Fountain pens are wonderful writing instruments for those who enjoy the heartfelt touch of sending handwritten letters and cards. They are utensils of calm reflection for those who relish curling up with a cup of tea and a journal. If you’ve ever desired to write with a fountain pen, here are some beginner tips you may appreciate knowing first.

Dip dying paper is one of my favorite ways of making do-it-yourself stationery. It is both simple to do and takes only a few supplies. It is also easy to create a professional-looking design using this technique.

Perhaps the new normal even changes frequently. Life is different. It’s terrifying; it's anxiety-provoking. But it’s also beautiful. Precious moments and memories await you. It will be wonderful, it will be hard, but it will also be rewarding.

It is a sad truth that many people today feel lonely, and a global pandemic has not helped. How do we reach out to those we know who are lonely? Obviously, you could write them a letter (you were expecting that on this blog, weren’t you?!), but here are some additional practical and creative ways to let them know you are thinking of them, that they are important, and that they are loved.

While 40 is considered the midpoint of your life, we all know that you don’t make it that far without a little help. I wanted to celebrate forty in style, but I also wanted to acknowledge forty people that made a positive impact in my life. I wanted to use my birthday as an opportunity to thank them for helping me become the person I am.

I’ve been writing this letter to my birth mom in bits and pieces throughout the years—words trailing when inspiration flows like a staggering stream. I’ll admit, the words feel like mismatched puzzle pieces without a reference picture. How do I convey the assurance I ache to give a woman I’ll probably never meet?

Making homemade stationery is certainly a journey, but it’s a journey worth taking. Not only is being creative fun, self-expression is important for the soul and reusing materials you have on hand is good for your wallet and the environment (if you’re into that).

Just remember, don’t be afraid to experiment and don’t get down on yourself if you’re dissatisfied with some of the stationery you make. You can always try again. Have fun, be kind to yourself, and celebrate the creative process!

For the first week I did not receive a single letter, so I was getting a little worried. What if no one wrote? But then, this week, everything changed. 1 letter on Monday, another on Tuesday, 6 on Wednesday, 11 on Thursday and 22 on Friday!

In this blog post, I'll give you eight suggestions for making memorable envelopes that are fun to put together and even more fun to receive!