I’ve always loved cards for all occasions. I love giving them as much as I love receiving them. I’ve kept almost every card that was ever given to me – birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, wedding, thank yous, Christmas and many others. I love the serious ones as much as the silly ones, but mostly I love reading what people have written in them. Since my book binding ventures the past couple of weeks, I’ve thought about binding the cards from each year into an album of sorts. I haven’t worked out all the details, but I think it could be cool.
About 15 years ago I was introduced to card making through a friend (Thanks Jenny). Up until then I was a regular at the local Hallmark store. As much as I enjoyed playing with paper, inks and stamps, I found more pleasure in designing the card for whoever I was making it for. I would spend hours just thinking about the things they loved and the words they liked hearing. I remember the very first card I made – it was for my sister-in-law’s birthday and the sentiment said something like “I like your style”, which I obviously did :-).
Since that day, I’ve made hundreds of cards, taught people to make cards, broadened my skills and moved on from birthday cards to just about any card style you can think of. It definitely takes more effort and time than just running down to the store to pick out a card (and there are times when I still do that), but for me, it’s how I show my love for that person.
This past weekend, I spent a few hours with friends making Christmas cards for a church fundraiser. I designed three cards and we made 12 of each and then packaged them to be sold. Each was a little different, but all were really easy to assemble. I’m always amazed how complicated some projects can look when they’re really simple to produce. It’s spurred me on to make Christmas cards this year and to find time every week to play with my paper, stamps, ink and glue.
I shared in previous posts (here and here) how I want to make birthday cards for friends and family as well as send “thinking of you” gifts to 24 people during my Quest46 year. And as much as I put a lot of thought into the actual card, and I love the “creating”, it’s the words that I write inside that are the most important to me. I like to think that the people in my life who are the most special to me know how much I love them, but recently it’s become very important to me that I make a point to be sure. I was at a funeral recently where a man shared that he regretted not telling his friend that he loved him. It’s so easy to just go through life thinking that our loved ones know, and one day it’s suddenly too late. I don’t want to have regrets.
You don’t have to make cards or even send cards to let your loved ones know how you feel. Find the way that makes the most sense for you and do it. Sure it can be awkward, but it will always be appreciated.
Lots of love,
Item #18: Record 12 card-making video tutorials.
I’ve done a couple already, (here and here) but I want to do more. This is a craft that isn’t difficult and certainly doesn’t require lots of money or supplies. The basics will work and I want to show people how.
I’ll leave you with three of my favorite card making video tutorial people. These ladies are amazing!
Jennifer McGuire – Jennifer is hosting the Caring Hearts Card Drive. Such a worthy cause and a great use for handmade cards.
Vicky Papaioannou
Kristina Werner
While Walking My Dogs 