Pamela's Daybook: May 4

Today: A quiet day at home with RB. We do our own thing -- but together. I'll ask him for a word I'm trying to think of.  He reads me an email he's received. We work, quietly, listening to "He makes all things beautiful in His time..."

At my writing desk: Writing and blogging isn't all about writing and editing manuscripts. I spend many hours answering emails and Facebook messages, researching, and reading and commenting on other blogs. I'm never bored!

In the mail: Four pieces of "fun mail." A graduation announcement, two thank-you cards, and a note card designed to brighten my day -- it did!

Praying for: Heartland Christian School kids at state competition. They have worked diligently, and it's already paying off with three awards in writing short stories and essays.

Thankful for: My Postmarked group of ladies and children.  

Creating: I had a blast creating postcards at Melanie's yesterday. We made a major mess on her dining room table with sequin flowers, paper, washi, small lace doilies, punched music notes and circles, etc. Landon is finished with his work for the year, so he manned the laminator. 

I'm reading: Finished "The Eagle Tree." Amazing read.  I was almost finished when I thought it was going to end like a Jodie Picoult book. I love her books, but the endings kill me. Hayes wrapped it up nicely. I wanted to read some of his other books, but two of them are about fire, and I don't do fires, as some of my readers may well know...

Postmarking: Here's how you can make the fun postcards we made yesterday:

We used 4"x6" laminating sheets, but the directions said to use packing tape, so if you don't own a laminator, you can still make them. Put your decorations down however you desire. We learned as we went -- like using a return address stamp on the back of the doily, etc. Once they are laminated, place an address label in the center front of each. It was easy enough for Camron to do.  (Pictures below)

Favorite quote: “The kind of life I want is to be a person who would get a personal note every day.” Sara Zarr

Pamela's Daybook: May 3

Today: Hmm...what should I do today?  Oh, right -- VOTE! And when I'm done, I get to head to Melanie's for a couple hours. 

At my writing desk: Curriculum

In the mail: Not much.  I tell RB it's his responsibility to bring me happy mail. Sometimes he doesn't fulfill his responsibility.

Praying for: A wife dealing with her husband's alzheimer's. "We remember their love when they can no longer remember."

Thankful for: "Hymns that focus on peace: "There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave;" "Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth;" "Peace like a river;" "Peace, perfect peace."

Creating: A fun project with Melanie and the kids. Check in tomorrow to see it!

I'm reading: I've had some books recommended to me I'm looking forward to reading. One is, "We Are Afghan Women," by the G. W. Bush Institute.

Postmarking: I found a new tuck-in for my cards -- Colorful Blessing messages by Christian Art Gifts. They are 3"x4" cards with a message or Scripture to color, or can be sent for the recipient to color. I was delighted with them. Only $4.41 for 44 cards -- 10 cents each.

Favorite quote: "Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ." Sheila Walsh

Pamela's Daybook: April 13

Today: No place to go and nothing pressuring me to be done. The sun is shining through my window, and it promises to be 59 degrees. 

At my writing desk: Three hours of curriculum editing/writing and then free-time writing. I've been doing some writing in my head and it's ready to be put on paper.

In the mail: Fun letter from a friend. $1.56 postage due. She had two stamps on it, but I think it was more than 1/4" thick. Beth taps her trees for maple syrup. Thinking about it made me hungry for pancakes, but sugar-free syrup just isn't the same!

Praying for: RB as he works on his dissertation. His sabbatical ends at end of the month so I'm praying this will be a profitable day.

Thankful for: Strawberries for breakfast. They are starting to taste "real" again. I'm thankful for the man who washes and slices my strawberries for breakfast, too. 

Creating: I made some fun pig and floral envelopes from calendars last evening. I had a sweet little boy sitting on my lap while I was making them.

I'm reading: Started Love That Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, and My Son Taught Me About a Parent's Expectations. It was released just yesterday. 

Postmarking: No postmarks yesterday.  Plan to do five today. 

Favorite quote: 
Pawpaw: Camron, I love you a little bit!
Camron: I love you a little bit, too. And I love Mawmaw a whole lot!

Envelopes -- The Jane Austen Way

In a letter to her sister, Cassandra, Jane Austen wrote, I have now

attained the true art of letter-writing, which we are always told, is to express on paper exactly what one would say to the same person by word of mouth. 

Too often our words are stilted. We write politely, yet if the receiver couldn't see our return address or signature, they wouldn't know who wrote it. 

3 Ways You Can Shine through Your Letters

1. Write in the same voice in which you speak.

I wouldn't expect my friend Janene to write a letter that wasn't peppered with exclamation points. Whatever happens in her life is told through her excitement or dread. If you give hugs freely, create an atmosphere of closeness. If you are matter-of-fact, write your letters with a matter-of-fact voice.

2. Use stationery to match your personality.

If I open a teacup or teapot notecard, I immediately think it's from my sister, Melodie. Her home is filled with china teacups -- glowing with the flame from tea lights, artfully arranged on her antique organ -- and tea pots filled with fresh flowers. 

In the same way, I have a friend who writes on notebook paper. I'd know who it was from from the notebook paper and safety envelope. And I love it just as much because it is a reflection of her personality.

3. Choose your writing instrument wisely.

My Aunt Judy had the most beautiful penmanship. I'd recognize the flair of her words anywhere. My sister writes with an accountant fine pen and you have to use a magnifying glass to read her words. (Well, almost.) My mother wrote her letters with a blue pen -- never a black one. My daughter, Melanie, heard that and will only use a blue pen "like Grandma." My daughter, Emily, uses all colors of Flair markers. 

Here are some tips for making envelopes the Jane Austen way.

1. I used the Dear Jane Stack from DCWV purchased at JoAnns. The papers are 12x12 so you can make almost any size envelope.

2. If you have an envelope style you like, take one apart and use it for a template.

3. Line an envelope by tracing the envelope, then cutting 1/4" inside your line. Use a tape runner to keep in place.  

4. If a graphic you want to use is close to an edge, choose a  template with thin side flaps. (The book background is a paper in the stack -- don't you love it?!!)  

5. Reread your favorite Austen book. Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, or one of her other classics, to put you in the mood for letter writing. 

6. Share a quote in the next letter you write:

There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves; it is not my nature. Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

My sore throats are always worse than anyone's. Jane Austen,  Persuasion

 Make My Saturday Sweet Faith and Friends Spiritual Sundays Family, Friendship and Faith  Dance with Jesus 
TGI Saturday

DIY Envelopes By the Book

DIY Printed Envelopes

Postmarking Vellum Envelopes



If tearing up books is a crime to you, don't read any further. But to send a book leaf envelope to a book lover makes me smile. I couldn't cut up one of my favorite books, or one I read to my children, but I ran into a Goodwill and picked up a couple for 69 cents.

Evidently musicians don't like you tearing up their hymnals either, so I'm in the market for some old sheet music.  For now I just printed one off, but in my mind I envision a musician finding a yellowing piece of music in their mailbox.

Here are some fun places to find wannabe envelopes:

Magazines
Children's coloring books
Maps
Old books
Old sheet music
Advertisements
Old calendars

I found a couple envelope templates on Pinterest (I'll link below) and printed them. You'll want to move the template around on the page a bit to get what part you want to see in the right place. Then just cut out and fold like we did in the DIY Printed Envelopes. Add glue and you're almost ready to use.

I'll be happy to give this to either one of my daughters...

I'm sure I'd get it back. 

The last step is to affix an address label. And guess what! It doesn't need to be in the middle like we were taught in school. (Gasp!) The post office will take them as long as the address is on the front. So take care to not obscure the picture.

Now you're ready to fill your envelopes full of encouragement! 

Envelope templates

Postmarking Vellum Envelopes

Vellum envelopes! What's the best thing about them? They're transparent! I love to use them. Morgan used them for her Princess Valentine Letters. It was cute to see the valentines, heart stickers and hair bands show through the envelopes. 

First you need fun things that will look good showing through the vellumn...                                                                                                                                                                                                     

...like a Shine bright glitter notecard, a Sparkle coaster, a paper heart doily, a shoe charm and some sparkly stars.

Put them all in the envelope and seal. Attach an address label, a bit of washi tape, and weigh it.

   
Aha! It can be mailed with one stamp.

And then repeat!

              

...perfume bottle glitter note card, matching notebook, a tiny envelope hold-a-heart-shaped Scripture verse, paper doily, pink flower confetti, and a shoe charm. Leave the emery file off -- it wants to tear the envelope.  

Weigh it...

It's over one ounce -- so it needs an extra-ounce stamp.

You may prefer using white envelopes. I may have fun using a variety of them. Each way gives the same amount of encouragement. 

Remember, “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” — Booker T. Washington

DIY Printed Envelopes

British writer, Tom Hodgkinson, said, "Alongside my 'no email' policy, I resolve to make better use of the wonderful Royal Mail, and send letters and postcards to people. There is a huge pleasure in writing a letter, putting it in an envelope and sticking the stamp on it. And huge pleasure in receiving real letters, too."

Our Postmark Team has been feeling that pleasure of writing a letter or card, putting it in an envelope and sticking the stamp on it. We are getting reports back of the pleasure people are feeling when they get one of our cards. It's a ministry, but we have fun doing it.

Some of us on the team love to play with paper. Combining paper love with ministry love makes our hearts smile. This week I'll be showing some fun ways to make envelopes -- five of them, one concept a day. There are many envelopes out on the world wide web -- free for the printing.  I chose four of them (links below) and printed them out. 

Just cut on along the edge -- easy peasy. 

Fold on the lines and, using a tape runner, glue them together. 

It's that simple. Creative people get bored easily.  Faced with a whole box of 20 notes with plain white envelopes, we want something different. And here it is -- something different. 

Vert Cerise 

This Heart of Mine These are adorable for children.

Greetings Island

Snail Mail Magazine Stationary, too.

Linked to: Homemaking Party

Postmarked Love Letters

I read your letter and it was the most beautiful thing anybody has ever written to me... Other People's Love Letters by Bill Shapiro

Free Printable Stationary Sheets link below

As with A Sheltering Tree, my daughters and granddaughter are involved in Shelter: Postmarked. Currently, their respective schedules limit their time to write, but they are involved in the brain work.

Postmarked Love Letters is an idea Emily shared, and Melanie helped flesh out. It brings me such joy to see my daughters care for their marriage. Fortunately, they come from a long line of happy marriages, but while that is an influence, good marriages don’t happen without willingness to love unselfishly. 

Postmarked Love Letters – February through January – is a way to bless your husband every month. You will use one of the suggestions below (or make your own!) and write a love letter to your husband. If your husband is the one to retrieve your household mail, your letters can be mailed (or placed in the mailbox). If not, select an alternative location -- in his work boot, beside his keys, or on the dashboard of his truck. (And if you’re a husband reading this – prop it by her coffee cup on your way out the door.)

Keep your letters concise and focused, going beyond “I love you” and “Thank you all you do for our family.” I’ve created free printable stationary to use for this project. 

1. Giving: He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God (Acts 10:2).

Example: In Melanie’s first letter to Shawn she wrote how he gives to God so generously, allowing her to see how the more he gives the more God blesses their family. 

2. Safeguards: Each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband (1 Corinthians 7:2).

Example: Thank you for having eyes only for me…giving me your special wink…treating me as queen of the room. Thank you for keeping our private life private and special only to us.

3. Fruitful: Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich (Proverbs 10:4).

Example: Thank you for always getting up to go to work. It’s evident in your paycheck you bring home that you care for us and supply us with __________.

4. Thrive: Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (Ephesians 3:17).

Example: Thank you for taking time to take us to church. Thank you for staying close to God so you can thrive in your personal spiritual life and as the spiritual leader of our home.

5. Strength: I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit (Ephesians 3:16).

Example: Thank you for finding your strength in God, not in worldly vices or in yourself. I love knowing you will stand strong when I am feeling weak.

6. Safeguards: Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Example: Thank you for staying away from situations that would make it easy to give in to temptation. Thank you for wearing the armor of God each day.

7. Grateful: I have not stopped thanking God for you (Ephesians 1:16)

Example: Thank you for being appreciative of what I do for you – cleaning, laundry, etc.

8. Friendship: So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Example: I love you, but thank you for making it easy for me to like you, too. I like (digging through antique shops, having a coffee at Starbucks, or taking a walk) with you. You are my best friend.

9. Forgiveness: Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Example: Thank you for forgiving me when _____________. Thank you for loving me even when ______________.

10. Confidant: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Example: Thank you for listening to all my dreams, fears, and frustrations – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thank you for never sharing what I confide in you. Thank you for not keeping secrets from me.

11. Optimistic Outlook: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength (Proverbs 17:22).

Example: Thank you for being cheerful at home. Thank you for choosing to look at the good in our friends and the world.

12. Humor: We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy (Psalm 126:2).

Example: Thank you for making me laugh even on a “bad” day. I love your (silly puns and “teacher” jokes). I love how you find humor in every situation.

13. You: Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Example: Thank you for always being in my corner – never giving up on “us.”



Extras:

1. Share a memory from dating days.

2. Thank him for something specific he did for you in the last month.

3. Write your vows with, “I would say them all over again.”

4. Tell him how you first knew you loved him.

5. I noticed you did…

6. The most romantic thing you have ever done…

Sample of Stationary: There are twelve different half sheets to use for your letters. Download here: Love Letters Stationary Sheets Let me know if this doesn't download right for you. It does on my computer/printer, but isn't on others.  I can send it to you a different way.

                           

Linked to: 
No Rules Blog Party Friendship Friday Faith Filled Friday
Make My Saturday Sweet Family Friendship and Faith
Little Things Thursday Thursday's Favorite Things
Live Free Thursday Thought Provoking Thursday
Shine Blog Hop Thoughtful Thursday From House to Home