The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers - June 2020

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers is ready for FREE download! As always, this calendar is full of ideas for card-making and card-mailing. Use the days to inspire you to create a card, like for Pink Day. Or use the calendar to remind you of someone who needs a card. Like Onion Ring Day. It makes me think of my friend who LOVES onion rings! I will be sure and send her a card that day!

Keep mailing your cards. And join our growing community on Instagram @MailItMonday. Joining in is FREE and our community is full of encouragement and incredibly thoughtful people!

Sincerely Yours,

Kimberly

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers - April 2020

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card Mailers April 2020 edition is now available for FREE download! This calendar is a part of our card-mailing community at Mail It Monday. Mail It Monday is located on Instagram and is a growing group of people all encouraging one another to send cards. While most people make their cards, sending any type of card is amazing! We are working on spreading love into a world that needs more light! Mail It Monday also tracks card drives and organizations that send cards out. So its a happy place full of resources!

This calendar started last year. It is a resource that is meant to bring ideas and inspiration to you! The days on this calendar are fun, serious, and well, some days plain old ridiculous! Use this calendar to inspire you to take out an old stamp set you forgot about. Maybe the day will remind you of someone special in your life. The day might even spark an idea to send a card to someone you never thought about needing a card before! So many possibilities! I have used it also for social media post ideas and fun dinners or desserts at our house!

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers APRIL 2020

Click above and feel free to download and print, or just save digitally. You are also free to share this calendar, but PLEASE link to the source! Thank you! 

Sincerely Yours,

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers - March 2020

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers March calendar is now ready for download! As always, this calendar is FREE! Click the words above to access it!

This FREE monthly calendar is a fun way to inspire yourself not only to make cards, but also to mail cards. And please, if you are not a card-maker, know you can use this calendar to help you as well!

Take a look at March 11. Its Johnny Appleseed Day. I remember that day clearly because at my elementary school, we always celebrated. Each grade had a different way of celebrating, but it was something fun we always did. It makes me think of my teachers and what an influence they have on my life. I am fortunate to still be able to be in contact with many of them, so on that day, I will mail a card or two, simply saying, hey, I was thinking of you today. My cards don't even need to be apple themed, but they could be.

Let's look at March 16, National Panda Day. Newton's Nook, Simon Says Stamp, My Favorite Things, The Ton, and I am sure more, all have adorable panda bear stamp sets. Use the day to inspire some card making with those stamps forgotten in your stash.

No matter how you use The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers, the idea is to send mail. To send cards. To send love.

This world needs love and kindness more than ever. You, yes you, one person, can help change the world. Let's continue to do small things with great love card-mailers!

#sendlovesendcards

Sincerely Yours,

P.S. Join the movement on Instagram @MailItMonday. Each week we add new card-mailers to our community. Join in the support and encoragement! We would love to see you there! #mailitmonday

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers February 2020

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers for February 2020 is now available for FREE download!

Over at Mail It Monday, we are striving to get better at sending cards. Because we know what a difference it can make in someone's day to get happy mail! To help inspire our card-making, and our card-mailing, we have this fun calendar full of holidays, serious to silly, to get the creative juices flowing!

For example, February 9 is National Pizza Day. This brings up a few thoughts for me. First, my husband and son LOVE pizza, so I should make them cards with pizza on it and surprise them with a sweet lunch note. Second thought that pops up for me is the super cute stamp and die set from My Favorite Things Stamps-Pizza My Heart! See? Lots of inspiration to be found!

Feel free to save, download, or print the calendar and keep it somewhere handy!

February 2020 Calendar

Sincerely Yours,

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers - January 2020

Welcome to 2020! It is a new year, hey, even a new decade and it is time to start working on goals. This year, make your goal about sending more snail mail. Whether it is a card you made or a card you purchased, let The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers help inspire you to mail cards.

The goal of this calendar is to encourage you to find reasons to send cards. Each day of the month has a serious, fun, or downright silly celebration attached to it. Use those days to help you create a card, or think of someone in your life who could use a card.

For example January 3 is chocolate covered cherry day. This makes me think of my dad. He loves anything chocolate. I remember when he was excited about Dairy Queen having a chocolate covered cherry Blizzard. They were his favorite. Because I am thinking of my dad, I will send him a card and probably drop a Dairy Queen gift card inside the envelope too. Not only will I send him a little gift, but the story is a wonderful memory and he will know that I was thinking of him. That is a lot of love tucked inside an envelope. Imagine the difference you can make in your world by sending cards?!

For another example, take a look at January 21. Its National Hugging Day. I can think of several stamp and die sets I have with the word "hugs." GinaK has one that pops to mind. On that day I will make a card using those products and send it to someone who has been on my mind. See all the inspiration possibilities?!

If you are ready to get started, click here

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers 

January 2020

and download your FREE calendar. Yep, its FREE. 

After you download the calendar, feel free to print it out, or save the PDF, whichever works best for you. Then, head over to Instagram and start following @MailItMonday. 

Mail it Monday is a constantly growing community of card-mailers who are encouraging one another to send love, send cards. (#sendlovesendcards) This community is full of people with the biggest and most caring hearts I have ever seen! Join in with us! To help us find one another, when we post, we use the hashtag #mailitmonday. Using that hashtag let's you click on that link and find all the others who are in our community.

I look forward to another year of card-mailing with you!

Sincerely Yours,

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers - December 2019

The final calendar of 2019 is here! Can you believe it?! I hope this year has been an amazing one for you and your card-mailing goals! Each and every card that gets sent spreads love and kindness and goodness into a world that so desperately needs it!

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers will continue into 2020! So many of you have shared about how you enjoy it and how you enjoy using it. Thank you for sharing your stories! There will be some exciting changes for the calendar this year. Changes that will bring a bit more beauty and a change that will bring ease for my digital-loving friends!

This calendar is FREE. To download the calendar, simply click the link below. You can save the image, print the image, use it how it best suits you! If you want, you can even save the image in this blog post when you want it on your phone or tablet.

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers December 2019

Keep mailing cards my friends! Keep up the amazing work! 

 Sincerely Yours,

Caring Hearts Card Drive 2019

Sharing information today about this beautiful card drive started by my friend, Vera, back in 2010! She works hard to send cards and love into the world, and I am all about that! Please consider getting involved and help Vera reach her goals this year!

My name is Vera Yates and I am the founder of Caring Hearts Card Drive. I started this card drive 10 years ago thanks to my mom suggestion. When I started this card drive in 2010, I honestly thought it'd be for that year only as I wasn't sure whether I will even have people participating. I was cranking up a lot of card myself just in case I don't receive many cards. That first year I collected  about 750 cards. 

I was super green and so very thankful to have Jennifer McGuire's guidance and with her support she really helped me in keeping this card drive going year after year. LOL, every year I always thought it's going to be the last one, but then I feel certain commitment to those who are looking forward to receiving these cards.

The purpose of our card drive is to collect handmade holiday cards for the elderly that live in nursing homes or live alone.

The holidays are about family, kindness, and joy. During this time many of the elderly living in nursing homes may feel extra lonely or miss their families. We can bring a smile to their faces and brighten their holiday season simply by sharing our love of card making. A simple gesture to let them know that they are not forgotten. That someone is still thinking of them. We all love making cards and what’s better than knowing that our creations can bring a smile to others, right?

We send packages of cards to hundreds of nursing homes throughout the US, Canada and Australia. I have an amazing group of volunteers who helped in collecting and distributing the cards. From some of the nursing homes they express how much their residents love receiving the cards and comparing where they're from. It's one of the thing they look forward to. I hope many of you will join in and contribute.

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• This card drive will be run from October 4 to November 8, 2019. We need to receive your cards by November 15, 2019
• Please make the cards for Christmas or Holiday Wishes only.
• All cards need to have a message inside (can be stamped or hand written).
• Sign your name and where you are from inside the card. 
• Include an envelope for each card and please don't seal the envelope.
• Please stick to standard size A2 or 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card as this will help us in packing more efficiently. 
• Please don't use any pins or loose glitter (for safety reasons). 
• This is totally optional, but if you'd like to include $3 or $5 to help with shipping, it'll be much appreciated. We cover the shipping cost ourselves & postage prices have increased. Last year we struggle to cover the postage cost, so any donation toward shipping would help us tremendously.

For US, you can mail the cards to:

• Vera Yates, 1314 Roy St., Houston, TX 77007 (Note: if you're in Houston and would like to drop off the cards directly please email me at: wirianta at hotmail.com)
• Cindy Groh, 111 10 Mile Rd NW Sparta, MI 49345 

For Australia:

• Deb McCleary, CHCD, PO Box 54, Watsonia, VIC, 3087 Australia

For Canada:

• Caroline Bredeson, 11 Ave. des Oblats, Unit 112, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5V8, Canada
• Rita Andrews, 28 West Gissing Rd, Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1L6, Canada 

In each package, PLEASE include THIS 2019 SUBMISSION FORM. This helps us in keeping track for prizes! For each card you send, you will get a chance. So the more cards you send, the better your chances.

For complete details on the prizes please go to my blog post HERE.

Sincerely Yours,

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers Calendar - July 2019

Download the calendar for FREE here:

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers July 2019

Hello card-mailers! Hard to believe how quickly the summer is passing us by! But it is time for the JULY calendar! This month's calendar seems to be full of good food and drink, which seems appropriate for the heart of summer. But there are a few days of special note, that we don't want to have get lost in the shuffle of sloth and gluttony...

July 11th is Cheery Up the Lonely Day. Be sure and send a card off to someone special that needs extra love. I might also encourage you to bring a card to an elderly neighbor who might be alone. Or, even bring a stack of cards to a local nursing home and have them passed out. Spread the love wherever you can.

Also note the family members days later in the month. Cousins, Aunts and Uncles, and Father-In-Laws. You know, we often forget to acknowledge those family members, at least I do. Take the time to send a card off to them. Write about a special memory you have of them. Its a sweet way to send love via good old fashioned snail mail!

Join us on Instagram @mailitmonday. There is a constantly growing community of card-mailers there waiting to encourage your card-making AND your card-mailing! Plus, I share fun postage stamps coming out, places that are in need of cards, card drives, and much more! We would love to see you there!

Download the calendar for FREE here:

The Ultimate Inspiration Calendar for Card-Mailers July 2019

Sincerely Yours,

Mail It Monday: Making a Difference #lettersforhenry

Happy Mail It Monday! I hope that you are having a wonderful summer full of card-making and card-mailing! Or like me with a recent vacation, sending postcards! :D

Its time for highlighting a special cause in the world of card-mailing. This one involves cards, but with a twist, this one also has something to do with envelopes! Lydia Fiedler is sharing with us today this sweet movement called #lettersforhenry.

Hi everyone! In addition to being a passionate papercrafter,  I'm also a true crime addict, and if you click on the My Favorite Things tab at the top of my blog (on mobile - hit the menu option to see this), you can see a list of the podcasts I love. 

When I create, I actually find any visual or musical input very distracting, but for some reason, the spoken word is perfect - it allows me to focus on my work but still follow a story, so I always have a true crime podcast or an audio book playing in my studio when I'm making cards.

Probably my favorite podcast is The Vanished, and the host, Marissa, looks into missing person cases that haven't had a spotlight shined on them. She does a great job, and she does it with a lot of compassion and empathy, and respect for the victims of crime.

Recently - an episode really touched my heart. It was the story of Henry Groeneveld, a mail carrier for the US Postal service, who vanished before Christmas last year. Sadly, they later they found his body. He seemed like such a kind, sweet man - and his daughter said since he was 8 years old, he wanted to be a mailman and that he loved his job. As a kid, he'd make his parents stop at every post office in every town they traveled through. He was someone who had found his calling, and that's so rare and such a treasure. And the fact that his calling is something I love dearly just connected me to the story in a very personal way. I had really hoped for a different ending. It came out through The Vanished and other coverage that he had been being bullied at work, and that his love and passion for his dream job became a nightmare he couldn't bear. 

There's a discussion group for the podcast, and his story more than all the others really touched people and generated a lot of conversation. His daughter is in the group and she shared a request. Since Henry's passion lines up so much with mine - I couldn't help but ask you if you could do something kind for his family the next time you go to send a card to someone. She would love to see the photos on the hashtag below - Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

It would honor my dad if you mailed a letter to somebody

 you love. It would be beautiful to see a picture of your 

letters posted with the hashtag #lettersforhenry

I ended up getting Bossy Joscie to make me a #lettersforHenry stamp and I stamp every envelope I mail (even bills) with this in Henry's memory. I have a Mini MISTI dedicated to that stamp, and whenever I open a new package of envelopes I stamp them all with this stamp and they are ready to go when I send a card. Now - there is a growing collection of beautiful happy mail photos on Instagram under that hashtag that makes me happy, and I know his daughters love seeing it as well.

Thank you, Lydia! What a simple way to show love to a family that is hurting each time you send a card!

If you would like to join in our community of card-mailers, please follow on Instagram @MailitMonday. We would love for you to participate in the encouragement and conversations about all things cards! If you don't have Instagram, you can still be a part of things, just remember to use Monday as a reminder to mail cards. :D

Sincerely Yours,

Mail it Monday

National Card and Lettering Writing month continues. Today we are slightly over the half-way point of the month. How many cards have you been able to send? Even if its one, that is okay. You made someone so incredibly happy with that one piece of mail!

If you are just joining in, check out this post that has a calendar full of card-mailing prompts. Inspiring ideas for people to mail cards to! National Card and Letter Writing Month.

I have also updated the post from last week about What to Write on the Inside of Cards. I compiled everything we talked about last week on the Mail it Monday Instagram account. The card-mailers over in our little community are wise, clever, and so heartfelt! Thank you all again for sharing your greatest ideas! You inspired each and every one of us!

Keep on mailing those beautiful cards, my friends!

Sincerely Yours,

What to write on the inside of cards?

The fantastic discussion and idea-sharing is continuing on Instagram. (Find us @MailItMonday) Everyone has such wonderful ideas to share with the community about the insides of our cards. Today is the big one. The toughest part of all. What to write on the inside. ???

There are many ways to write on the inside, but finding the words you truly want to say can be difficult. Especially in difficult situations. What it really boils down to is, sincerity. That's it. Say what is on your heart. You can never go wrong by expressing you. 

But, if you still need a road map and some more encouragement, use these simple steps to get yourself started. While these are simple, I have found they help me map out the words that my heart is trying to express.

Card Inside Writing Tips:

1. Opener-say hello, hi, dear, or use a silly nickname. Add the recipient's name and you have a great start!
2. Explain why you are sending a card and note. Maybe its a special occasion, illness, or maybe something made you think of that person today. Focus on the recipient and why the need or want to hear from you.
3. Share a little bit more. Maybe expand on what made you think of them, share a story, pay them a compliment, tell them what they mean to you, etc.
4. Wrap it up by repeating why you wrote, or wish them well.
5. Sign off. Use whatever closing works for the reason you are sending the card. For me personally, love is never a bad way to sign off.

Resources for finding wording for the insides of cards:

• Pinterest Board for Mail it Monday
• Hallmark

The Best Tips for Card Insides from the Card-Mailing community at Mail It Monday:

• Carry the theme of the front of the card to the inside.
• Stamp the same images in lighter colors.
• The lighter colors of ink allow you to still write.
• Use a small strip of the same patterned paper as the front.
• Write words from your heart.
• Start with the recipient's name.
• Think about and visualize the person you are writing to. Imagine a conversation.
• Keep it simple.
• Write large with a large pen. Wink.
• Stamp a sentiment that conveys your message.
• If you do not like your handwriting, type it on your computer and print it out.

My favorite idea yet. This came from a couple of Mail It Monday community members, who were happy to share the idea and pass it along. The idea is this; take a piece of paper and write these words on the inside. Your card makes someone's day, but also becomes a gift for them to pass along! Brilliant!

"I didn't sign this card before I sent it to you,

instead it hold my fondest wish that I have for you.

So if you find you need to brighten someone's day,

then take this card, sign it, and send it on its way."

So write on the insides my fellow card-mailers!

Sincerely Yours,

Mail It Monday: National Card and Letter Writing Month + Free downloadable calendar

Today is the first Mail It Monday of April and this Monday is kicking off a wonderful month!

It is National Card and Letter Writing Month!

In 2001, the United States Postal service began this idea to encourage people to send more mail. Well, this is a government idea I can get behind 100%! :D So, this month, I will be bringing you some fun ideas and tons of encouragement to get sending cards.

First up, is this FREE downloadable calendar to give you inspiration for whom to mail cards to each and every day this month! I saw this idea elsewhere and made it my own especially for you and for all the Mail It Monday participants! You can save the photo if you like, but if you want to print it out and keep a copy with your address book, click here:

April National Card and Letter Writing Month Calendar

The second item to mention is to be sure and follow Mail It Monday on Instagram! Simply search for @MailItMonday and click follow. This month I will be sharing ideas, photo inspiration, both in photo and in story form. There is so much planned! 

Third item to mention, if you are interested in sharing a card drive, or guest posting, or have any other creative ideas about Mail It Monday, please email me, or message Mail It Monday on Instagram. This is about growing a community of card-mailers, and you, yes YOU, are the key to making that happen! Join in! 

Sincerely Yours,

Mail it Monday: Chemo Angels

Today on Mail It Monday, I have a guest who is sharing an amazing organization. Tracey Sweeney shared Chemo Angels with me a few months ago and I knew that she needed to share it with everyone! This is a truly wonderful organization that sends encouragement to those dealing with chemotherapy treatments for their cancer. Tracey's heart for spreading love and encouragement shines through in what she shares below. My heart is so touched and I know that many of you will wish to be a part of this!

card by Tracey Sweeney

a beautiful example of what she creates for Chemo Angels

From Tracey Sweeney:

"Five years ago, while blog surfing, I stumbled upon Chemo Angels, a program that offers support to those who find themselves in the most challenging situation of their lives – battling a cancer diagnosis and undergoing chemo treatment. Having known WAY too many people (as I’m sure we all have) who have battled cancer, I knew immediately that this was a program I wanted to be a part of. 

Without hesitation, I signed up as a volunteer ‘angel’ and anxiously awaited my first assignment.

‘Angels’ support their ‘buddy’ throughout their battle with weekly cards (store bought or handmade), uplifting messages, and lots of positive energy so that they are not alone in their fight. 'Buddies' are required to check in monthly with admin, but they are not required in any way to respond to their angels – so if you’re looking for a pen pal, then this is not the program for you. If you are, however, looking to brighten someone’s week, provide encouragement, kindness, and love to a complete stranger – then sign yourself up, you are meant to be an angel!

Personally, this has been the most rewarding program I have ever been a part of. I am a big believer in spreading kindness, paying it forward, and simply doing something nice for someone without expecting anything in return.

Over the years I have been extremely lucky that some of my 'buddies' (or their family members) have made contact with me, so I know firsthand that this program TRULY does make a difference…all for the cost of some stationary, a postage stamp, and a few encouraging words.

If you would like to learn more about the Chemo Angels program, please head over to their website at www.chemoangels.com and check them out!

(While you’re there, make sure you check out the Senior Angels section of the website as well – it’s the AMAZING sister program to Chemo Angels!).

I can’t think of a better reason to send something on Mail It Monday – can you?

Tracey"

Yes, Chemo Angels is a way to make someone's day with mail. And an incredible way to make a difference in the world with a card! I have goosebumps reading this, my heart is so touched. Please consider adding your talents to this amazing group!

Sincerely Yours,

Mail It Monday

"Happiness is receiving unexpected mail."

Photo by JKutz Photography ,

a dear friend of mine who has the most amazing family and takes the most amazing photographs!

So my personal card-mailing as been on a hiatus due to well, life. I had to tell myself, its ok to not constantly be mailing cards. Its ok for you too. Even if you have not mailed a card in months, no time like the present to throw stamps on a few cards and mail them today! 

Miss O here is all about mailing anything. She is also ALL about getting happy mail too! Don't forget to involve your littles, your own, or any littles in your life. Pass the joy of giving and receiving on to them. Plus, when they are excited, its contagious! And we all need more of that energy in our lives!

Happy mailing, my friends. <3 p="">

Sincerely Yours,

Mail It Monday

Happy Monday! Its sure a lot easier to have a great Monday when you remember to mail cards to the special people in your life. Or maybe even new friends? Or possibly even a stranger when you participate in a card drive. 

Mail on my friends and send a smile!

Sincerely Yours,

P.S. These next few weeks are crazy for me personally, so I will continue to post the Monday reminder and encourage you to mail those cards. But when I return, there will be tons of inspiration, and one inspiring guest!

Mail It Monday - Pocket Letters

Happy Mail It Monday! Let's start the week off on a positive note by mailing a card, or two, or twenty, to people who are special in our lives! We all know how wonderful it feels to get happy mail, spread the love today!

Today I have a special guest with a fantastic and gorgeous idea! The idea of a pocket letter has been around for some time. They are a clever way to send something special in the mail. I know you will love this idea and will be totally inspired by the amazing, Wanda Guess!

Hi everyone! It's Wanda Guess and I'm so excited that Kimberly invited me to join her to talk about Mail it Monday this week. For some time I have been in love with the 'Pocket Letter' concept. I finally made one at Christmas time, and now I'm hooked on making them! Today I'm sharing a fun, colorful, crafty themed Pocket Letter! Perfect for sending to your crafty friends.

Basically, a pocket letter is a letter with pockets! You use a trading card plastic sleeve, and each pocket has a different item inside: sequins, stickers, paper, whatever you like! Then, when the letter is done, it folds in thirds and fits into a business envelope for mailing. People make all kinds of beautiful pocket letters and you can get inspiration from searching for them on Pinterest or Instagram. So fun, right? The trading card sleeves are inexpensive - I get mine at The Container Store, but they have them at any office supply store. 

One great (and easy) thing to use for Pocket Letters is the large 12x12 paper sheets that come in paper collections. The ones that already are divided into sections for Project Life, etc. Trim them to size! I also love using sequins and stickers. Anything you have on hand in your craft room will work. 

I use my We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool to seal the pockets with the sequins inside. I also like to create little accents to clip onto my Pocket Letters. To do this, use a plastic sleeve and your Fuse Tool to make any shape. For this project I free hand 'drew' a heart with my Fuse Tool and put some pretties inside. To finish it off, I use matching washi tape along the left edge to tie the whole project together. In this case I used some aqua/gold chevron washi tape. 

The only thing to remember? Have fun with it! Whoever gets these in the mail is sure to be happy and excited to receive such a treat! It's Mail It Monday! Thank you Kimberly, for inviting me to be part of the fun. XOXO

The papers are all from these two collections: Echo Park I'd Rather Be Crafting and Pebbles Girl Squad

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a fun idea! I could see adding stickers, tea bags, gift cards, stamped images, and more to those pockets! Imagine all the fun things you could find to mail a friend! Thank you so much, Wanda! Be sure and visit A Blog Called Wanda for more!

Sincerely Yours,