The 1st of the month is challenge time for Papertrey Ink Senior DT... and this month Nichole has really put her heart into the challenge to us... Using our stamping hobby to benefit others! There are many opportunities online to join groups and get involved and it's a fantastic way to help raise spirits and share your love with someone. You don't need an organization to do it though... there are many opportunities in your back yard or in your daily lives. Here are a few things to get your creative heart thinking...
Random Acts of Christmas- When my sweet MIL was getting ready for Surgery to remove some cancer from her brain my husband flew out to St. Louis to to be with her. We followed a few days later. It was Christmastime and I was needing Christmas Cheer. I decided the best way to get it was to GIVE it... so I made up these little treat bags with Almond Roca in them and a little stamped topper, about 20 of them. I stashed the treats in my purse. The day we left to fly out, I randomly handed them to people that I met on the way... the shuttle driver, the ticket agent, people standing in line and fight attendants. Some gave me an "are you a crazy woman" look and some gave me a smile and thank you, filling me with that desperately needed Christmas spirit (I'm tearing up remembering this, it was so special to me). When we arrived in St. Louis, after a very long flight, my spirits were raised and I felt the joy of the season as I greeted my ailing family.
Lydia Place- a few years back I got inspired to invite some friends over to stamp cards for a cause. Bellingham has a place, a transition home, for women and children that are trying t get on their feet after a violent relationship. These women don't have much but they have courage and hope. We made a basket of cards of all occasions and dropped it off for them to use to send out to those they wanted to keep in touch with and to give to each other with words of love and encouragement! They were truly touched and it was nice to feel a past of something that raised their spirits. Check and see if there is such a place in your community to create heart art for!
Cards for new moms... see post for more info.
Adopt a Grandparent- This is the most current one that we are getting ready to participate in because we live in a town that is a retirement community! Where to find a local Grandparent to adopt? I've spent a few hours researching this and it seems as if almost every community has some type of opportunity...through Churches, retirement homes, assisted living centers and there are even some formal community organizations. I spoke with a local care facility and they don't have one but are excited for the possibility! I also spoke them about possibly coming in with cards and actually doing the writing for those who cannot do for themselves.. apparently there is a huge need for that!
Here is a card I made for the them... I wanted bulk so that I could help a lot at one time so I stamped out several images and punched them out quick as could be!
I used 3 different flower sets from Papertrey (in order from top to bottom) Beautiful Blooms, Remember and Garden of Life. The flower I chose all were similar in diameter. I also used the new Polka Dot Parade paper...love this! I trimmed the sheets into 4x4 layers... which is a snap since it's 8x8. I thought that Ripe Avocado, Aqua Mist and Ocean Tides was a warm and friendly combination.
I created 3 different occasion cards... Friendship, Thank You and Birthday. I also decorated the envelopes for a finishing touch. Now... I just need to deliver them!
Make sure to check out the other Papertrey Ink Senior DT members to see what their creative hearts are sharing!
What sweet cards! What great inspiration! Last year I made a bunch of flower arrangements (artificial) with all the added goodies, like presents wrapped, little santas and mrs. santas, elves, stars, stockings etc. that went with each arrangement and took them down to the hospice home visitors nurse office. I asked that they all take one of the 18 I made out to anyone who wasn't with family for Christmas. It was the greatest Feeling to do that! This year I think cards are are Great blessing for the assisted living facility in our small town. Thanks again for the inspiration of giving!
Posted by: Cynde | November 01, 2008 at 03:45 PM
These are so beautiful Lisa...truly sweet, thoughtful and perfect!
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | November 02, 2008 at 01:21 AM
awesome cards!
Posted by: Argyle Cats | November 03, 2008 at 07:14 PM
You make everything look so easy - I have some of the punches and have tried to duplicate some of the cards - they never seem to look as good as the ones you post - I guess practice makes perfect - will continue to make cards as it is fun and I feel like I have accomplished something in the end. Thank you for the ideas and sometimes I even get a little creative.
Lynette
Posted by: Lynette C. Hunter | November 15, 2008 at 10:48 AM