Did you know I used to collect fountain pens and even today write all my checks with a Parker fountain pen similar to the one I inherited from my grandfather. (His leaks and is therefore not appropriate for carrying around in one's purse, plus I would cry big tears if I lost his.)
I quit collecting fountain pens around the time I started stamping. If you've ever priced out fine fountain pens, you'll understand why.
But I digress.
Wow, you sure write a bunch of thank you notes after you get married. Which is why a gift of postage stamps and thank you cards is both thoughtful and pretty.
I kept it all very simple because I have no idea what the teacher's tastes are or even the colors for her wedding. The wedding card uses an old, old, old PSX stamp that is so pretty and flourished. In light blue, it's also soft and elegant.
The thank-you set uses pastels from Memento Ink to vary a simple, clean one-layer design. The image is from Simply Jane (Papertrey) and the sentiment is from the Limited Edition Thank You set (Clear and Simple Stamps).
Making these cards with this set forced me to watch the A&E Pride and Prejudice over two nights, and then the Keira Knightley version on the third night. Love them both.
I'll box the cards and envelopes in a clear box from Papertrey, and include a sheet of postage stamps as well.
What sort of crafty gifts do you give for weddings of people you don't know well?
What a great idea, and beautiful cards! Mine aren't nice enough to give for gifts LOL
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards, Susan, and much appreciated, I'm sure. I've ever given a crafty gift as a wedding gift. If I could make something nice enough, I might think about it ...
ReplyDeleteThoughtful gifts from the heart! Your have a heart of gold, Susan! Love them all. I would give thank-you cards for non-crafty people. That works all the time (almost)...although one time I gave out travel-related items as the couple loves to travel.
ReplyDeleteI love the A&E Pride and Prejudice, but I do not like the Keira Knightley one at all. The guy playing Mr. Darcy is terrible; the house is shabby and filthy; the actress playing Mrs. Bennett is not as good. I could go on and on, but I'll stop now. As always, I like your cards!
ReplyDeleteI like to give thank you cards for shower gifts, for both babies & weddings. For my sister's wedding this year, I'm making all her thank you cards...about 75? I plan to never look at black & ivory together ever again after I'm done :)
ReplyDeleteFor my daughter, daughter in law and my daughter's college roomate I made 100 thank you notes each as shower gifts. For my good friend's daughter's shower, I made 40 and gave her stamps to go with.
ReplyDeleteThey are always much appreciated and get sent around the room with many ooohs and ahhs; which makes me feel so good.
I usually try to create a variety, with many repeats and some very simple ones. I try to make some less feminine so the man of the house can use them if necessary.
Sharon, I beg to differ. The Knightley P&P is the only one I've seen that shows the Bennetts as down on their funds...in all the others, they look too fine to be so poor and Darcy's snobbery doesn't make as much sense. Also, the Darcy in the theatrical release grew on me. He's no Colin Firth, of course, but he's not bad. I think in a longer version, he would be developed better and just fine. Also, I prefer the Mrs. Bennett of the theatrical release, as well. She's not quite so over the top as in the A&E version.
ReplyDeleteBut isn't this why we have so many versions to enjoy in the first place? Each has something to offer every different viewer and if you don't like one, another will suit beautifully!
Adding postage stamps to the cards is a fantastic and really thoughtful touch! These cards are very pretty!
ReplyDeleteAs for P&P, I too see benefits in both. I find that the movie version is good when you need a quick hit without too much thinking/interpretation involved. Plus you have to love the ending!
PS - I recommend Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James - an interesting take on what may have happened next....
ReplyDeleteLove your wedding thank you cards. I've done bridal and baby t.y.'s as gifts, and they are always (or seem to be!) appreciated by the recipient. I never have included stamps, though. You're just more thoughtful than I!
ReplyDeleteNice gift.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid--I'm much older than you--a classmate had a Parker ball point pen. And she had beautiful handwriting which I envied. I just knew if I could get a Parker I would too. Never got the Parker but it was always my ideal/idol.
For people I don't know well, I stick to the registry. But I have been known to stick thank you cards in for both wedding gifts and baby shower gifts too.
ReplyDeleteI love the cards. I think giving someone a set of cards is a wonderful gift and wish I made time to do it more often.
ReplyDeleteLove your thank you cards. I have given thank you cards as a shower gift on a couple of occasions. My parents gave both myself and my sister an engraved Parker pen set when we graduated from high school. They followed on with this tradition when the grandchildren graduated. However,it wasn't a fountain pen this time it was a ball point pen. Times do change.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect use for the Simply Jane stamp! I've never given a hand-crafted wedding gift, but did once give a gift of several meals cooked by me to a couple who were having their kitchen renovated immediately after their wedding.
ReplyDeleteI love both versions of Pride and Prejudice, but have a slight preference for the Colin Firth one. He's such a fine actor. Ardyth, I'm about to start Death Comes to Pemberley - I admire PD James as a writer and can't wait to see if she writes it in the style of Jane Austen.
Great ideas. I make a journal for the happy couple to record, starting with their honeymoon, how they celebrate their anniversary. I find a lined journal and decorate it with their invite and colors. I record on the first page, and tie on a ribbon for a page marker. Has been a popular shower gift.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't know them well, I make a gift card card. Your thank cards are beautiful and I'm sure very much appreciated, especially with the postage as part of the gift! I also love the comment above by Athena. I make journals, but have not thought to make one for the happy couple. Duh!
ReplyDeleteI once made my niece thank you cards as part of her gift for her baby shower (matching the invitations I had also made) and was mocked for the idea that anyone actually mailed thank you notes anymore. Perhaps it was only teasing, but I was slightly wounded.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful and that Congratulations stamp is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI like to give thank you/note cards with stamps. For a graduate I will add a nice pen.
Going back to Suzanne's comment about being mocked (shame on them) - if you attend the event and are there for the gift opening and receive a verbal thank you - should you still expect to receive a thank you card?
my latest wedding gifts have been handmade paper tag christmas decorations for the tree, perhaps a runner, or a tree skirt, depending on how well i know the couple. i figure they probably don't have any yet....doesn't matter so much if i don't know their taste. it's fun, and i love christmas, anyway!!!
ReplyDeletemarty ferraro
A table runner or quilted wall hanging of couple's last name was the last crafty gift I made. Groom was a neighbor.
ReplyDeleteYes--you can't have too many versions of Pride and Prejudice!
ReplyDeleteAthena, What a marvelous gift; and I am so going to copy you! I may even make them for my daughter and son; even though they have been married a couple years.
ReplyDeleteI just remarried last June. I need to make one for myself!!
During my school years, we used a pen with nib and ink, and in high school, a fountain pen was allowed - never a ball point pen!
ReplyDeleteFor gifts, I like to make a journal - Christmas, Thanksgiving, or anniversary. I decorate the cover ,
add a pen, and an "idea card". The intent of the journal is to record the "who, what and where" of Christmas, Thanksgiving etc. each year.
It is fun to look back on how a holiday /anniversary evolves - first as a married couple, later with children etc.
I give thank you note sets at baby showers all the time!! I don't know why I never thought to add stamps! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS gift idea--totally pinning this to my gift ideas board and my CASE board--your thank you cards are amazing! :) Now I'd like to buy a fountain pen...I wonder why? ;)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of different colors!
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