The Art of Letter Writing - Have at it!

 

When was the last time you wrote a letter?

no, not emailed a letter or face booked somebody... but genuinely sat down with a paper and pen.  Hopefully your answer isn't that  it was ages ago! if it has though, take heart for it's never too late!

Handwriting is such an important thing. Important to pass down to our children, important to keep for ourselves in our everyday life. You can learn so much about a person just by looking at their handwriting... if they are tender, soft, kind... if they are sloppy, lazy, angry. Letter writing to me has always been a vital part of who I am. I started very young writing letters. In fact one year I wrote my grandmother a letter every day for weeks. She still has all of my childhood letters, complete with visuals  cause you know I couldn't just write... I had to also draw.

 

 

(a segment of my grandmothers handwritten recipe to me for her "famous" pumpkin and lemon meringue pie, she is an amazing baker and cook)

I have recently made a new friend over seas, and it has been so much fun getting to know her! You can visit her blog called Theowlclub here. Just a week or so ago I received a wonderful package from her in the mail full of lovely things just for me! My favorite part? her handwritten letter! she also left little notes with just about everything. It was so admirable and adorable. I felt like I knew her on a whole 'nother level just by seeing her neat and beautiful penmanship.

A letter is a glimpse into someones life. Right then and there.  The second, minute, or hour they wrote it.  As soon as they seal the envelope that moment is over, shut tight between paper and ink. I myself feel very special receiving a letter.  In those moments I know that their thoughts were about me... Just the same as when I write a letter to someone else. I only think about the person I am jotting to. In those captured moments, I am focused on my friend or my family member. It feels intimate and genuine.

 

You will always be able to write a nice letter if you keep a box of note cards around. You can pick up a whole box at ACmoore or Michaels or any other craft store for that matter for $9.99... or half that if you have a coupon. Wanna make it really fun? go on Etsy and purchase some handmade note cards! or even even even better yet!? MAKE it YOURself!

All one needs is...

 

Blank Note Cards...

 

Markers, pens, crayons... whatever you have or want!

 

Stamps or stickers! one can never go wrong with stamps or stickers. NO they are not just for little kids!! I say that... but doesn't writing a hand written note feel sort of like being a kid again? It makes me feel that way! I find myself WANTING to use stickers... WANTING to doodle in the margins... and not just because I'm an artist.

 

Now, my friend Suki from Theowlclub and I are going to on the first of each month write a letter to each other. We will catch our moments, our days, or free time like butterflies in a net... seal them up tight in a paper sack and send it across the ocean... little alphabet travelers.

I will be sure to share these with you :)

Although can't read them! they are my friendly private notes :)

So, if you don't have blank note cards, stickers, stamps, or what have you... no problem! just get some paper and write something! with your hand for God sakes! not with the tippity tap of your fingers on a keyboard. One does love the immediateness of email... but isn't it fun to wait in anticipation to see what arrives or better yet, be surprised? isn't it wonderful to receive a note amongst the junk mail, bills, and grocery ads? go ahead, surprise someone... and enjoy yourself while you do it!

p.s. stamps are still cheaper than coffee ;)

 

Comments

[Suki]

You write beautifully about letter writing Ash! I love the images of alphabet butterflies travelling across the ocean.

I also like seeing those little baby owls among your letter-things :)

AND I love your grandmother's recipe, that is such a precious thing to have! It wouldn't be the same if it were typed up and printed out. Her hand is there in her writing.

So much looking forward to our exchanges :D xo

[Andre]

Yeah, it's been years since I wrote anyone. Thing is they never write back.

[jacquie]

Suki is right- something about a hand written recipe is like a snapshot in time. A time when a well done meal or prized dessert recipe was given over on paper like a trade secret. Pure magic!

Emily has learned the calue of a good letter this year with her boyfriend in Marine bootcamp. Sometimes the most sincere emotions can be captured in just a few lines and the greatest joy can be found in the mailbox.