It's the first of the month again, and with that comes another round of Papertrey's Senior Design Team Challenge. November is always associated with Thanksgiving and all of the
reflections we have upon the blessings in our lives. For this month's
challenge, I wanted the designers to find a way to use their stamping, their passion, their hobby, to
help bring blessings to others. They all found many worthwhile causes and have provided you with all of the information to do the same.
I urge you to visit each of their blogs today and establish which cause speaks to you heart. And make plans TODAY to follow through with your own contributions. If you are anything like me, you make so many cards that never get mailed. Take this opportunity to clean out your stash or even mass produce one of the designs you see today. Regardless, capture this moment of inspiration while it's hot, and reach out to those who could use some reassuring words. Or as my friend Valerie Pingree has said in the past,
"Share a hug with a fold in the middle."
The charity I decided to spotlight is probably an area that you may not have explored before, or known where to turn to help. And that is the elderly, especially those that are homebound. I found a wonderful organization that has established an ongoing program that keeps these sometimes forgotten citizens involved in the community. Each month, DOROT mails over 200 handmade birthday cards to isolated
and frail seniors in the greater New York metropolitan area. Their cards are created by people of all ages, from
4-90! You can make birthday cards at home and mail your final creations
tucked in a blank envelope directly to DOROT. DOROT then addresses cards and mails them to seniors.
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You can read all of the details about where to send your cards and technical suggestions for readability of your creations here
—–> DOROT Cardmaking Project
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I thought I would share what my latest packet of donations included. I made a batch of five of these cards. I was careful to choose a color scheme that would be appropriate for either a male or a female. I thought the sentiment from Quilter's Sampler was perfect as well:
"Birthdays are like quilts,
stitched together one year at a time."
Another detail I wanted to point out was that the quilt block images look fantastic in a set of three on the envelope flaps. Papertrey envelopes have a square flap which works well with framing the images out.
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The quilt blocks are from the new Quilter's Sampler Additions set. I just love all the new blocks and have really enjoyed playing with them! In case you didn't catch it on the website, did you notice the quilt block reference chart that we created for you as a companion to this set? I really like using it to make fun choices that might have names that go along with the theme of my project. And just in case this is the first time you've seen this set, all the quilt blocks contained in both sets coordinate perfectly with a 3/4" square punch, making it super easy to utilize the set.
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I hope that you decide to join all of us on the team in meeting this challenge. If you do, please feel free to link in the comments section and let us know what you decide to do! Pass it on!
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Stamps: Quilter's Sampler & Quilter's Sampler Additions
Ink: Dark Chocolate Palette, frayed burlap distress & white pigment
Paper: Classic Kraft, Ripe Avocado & Stamper's Select White
Other: Summer Sunrise twill tape, Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder, sewing machine (without thread), 3/4" square punch EK Success, foam dimensionals, Copic markers
Love the sentiments and tradition of quilts. Thank you for your quilt block reference sheets that I noticed last night. I have a dear friend who has been a long time quilter and love making cards for her. I love the idea of sharing cards with organizations who reach out and touch. The handmade card is a special touch to let someone know they are truly special.
Beautiful cards, Nichole. Wonderful challenge. Will check out all of them. You are so very thoughtful. Bless you for all you do.
What a great organization. The elderly are often overlooked, thanks for bringing this to our attention. Cute layout using the quilters set!
I have decided to join all of you in creating cards to mail. Actually, I have 2 projects – one is the Make a Child Smile organization which is mentioned on Michelle Wooderson’s blog. The other is to send cards to the assisted living home that my friend owns and operates. I have sent cards there in the past, and they have all enjoyed them. I’m making an announcement on my blog as well, so hopefully more people will join in!
Thank you for the reminder to think of others this holiday season!
Such a great feeling to donate to others. For the past couple of years I have donated cards to the nursing home and assisted living. This year we handed out over 174 cards. I do this along with the Halloween Holiday, the residents love to see the kids dressed in costume and handing them a treat. (This year however we are down to one car and DH worked so I had to drop them off early in the week and the team passed them out for us with Supper last night.)
So glad to see this pass it on challenge. My mother is 94, lives alone, and going to the mailbox to check her mail is the highlight of her day. Also is is mostly only junk mail which she dates and keeps.
Nichole, the challenge that you put forth this month touches my heart! in these times, it is such a blessing to be able to touch someone’s life that is struggling in any way…i am so happy to have an opportunity to do just that…our lives our enriched when we give in this way, thank you for providing that opportunity for so many…
chelle
Beautiful card. I love the lo and the little quilt blocks with the sentiment. TFS.
Well, crap! I did a card for my step-MIL and it was just so-so. Her birthday was yesterday. Then, I see this card and it would have been perfect! Of course I didn’t have the appropriate colors and such but I need to keep this for in the future and customize it to “her” colors. Yes, she does a bit of quilting. Nicole, I am just totally amazed at all your creativity as well as your design team. Mayeb this would be a fun thing to make for our silent auction for our annual quilt show. Sorry, to babble – I was just so impressed with this entry.
On a side note, I think it would be fun to make some cards to go with our meals on wheels trays here in our community. I am sure I will be able to think of many more ideas as well.
Nichole this is a fabulous challenge – I have just finished going through my “sample” box and found about 50 cards to donate. I LOVE this idea. Thank you for inspiring us!
Pam (one of your front row students in cruise class!)
What a wonderful idea! It is so hard to choose between the organizations! They all serve such an important cause. I definately will send some card to the Make a Child Smile. Thanks for your kindness and for sharing all the information! Katie
Thank you for this challenge. I had gathered a bunch of cards from past swaps, or cards I made long ago, with the idea of finding a good organization to send them to. And now you have done the work for me! Thanks so much.
Thank you for the challenge. I pledged money for the VFW Senior Food Basket Project and they sent a generic Happy Holidays postcard to return with the check. Instead I made a bunch of cards for them to put in the baskets. Hopefully the cards will make our veterans feel more appreciated. Thank you again for using your “celebrity” to bring attention to such a good cause.