Being Thankful- and making time to say it!

November is here which means in the United States it's the month of our Thanksgiving holiday that, for me, evokes memories of big dinners (complete with pumpkin & pecan pie, banana salad, turkey, ham, oyster dressing for dad (and plain dressing for the rest of us), and usually sweet tea depending where we were celebrating.  It also reminds me of dressing like early Americans (complete with construction paper pilgrim hat or paper feather headdress for the Native Americans) and of course, that this holiday marks the "real" start of our traditional holiday season. 

Retail brings Christmas to us earlier and earlier every year; it's now happening a few weeks before Halloween in mid-October, but November 1st seems to be the indicator for me... With the start of this season, I am taking the opportunity to say thank you to those who make my world so amazing.  This year, in addition to my personal reflecting time, I decided to put pen to paper and write notes to some of those who have really made a difference in my life. 

I spent some time searching for an appropriate image (which, of course, I found at the Graphics Fairy) and created thank you cards.  Cut, folded, and ready to go, I spent an afternoon writing a few of those who have greatly impacted my life.  It makes sense to me; "thank you" cards for "Thanks"giving... right?

If you'd like to make the same card, I have attached the file for you to download.  Print it on heavy card stock, purchase some A1 sized envelopes and you'll be ready to be "Thankful" with this card featuring a vintage sheep graphic.

Download the file and print your own Kyle William Thankful cards!
File Size:	1031 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Simply print the cards on 8.5" x 11" white cardstock.  Carefully cut them out, fold, then fill them up with words of gratitude for those that deserve it.  The cards fit in A1 size envelopes.  (Envelopes and cardstock can be found at most office supply stores.  To cut the cards out (if you're not good with a sharp pair of scissors,) a paper cutter will do or rotary paper cutters can be used at copy/print places like FedEx/Kinkos.

No time to make these cards?  No printer?  A purchased "thank you" card would be a lovely subsitute, and of course, a simple, hand written note is always welcome in the mail or taped to a co-worker's keyboard or monitor!  This doesn't have to be fancy; take the time to tell those around you how they impact your life.  A few sentences can make such a difference.

---

Who could get a thank you note?  The list could go on and on for years.  Pick one (or a dozen, or two) and write.  It feels good to send love (especially when it's unexpected!)

Your LYS (local yarn shop)
Fiber company
Family (distant or not, biological or not)
Neighbors
Co-worker
Favorite place to eat
Mail carrier
Nurse/Doctor/Pharmacist
Those who volunteer in your area (food banks, homeless shelters, etc.) - wherever someone is working to make your community a better place
Police or Firemen - address the card to the entire crew
The person who taught you to knit
Childhood friends
Teachers
(and many, many more...)

---

It feels good to put on paper a gesture of gratitude... an unexpected note of kindness can brighten a day and possibly change a life.  Do some good.  Be thankful.  Print, write & share.

There's more knitting, weaving and creating going on here than I can talk about... but in time, I PROMISE to share all of it with you... every last stitch.  OH - one more thing.  Thank YOU for reading.  I know that there are lots of blogs out there to read and I appreciate your reading this one... and while not everyone comments on the posts, I know you're looking and that fuels m.  Having an online presence is a really fun thing - it affords me a place to sort out and organize my projects and thoughts and it has the added benefit of helping me stay connected to many of my online friends.  For that, I'm thankful.  Consider this post my "thank you" to you - for reading, being supportive of me (and other designers, knitters, artists), and for being the amazing person you are!!

Like what you're reading?  Please "Like" on Facebook or "Tweet" on Twitter.  Want to leave a comment on the post?  I would love to hear from you!

Happy Thanksgiving!