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Love Letter CollageĀ 

2/3/2016

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Years ago, I hosted a Valentine's Day letter event and wanted to offer people some suggestions for writing a love letter. But I had two concerns:

1) it had to be easy
2) it was important to emphasize that love letters are not just for lovers

So I created a template, an easy fill-in-the-blanks love letter. And people really liked it.

This year I wanted to create a new version. Because I've been wanting to experiment with collage, hand-lettering, working off-line, and keeping things loose, this was the project I picked.

Below is the finished piece. Be sure to download the fill-in-the-blanks love letter along with a stationery sheet, write a letter, and say something nice to someone you love.
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National Hugging Day

1/21/2016

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Whenever I stop to talk with my neighbor, he gives a big parting wave and says, "Hug your baby!" Turns out, that's good advice, hugging is good for us.
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Chalk lettering in progress . . .
This is a Calendar of Days post.
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Steeped in Love and Tradition

1/20/2016

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January is Hot Tea Month
We were young twenty-somethings, just settled in a new apartment when a large box arrived—an unexpected box. It was a gift from my husband’s grandparents who had just returned from a trip back to Ireland, the country they had both emigrated from years before.

Inside we found a lovely tea set.

To say we were delighted and surprised would be an understatement. We were at the time, living together, unmarried, with no nuptials planned anytime soon. It was, it seemed, a blessing of sorts.

A sign that they had faith in our union?

Perhaps, though its first service would be steeped in panic, sweetened with kindness and humor.

It was soon after receiving the box that we received word that “Big” Nan was coming to visit my husband’s parents. Nan stood nearly 5’3”, petite and utterly charming. Her Irish brogue as sweet as the apple crisp I would present at our first tea service.

Upon hearing the news I suggested we invite Nan for tea. And yes, my husband agreed. He promised to call his mother and arrange a date. But there was no rush, Nan would be visiting for nearly a week, plenty of time to make arrangements.

Or so we thought.

It was Friday, late afternoon when the call came. “Nan and I want to stop by for a visit,” my mother-in-law said, “and we’re on our way.”

What? I couldn’t refuse them, but I was alone. Their son/grandson had just left. Ten minutes earlier he jumped into the passenger seat of his buddy’s 1970s AMC Javelin and pulled away. This was before cell phones. No way to get in touch, no way to bring him back.

I was on my own. And if nothing else, I had to serve tea.

With a 20-minute window to pull things together I peeled a few apples, spread them in a baking dish, dotted them with butter and brown sugar and turned the oven on. Though I’ve overcome my early shyness, this was a stretch for me. I was nervous.

Stumbling through my first tea service, I forgot to put out forks for the apple crisp, only recognizing my omission when I saw sweet little Nan politely eating her dessert with one of the souvenir spoons I had laid out for stirring our tea.

Oh, we laughed, and they gushed over the dessert, the apartment, and how nice it was to visit. Their kindness soothing my nerves.

It was a lovely visit.

And then they, too, pulled away . . . 10 minutes before the return of my Irish sweetheart.

This is a Calendar of Days post.

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Letters of Note / Tucked in Drawers and Boxes

4/9/2015

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Tucked in Drawers and Boxes
Like so many people, I save a lot of the letters and cards I get.

What is it about the cards and letters we receive that makes us want to save them?

I suppose it's because they make us feel a bit closer to one another. My grandfather passed away when I was in my late twenties, and I have one special letter from him. After sending him a copy of my very first poster design, he wrote a letter of encouragement, and it's one of my prized possessions. His handwriting, what he wrote, the stationery he used . . . it all brings him back to me in a tangible way. He was a wonderful role model, a man who carried himself with dignity and honor. And his letter, safely tucked away, is a reminder of that.

Letters of Note
Whether or not you have your own stash of letters, there is a wonderful website where you can read letters people have written about love, their struggles, their interests, troubles and triumphs. Letters of Note includes letters written by celebrities (Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones writing to his aunt about meeting Mick Jagger for the first time) as well as famous and not-so-famous people. It's worth a look.

Do you save the letters you receive? Tell us about it.
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March 19th, 2015

3/19/2015

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I have a collection of manual typewriters and use them to write letters, and more recently to tap out birthday greetings. This is my fifth or sixth, and most complex.

To begin, I drew the letter lightly in pencil, then used just the lower case "x" key, and the lever that controls the black and red options for the ribbon. When it was finished, I erased the pencil marking.

It looks a bit like cross stitch don't you think?

The cards are always mailed—it seems to make them more special—because getting mail feels good . . . especially on your birthday!

What about you, do you collect anything, or make and mail cards? Share your story by posting a comment. We'd love to hear from you.

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Fill-in-the-Blanks Love Letter - Not Just for Lovers

2/11/2015

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Just click on the
LOVE ROCKS

above to get started!

The World Needs More Love Letters
Write one today!

It's easy with our Fill-in-the-Blanks Love Letter.


Write and express your gratitude, thanks (and love) to the people who make a difference in your life: your children, your mother, your brother.
Try it out on your sister, your father, or your uncle. Surprise your best bud, your mentor, your teacher. Write to your partner, your husband, or your wife.

A few tips (and stationery if you need it):
  • Start with scratch paper, then copy your note onto a blank card or stationery. [When the link opens, save it to your computer then print.]
  • Don't worry about your handwriting (trust me on this one). Really, it's the secret ingredient that makes all of this so special.
  • Write like you talk. No fancy language or big words are necessary. If you're stuck, say what you're thinking out loud then write down what you said.

Drop your note in the mail, slip it into a brief case, lunch box, or purse.
Prop it up on a pillow or tape it to a mirror.

And let us know how it goes! Send us an email or post a comment here on our blog page.

And good luck. You'll be surprised at how good writing a love note makes you feel.
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