Share the love!

I am so surprised this year at how fast Valentine's Day is approaching!  If you are looking for a cute and EASY way to take care of classroom valentines, as well as sharing a little something with teachers, coaches, babysitters and more, then check out these valentines from Stacey Claire Boyd.  

I have ordered these for the last two years for my children and they are simply adorable! The cards come printed with your child's name and a sweet sentiment for their friends and teachers.  You can easily attach a treat or tie to a goody bag or basket.  They are so easy to order and make your valentines look really special!  

I used small items found in the dollar section of Target, like a sparkly pencil or a colorful journal to add a little something to the card.  Washi tape and baker's twine are inexpensive and easy ways to enhance the card with a small gift or treat.

If you would like to have the whole package come completely assembled for you, check out these cute valentines from Little Lamb Designs on our site.  

Order any of these styles and more on our site by January 31st and use the Code Sweetheart to get 15% off your order!  Click here to order.

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Script your Success: Tips for Writing Professional Thank You Notes

Thank you for your help on the [BLANK] project. Your contribution was essential to our success.  The way that you [BLANK] was [BLANK].  Your time is valuable and I really appreciate you making this project a priority. I look forward to the next opportunity to work with you . . .

If this note was addressed to you would it make more of an impact to be typed, delivered to your inbox or, handwritten, delivered to your mailbox?

In 2013 I made a resolution to write handwritten notes to people that had been helpful or inspirational to me professionally. Over that 365 day period, I estimate spending no more than four or five hours writing handwritten, mailed notes.

The feedback that I received was overwhelming! Almost every individual that received a handwritten note made a point to thank me (and I was thanking them in the first place!) for taking time to write and send a personal note. I would never have expected such a response, but it proved to be a little thing that made a big impact.  

It is no secret that people like to be thanked and recognized for their contributions. It is, however, an unusual thing in this day and age to actually receive something in the mail. Every day our mailboxes are overflowing with catalogs, bills, solicitations, advertisements and other junk mail, so much that I cannot remember a single thing that I received yesterday. But, the note from my brother and sister-in-law saying thanks for a recent gift really stands out as something special.

If you want to stand out in your professional environment (as well as personal), set aside just a little time throughout the year to write a few notes. I promise that you won’t regret it!

Tips for Writing Professional Thank You Notes

• Just do it. I have managed a prestigious, national fellowship program for over four years.  We receive over 100 applications for only 20 slots each year.  About 40 people are interviewed (all expenses paid). We have only received three hand written thank you notes over the years (out of hundreds of people).  Those people still stand out in my mind!  You will stand out. After you write just one you will want to write more.
• Be authentic. Don't try to follow a formula for the perfect note. Be yourself. The person helped you with something. Thank them for it. Tell them how much it meant to you. Tell them why. Simple.
• Hand write it. Take the time to write the note out by hand. People receive typed letters all the time, even in the mail. It is taking the time to hand write it that will really set you apart.
• Short is fine. It really is the thought and effort that people will remember, not the length.
• Do it quickly. Get the note in the mail very soon after the event or experience.  That also shows how much it meant to you.
• Keep notes with you. You never know when you will have a few extra minutes to dash off a note.  Having notes with you makes that down time productive. I wrote almost all of my thank you notes last year while watching my kids' sports practices.

Ready to get started?  See a great selection here of 2 for the price of 1 flat or folded notes. Stock up for the year!

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Make: A Valentine's Day Entry Table with a Free Subway Art Printable

Looking for a way to spruce up your holiday decorating?  An entry table can be a great place for seasonal decor.  You see it every day when you come in the door, and it can be really easy when you reuse some basics such as hurricane vases and a large black frame.  This is what I came up with for Valentine's Day last year.

I filled my vases with conversation hearts, made a little garland out of book pages and scrapbook paper hearts, and set up some tiny mailboxes for my daughters to receive little love notes from me and their Dad.

The mailboxes came from the $1 spot at Target and my girls loved checking them each day for treats.  My favorite part of my display is using a large 11 x 14 black frame to showcase a Valentine's Day Subway Art. I created it in Photoshop using our family's favorite "love" words.

I will use this frame over and over again during the year for holiday and seasonal printables.  It's fun to find pretty quotes or artwork to give a fresh feel for the season.  

Free Printable!

If you like this Valentine's Day Subway Art, you can download it for free from our website here.  It's already sized for 11 x 14, but you could send it to your favorite photosite and have it printed as an 8x10 instead if you prefer.  Just click the link to open the file, then right-click to save it on your computer.  

What's your favorite way to decorate for Valentine's Day?

Follow Sassafras Paper's board valentine's day on Pinterest.

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