Easily Embroidered Spring Cards / Tarjetas Bordadas

I enjoy sending cards to my girlfriends, but the ones at the store rarely say what I want to say: "Hey, you, I'm glad we're buds, and I spent some time thinking about you and praying for a joy-filled life for you and your loved ones. Blessings to you. And chocolate. And buttery popcorn. And a hug." But no card says that.

So, I end up just making a card and hoping that the time invested says all that. :)

Making an embroidered card is shockingly simple ... however, due to the paper-y aspect, it does take time and patience and a light touch.

1. Cut out a bit of paper the size of a notecard. (Note: Really, make sure it fits into an envelope. This sounds obvious, but it's not. Ask me how I know this is important. Hee.)
2. Draw a picture of what you would like to embroider on the card.
3. Use a sewing needle and thread to just sew along your penciled lines. (Note: Don't use an embroidery needle. It makes the holes too big and you end up tearing the card to bits. Ask me how I know this is important, too.)
4. Be very patient.

A good variation is to lightly go over the penciled mark with a pin, making little pinpricks into it, so when you "sew" the picture, you already have a little opening in it.

Saint Patrick's Day Note Cards / Tarjeta de San Patricio

Why should St. Valentine corner the market on passing note cards? St. Patrick delivered plenty of messages himself ... and even wrote an autobiography and a beautiful prayer. (Hear the beloved "Breastplate of St. Patrick" sung.) Here's a page of St. Patrick note cards for you to use in celebrating his feast day. And, really, who needs a pot of gold when you've a gold pot of love and this guy sending you a blessing?

You can put it in a lunchbox, tuck it next to plate of yummy Irish food, have it accompany a gift of Irish cookies or soda bread, etc.

And if you've a little extra time, print out last year's Paper Dali St. Patrick to color, too.














p.s. Yes, the prayer says, "Bind to myself" ... You just want to say "Bind myself to," don't you? ;)

Cards for Remembering Baby

Last night, as I thought about my friends who have recently miscarried, I felt compelled to put ink to paper and come up with this little remembrance card for them:

It seems like there are so many cards for babies ... for their announcements, for their arrival, for their first year .... but there seems to be nothing for those difficult--and alas, common---times when a family has a miscarriage. And so, I offer my little card. If you or someone you know has had a miscarriage and want a little remembrance card or even something to distribute at a Mass said for the little one, you can download this card.

I've left a space for the baby's name and also a reminder of when she/he was conceived and when she/he was returned to God. I've never liked those cards saying that the parents would storm heaven to bring back the baby or anything like that. My little one, my first son, is with God, and that's the best place to be. God willing, we'll meet again someday. Meanwhile, he prays for us ... and we remember him with love.

Blessings,