Addressing the Silence

Alright, so by now you might actually be noticing the lack of social media postings.  It's called a creative slump ya'll.  I'm working on trying to break the slump.  I thought I would take this time and talk about a few things.  The struggles are real and I want to be transparent with you, my followers (hate that term, if you have a better one let me know). 

I'll be honest, I'm struggling with a little bit of the wind being sucked from my sails.  I have a lot of great cheerleaders in my camp, but there are still a lot of negative people out there.  Lately, I think I've let those negative people creep into my thoughts a bit too much.  I've also been really struggling with watching people succeed in the industry on lots of levels and feeling like I'm over here in my corner shouting with no one listening. 

I desperately want to write in this space, but I'm not a how-to writer.  That leaves me in a bit of a tangle.  What should I write and share in this space?  I've been writing what I think are posts that will encourage you to send more Happy Mail.  I'm working on a few other ideas, but I will no longer be forcing myself to write posts about how each card was created. 

I go through one or two of these creative slumps a year.  Hubby refers to them as burn out, but I'm not sure that fits since the focus has been on card making. I went back to my card making hobby in 2015, after playing with several other mediums, including sewing and knitting.  I don't feel like burnout applies to the card making.  It's more of a dry spell that happens because I always go back to making.

Over the last year, I've taken several steps into the unknown.  I started selling my cards on consignment at Smiling Moose, one of our local gift shops.  I started a Patreon for monthly card subscriptions, but that really hasn't worked in spite of people being interested in a subscription option.  I've started talking about what I do.  Giggle if you want, but this is a big deal.  I write and share online with ease, but when it comes to telling people in person what I do it's a real struggle for me.  It always comes out like I'm ashamed of what I do and I'm not.  I love being a card maker.  I've also stepped out and started selling my art again. 

No wonder I'm in a bit of a dry spell.  I've put this little introverted personality out there a lot in the last eight months.  I ask that you stick with me while I seek new inspiration and recharge my creative batteries.  If you're looking for cards, be sure to check out The Inked Inspirations Shop or if you're local stop by Smiling Moose. 

Send The Thank You

Do you send thank-you notes?  Or are they more of an “I’ll get to that later” kind of thing.  Stop sitting on the most important note you could be writing and just send the thank you.

Think about this.  You send a gift for a baby shower or a wedding or even graduation and you never receive a thank you note in return.  As the gift sender, how do you ever know that they got the gift?

You don’t want to have an awkward conversation about it in the middle of the grocery store one afternoon.  It’s a bit tacky to have to ask if they got the gift you sent.

As the gift receiver, you surely don’t want that awkward conversation, especially if it was a gift that wasn’t in your taste.  The sender doesn’t need to know you hated it or that you exchanged it, they just need to know that you got it.  By sending the thank you you can easily overt all of these less than pleasant encounters.

Those of us that go above and beyond to do special things for the loved ones in our lives feel pretty damn disappointed when we aren’t thanked for the kind gesture we put out there.

I’m not talking about an excessive amount of thank you cards flying out of your card box.  I’m talking about sending the thank you card for the kind gifts and the big things that people do for you.  Return the kindness by letting them know you got the gift and that you appreciate their kindness and them thinking about you.

Sending Happy Mail Could Reduce Stress

I get a lot of joy from sending happy mail to friends, family, loved ones and even strangers (you'll want to read the Card Shower post to learn about sending strangers happy mail).  I'm currently building it into my weekly intentions to add another healthy habit in my routine.

The following quote is from the article Letter Writing to Calm Your Mind and Share Your Heart on  nabilak.com  - "Experts say that pouring your thoughts out on a piece of paper is another way to embrace tranquility and maintain peace of mind."  This same article states that by picking up a pen and writing a note, no matter what length, to someone you care about can lift your spirit in ways you may have never considered.  Now, who doesn't want their spirit lifted?

I'm the first to admit the number one reason I send happy mail is because I'm selfish.  I like the way writing that letter and dropping it in the mail makes me feel.  I do it for personal satisfaction.  That personal satisfaction leads to a lighter mood and lessens the stress from the daily grind.  If you start by making the action about you and focus on the joy it brings you, you may feel less stressed and just might smile a little more.

I love this article that Occasionette wrote in 2018, Writing Holiday Cards as Self Care.  Sending cards really shouldn't be just one more to-do thing that we're checking off our to-do lists.  Writing personal notes should bring joy as you write.  It shouldn't be something that causes extra stress in our lives.  To avoid adding stress to what should be an enjoyable thing, don't put any expectations on what happens after you send the letter and never expect something in return.  If a card or letter is returned that's a bonus, not a requirement or a reason for a let down from sending yours.

The Five Reasons You Need to Start Writing Letters Today on forbes.com stated that "having a pen pal and writing more can help ease anxiety, loneliness and even relieve stress."  While writing a letter may not be a replacement for face to face contact it has shown elements of deeper connection. "Some studies have shown boosts to mood and reductions in stress from expressive writing."

There is value in writing and sending happy mail.  For more on the value of sending cards check out my post The Value of Cards & Sending Them.

Inspired by Heather Hoffman & Lil' Inker Designs

Thanks - Green Check by Inked Inspirations

Today I'm starting a new series - Inspired by...

Today's card was inspired by Heather Hoffman's card that was shared on Lil' Inker Designs Instagram a while back.

I'm loving how these Thanks cards turned out and I'll definitely be using this design in the future.

The black and white absolutely makes the pattern paper the star of the show by making it really pop.

I think this card design will be a great stash buster for some of the 12x12 scrapbook paper I've been cutting into card fronts.  So many of them have great patterns that will carry a card design like this well.

Let's look at the elements that inspired me and the ones that I changed up a bit.

Elements of Inspiration:

• Pattern Paper
• Black and White
• Tag
• Thanks Sentiment

Inspired by this card by Heather Hoffman

Design Swaps:

• Checked Paper in place of Plaid
• Ribbon in place of Rick-Rack
• Large brad in place of Staple

Below are links to some of the products used in the making of my spin on this great card.

Have you been inspired?  Share your inspiration and give the credit to the designer that got your juices flowing.

Go create something inspiring!

Not a card maker?  Then check out the Inked Inspirations by SLMP shop and get yourself a card or two.

Links to Products Used:

Affiliate links are used at no additional charge to you

Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long tape, Refill cartridge 5 Pack, Shop at: SSS | AZ	Kokuyo Tape Glue Dot Liner Long-Blue Shop at: SSS | AZ	Kuretake - ZIG - Memory System - 2 Way Glue Pen - Squeeze and Roll Shop at: SSS | SB	Die-namics Stitched Traditional Tag Shop at: SSS | MFT
Simon Says Stamp BIG THANKS Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS	Simon Says Stamp STITCHED RECTANGLES Wafer Dies Shop at: SSS	Tsukineko VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black Shop at: SSS | AZ	Simon Says Clear Stamps BIG THANKS WORDS Shop at: SSS
Dahle Vantage 12x18-inch Self-Healing Cutting Mat Shop at: AZ	Darice Eyelet Setter Shop at: AZ	Fiskars - Razor Edge Easy Action Shears Shop at: SSS | SB	Fiskars PREMIUM CUT LINE Paper Trimmer 12 Inches Shop at: SSS | SB | AZ
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The Value of Cards & Sending Them

There are roughly millions of ways to communicate with each other.  Do you want to be just another email, text, DM, IM?  Or do you want to be the one that sends the card, the card that gets tucked in a drawer to be read again and again?  This week I want to talk about the value of buying and sending greeting cards. 

According to this article from The Art File, cards are "still considered by most as the truly effective way of telling someone you really care."  Think about that and let that sink in for a bit.

The same article also stated that handwriting helps us learn or improve our fine motor skills.  We also express our emotion in writing.  Writing, not typing or texting, just so we're clear here.

Time is precious in this busy fast-paced world we live in and taking the time to write someone conveys real value to the relationship.  When you take the time to handwrite a card, letter or note to someone it conveys to the receiver that they are valuable to you.   This is the most valuable part of sending cards to friends, family and loved ones.

Handwritten notes create a more personalized experience for both the sender and receiver.  Ponder that, you took the time to find the perfect card and handwrite the message and the receiver gets something more meaningful in the mail thank junk and bills.  The card is something tangible that can be held, reread and shown to friends and family.  The receiver will most likely hang on to it for years to come.

When you send a card you are sending an emotional piece of yourself.  Whether you're sending condolences for a loss or congrats for a life event, you're sending a little piece of yourself when you can't be there in person. 

Sending a card can also make you feel good.  Thinking about someone?  Dropping them a note in the mail can bring a smile to your face, just thinking about the smile that will be on the recipients face on the other end.  I love sending "just because" cards that include an inside joke between me and the friend I'm sending it to.  We all need a good laugh after all laughter is the best medicine.  What's better than a surprise card in the mailbox that will make you laugh out loud when you read the note?

The value of sending cards shows the receiver they are valuable and worth the time taken, gives a personalized experience for sender and receiver, sends an emotional piece of yourself and evokes feelings that aren't necessarily present with less personal methods of communication.  Go out, buy a card and send it.  Share the value with your friends, family and loved ones.