I began working on this idea last year, but it wasn't until this morning that I had more clarity of mind to complete what I'd begun and prepare the file to share with you today.
Over the last week or so I've been catching up around the house, re-organising my office area and tidying the sewing room. This included completing some gifts to post away (well, almost completing as I need a particular item before I can sew the final stitch), drawing up a few new design ideas, mending, cleaning out the kitchen drawers, scrubbing my sink until it shone like silver, baking and cooking healthy meals, tending the parched garden, and swimming in the pool when the worst of the heat has passed. I enjoyed every single homemaker task, as well as the sewing. If I was to complain about anything it would be the temperature of the water in our pool - super, super warm...and I am a girl who loves cold water, in fact my favourite time to swim is mid-winter.
Anyhow, this morning after a long and interesting phone chat with Blossom about homeschooling, I decided to get back to the computer and add the final touches to a set of lavender themed notepaper, notecards and scripture cards.
Greeting cards, notepaper and scripture cards can all be a bit pricey, especially if you intend sending regularly to family and friends or you're living on a strict budget for whatever reason.
As part of my 2022 Year of Contentment I want to reconnect with old friends, and a few new ones, via the post with a simple encouraging card, note or scripture. I'm not a social person, don't enjoy being in a group, not much for talking on the phone (unless it's to my daughters, or Rosie and Fee) and rarely go out. Being an introvert I never feel that I'm missing anything because I don't socialise (I feel relief to be honest) but I do enjoy sending or receiving a heartfelt 'just keeping in touch' card in the mail.
The free set of cards I have for you to download can be printed on paper or cardstock - the notepaper is best on regular printer paper, but the notecards and the scripture cards are best printed onto 250gsm printer paper which is about three times thicker than regular paper.
What I love about them is not only that I can use them for my personal correspondence, but I packed sets of 4 in cellophane bags and a ribbon to add to my gift box! They make a beautiful gift idea which posts relatively flat and inexpensively.
I did the same with the scripture cards, choosing a verse which I know is close to many a believer's heart - Jeremiah 29:11
So how does this tie in to a Year of Contentment, you ask?
I often feel anxious because I 'need' to keep in touch but find it daunting to write long letters due the troubles I now have with my hands; in fact I wrote about this late last year on the blog and many of you mentioned having the same problem.
Typing is much easier these days as it's not the same as gripping a pen, so typed letters will also be 'written' and posted this year, but not everyone needs that - especially those who read my blog and know what I've been up to. However, I still feel the need to reach out personally and let these dear people know I care about them. An unexpected card in the mail (which I occasionally receive and cherish - thank you to those special ladies who send letters and cards to me!) is always welcome, and I do find that God plans when they should arrive because it's always on a day when my spirit needs a lift.
I will feel very contented popping letters, cards, and scriptures in the mail, sending them off with a prayer to the intended recipients.
I found it quite economical to make these using just the two types of paper and my home printer. The little cellophane envelopes were purchased about eight years ago in a pack of five thousand so I will never run out of them; the ink was bought on sale and I stocked up at that time; the 250gsm paper for cards was bought in a pack of 250 sheets from the office supply store and worked out to 8c per sheet.
I use regular envelopes for posting, though I did buy coloured ones on a reduced rack for less than $1 for a pack of ten. Of course I bought six packs.
Use the link below to download the file for the cards and notepaper. Set your printer to 'actual size' or 'do not scale' before printing the pages.
Contentment comes about in many ways, and this week much of my contentment has been from doing a few neglected tasks around home, preparing some surprise gifts for a few lovely ladies, and making a start on cards for posting.
I'm also about to begin an online watercolour class and shall be pencilling this into my planner as a regular date twice a week...just for me, for personal pleasure and a dose of extra creativity under the tutelage of someone else.
Another thing which brings contentment is completing tasks which are not my favourite, like pattern writing. I enjoy designing and stitching and photographing the completed pieces...but then having to sit down and carefully write step by step instructions? Mmm, not top of my 'want to do' list.
But once a day is set aside and the task is done - wow, how happy I am, and the feeling of satisfaction and contentment fills my soul.
Here's the next set of Faith, Heart and Home patterns - you can find out more over HERE.
I especially love the Bee Home stitchery, inspired by the wide variety of native bees who frequent our garden each day, especially the blue-banded bees which love the Thai basil and the morning primrose flowers.
If you're struggling with contentment, and I was last year, pray. Ask the Lord for help, ask Him to shine a light on all the small and wonderful things you're overlooking in everyday life.
I think the past two years have robbed many of us of deep seated happiness, contentment and hope - but let's turn that around now. Let us be content with what we have, where we are, and who we are TODAY.
Yes, we're all a work-in-progress, and tomorrow we can make small changes to grow and improve ourselves, but today, right where you are, give thanks for all the little things you often overlook or consider unimportant.
Contentment also means to be satisfied.
I am content today with what I have done and who I am.
Each night when my husband arrives home from work I want him to be greeted by a wife who makes him feel incredibly loved, a wife who is excited to have him home, a wife who is relaxed and satisfied from her daily tasks and choices, a wife who appreciates how hard he works to look after us.
Another aspect of contentment which hit home this week is being pantry prepared. I'm genuinely shocked by the empty supermarkets across our country (Australia), but very pleased with all the effort we've made over the past two years to stock up our pantry. Unexpected shortages can happen quickly, but there's great relief and contentment knowing I only have to look in my pantry or freezer and a meal can be on the table with ease that night.
In what ways are you finding contentment today?
I'll be back at the end of the week with some recipes and a new way to bake bread that I've not tried before...it looks very easy and I don't need the bread maker. I wonder how it will turn out? Tomorrow I'm experimenting!
hugs and blessings,
Missed any of the Year of Contentment blog posts in 2022?