Setting Up for Mailing Success

Hi there and welcome! Janette Kausen here today to share a few tips on mailing success as we continue to celebrate alongside Kimberly Crawford over at @MailItMonday on Instagram for their second anniversary! Any excuse to celebrate is a win in my book, but when we pair it with a handmade card? Yep, it's a win-win!

After losing a loved one Kimberly vowed to make a change in her mailing habits, and Mail It Monday was born. The initiative encourages us to not only create, but to mail those handmade, smile inducing projects.

Set yourself up for mailing success with organization and batching. Batching is successful over the one-of method because switching from one task to another diminishes attention and willpower to complete a project. Batching lets your mind focus on one task repetitively rather than having to think out each progressive step, zapping energy.

Keep a pretty basket, wire bin, drawer, or even a shoebox as a mailing station in a convenient location with necessities like a pen, postage stamps and envelopes. As the week progresses toss in names and addresses of those you'd like to bring a smile to. I collect names from groups I am in, special calls, people who made me smile, those who may need uplifting, and of course friends and family. When #MailItMonday rolls around, or other convenient day when I have a few minutes to spare, I pull out the basket and recent cards I have crafted like this deconstructed Mail Jumble project. I address the batch, then add postage, next a wax seal to each, and then take the stack to my car to drop at the post office on my next pass through town. 

To create this project stamp Mail Jumble on Dove White cardstock in Lemon Drop, Taffy, Key Lime Fizz, Pool Party and Grape Slush Reactive Inks. Fussy cut stamped envelopes. Die cut a few smaller Nesting Postage Stamps from Dove White cardstock. Adhere envelopes and postage die cuts, some stacked, to scant A2 Dove White card panel. White heat emboss Stamped Just for You sentiment on Pitch Black cardstock and adhere with dimensional adhesive. Pop finished card panel onto a folded card base with dimensional adhesive to complete the project. Make multiples with the leftover Mail Jumble envelopes!

Thank you for joining me today, and I encourage you to be intentional and create a routine with #MailItMonday, organization, and batching. Let us not be just cardmakers, but card mailers! Not only will it lift another's spirit, but likely your own!

xo,