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.

How 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 from summer camps and my friend Claudia in Germany), but only recently have I started writing regularly to people I've never met in person who live across the country and across the world.

Come 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 envelopes!) right here.

P. P. S. A big hello and welcome to Paper Pastries readers and new Instagram friends!  xo

a "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 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.  

a "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 call your mom 'Mama'?"  Now I notice it when I am using it in front of anyone but a family member.  Oh well, anything else sounds too formal!

On the last book of notes, I was working with a simple folded card that would fit in an A2 sized envelope.  For this one, I folded an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of cover weight paper (cardstock) in half to give myself a larger canvas.  It still wasn't enough!  When I was finished with it, I showed it to Jeff and he said sarcastically, "Um . . . yeah . . . she isn't going to get distracted or overwhelmed by any of that, I bet."

And I laughed out loud.  He was right--it was a little busy.  To remedy this, I numbered the messages so that each one would not be overlooked and could be read in an orderly manner.  :)

The next book I make will have more white space like Danni's, but I love this one all the same, and it was made with lots of heart and love for my mom.  

My goal was that it would be encouraging--so I tried to share little things I thought would encourage her and things that had been encouraging to me lately.  Here are some more pics (you can click on the pictures to view them a little bit larger) . . .

Messages:

1.  Amber loves you.
2.  Accepted
3.  Be of good cheer.
4.  He overcame. (3 is because of 4)
5.  Thinking of you.
(Not numbered--the little envelope holding extra washi tape for hanging up notes.)

Message #2 "Accepted" folds out to reveal an excerpt from Morning and Evening by Spurgeon that elaborates on being "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).  This has been a very meaningful verse for me ever since college.

6.  Psalm 103, one of my family's favorite Psalms, taken from the congregational reading section of an old hymnal.  This is kind of a half page that turns to reveal the rest of page 2 . . .

7.  You are a good mom.  

8.  Bloom where you're planted.

9.  A little envelope holding a letter.

10.  A little envelope of love notes for sharing.

When my mom wrote me a letter recently, she told me she had been leaving notes in my dad's work boots some mornings, and I LOVED that!  I thought I would give her some more notes to work with.  

I "packaged" it all up in a large vellum envelope that I happened to have on hand--it's the envelope you see in this post.  (Note to self:  keep some A9 envelopes handy for projects like this).

So there you have it--another book of notes.  They are my new favorite thing to make.  :)  Let me know if you make any!  And for tons more inspiration, remember to check out the "Notes" posts on Oh, Hello Friend!

The 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 . . .

1.  Have another Saturday morning letter writing session, like last week.  Want to join me?  If you do find yourself writing letters tomorrow morning, post a little message on Facebook so it feels like we're doing it together.  :)

2.  Make another "book of notes" for someone!

3.  Make plans with Jeff for our 10-year anniversary (!!) at the end of November.


If you would like some links to browse for letter writing inspiration, try these--

This post on Oh, Hello Friend is a round-up of beautiful letter photos.  It makes me want to take pictures of all of my letters!  And, of course, write more.

I rediscovered Hello Sandwich earlier this week.  This time I remembered to add the blog to my reader!  Such a fun, fun site--lots of cute Japanese-inspired stationery and projects and very cheerily written by Ebony, an Australian living in Japan.

Also, I have a Pinterest board solely devoted to stationery, letters, happy mail, and mail-inspired things--maybe you will find inspiration there?

I hope you have a happy weekend!

:)
amber

"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 handwritten note from the calligraphy post earlier this year, and I wanted to do something special to congratulate her on her wedding in April.

I started with an envelope I made from a wallpaper scrap (you can see a better pic of the envelope here).  I had already decided this bright envelope was going to be Joy's because it was fun and full of personality, just like her.  I addressed the envelope to Joy months ago, but it sat unfilled while I decided what to put in it!

But, finally--a book of notes.  Here is the cover.

Pages 1 and 2 . . .



detail of page 1 . . .

There's a little letter inside the envelope on page 2.

 Pages 3 and 4 . . . the new couple's last initial and wedding date.  :)



























detail of page 4 . . .



Pages 5 and 6 . . . a little reminder inside the brown kraft pocket . . .

. . . and an envelope full of love notes for sharing.

I included the envelope of love notes so Joy could write little notes to her husband using the cards, hopefully spreading the cheer even further.  

I have more where this came from--these are so fun to make!  Hint:  the letter I wrote to my mom was full of notes.  I'll post pics next week. 

So what do you think?  If you haven't already, you really must visit Oh, Hello Friend and see the notes Danni made that that started it all.  Here is a little sample (click the caption to go to the original post) . . .

"Notes for Nicholas"

"Notes for Abby"

Are you inspired yet?  Now you can spend the weekend writing notes!  You are welcome.  :)

(Tomorrow I'll tell you more about the care package and try to round up all the great suggestions people gave into one list.  Stay tuned!)

Sent: Week 1 of 52

A 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 making little notes and cards and creating, but I sometimes miss just sitting down to write a long, chatty letter.  So that's what I did Saturday.  And--amazingly--I even stamped it and walked it right out to the mailbox immediately after I wrote it.  It felt like such an accomplishment!  I would love to make this a Saturday morning ritual.  It was a calm, lovely way to start the weekend, and I felt like I had just had a long talk with a friend . . .

Just seeing pictures of letters and mail inspires me to write.  Maybe these will do the same for you?

(It's never too late to join the 52 Weeks of Mail challenge (here on Facebook).  Let me know if you do!)

Staying 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 

"How do you stay connected to those you love?"

If I counted correctly, there were 38 published responses.  Here are my 5 favorite answers:

#1-One person a day

I’m doing this thing called Reach Out ’09. Each day I choose someone in my life to e-mail, phone, visit, or write a letter to. It really helps me stay connected.
Angie Blank
Bowling Green, Ohio

I love the idea of intentionally reaching out to one person each day.  If I looked back through emails and texts (and the occasional phone call), maybe I would find that I am doing this already.  But it's more at random--I would like it to be more intentional.

#2-Envelope "gifts"  

Throughout the year, I collect small trinkets that can be slipped into envelopes. Then, when a birthday comes up, I have a personal gift ready to send―not a text or an e-mail, but something a friend can have and hold.
Lauren Field
Dallas, Texas

It would be fun to always have an eye out for simple, small items that can fit in an envelope and be ready to pop in the mail at just the right time--no extra packaging required.  

#3-The world's worst postcards  

My two closest girlfriends from college live 300 miles away, so we made it our mission to find the world’s worst postcards and send them to each other every week. No matter how horrible a day is, checking the mail always cheers me up.
Jena Simonds
Atlanta, Georgia

I love this!  Purposely sending "bad" postcards.  I think that was kind of what I was doing with the postcard made out of an outdated picture from a Texas coffee table book.  :)

#4-Movie "dates" from afar

When my best friend moved 1,100 miles away a few years ago, we decided to start seeing movies together―each in our own city. We’ll pick a film showing in both places at approximately the same starting time, then talk on our cell phones before and after the movie (never during!) and share our reactions. It’s a great way to feel close and do something fun with each other, even when physically apart.
Monica Romig Green
Fullerton, California


This is a really good idea.  I remember talking to Stephanie right after I saw Sweet Home Alabama years ago (post-high school, post-college, living in separate states).  That movie left me with all sorts of emotions--I had to talk to someone from home who would understand and help me sort them all out.  Turns out, she was feeling the same way.  Fortunately for us, we both came to the realization that there was no one from back home (in good ol' OK) that we were meant to be with, which worked out well since we were both seriously dating our future husbands at the time.  :)

#5 (and possibly the coolest)-care package pinatas (!!)  

I send care-package piñatas. The best part? You can stick stamps directly onto the piñata with the address. It’s fun to imagine the faces of loved ones as they break into their special surprise.
Jillian Marsh
Emporia, Kansas

I wonder if this girl has a fun party blog or something now (3 years later).  I am doing this!!  That would be tough (or fun?) for the postal workers if the pinata broke open in the mail, though . . .

How would you answer the question?

What do you think of these ideas?  

Read the article sometime this weekend and leave your favorite ideas in the comments!  :)

little 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).

The notes were typed out on my typewriter and embellished just a little with a hand-drawn border and a ribbon stamp.

It's fun to add a little something extra to the envelope--and it's always nice to have encouraging reminders, I think! 

Have you sent any cards or letters lately?  If you are up for a challenge (I know prolific mailers out there who would not consider this a challenge, but . . . ), the 52 Weeks of Mail group on Facebook has started up again with another 52 weeks.  I tried to follow along for the last 52 but fell off the wagon sometime this summer.  There is nothing magical about sending a piece of mail once a week, but I think that's a very reasonable/doable goal.  I hope to send more than that!

What about you?  How often do you snail mail?  Does once a week sound like something you could attempt?  If you're looking for someone to write, my mailbox is always open!  :)

"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, their use of commas bothers me a little, but that is beside the point.]

With all the thinking I have done on the topic of answering and calling, this fits right in.  What if I was "a phone call answered on the second ring"?  That really says something, I think.  (Apparently, 1-800-CONTACTS is also "a handwritten note."  This is my kind of marketing.)

On my way up to Oklahoma yesterday for my great-uncle's funeral, I accidentally called my friend Sarah and also accidentally hung up on her without even knowing it (gotta love touch screens).  She called me right back, and then we both figured out it was all a big mistake.  :)  Because she was on her way into work, we didn't talk much, but as we hung up she called out, "Call your mom!"

She totally meant it as an encouragement, and I totally took it as one.  And I was grinning when I hung up the phone.

I still had 2 1/2 hours of driving ahead of me (and I was alone in the car--what in the world!), so I thought, "yes, I sure will call somebody."  My mom is a school teacher, so I knew I couldn't get a hold of her at that time.  So I called my friend Steph. . . you know, the one who gave me a good talking to?  :)

Turns out, she was right in the middle of about five different things, but she still talked for a few minutes until we decided we would try again later.  As we were hanging up, she called out, "Call someone else!"

And I laughed out loud.  My friends are really looking out for me.

As soon as Stephanie and I hung up, my cousin Kara called.  She was on her way to the funeral and had a couple hours ahead of her as well, so she had a feeling it might be a good time.  And it was.  Other than the five or so times my cell phone reception cut out (Oklahoma may not like Verizon, I don't know), it was perfect.  With five kids between us, we don't get a lot of talking time at family gatherings.

And then on my way back home later that afternoon, my mom called.  And I can't say for sure, but I may have answered it on the second ring.

You guys, this was a really good day for me!  If only every day involved sitting alone in the car for eight hours . . .

But back to real life.  You know what I was thinking?  Sarah called me back even though she had just gotten to work and wasn't going to be able to talk.  Steph answered the phone even though she had a one-year-old hanging onto her leg, her in-laws were in town having breakfast in her kitchen, and she and her husband were in the middle of a home improvement discussion.  She had to go tend to all of those things, but she answered.

And today I answered!

I was really encouraged by the comments left on the "picking up the phone" post, and I can't wait to get to them and reply (thank you!).  I loved hearing that others have put thought into this subject as well.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and maybe even a little phone time.  Who do you need to call?  :)

♥,

amber 

P. S. If you happen to be reading the comments from the phone post,  "Anonymous" is my husband, not some insincere commenter.  He thinks he is funny.  I guess it was his way of saying, "I was here/I read this post" without getting into anything too serious.  Kind of like blog grafitti . . . but in a nice way (or something).   I am still trying to think of a good response . . . :)

picking 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 talking person (I get it from my dad).  But one way I can show my mom and other phone talking people my love is by talking to them on the phone . . . 

The problem is, I usually miss the calls.  I hardly ever screen them; I just flat-out miss them.  I can lose my phone (or my charger!) for a whole day at a time.  Or turn the ringer off during church on Sunday and forget to turn it back on until late Sunday night or Monday morning.  Or somehow be changing a poopy diaper every single time a person calls for three days in a row (that really did happen when Roman was a newborn and Linc was still in diapers).  It seems I am ALWAYS missing calls.

Which leads to the other problem--I am NOT always good at returning them.  I have gotten better over the years, but that is not necessarily saying much.

One of my biggest wake-up calls (no pun intended. really.) in this area came several years ago when I missed about three calls in a row over the course of a few weeks from a dear friend.  When I finally picked up or called her back (I can't remember which was the case), she said, 

"You know what, I have been depressed.  

It's been a really rough time--it would be nice if you'd answer your phone or call me back."

Yikes.  I had no idea.  But of course I didn't--I HADN'T ANSWERED MY PHONE in three weeks (and obviously hadn't called back yet, either).

Sometimes that kind of feedback can send me into a downward spiral of self-reflection and condemnation or resentment towards the person who gave the feedback.  But when this friend said these words, I was just sad.  So sad that I hadn't known what was going on in her life, that the weeks that had flown by for me between calls had been dragging by for her.  That I was out-of-touch with her world.

She actually did me a favor by saying what she said (in such a straightforward, honest way).  I needed to hear it.  And I did do better from that point on.  But it remains a struggle for me to this day.

Because here's the other problem--a lot of times I choose not to answer a call because it's a bad time to talk.  I feel like we all have our own "phone philosophies"--differing "beliefs" on when a call should or should not be answered.  It seems I have a lot of times in my day that are no-answer times--when I am in the bathroom, or eating a meal, or putting the kids to bed, or talking to my husband after putting the kids to bed, or in a face-to-face conversation with someone.  So when you add all of these times to the times I completely miss a call, it almost equals my whole day.

My friend Sarah, who says she shares similar struggles with the phone, gave me some good advice.  She says that she has started trying her best to quickly answer those calls, even when it is not a convenient time.  And she will just say hi to the caller and ask if she can call back a little later.  This way she shows that she values the call and wants to talk--just at another time.  I think that's a good idea.

As I write all of this, however, I realize that the key for me is probably mainly to initiate calls more.  Even if I still miss calls or can't talk at the moment, at least my friends and family will know I am thinking of them and caring for them when I actually call them for a change.  I need to pick up the phone more often to reach out.

I know we have probably all been on both sides of this issue at one time or another.  But it bothers me that I am so often on the don't answer/don't call side.  Do you think this phone struggle is a personality thing or a phone philosophy thing?  Or both?  Got any advice for being the type of person that calls more regularly?  I would really love to hear it!
I neeeed to hear it.  Pretty please? 

P. S.  Call your mother.  

And your friend.  

And anyone else you love and haven't called lately.  

summer postcards are thoughtful

While I was unpacking boxes the other night, I came across all of the postcards I have saved from my friends over the years (98% of which date back to high school and college), and summertime nostalgia just swept over me.

I used to love getting postcards (and I had friends that traveled more than I did and were pretty good about sending them).  Postcards over summer vacation meant that someone was thinking of you, even while they were far away on a really fun trip.  That has to be one of the simplest of thoughtful gestures--stopping to send a little note to say, "I am having a blast, but I miss you," or "I love it here, but I wish you were with me," or "I saw such-and-such the other day, and it made me think of you," and "I can't wait to see you again!!"

Now I love looking back over old postcards and reading the random details people chose to include in their messages and the references they made to life at the time--"Tell [boyfriend] hi for me!" "Tell everyone I am getting ridiculously dark!"

postcards from Paris, Las Vegas, Morocco, Alaska, Germany, St. Kitts, Mexico, Maryland, South Padre Island, 
Hawaii, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New England, and the Black Hills of South Dakota . . . 

I wish I still sent postcards any time I went somewhere . . . I always have good intentions because I love them so much . . . but I haven't sent one in a really long time.  But it just so happened that while this post was still in its draft stage, I came across this lovely one over on the LWA blog about--what else--postcards!   I think Donovan says it perfectly--"To be thought of in leisure is one of the biggest compliments."  If you are waxing nostalgic for postcards like I am, you will enjoy Donovan's post (and the article she links to).  And there are great tips in the comments section on how to follow through with your good postcard intentions.

I know the school year has started, but summer isn't officially over until September 21 . . . I'm thinking I might have to send out some summer postcards while there is still time.  They will have to say "Greetings from Texas," though, because after moving 1,350 miles a little over a month ago, I do not plan to go ANYwhere any time soon.  Still, doesn't all this make you want to send a postcard?  I am now on the lookout for a local one . . . and please send one my way if you go anywhere!  Or--even if you don't.  :)

 Recreating my high school bulletin board.  
One of my favorite lines of the bunch is by my friend Gina, 17 at the time and in Vegas:  
"I have yet to meet anyone my actual age--there seems to be an abundance of fat men in their 40s wearing speedos at the pool, though." 

some mail and something amazing . . .

Happy Friday!

This post is a little late in coming, but I had to pull it together in time to share something amazing I saw today on the LWA blog . . .

See the envelopes above?  They are mailable Moleskine cashier notebooks!!   Moleskine calls them "Postal Notebooks."  I can't believe my eyes--it's the marriage of two of my most favorite things--Moleskines and envelopes!   Once again, the LWA keeps me up-to-date on all that's wonderful in the postal world.  Check out their post here and watch the cutest video (in French!) about the notebooks.  These are SUCH a great idea!!

I think the Note Cards (at the bottom of the photo above) are equally exciting.  They come with envelopes like regular greeting cards, but they have 4 inner pages for writing your message--a great design for long-winded types like me.

I can't wait to send Moleskines through the mail!  I am so excited.

On to the mail I actually have sent . . .

This was for my friend Kelley.  I got her a greeting card at Paper Source that said "Freak Out and Throw Stuff" (a parody of the popular "Keep Calm and Carry On").  Kelley has had a crazy year and has handled it with much grace, but I thought the card was funny and kind of fitting.

I attempted to address the envelope with calligraphy, but I messed up.  So I just had to make her an envelope.  This was funny because she kind of makes fun of me for my obsession with envelope making (even though she would totally be a sucker for it if she gave in).

This happy mail was for my sister Libby.  Several weeks ago, I joined her in her teenage obsession with The Hunger Games, and we have kept a running commentary about it ever since.  When I first texted her to ask if she had read the books, her reply was, "Are you kidding?  I AM KATNISS!" so I thought it fitting to address this letter to "The Mockingjay."  :)

I also sent a card to Jeff's grandma this past week in honor of her oldest son's birthday.  He died of cancer in 2010, and I wanted her to know we were remembering him on his birthday and thinking of her.  I want to do this type of thing more often, especially for the older members of our family.  If you think about it, our grandparents carry a lot of burdens almost entirely alone.  I want mine and Jeff's to know that we care about the people and things that are special to them.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  I am spending mine with my family, and I think there will be envelope making and letter writing involved.  See you next week!