Rubber Stamps

I find as we as a society we have become more and more dependent on computers, which of course I am, that the art of saying thank you in the form of a real paper card or note is fading away. I must admit I have used electronic cards as a quick way to say thank you. But I think sending a real paper card and especially one that is made by you for that person is one of the nicest little tokens of appreciation you can give someone these days. I know when I open my mailbox I’m rarely excited, but when I find something personal, like a card and especially one handmade, I smile and I keep that card in my office to remind me of that person.

Now that I am a mother I really want to teach my child to not only say “thank you” but also the art of sending a thank you card. My sons are 13 months and 2-1/2 so we are just starting to teach them about saying thank you. My oldest says “tanks” which is so sweet.

A fun project you can do with your kids, at any age, is hand stamp their own personalized thank you cards.

I recommend purchasing an unmounted alphabet stamp set. Unmounted stamps are much cheaper than wood stamps and take up much less space for storing. Use some basic white cardstock (I recommend ultrasmooth) as the base, use patterned background paper as a layer and the kids can stamp their name or initials on white cardstock and layer on top. So easy. Then let me use their favorite stamp images to stamp the inside. Purchase a personalized stamp with their name as well for the back of the card (always sign your work I say!). Do an assembly line approach and make 10 cards up ahead of time and then when it’s their birthday or special holiday, have them get their cards out and have them write a little note (or if they are very little, help them write their name or use the personalized stamp) of thanks to the person. Have them help put the postage stamp on the envelope and have them be a part of the process of mailing them at the post office or dropping them in the mailbox.

This is a great way to spend time with your children in a creative way plus teach them not to take gifts for grated and thanks those who love them dearly.

Ellie Jacobson is an independent demonstrator for The Angel Company, specializing in stamping and scrapbooking workshops for kids. Most importantly she is the mother of 2 very active boys, who love to play with her stamps just as much as she does.

ellie’s blog: http://www.elliesstampgarden.com ellie’s website: http://www.ellieismyangel.com

Scrapmaster’s Paradise Stamp Set of the Week: Something Sweet

Laos – Olympic Games – 7 Stamp & S/S Mint Set – 521-8 $4.80

Laos – Olympic Games – 7 Stamp & S/S Mint Set – 509-16 $3.80

Laos – Balloons – 6 Stamp & S/S Mint Set MNH – 459-65 $3.25

Used Great Britain #226-229 Stamp Set $2.00

1987 Disney Snow White & Seven Dwarfs 9 Stamp Set Mint $2.45

Ateco 11-Piece Graduated Round Cookie Cutter Set $13.99 Ateco Cutters 11 piece set Complete with a tin storage box. Set of 11 round, stainless-steel cutters.The cutters range in size from 3/4 inch high to 3-5/8 inches high, and they have rolled edges on top to protect fingers during the cutting process….

All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware Set $599.95 Set includes a 10-inch fry pan, 2-quart covered saucepan with lid, 3-quart covered sauté pan, 3-quart covered casserole pan, 6-quart covered stockpot….

Kaiser Bakeware Flower Cookie Cutter, Set of 6 $5.95 Kaiser set of 6 tin flowered shaped cookie cutters…

Southern Gospel Classics $3.90 …