Discover how easy it is to write your own sentiments in cards and letters using the tips and tricks from the Ezine article by Pamela Stevens.

Writing your own verse gives you the ability to say exactly what you want to express.  Sometimes you just can’t find a card that says what you want it to say, so go ahead and write it yourself!  Pamela goes through some tips and pointers on how to start writing your own sentiments.  It’s definitely a good read with various elements that will contribute to professional,  yet original poetic verses.  You will definitely be on your way to writing your heartfelt sentiments after reading this article.  She also suggests some online resources and recommended books in the subject.  Get back to paper and start writing today!

Posted on December 17, 2008 at 8:27 pm | Greeting Card Verses | No comments

A quick search on Flickr.com will give you loads of inspiration on cardmaking, stationery and various greeting ideas.  The wonderful aspect is that everything is from real people out there, just sharing to the public and it is always going to be updated with new ideas as Flickr is added to 24/7 by users.  I always like to see what others are doing to send their sentiments to friends and family.  I also like to check out vintage greeting cards that many have archived in their flickr accounts for illustration ideas in my own work!

Flickr is actually a photo sharing site that has a free and pro account.  Either option lets you share all your photos with friends and family, public or private.  There are groups to learn more about photography or specific subjects and many ways to incorporate your photos in your webpage as well.  You should definitely check it out if you are interested in sharing photos or photography in general.

Posted on December 15, 2008 at 11:10 pm | Back To Paper | No comments

Sometimes it can be a daunting task to come up with the right combination of words to express how you feel.  Everyone can use a little help, perhaps some pointers to give you a jump start.

Recently, I was contacted by the folks at Cards Shoppe who wanted to share their multitude of wording ideas for all occasions.  They actually have a family of sites for you to explore that offers products as well as free ideas.  You can find a main index of the various ideas on their wording page.  This is definitely the largest collection I have seen so far online to help you on your way to writing your own greeting card verses!

Posted on December 12, 2008 at 8:27 pm | Greeting Card Verses | No comments

So you have some stationery to write on and your favorite pen in hand, but now you find yourself at a loss for words? No question that expressing your sentiments with the written word can be frustrating at times. You have these emotions inside of you and a specific feeling you want to convey, but the right words just aren’t coming forth so easily.  This is no surprise, especially if you haven’t written in this manner to friends and family for a while.  I’ve hit against this problem many times, fearing that I would sound silly or ramble on too much!  Over time I realized that the key is keep it simple…

The simplest way to start is to boil down your sentiment to what the greeting cards would say.  Whether it’s a simple “Thank You” or “Just wanted to say hello…” – that’s really as far as you need to go to get things started.  I often like to send flat note cards out as there is less room and thus helps me to focus on what I really want to communicate.  Also, don’t forget that it is perfectly okay to be short and sweet in your sentiment.  Here’s an example of a quick and simple note:

Dear Linda,
Thank you for the gift you sent over last week.  I really appreciate it!
Take care,
Mary Jane

It really doesn’t have to be more complicated than that and there’s no point in adding in superfluous words or fancy sayings.  If it doesn’t come naturally to you, then it’s not something you should be writing down.  After all, your friends and family expect your familiar voice and way of speaking.  Even the quickest notes have the greatest meaning, because you took the time to hand write your gratitude or feelings.

If you are looking for a more formal or composed note you can definitely look to poetry for inspiration.  It’s okay to write, “I think this poem expresses how I feel, so I am writing it to you…” followed by the poem.  Looking through what others have written is great inspiration and when it comes to personal correspondence it’s okay to reuse poems and verses that help to express your sentiments.  For more ideas, check out the Greeting Card Verses category of posts for samples and links.

I hope you will be encouraged to get started writing, now that you have been armed with some ideas.  The traditional handwritten letter or card will be cherished by your recipient, so go ahead and get back to paper!  Cheers!

Posted on December 9, 2008 at 2:34 pm | Back To Paper | No comments

Writing the old-fashioned way means you need something to write on and something to write with.  That should pretty much do it, save somehow delivering the letter or note itself!  Finding your writing pen is actually a very important task when it comes to fostering your passion for handwritten correspondence.

I’ve tried many different ink pens, gel rollers, thin markers and calligraphy brushes, but still always on the lookout for more.  I might have already mentioned that I despise my handwriting.  I am very inconsistent with a chicken-scratch slash kindergarten style to boast about.  I would have liked to blame it on the fact that I am a math major and thus have cryptic symbolic type strokes, but really I don’t have that either (because I think that would be sort of cool anyway).  I’ve always just had bad penmanship and seem to be the only girl that can’t write pretty!

Well, no matter.  Over time and practice, I have learned to at least write legibly – the primary key is to communicate.  With more practice I have learned to be more consistent and lines on paper also help a lot, too.  Sometimes I get tired with a crampy hand, which definitely will affect your penmanship.  If you usually type and don’t write much by hand, you’ll realize like with any other muscle in your body, the ones for writing also need to be worked out.  Don’t hesitate to take it easy and write slowly – taking a break when you need it!

I realized that I also write better when I have a great pen that feels good in my hand and glides across the paper.  It really does help to find that special pen you love to write with. The key to finding your writing pen?  Try, try and try again.  Get your hands on as many writing utensils as possible and test them out.  Write a few sentences on different types of paper and sign your name.  Over time you will know what your likes and dislikes are when it comes to pen types and pen inks.  I also like to use certain pens for certain types of letters or on certain types of paper as well.

When you do find a great pen, you’ll instantly feel it.  Love at first write, I say!  When that happens, remember to buy a giant box and of course, get back to paper!

Posted on December 8, 2008 at 11:49 pm | Back To Paper | No comments

One of the reasons why I started loving traditional correspondence was for the stationery.  There are so many different kinds of stationery paper and cards to choose from, it’s a veritable paper heaven.  Who doesn’t love the variety when it comes to stationery? From ornately designed personalized notecards to festive holiday computer stationery to classic blank cards – there to satisfy everyone’s own unique style and preference.  I used to go into paper stores like Papyrus and Paper Source for hours, just marveling at all the wonderful paper and cute cards offered.

Besides the purely aesthetic value of stationery, each type and style has it’s rhyme and reason.  Your choice reflects who you are and how you feel about the person you are writing to.  The paper texture, color and material all help to augment the message you are trying to convey.  As with everything else in this world, looks do matter.  A ripped piece of lined notebook paper with a note scribbled on it certainly doesn’t convey the same feeling as a delicately letterpressed invitation on thick linen card stock.

Being a pretty frugal gal myself, I don’t splurge too often unless I find something really special or well-suited to a piece of correspondence I have planned.  I’ve also found the joy of paper crafting, stamping and scrapbooking in order to make my own cards.  I think handmade cards add that extra special touch as well and definitely easier on your pocketbook generally.

Truly, you only need a bit of imagination and the truthful words of your heartfelt sentiment to engage in traditional communication.  You can buy stationery or make something yourself – either way the recipient will know you cared enough to write to them by hand.  Surely there’s a birthday, holiday or personal occasion that would warrant your efforts of a handwritten note?  So start now and get back to paper!

Posted on December 7, 2008 at 11:31 pm | Back To Paper | No comments

Looking for some inspiration in card making for the upcoming holidays? Martha Stewart is always a good source to look towards for simple, yet classy layouts and designs.

Handmade cards are always treasured and you will be able to create exactly the variety and number of cards you want to use. How often do you buy holiday cards and are left with a couple that you don’t know what to do with!? You can also personalize your handmade cards for your recipients by changing colors on the cards themselves or just the color of the envelopes. Martha Steward shows various examples to inspire your cardmaking such as magnet cards, button cards, ribbon tree cards and more for a total of 20 exciting ideas.

Check out all the ideas at Martha Stewart’s website.

Posted on December 7, 2008 at 7:18 pm | Shops and Blogs | No comments

Want to send a one-of-a-kind handmade card to a loved one? You should definitely take a look at the various Etsy shops offering unique handmade cards at reasonable prices. The selection is enormous, but we do have some favorites which we think can make a truly unique greeting when your personal note and sentiments are added. Remember, no matter how great and cool the card might be, it is your words and handwriting that the recipient will take to heart, so don’t forget to write!

Unique handmade card examples from Etsy.com

On the wonderful Etsy.com we found many fantastic unique handmade cards for sale. Tracy Chong’s handmade pop-up cards are definitely a unique find, offering a certain surprise for whoever opens it up. Alidesign offers very cute sets of notecards, perfect for quick notes. Finally, we also love the artistic designs of paperkate. Be sure to explore all the products on Etsy as listings are added by handmade artists all over the world every minute!

Posted on December 7, 2008 at 9:23 am | Shops and Blogs | No comments

Many people shy away from handwritten notes because they feel their penmanship is just not good enough. One of the most common excuses, just behind “I am too busy” and “No one writes regular letters anymore” is the non-excusable reason of “My handwriting is horrible!” Why is it not a good excuse at all? Because your handwriting is a skill, believe it or not, that you can improve and not something you are simply born and stuck with.

It is common to find faults in your own handwriting, even professional calligraphers feel that way. The recipient of your notes will not be as critical as you are. The reality is that your handwriting is probably not that bad, once you practice a bit more and get your hand and mind warmed up to the idea. If anything, your handwriting represents you as an individual and your loved ones and friends will be glad to have received a personal note you have written, no matter what. However, there are tips and tricks to help you improve your handwriting techniques.

GUIDELINES can help you write evenly and straight on paper. Try lined stationery to help you ease into the fine art of handwritten communication. You can even draw a grid with pencil that can be erased later if you are titling a card or looking for exact alignment. Many people use a guideline underneath their paper to ensure their writing is level.

A ROUGH DRAFT will enable you to practice writing a bit and warm up, before writing on the actual card or stationery. Just like stretching before a jog, you can also warm up your handwriting by writing out some words and different shapes and lines to begin with. The rough draft will help you collect your thoughts and plan your letter out, then you can concentrate entirely on your handwriting during the final draft.

YOUR FAVORITE PEN or PENCIL will help you on your way to beautiful penmanship. It is important to find a writing utensil you feel comfortable writing with. This doesn’t mean you need an expensive calligraphy pen, just let the ease of writing and flow help you decide what feels right. The fit of a writing utensil has to do with your grip, so it is important to practice different grips and use what you are most comfortable with.

GOOD POSTURE can actually help you write better. Many people forget all about posture and lean down onto the paper when writing. Keep yourself sitting up straight, but comfortable and remember that writing involves your arm, hand and fingers. Your arm should be sliding across the paper as you write. Also, many recommend tilting your writing surface to a 45 degree angle. You will have to test out various setups to see what is the best fit for you personally.

WRITE because practice does make perfect. Try to practice your handwriting regularly. You will be surprised how a bit of practice will enable you to auto-correct your own inconsistencies as well as help you identify the aspects that you truly need improvement in. Remember that handwriting is a skill, so you have to work at it to achieve the best results. You will also help to strengthen your arm, hand and finger muscles as you continue writing more and feel comfortable with your penmanship.

Now go on and get back to paper!

Posted on December 7, 2008 at 6:58 am | Back To Paper | No comments

Need inspiration for your cards and letters? Here are some “Thinking of You” greeting card verses and poems as samples and examples for you to expand on in your correspondences. Feel free to contribute to the pool of ideas for all our readers in the comments area.

Example Greeting Card Verses

Just a note to say hello, how are you?

Hi! I just wanted to send you a little note and let you know that I was thinking of you.

Someone remembers, someone cares. Your name is whispered in someone’s prayers.

You may be out of my sight, but never out of my mind. Thinking of You!

Tucked inside these pages are thoughts from afar…

Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you! Do you remember the time…

Thinking about you makes me laugh/smile/remember…

Thinking about you is one of my favorite “thinks” to do…

My thoughts are free to go anywhere, but they often head in your direction.

How did it get so late so soon?
It’s night before it’s afternoon.
December is here before it’s June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
~Dr. Seuss

Looking for more poems to inspire your creative senses? Check out these free greeting card poems with just about every occasion you can think of offered.

Posted on December 7, 2008 at 6:57 am | Greeting Card Verses | No comments