Hi, friend!  Happy Monday! (that sounds way more enthusiastic than I’m currently feeling, to be honest — I’ve had a major case of “the Mondays” today).

Thankfully, despite its unmotivated start, my Monday has turned into a pretty great day.  I got some really good stuff in the mail to keep my Happy Mail motivation up — this stamp set from Everyday Explorers Co., some more cards from A Smyth Co. (they’re STILL giving away free cards!  Go snag yours HERE!), and more of my favorite pens from Rad & Happy (I just can’t bring myself to write cards and letters with anything else — these ones are so cute and write so smoothly with their super fine tip — which is good for someone like me, who has decently large handwriting).

Anyway, despite ongoing mood slumps (#reallife), I made and sent out a lot of happy mail last week — primarily using 12×12 pattered cardstock from Cricut that was a collaboration with Tara from Rad & Happy (she’s seriously sunshine in human form and I just love everything that she designs!).

I sent this card and matching envelope to my friend Jane because she’s my favorite person to watch Elf with (raise your hand if you read “Hi, Buddy!” in Mr. Narwal’s voice).

I also made a few cards with this Cricut/Rad & Happy cardstock for my sweet pen pal, Lorren.  I hope they brightened her days.

I used white cardstock I bought on Amazon as a base for all of the cards and for the Mail Tag printable (you can get them HERE from Bianca Jagoe — they’re so fun and cute!  There’s an infographic explaining mail tag and a pen pal survey printable as well).

On the narwhal and mermaid cards I used pink foam alphabet stickers from American Crafts (from Crate Paper’s “All Heart” collection).  The other pink alphabet stickers I used are also from American Crafts (I think they’re both from Dear Lizzy collections) and the small, blue/green ones are from Dear Lizzy‘s “It’s All Good” collection.  I used a little paperclip from 1Canoe2 on the last card as well as a little suede bow from Paige Evans.  The sparkly heart on the narwhal card is also from Crate Paper’s “All Heart” collection.

I’m still working out the best way to seal handmade envelopes.  I used some double-sided tape and that’s worked great!  I used some Avery shipping labels on the front since writing clearly over a colorful and busy pattered paper is a little tricky.  Also — I make all of my envelopes with THIS We R Memory Keepers envelope punch board.  It’s one of my absolute favorite craft tools and I cannot recommend it enough (especially for the price!).

They were all really fun to make and I’ve loved creating and sending them!

I’ve tried to link the things I could, but some things in my stash are from older collections by American Crafts, so they’re harder to find online.  My absolute favorite place to buy papers, stickers, and other supplies online is Scrapbook.com but if you have one nearby, I cannot recommend Tuesday Morning enough!  They have top quality scrapbooking and paper crafting products at AMAZING prices!  I haven’t been to one in months due to the shelter in place/stay at home order, but thankfully, I’m nowhere close to running out of supplies — so, no need to worry… yet.

Anyway, I hope this inspires you to craft something cute for your loved ones, especially during this time of social-distancing and uncertainty.  Making cards and writing notes has become the most therapeutic practice for me during the past several weeks — and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon!  So, I’ll be back here next week with another Happy Mail Monday post and some more creative ideas for your snail mail correspondence.

Sending love and light to you!  Have a great week!