Hey there, crafty friends! The TE crew has been very busy packing up happy mail filled with new products from our November Release and I am so delighted by the idea that in a few short days so many of you will be creating and sharing joy with handmade cards and gifts. From time to time, I’d like to share with you stories about creative crafters from here and around the world who use the art of card-making to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Today, TE Team Member Charlie Ludwig joins us with some thoughts about why cards matter. Recently, Charlie unexpectedly lost her father. Amid her grief, she found comfort in a surprising place: her closet. Here’s Charlie in her own words about what she discovered…

Charlie and her dad, Arnie

Just a few weeks ago, I lost my father. It was very sudden, and at only 27 years old, it is a devastating experience for me (though I think it would be at any age). I found myself thinking, How can I keep him with me even though he’s gone? I realized that I had so many memories, but not many tangible, sentimental things to truly remember him by. 

As I sat at my kitchen table reading through the many thoughtful sympathy cards my family received, I suddenly remembered that I had saved a bag full of nice cards from people throughout the past 10 years. I rummaged through my closet and found the box where they were kept. 

 

As I thumbed through different birthday, graduation, and holiday cards (what a trip through memory lane), sure enough, in that large stack of cards I found three from my dad. I was sad that out of all the cards, I had only kept three, but three is a lot more than some people have. I’m not the sappy type, but it made me emotional. I was overcome with emotion even though it was just his signature on generic Valentine’s Day and birthday cards from the dollar store. But it was his.

 

 

I took a photo of the writing inside one of the cards and had it engraved in jewelry that I could keep forever. (Etsy is a wonderful thing.) 

This experience got me thinking: in this day and age, we have become so heavily reliant on technology (I am guilty of this myself sometimes). It is just so convenient and doesn’t take much time. This is great in some instances, but sometimes we forget the importance of real human interaction. While texting and Facebook posts are great, there’s just something that can’t compare to a card. 

www.laurelcscott.com

A card is tangible. A card can be saved, while texts and posts will get buried, archived, and sometimes deleted, never to be seen again. A card also says that this person cared enough to spend actual time to make it (or pick it out), write in it, address it and send it. While we may take for granted cards we get, it is important to think ahead and ask yourself an important question: Will this card mean something to me in the future? And the answer to that is very likely: YES.

Thank you to all the wonderful people who still send cards and letters. It really is the little things that mean the most. From this experience, I will be doing more of this from now on.

And thank you, Charlie, for sharing your story and for showing us that creating and sending cards can be something more than just a hobby or a fun activity, but can also bring real joy and meaning to someone’s life.

Now I’d like to invite you, our fans and friends, to share your creative stories. How are you crafting homemade joy to make a difference right where you are or elsewhere in the world? Do you know of a favorite paper-crafting store that inspires you and others to create? Fellow crafters who use paper-crafts for a worthy cause? Leave your story in a comment below or email us at stories@tayloredexpressions.com. On Facebook or Instagram? Use #TEShareYourStory so we can find you! Or, visit us on the TE Facebook Page or Fans of Taylored Expressions Facebook Group and tell us your creative story. We can’t wait to hear from you. Have a joyful weekend!