.”
--Eaton Paper Company, 1954
When someone we know is grieving, we wonder what we can possibly say or do to help. I like the advice above from a little amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-85750498639148317982012-09-27T12:48:00.001-04:002018-06-25T02:20:55.330-04:00simple handmade sympathy card
Lately, I have been making my own sympathy cards rather than buying them at the store. I find this works better for me for a few reasons--I don't have to go to the store to look for one--one less obstacle in the way of my good intentions; I can make it say what I want it to say; I can keep it simple.
I love buying cards at the store (I love it when I have the time to amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-69696651539493292392012-09-25T11:46:00.001-04:002018-06-25T01:56:40.519-04:00little ornaments are thoughtful
I am a fan of year-round ornaments. I like to hang them from cabinet knobs or the mantle . . . or on a mirror in the bathroom. Sometimes these ornaments are just for pretty, but a lot of times they have special meaning--as symbols or reminders of a special word or truth or, in this case, a person.
I made this ornament out of polymer clay and wrote the name of a special amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659284360564789262.post-80486794817802436912012-09-19T07:00:00.001-04:002018-06-25T01:52:52.187-04:00sympathy gift for children : a basket of art supplies
A family in our area recently lost a husband and father. Jeff and I wanted to show our support and care, and he suggested I put together a little gift basket for the two young children in the family.
When trying to think of a gift that said "We are thinking of you / We care" without burdening them with more stuff or items that would only later be linked to a very sad time in their livesamberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14703296223168578047noreply@blogger.com3