A gift for you

Imagine you’d had to choose between sending an email, a text or a postcard – which would you choose? I would go with snail mail, a good old greeting card. It’s such a kind way to communicate! Instead of a quick text saying “Happy Birthday”, a postcard can be a birthday gift on its own. It’s personal, as you take the time to write a kind message. You literally stand still and think of that person, carefully choosing the words. Can you imagine anything lovelier to receive? Wouldn’t you prefer a handwritten love-letter over a text-message saying “Luv U. XOXO”? I know I would!

Coming Monday October 9th it is World Post Day. IMG_0659And as a designer of greeting cards, I cannot ignore this very special day!
So to promote the art of handwritten mail, to promote taking more time for kind words… I have a little gift for you:

If you go to my Etsy-shop on October 9th and order a minimum of 2 items you will get free shipping. Holy moly! All you have to do is fill in WORLDPOSTDAY when you place your order, and hey-ho presto, no shipping costs for you.

So hurry to make a list of people who you want to send a lovely card and I’ll see you at my shop on Monday the 9th.

Let’s go old-fashioned, let’s write each other postcards again.

This ain’t tree-hugging

While I sat down to write you a new post, I realised yesterday marked 6 months of Tessie’s Projects. Hurrah! And before I’ll continue putting down today’s figments, I want to say a very big THANK YOU. To all of you, where ever you are, taking the time to sit down and read the weird stuff escaping my brain. I honestly appreciate it.

One of the reasons for me to write this blog is so I can share happy moments and contentment. I like to tell about such experiences, hoping they put smiles on other faces too. And by writing about it – I’ve noticed – I learn to appreciate it even more.
Every day I hope for tiny moments and gestures that brighten up my day. Well, it’s not really hoping – the more I’m open for it, the more they seem to happen. These moments, I’ve come to realise, give me an extra boost when caused by connecting to total strangers. No matter how short the moment or how small the gesture.

I wondered about it for a while, about the why, but I think I know now.

In this massive and individual world we live in, there’s hardly any room left for acts of kindness and simple but true contact with our fellow humans. Apart from friends and family. But greeting someone in the streets, making eye-contact, a smile when passing by. They are the tiniest things, yes. But they make my day, always. The other day, strolling around the park, me and an old man almost bumped into each other. You know the awkward moment, when you both move in the same direction and then again… Often, myself included, this causes frowns and some sighing. This time our eyes met and we both laughed out loud. I took a big step to the right, to let him pass. We greeted each other. And that was it. A small thing, yet a moment to put in the 2015 Jar. Something we tend to take for granted. A situation we often allow to cause irritation. But there’s no need for irritation, is there? These moments may take 3 seconds off our time. Grab it with both hands and you’ll gain a big smile from it. Live these 3 seconds to the fullest and you’ll actually see this other person: how rare is that, huh? A person who, just like you, lives on this planet, breathes – or at least, you hope they do –, has a heart just like you and the ability to smile. Just like you.

Try it and soon you’ll realise it’s pure bliss. These little moments of contact, sharing a smile – for free! No judgement, because that ain’t necessary. Just two fellow humans. Passing by. Being aware and sharing a little piece of their heart. That’s all. And it’s no tree-hugging stuff.

After the nearly-bumped-into moment, I made a heart out of paper. And turned it into confetti. Confetti is always a good idea. My opinion. A confetti heart is a heart filled with feast and joy. A confetti heart is one big heart divided into many pieces you can share with others.

Scatter your confetti heart

Our hearts are our own, but sharing pieces of it with others will only make it stronger.
Make your heart a confettied one and scatter freely – it’s good and you know it!

 

[ the confetti heart I made, now has a double meaning. it is a huge thanks, right from my heart, to all of you ]

The last free shipping day

The day has come! The day (today, December 5th 2014 indeed) that will be your last chance to get your Christmas card order shipped for free. If you live in The Netherlands, USA, Brazil, the UK or Australia! So if you still want to get that little December-gift and are looking to send unique Christmas cards, have a look at my Corner Shop on Etsy

The other offer still stands – this whole month you can order my Christmas cards and have them written plus posted to your friend, mum, colleague, neighbour, brother, anyone, by me! No waiting for the order to arrive, no worrying about your handwriting… All in service, just for you.