Advice 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. It is not too late--write them now.

If you need a little extra push or some help with the words, try these posts:

How to Write a Sympathy Note--I wrote this several years ago, sharing my own tips and linking to sites I have found helpful.

How to Write a Condolence Note from A Cup of Jo--heartbreakingly beautiful and helpful advice from someone who has lost her husband to cancer.  Read this post.

I have had occasion to write several sympathy notes recently, and the above is the advice I follow. But more than anything, I try to remember--always write.

Writing 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 back here writing soon.  I've missed this space and keeping in touch.  This morning I sat down and wrote four letters, one for each of my grandmothers.  It felt so good to be reaching out.

I'm looking forward to being back, but things sure are dusty after such a long break.  For anyone who is still with me, thank you!  I will be in touch soon.

xo,
Amber

My 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 four things:

Guest 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 say hello!  

How 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--write a letter to your grandmother, your mother, your sister, your brother, your best friend from high school . . . or send a thank-you letter to someone who has had you over for dinner or given you a gift (no matter how long ago).


Step 2:  Take a picture and tag it.