Well...hello, it's been awhile...

 

It's been almost a year ago that my "life event" occurred.  My dear husband of 34 years passed away from an illness, and my life took a sudden turn.  My charmed life of a wife, mother to 10 beautiful children and grandmother, now looked different. I was physically alone and making all the decisions.  Facing challenges, duties, and mundane items that I never had to bother with prior to this event. Notice, I said "physically".  I thank God that I serve a Lord that has promised to never leave me or forsake me.(Hebrews 13:5) But still...it has been a year of adjustments...change...and just struggle.  But, slowly one learns what one must do and as Elisabeth Elliot used to say  just "Do the next thing..."!  This simple advice has carried me through the long year and for that I am grateful.  

So many of you have sent cards and letters of love and precious thoughts.....I have so appreciated this.  I tried countless times to answer them...I did manage a few attempts, but I still have several letters that I wrote...never sent.  Finally I submitted to my relegated season of life  and focused my attention on the immediate, the necessary...life.  

I still face new challenges (who doesn't?).  I now use  youtube , not just for pleasure, but how to fix items around the house, and if that fails...I call a professional! But the sun still comes up, and I find myself falling peacefully into bed each night.  Thank you Lord!

All this to say...I hope to get started with letter writing again.  So, first things first...my desk!  This is where it all happens, so I want my supplies at my finger tips...and whatever inspiration I can find.  (More on that later-- it's still a work in progress) .  So here is a picture  (sorry it was taken at night) of my desk as it stands right now.  Leave a comment below if you have any questions about my set up.  Also, if you love your desk and find it to be a happy place for you, tell me why in a comment!

Check back later this week to see my outgoing snail mail!

Happy Snail Mailing.

Pam

Pen Pal Kit

Simple Snail Mail Happy Mail Project!

Get down and Get Messy!

Here I am on the floor, making my usual mess.  When I find the desk can not contain my messes, I move to the floor.

These are little folder mailers,  I'm not really sure of a proper term.  But it is a relative of the flip book, just a bit simpler.  I usually have 1-2 pockets to hold some items for the recipient.

If the letter is not too long then I fold it up with some tea, then enclose it in a small lip and tuck cello bag.  This is a 3X4  (inch) cello bag.  

I love these cute , vintage sticker labels.  Aren't they adorable?  I find that I am using them quite a bit lately.  Ha.  You might see them on your letter from me!

Here is the completed project with a cute pink elephant charm and some pink and blue stamps.  All sealed up in a cello bag.   Happy travels!

Hoping this can be of some encouragement to those of you doing the April "Write_on!" challenge!

Happy Snail Mailing!

Pam

Nurse Mail

Put it on your calendar....

I have been busy around here.  Ask my husband.  Ask my kids.  I have been locking myself up in my room, and well....writing letters!  I have fallen behind on mail....and the crazy thing is, I don't know how it happened!   But I am almost caught up!  (relief!)  Moral to this story, don't get behind.  It makes one miserable to do so.

But did you know that National Nurse Week was May 6-12?  Of course I have a natural interest in this as I am a RN.  And I believe that Mrs. Murphy Of Mrs. Murphy's Mailbox Magic (one of the blogs I follow) is a nurse as well.  So I guess we can all give ourselves a pat on the back.    But this letter below went to a niece of mine.

This envelope (very flimsy one, not sturdy enough to receive the water colors) was inspired by some vintage stamps....don't you love the 4 cent stamp?  I love all of them.  Nurses today do not have a "capping" ceremony...I'm pretty sure  that my class was one of the last.  In fact...I think that only the OLD nurses still wore caps when I first received my cap.  But my fellow nursing students  and I couldn't WAIT to plop our caps on with a million pins and head to our clinical rotations.  Ha, ha.  I think mine got tangled up in an IV line on the first day.  Well, no matter what nurses ware today, they are special in my book.  Thank you for all you do!

Happy Snail Mailing,

Pam

The Nurse ;-)

*Available In The Shop!*

Pen Pals Letter Writing Kit

A Peek Inside A Snail Mailer's Studio

Meet Elaine!

Doesn't she just have the friendliest smile?  She is the "Queen" of  card making, and beautiful snail mail.  She also has a gorgeous craft studio which is meticulously organized.  Let's take a look and be inspired!

I love this wall with the white lights.  Ooooh.  I want an Ott light!

This is a nice wooden chest of drawers holding all sorts of crafting supplies.  

This drawer holds some of her rubber stamps.

This is my favorite organizational tool.  It is a tool box that she purchased at Lowes Home Improvement store.  Isn't it GREAT?  Think of all your tiny embellishments all tucked away in a neat, organized manner.

The plastic , versatile bins that are nearly reaching the ceiling.  Just kidding.  

I believe she told me that this cart was purchased at Cosco.  It holds her letter writing supplies.  With this  cart, she is able to get to her letter writing in a flash.

This is a wall holding cute inspirations, sentiments, and just a happy spot.

This is a card that she recently made for Swap-Bot.  Elaine, is very active with  quite a few of the swaps on this site.  She is the one to encourage me to join up and actually participate in the swaps.  If I ever have a question about a swap, she is the person I turn to!

More rolling carts full of all sorts of supplies...I didn't actually peek into each one, but it was all lovely .

Do you have your journal cards  organized?  

Well, that is the end of the tour of Elaine's studio.  I hope that inspires you to organize your supplies so that you can better use them.  It's a shame to have something and not be able to find it, so let's ...

Go forth and make beautiful mail!

Pam