What GREAT ideas!!

I have taken to reading this blog, Simplicity, as part of my required daily computer readings. She does beautiful cards! I also find her very inspirational. When I saw this first post, I definitely agreed with her ideas on gratitude. I do believe we, both as individuals and as a society, tend to focus on the negative and forget how much a simple "thank you" or other showing of gratitude can mean to someone. I have yet to make a gratitude card yet, but there are plans in the works for one this weekend!! Here is more information about her challenge:

"Thanksgiving here in the United States gets lost between Halloween and Christmas. It's become just another day to over-eat and watch football. Sadly, its original purpose--to celebrate and give thanks for the blessings of a plentiful harvest--has been lost. The Gratitude Challenge asks you to make cards and send them to people for whom you are grateful, to those who have contributed to the plentiful harvest of your own life.

Thanksgiving is a good time for Americans and Canadians to do this, but really, shouldn't we ALL express our gratitude for those people in our lives who have made a difference through their love, friendship, kindness, and generosity? You don't have to be in a particular country or faith to do this. Show those whom you love how grateful you are to have them in your life by sending cards. It's easy, and we're making them anyway, right? "

Seriously, what a great idea, right? As soon as I get my first gratitude card made, I will be sure to post it.

Then this morning, I find she has this new post:

She heard about it from another blogger and, in essence, this is a challenge to send at least one card a week for a year beginning October 9th (this Sunday). It's sponsored by Etsy Greetings Team. Here's the FB Info blurb from their page:

"52 Weeks of Mail, brought to you by Etsy Greetings Team, is designed to encourage people to be more intentional about relationships and keeping in touch with friends and family by sending out a card or letter each week, for the next year. I don't know about you, but I LOVE getting a personal, hand-written card or letter in the mail.

"Throughout 52 Weeks of Mail, we are asking everyone to commit ...to sending just ONE card or letter each week. You can send more than one, of course! 52 Weeks of Mail BEGINS on October 9th, 2011, and ends on October 7th, 2012. Please feel free to blog about this event, or share it on your Facebook page. Share it on Twitter, or any other social networking site too!"

Again, what a wonderful idea! For those of you that don't know, I still have a grandparent living. He turned 96 this past September and has recently had some health issues. I am committed to sending him a card a week without a doubt. Then, I remembered an elderly lady who lives across the road from my Mom and Dad. I am going to add her to my weekly mailings. My mind kept on going and I am also contemplating "adopting" a nursing home or a similiar type facility and sending them mail each week. I am going to ponder my third idea a little more, but my main goal is to make a complete stranger happy.

Doesn't this sound wonderful? If you would like to purchase handmade cards or to encourage non-cardmaking friends to do so, here is the link to Etsy. I don't have many cards in my shop, but this will spur me to add some more. I also have a very talented friend who has her own handmade cards for sale on Etsy and you can find her here: Debbie's store.

But I also assume several of you will also make your own cards too. I would also challenge you to use this to inspire you to use those stamps that have never seen ink. You know WE ALL have them!!!