I had so much fun with
Joelle's last handwriting link-up and I love the idea of sharing each other's Valentine's Day festivities, so this post for
Write it Down And Link It Up: Love Letters Edition was tons o' fun to prepare. In a wonderful coincidence of timing, the other week I discovered
More Love Letters and felt like I had stumbled on something really special that could tie everything together. Why not surprise a stranger with a sweet note and then spread the love? Maybe you'll like the idea, too, and maybe you'll join me in throwing a few unexpected sparkles over this week!
There are two men who stand outside the entrance to the Metro station near my house; one hands out
the express, Washington's free morning daily, and the other sells
Street Sense, a paper that supports and advocates for the homeless. They're often the best part of my commute, and saying hello to them always brightens me up. So I decided to write out cards for them - I don't know their names or their situations, but I wanted to recognize the sunny spot they have in my life.
MOMA card; artwork is Jime Dine's Rancho Woodcut Heart (1982)
And, while we're talking about surprising strangers with sweet things, let's have a giveaway! I was going to save this for some blogging milestone - 300 GFC followers, maybe, or 1000 posts - but it's Valentine's Day week and I'm all about sharing the love. These little pieces are exactly what I need for a lovely night in on my own: a hand-knitted pillow, a collection of love stories as told to
StoryCorps, my favorite ginger tea, England's best chocolate biscuits, and a cheeky set of bookmarks! (I'm throwing in this gorgeous 2013 engagement calendar from the National Gallery of Art, too, just in case you've already lost your new planner. Every week features a different painting of a woman reading! How cool is that?) I'll draw a winner on the morning of the 14th, so enter and enjoy!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What a nice gesture! I'm sure they'll appreciate their cards. What an awesome giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteI really like the favorite things you compiled for your giveaway! Also, it's so nice that you wrote cards to the paper vendors in the station. I've done that for familiar strangers too. The security guard at the kiosk of my university's entrance, the doorman of my building, etc, A card like that really brightens someone's day!
ReplyDeleteThat handwriting linkup was so fun to look through! I love looking at other people's handwriting. And I love the cards you did - what a nice gesture.
ReplyDeleteThe sweetest, those cheeky bookmarks are adorable.
ReplyDeleteYou know I did! And that pillow? I have to have it!! xoxo
ReplyDeletemy mom's making the pillow for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeletehaha I love that it asks you to circle 1-10 on the "level of embarassment" scale!
ReplyDeleteit does! whenever someone random compliments my dress or shoes or whatever, it always makes me smile. spread the love!
ReplyDeleteThat pillow is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're giving out these letters! I'm sure you'll brighten their day :) And thanks so much for linking up Betsy (and for the giveaway)! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI linked up for her first handwriting linkup but I forgot this time around :(
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway, lady!
I love the thought to give cards to your metro folks! Random gestures of kindness and love are so wonderful, and I'm sure you're going to make their day. I feel happy just thinking about it. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so cute that you're giving the notes to people that you don't really know! You are going to make their month :)
ReplyDeletecan't promise the color because it's being made this week, but the one the winner gets will be just as pretty - my mom's making it!
ReplyDeletethank you for hosting!
ReplyDeletethere's still time - we have a few days!
ReplyDeleteyay thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know - I forgot today and will give them tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this - most of all that your mom is making the pillow!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great give away :) Thanks for being so lovely and generous
ReplyDeletei think it's going to make their days - & yours - when you give those cards! it makes me happy just reading about it. also: i think you do the most thoughtful, well-put-together giveaways, ever.
ReplyDeleteyay! she made one for Dad out of a cashmere sweater that had too many holes in the arms, and it's the cuddliest thing :)
ReplyDeletethat is the sweetest thing to read, thank you! I like giving people things I'd like to receive :)
ReplyDeletei'm going to have to follow your example & do a giveaway of my own, soon.
ReplyDeletewhat a great giveaway - so fun- so happy i found your blog. have a great week. ( :
ReplyDeleteLove love love McVitie's Digestives! x
ReplyDeleteI know! I can eat a whole thing in one sitting without even realizing...
ReplyDeleteyay hello and welcome!
ReplyDeleteDO!
ReplyDeletewow, that was super sweet of you to give cards to strangers! stopping by from the linkup.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.randomthoughtsandfeelings1.blogspot.com
So i meant to comment this the other day but I went to find the title and got distracted. But you should totally read this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250029465/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1444737090&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1ZDCEBM8FZF86VSQS4EY
ReplyDeleteYour metro-men remind me of James and Bob. Plus it's a great story. :)
The cards you gave to those people was highly thoughtful and kind. :) Little gestures like that go a long way to making a world a better place.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had/are having a lovely Valentine's Day, Betsy!
thanks, Andrew - you too!
ReplyDeleteoh yay :)
ReplyDeletehello hello and welcome!
ReplyDelete