National Letter Writing Month Archives - Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: Our Last Stationery Hurrah!

April 30th, 2013 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

The final post in our National Letter Writing Month Challenge from the Dollar Store Diva. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

Also – don’t miss my Mom’s beautiful story about the old letter she found midst her Mother’s belongings. It’s one of my favorite stories!

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Well, here it is–the last day of April and the end of our letter-writing challenge. It has been a pleasure to walk this snail-mail journey with you. As for me, I have had the pleasure of writing letters and notes to family across the country; longtime friends; a dear, dear friend in a nursing home; and others I thought just needed a warm hello.

So, for our last hurrah, I thought I would share another favorite way to use scrapbooking card stock to make the easiest-ever stationery. (Even easier than my Easy as Can Be stationery!)

Folded 12x12 cards

1) Choose scrapbooking card stock that has a different design on both sides; be sure that one side is light enough so it can be written on.

2) My card stock is 12×12″ so I used my trimmer to cut three 4″ wide strips

3) If there is a design on one side that needs to be in a specific direction, be sure to trim the strips in the right direction.

4) After you cut the paper into three strips, fold them over lengthwise 4 1/2″ from the left to the right, leaving 3″ of the reverse side of the paper exposed for the address and the stamp. The card will be about 7 1/2″ long.

The flap will need to be sealed with whatever adhesive you have available. I like to use removable glue dots adhesive.

Now, wouldn’t you love to get a handwritten note like this in the mail?

To wrap up our month-long challenge, I’d like to share a story about a letter I found as I was sorting through my mother’s belongings.

Just an Old Letter

I’m so thankful that over 100 years ago my grandmother put a pen to paper and added a stamp.

***

And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy. At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry. If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered.

This giveaway ends at midnight tonight April 30, 2013. We’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts when the giveaway has ended. So that means the more you get involved with National Letter Writing Month, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

Simply leave a comment below sharing about how many letters or post cards you were able to send during the month of April. (Click here if you’re reading this in an email.)

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away. But as always, the rest is all me!

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: Time- and Money-Saving Postcard Printables

April 25th, 2013 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

National Letter Writing Month Collage

Another National Letter Writing Month Challenge from our one and only Dollar Store Diva. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

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Hey! How’s it going with your letter-writing April? It’s hard to believe that the end of the month is only a few days away. I have been checking some names off my list, but I still have several friends and family members I hope to write before the calendar turns to May.

To help me, I created postcards for sending some love in the mail.

The beauty of postcards is that you can write a quick, warm note; but, in addition, the picture on the front can add an extra level of greeting.

For example:

Source

I LOVE this Map Postcard I created for my family. I live in New York, but I have children, grandchildren, and sisters in Pennsylvania, Texas, Kansas, and Virginia. For me, the front of this card says so much. Obviously I wrote more words on the back, but the map and text express the message of my heart

And then there’s this one:

Source

There were people that I just wanted to send a smile to. As I wrote these Thinking of You cards, it was fun to visualize them opening their mailbox.

post cards

It’s easy to turn the printables into postcards.

1) Print the pdf file onto cardstock or heavy paper. 2) Trim the individual cards 3) Turn each card over 4) Draw an off-center line on the back.

The message will be written on the left side, and the stamp and address will be on the right side.

And don’t you think those little apple postcard stamps are as cute as anything?!

By the way – don’t have colored ink? You could check with your local library to see how much they charge for colored copies. Or print them in black and white – your recipient won’t mind!

*****

Okay one more thing – I have a confession to make: I don’t know what I’m doing.

Honest.

Check out this picture:

Just look at those hands. The first time those hands touched a keyboard it was a black manual typewriter, and my fingers got all inky each time I had to change the ribbon.

Here comes the part where I explain why I don’t know what I’m doing. If you look carefully at the picture, you will notice that is a MacBook Pro. Yup, I am now the proud owner of a Mac!

I was warned that there would be a learning curve.

A learning curve indeed.

So, after more hours than I want anyone to know, I finally created the postcard printables I have included in this post . The thing is–so sorry–I couldn’t get them to center properly. So, I hope that you won’t think dark thoughts about me when you have to trim the postcards a bit, will you?

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And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy. At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry. If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of the month, we’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts. So that means the more you get involved with National Letter Writing Month, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

Write someone a post card – using one of these printables or whatever your heart desires!
Then leave a comment below (click here if you’re reading this in an email) letting us know that you did. (That’s it!)

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away. But as always, the rest is all me!

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: A Little Twist to Stationery Printables

April 16th, 2013 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Can you believe April is now halfway over? The National Letter Writing Month Challenge is still going strong though – here’s another post from our one and only Dollar Store Diva. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

***

In my previous post, I gave an idea for creating beautiful writing paper personalized with printed transparent labels.

Well, here’s a little twist to that idea: Instead of personalizing the inside of the note card, use printed transparent labels to seal the envelope.

Cute, huh?!

A friendly Hello! to seal the folded card

I have created some Envelope Labels that can be printed on transparent address labels

Quick and Easy Steps:

1.) Print the envelope labels and let dry. 2.) Using the tutorial in my previous post, create your stationery 3) Write your letter inside 4.) Fold the paper in thirds (as shown in the video tutorial) 5.) Choose a happy greeting from the printed labels 6.) Seal your envelope

And there you have it!

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Profound letter-writing advice in three words:

Best Writing Advice Ever Received

Lest you think that I’m encouraging you to make a long list of names and scribble off as many notes as you can to win some sort of a letter-writing prize, be assured that this is neither my personal goal nor my hopes for you.

My son-in-law Wes sent me the link to an article by Donald Miller called The Best Writing Advice I’ve Ever Received. Donald Miller is an author, and he was actually talking about writing for publication, but what he said is totally applicable to writing letters. When he summed up the best writing advice he had ever received, it included only three words: Love your reader.

Love your reader.

That’s what letter-writing is all about.

Garrison Keillor writes (as only he can): “Such a sweet gift–a piece of handmade writing, in an envelope that is not a bill, sitting in our friend’s path when she trudges home from a long day spent among wahoos and savages, a day our words will help repair. They don’t need to be immortal, just sincere.”

Love your reader. With just pen, paper, & a stamp.

*******

And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy. At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry. If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

Here is today’s task:

Begin writing your first letter. (If you’ve already done so this month, that counts too!)
Then leave a comment below (click here if you’re reading this in an email) letting us know that you did. (That’s it!)

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away. But as always, the rest is all me!

The Dollar Store Diva National Letter Writing Month: Free Stationery Printables

April 10th, 2013 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Another National Letter Writing Month Challenge from our one and only Dollar Store Diva. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $50 Michaels gift card!

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So, how about some easy-as-can-be handmade stationery?

If you’re like me, you have p-l-e-n-t-y of scrapbooking paper in stock. Since I was a Creative Memories consultant for many years, you can be sure that I have a lovely supply available. I also keep an eagle eye open for paper sales in craft stores and dollar stores.

Isn’t this double-sided Creative Memories paper bee-eau-ti-ful? (That’s my friend Sally’s link if you’d like to order some from her!)

Last year I had a National Letter Writing Month blog Just Pen, Paper & a Stamp. I created a video clip for that blog showing a quick and easy way to use scrapbooking paper to create beautiful note cards that–yay–don’t need an envelope. And since the paper is double-sided, when the card is opened, there is a surprise inside: a happy new design!

As Easy as Can Be!

Here is a simple tutorial:

Cut the paper in half.

Fold it in “thirds” (notice the picture) and round the four corners with a corner rounder. And there you have it.

But, wait! That’s not all!

You can make all-occasion stationery!

I bought some clear address labels and created a variety of greetings.

You can add a personal touch to your stationery by using these Stationery Labels I created for you.

(A word of caution: it’s takes quite a while for the ink to dry after the labels have run through the printer.)

If you keep a supply of these note cards on hand, when it’s time to write a birthday note, you can just slap on one of the Happy Birthday labels.

Or if your aunt has been sick, use one of the Get Well Soon labels and send her some love via the USPS.

Oh, the possibilities are endless.

Just waiting for an address.

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Sooo–if you haven’t done it yet–now is the time to make a list

In another Just Pen, Paper & a Stamp post, I gave suggestions for people my readers might want to write. Here are some of the ideas I shared:

Think outside the box; perhaps these will spark some ideas for you.

–Senior citizens who are sitting alone looking out their windows

–Those who are grieving a loss

–Someone who has faithfully provided a service for you

–your beautician

–a waitress at your favorite restaurant

–the woman who never loses your clothes at the dry cleaners

–a teacher who made learning calculus fun

–a pastor or Sunday School teacher who impacted your life

–a neighbor who used to make chocolate chip cookies for you when you were a child

–an aunt who faithfully sent you a birthday card when you were little with a crisp dollar bill enclosed

–a librarian who knew you loved Harry Potter and had the latest edition waiting for you

–the hospice worker who was so kind to your mother during her last days

–a childhood friend you haven’t had contact with since you watched The Brady Bunch together.

–someone who babysat you when you were young and didn’t berate you for crying when your mother left

–your grandchildren who bless you every time you’re with them

–your mail carrier who drops lovely letters in your mail box in rain, sleet, or gloom of night (OK, your bills too, but that’s not the mail carrier’s fault).

It’s time now to choose a name from your list, use a pen on this stationery, and add a stamp.

Yay! for National Letter Writing Month.

~~~~~~~~~~~

And now …who wants to win a $50 Michaels gift card??!

To encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy. At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry. If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

Here is today’s task:

Start making a list of those you’d like to send a card to this month.

Then leave a comment below (click here if you’re reading this in an email) letting us know that you did. (That’s it!)

HINT: Want extra entries? Click here to check out all the other ways to enter the giveaway this month.

**Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.**

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away. But as always, the rest is all me!

The Dollar Store Diva: Stationery Organization Fun and Free Printables

April 5th, 2013 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

***

“A place for everything, and for everything a place.”

It is important to have our tools gathered and in one place–
lovely stationery, favorite pens, the addresses of those we plan to write,
and postage stamps ready for the addressed envelope.

So here’s my second organizational idea–a handy, dandy carry-all.

I used the same paper flower and wrapping paper “ribbon” tied to the handle as explained in my previous post.

In addition, I cut lengths of the wrapping paper, folded them into thirds lengthwise, and wove them through the basket.

What a huge difference this little $1.00 purchase is going to make for me!

And then there’s the checklist.

For me, making a list of friends and family I want to write is an important next step, so I created this checklist.

And then, as soon as the stamp is on the envelope, I get to put a check on my handy list!

Inspiration

I am always inspired by this quote from Margaret Shepherd:

Image credit

Just print my Letter Writing Check List and Quote and follow the easy directions for both the quote and the checklist.

Cute-as-a-button binder clips

I realized that I needed some way to keep the list and the quote visible on my desk, so I used the binder clips from my Dollar Tree purchases. I have tried this idea before with smaller clips, but the weight of the paper caused them to fall over. This larger size (6/$1) did the trick perfectly. I measured the width of the clip–2″–and the length I would need to wrap around it–just under 2 1/4″–and cut a strip of wrapping paper that size. I stuck some tape runner on the three surfaces of the binder, and wrapped the paper around it. It couldn’t have been easier. And so cute!

So there you have it!

I’ll be back soon with some tips on people you could add to your list and some super easy stationery you can make.

The Dollar Store Diva: National Letter Writing Month Prep, Printable + a Giveaway!

April 3rd, 2013 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

In case you haven’t heard, the Dollar Store Diva is helping us celebrate National Letter Writing Month by actually writing letters! Plus don’t miss the big GIVEAWAY announcement at the bottom of this post!

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Step #1–Decide to join in on the fun of the Cha-Ching on a Shoestring National Card and Letter Writing Month Challenge

Step #2–Get organized

Ready, set, go?

Hopefully your local Dollar Store will have some similar buckets and caddies like mine did. I’ve also seen these in the Dollar Spot at Target. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find some cute stuff on clearance after Easter too!

You will not need both the caddy and the buckets, so here are the links and steps if you choose to organize with the buckets:

This Dollar Store Diva post introduced my favorite just-about-for-anything paper flower decoration:

[Paper flower Tutorial]

It’s as simple as can be and so darn cute. For this project, I cut them from the wrapping paper and adhered one to each bucket with double-sided tape. I matted the labels with more wrapping paper and stuck them to the buckets with magnets. (Yes! Magnets do work on our cute little buckets.) I also cut a strip of wrapping paper, folded it lengthwise, and tied it to the wire handle.

[Pens, Cards, and Stamps printable]

The font I used for the labels is called Pea Tolman and I downloaded for free here. In fact, I encourage you to visit this site; the free downloadable fonts are endless and ever so much fun!

I’ll be back tomorrow with tutorials and printables for the carry-all, decorated binder clips, check list, and quote.

***

And now for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

{Drumroll please…}

As an added incentive to encourage you to join us for National Letter Writing Month, we will be giving one lucky Cha-Ching on a Shoestring reader a $50 Michaels gift card at the end of the month!

Entering to win is easy. At the end of each Dollar Store Diva post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry. If you choose to complete that task, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post (click here to do so if you are reading in an email) and you will be entered.

Here is today’s task:

Click here to pin this post to Pinterest.

Then leave a comment below letting us know that you did. (That’s it!)

*If you don’t have a Pinterest account, don’t worry. There will be many more opportunities to enter!

Want to stay connected during the National Letter Writing Month Challenge? Be sure to sign up for FREE updates from my email newsletter or on Facebook.

Disclaimer: Michaels provided the $50 gift card to give away. But as always, the rest is all me!