I’m hoping you’ve been snagging some of the United We Flourish stamp sets – these are partnership stamp sets that Ellen Hutson arranges with some of our favorite companies – and focuses on an uplifting set! Our world REALLY needs encouragement nowadays, and we need to recognize that only together will we take strides forward – #unitedweflourish! These sets are perfect for that, and this month’s Altenew set is no different! Read on to find out my plan for these 2 cards.
And by the way – I went up to Ellen’s warehouse to help out on Friday; I’ve been asking if I could come volunteer for a day, and since they had the big project of packing up the sets, (ie no training needed!) they invited me to come help! I colored up a few Copic versions of this card front…and tucked them into 3 stamp sets. Let me know if you get one! And if you find your insert is upside down or backwards….well, then you’ll know I packed them. LOL! See the quick video HERE.
On Instagram, I had colored some “shadow” flowers in the background of some Irises – and decided today I’d attempt that in watercolor with the new Poppy Fields set! It’s way easy to do, and will help your watercolored stamps look like they’re part of a soft, fresh flower garden!
Who I send cards to
Lots of folks ask me what I do with all the cards I make…..
- I send lots to patrons (they get 1-2 cards per year), and that’s a way for those who want some happy mail to get on the list.
- I send lots to random students. I have addresses in the database from the purchases, and that’s a great way that I like to spread some sunshine around the globe! Because yes, sometimes my randomizer selects people with faraway addresses, yep yep!
- I send lots to first responders. I did this recently in a public way, encouraging everyone to send cards to Houston folks HERE – but remember, you can do that ANY time. For instance, if you hear about a police or fire event in a particular town, go to Google and look up that town’s police department. You can send any department a card anytime. FYI just because we don’t say so publicly on Facebook, we can do so individually and quietly…..being good to other humans needs no #hashtag.
In the video I mentioned sending cards to “famous people I admire.” And I thought maybe I’d try that with some folks making good news who I admire. There are some prominent folks setting the pace for donating and assisting in Houston, like Harry Connick Jr – though I think I’d make him a more masculine card, eh?
Other folks are standing up for causes, beliefs, or missions I approve of. I recognize them when reading the paper or watching the tv and being inspired by the way they speak out, or the action they took! Folks like this give me courage to stand up for what I believe in too, and I want to start reaching out to send THEM some sunshine too – to encourage them to KEEP doing the right thing.
Googling for home addresses of famous people often doesn’t work; but…
- You may need to do some real research and it may take time. Be patient.
- Find out, if you can, what group or company they’re associated with or work for…..a tv network or show, a university, a charity, a book publisher, a movie studio, etc, and send it to that organization.
- Email the org to ask if that’s a good place to send a card to the person; FYI keep your email SHORT so it gets read and not filed!
- Some may have talent reps – and you could send something to their agency that would get to them.
- Don’t be weird and insist on a direct address; be willing to just hope that it gets forwarded to the person….but do be creative in thinking about how you can find out where to mail something.
Oh and be sure to include your return address on the envelope. With the weird world out there, you don’t want your note to get tossed in the trash for looking spammy.
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Stunning cards!
Beautiful flowers! Absolutely stunning!
Incredible! Just Gorgeous! I hope I get a set inserted upside down!!!
I love your artwork and watching your videos. This one uus no exception. Thanks for sharing.
I had no idea what you were doing with those blobs! I’m thinking this might be the first Sandy Allnock card that I don’t like. How crazy is that? But I kept watching because by now I know Sandy Allnock doesn’t do anything without reason. By the time the cards were done I had another, “well dang if that didn’t end up beautiful too” moments. I’m going to give this one a try!
Oh my gosh Sandy!! Your coloring is stunning as usual! Both cards are gorgeous, although red is my favorite color of poppy! You are an amazing lady, so uplifting to read.
I’m always in awe of your talent. These are gorgeous cards.
Stunning cards, your artwork is amazing!
Thank you for a great video on how to make “suggestive” backgrounds in a good way! Admitting that they are just “blobs” of colour was funny too, especially when the eye sees them as a field of flowers.
Beautiful cards, love the shadow flowers, you make amazing cards.
Di
Wow, cards are just beautiful and great video!
Super pretty and beautiful cards! Love the colors used! 🙂
While I’m loving your shadow flowers I’m still overwhelmed by the info you gave about Puerto Rico. Thank you
I just love to watch you watercolor. Your cards are simply gorgeous. Thanks for sharing…
Sandy, Sandy, Sandy………………….you’ve done it again! you can do NO WRONG in my book!
Love both of your cards Sandy, you’r a great artist and inspiration to us all. Thank you, I admire you!
Your cards are awesome! I especially love the one with the yellow background! Sunny and vibrant! TFS!
Totally stunning cards! I admire YOU and your absolutely AMAZING talent! Thank you!
Great watercolour.. so lovely
Thanks so much for the beautiful cards, the always informative video and suggestions (and how to be a little persistent) on where to send cards. These are great ideas! I don’t have extra money to send…..but I do have cards and kindness !
I love how you made the poppy shadow! Very pretty cards Sandy! Great ideas for passing on kindness too!
Gorgeous cards!!
Love your beautiful shadow cards. Thanks for the video.
Well, I admire YOU, lady! I really appreciate the professionalism you bring to your work with cards and other artwork. This is a good example – I have several poppy stamp sets, because all my uncles fought in WWII. But you’re the only one who ever bothered to look up the leaves! It’s amazing to me, how many stamp artists either don’t put leaves in at all, or just add a generic leaf shape that doesn’t belong to the flower they’re trying to represent… And as always, the cards you made are absolutely beautiful. Thank You!
Wow! As always your cards are amazing! Beautiful set!
Absolutely stunning as usual !!
Beautiful cards. I just love your work.
Very pretty cards Sandy. As you know I’m a huge fan of all things watercolored and these are perfect.
Thanks Sandy for sharing your talent. You make me laugh out loud a lot! Seriously, “Don’t be weird” about getting a direct address. You write as I speak. Direct and straightforward! It’s just funny to me. Oh, and your humanity is showing. Great idea. I bet we would be surprised at all the “weird stuff” public people get in the mail, and how little of it is just a simple piece of happy mail with an “attaboy” included. Have a great week.
Very pretty. I like the shadow flowers in the background.
Your cards are both beautiful but I do have a thing for yellow – oh my it is lovely! I think the background suggestions of flowers make it. I guess you have suggestive cards? LOL Sending a card to the office of your local Red Cross is also a good idea for all the people that work and volunteer to know they are appreciated. In these days and times it seems we are becoming more appreciative and maybe coming together a bit more. Some good must come from all the weirdness in the world.
You never fail to amaze me with your creativity…love it!!
I love your cards! I am a BIG fan!
I am one of the blessed people that you mailed one of your (happy seagulls) cards to. What a surprise and what an adorable card!
Thanks so much!
Lovely cards and I love to watch you watercolor. You seem to watercolor with abandon and I have trouble doing that, because I think I’ll mess up! 🙂
The Poppy was adopted as a symbol of remembrance in 1918 for our military men. What a another fitting way you have come up with to use this flower. Beautiful stamp. Thank you.
These cards are phenomenal, Sandy. Your watercoloring skills and techniques are awesome. tfs, as always.
I am always amazed at your talent Sandy. I love watching you paint and seeing things take shape. You bring so much to the crafting community with your art!!
Beautiful cards – in both colours! And such an amazing technique that really adds dimension to your cards – TFS!
Sandy, you simply rock my world. I know of very few people who are talented and as NICE as you are. Massive love to you. ♥
Thanks for sharing how you colored your flowers.
I love the way you did the poppies and suggestion of flowers in the background…just the way the eye sees them. I watch so many of your videos and appreciate all your input while making them. So encouraged by your talent.
Stunning cards. Loved your video on how you made them. You make it look so easy. How lovely to pop in those unexpected cards with a few of the Altnew orders. Such a wonderful thing you do sending out all those cards like you do. Keep on sharing and sending out cards all stampers and card makers!
Another one out of the park. Love the look of the detail flower over the loose “hint” of poppies behind. Thanks for the suggestion of sending cards onward. I can think of someone right now I would like to thank for letting me stalk him on YouTube and actually responding to a personal request for assistance. I did reply by email, but I do believe I will snail mail my thanks as well.
Sandy I love every single card your heart touches… and such a big, beautiful heart it is!
thanks you…
Your 2cards are my favorite on the hop. I love poppies and this set is lovely. Thanks for consistently providing donation info ; I know these cards are appreciated by their recipients.
Gorgeous cards, thanks for the great video! Thanks for your encouragement to reach out and encourage others!
Thanks for your great advice about how to find addresses and suggestions on where to send cards. I want so much to encourage others but seem to not send many cards because I don’t know addresses. Love your cards !!!