If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you have probably picked up bits and pieces about my grandmother, whose farm we lived on for our first two years here in Maryland. Beyond the fact that she is the mother to fifteen children, there are countless things about her that impress and inspire me. As I get older (and I'd like to think, wiser) I notice little bits of her influence in my life--whether it be her granola recipe, the basket I keep at the bottom of my steps and carry up each night, or washing out my ziploc baggies and keeping them on the same drying rack that she uses in her kitchen.

If she's not in the garden, you could most likely expect to find her way in the back if the house, just off the back living room, sitting at her desk, stamps and address book laid in front of her, NPR crackling on the radio. My grandmother keeps in touch. And she keeps in touch the old-fashioned way. A letter, a clipping, a remembered birthday, holiday or special event.

In all my years, I've never known her to forget my birthday, and I am one of forty plus grandchildren. Her correspondence and letter-writing is a gift to many people and an inspiration to me in an age of email and hurriedness. (I told you I feel the pull of two very different worlds.)

So several weeks ago, when I saw Amy post on her blog about the book, Handmade Hellos, to which she's a contributor, I felt drawn to it immediately. If you need a little push to get out the pen and paper, and stamps again, this is the book.

There are many projects I love in this book, just a few on the list....

.....the self-mailing note (my girls will love this) by Darling Clementine
....the fabric collage card by Sally
....the pop-up birdie hello by Kate Sutton
....the library card birth announcement by Paper + Cup
....the new baby nest card by Abigail Brown

I could go on....the book has clear, illustrated directions, includes templates, each project is given a difficulty level and there is a great source section in the back (one of my favorite parts of any magazine or book).

And of course, thanks to the sweet people at Chronicle Books, I have a copy to give away!

Leave a comment to throw your name in the hat. I'll announce all the winners of this week's giveaways on Saturday, February 14th!!

Happy Writing!!