Give a SMILE – one card at a time…

Spread the love!

Stamp ART Connection encourages crafters to “make a card, give a smile” and live Stampin’ Up!’s Statement of the Heart, “to love what we do and share what we love – as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments….in this way WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”

At Stamp ART Connection we want to give a SMILE — one card at a time! I have always offered my time and materials to make cards for anyone who needed a smile. A junior high friend from Sacramento advertised on FB for volunteers to make Valentine Cards for residents at an Assisted Living Home on behalf of the Greater Sacramento Kiwanis Club. I was in! That was my first volunteer effort and the joy of supporting a local group with my time, talent, and materials — knowing it brought happiness to the recipients is everything! We want to make a difference!

How We Make a Difference

Classroom Volunteer 2019

We make a difference by volunteering at a local Elementary School to demonstrate card making to children. Recently Kathryn M. was invited to present a Valentine project for a class at Belle View Elementary School in Alexandria, Va. Her students loved the opportunity to make handmade cards for their classmates, teachers, and parents!

Belle View Elementary School Class with Valentine’s Cards
Thank You Valentines to Mrs. Kathryn M. from the children for sharing her time and creativity

Deployed Soldiers 2020

We made a difference by volunteering to support the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Mount Vernon Chapter in Washington, D.C. by making handmade cards during the holidays for deployed Army Soldiers on behalf of the Chapter.

It is a wonderful way to give back and share some joy for those who were away from home and family. A smile is priceless. Click the link to read more about the project.

Banish the Dark Ages
Cards ready for mailing!

HALLOWEEN 2020

Cards, tags, and bags were donated to the Pediatrics Units of critically ill and COVID patients this Halloween as part of our program to bring joy and spread SMILES!

October 2020 – In response to the need at a Pediatrics Unit — treat boxes, cards, and gift bags were sent to a large regional hospital where the nursing staff donated treats to fill the bags that were then distributed by the staff to critically ill children and COVID patients that brought smiles and lightened hearts!

Nurses ready the cart of goodies
Tags, bags, and crackers ready for delivery!

Pediatrics Unit 2020 Holiday Season

December 2020 – Created TAGS to attach to the TOY Giving sponsored by the Hospital, over 50 CHRISTMAS CRACKERS, and GINGERBREAD TREAT BOXES to be distributed among both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients.

Repurposed the October Paper Pumpkin KIT to create these projects.
Repurposed the November Paper Pumpkin KIT to transform the cards into gingerbread treat boxes.

Pediatrics Unit Holiday Season 2021

October 2021 – Created and delivered over 30 treat bags and tags for the pediatrics unit.

Halloween Treat Bags made and delivered for children and staff

December 2021

Made and delivered over 50 Holiday Cards and Tags
Committee members of the UNM Children’s Hospital and Child Life Program Chairman with all our Holiday donations ready for distribution!
THANK YOU card for our donation of hand-made cards, bags and tags…

December 2022

25 Treat Boxes and Cards
Over 80 cards for the nurses and staff Holiday gifts.
The cards are boxed and ready for delivery!
UNM Children’s Hospital Pediatrics Unit Staff receiving Holiday Donations

Classroom Volunteer 2021

December 2021 – Working with the teachers, Kathryn M. volunteered her time and donated all the materials to prepare stamp “kits” for the children of this 2nd-grade class.

Kathryn M. pictured here with the 2nd Grade class of students in Washington, DC. showing off their Holiday cards!

Valentine 2022 Donation

Bags and tags created for the UNM CHILD LIFE Program!

Nine bags created as “alternate” Paper Pumpkin kit from December…
Over 35 tags waiting for ribbon that will be ready for cellophane bags that will be donated for to Child Life!
Mini-treat bags are ready posting in the mail!

Valentine 2023 Donation

Over 50 Tags for Valentine’s gifting.

Together We’re Strong-er

Do you want to join us and SHARE?

If you are interested and want to join us; I have provided LINKS for some groups and organizations looking for cards as well as some guidelines to follow in order to comply with hospital standards. There is also a list of recommended “sentiments” and the stamp set to help you get started.

Things to Consider

The Stampin’ Up! List of SENTIMENTS are from current Stampin’ Up! products perfect for making Cards for Kids! They provide uplifting messages and ARE NOT focused on illness-related comments. This is important since some of the patients suffer from medical conditions that are chronic, life-long, progressive, and/or terminal.

Do not sign with cards with your personal information or religious references. Hospitals will not distribute cards with personal information, religious comments such as “God Bless”, “I’m praying for you” because some patients may not practice a religion or maybe of many diverse faiths.

Lastly, “Hand Test” your card. Rub your hand over your cards to ensure nothing excessive can fall off from the card that could create health concerns for some patients. This is especially true for glitter.

Groups Seeking Cards

Cards for Hospitalized Kids

Mail to :

Cards for Hospitalized Kids / 7290 W. Devon / Chicago, IL 60631

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Here are cards ready to send to our cards for kids using the Bonanza Buddies bundle!

Support slowed down as we anticipated the needs of the groups we support during this time. Many hospitals were so busy reacting to the pandemic their time was precious. However, we used our time while socially distancing to make cards and have them at the ready!

We waited until things settled down and groups like the University of New Mexico Hospital were ready to accept donations.

Our donation consisted of a box of cards for hospitalized kids that offered support; a box of thank you cards for parents to share with friends & family who support them behind the scenes while they tend to their hospitalized children and Bookmarks to support the lending library for the older kids.

Cards for Kids

Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Cards for Nurses and Parents with gratitude
Bookmarks for the Hospital Lending Library

Stampin’ Up! List of Sentiments

Here is a list of sentiments appropriate for hospitalized kids:

  • YOU ARE THE BEST (Morning Star)
  • YOUR SMILE BRIGHTENS MY DAY (Beautiful Braided)
  • WISHING YOU SUNSHINE AND HAPPINESS (Honey Bee)
  • LET’S CELEBRATE YOU! (Bonanza Buddies)
  • CELEBRATING YOU IS THE BEST (Birthday Jubilee)
  • TACO’ BOUT AWESOME (Witticisms)
  • HELLO SUNSHINE (Under My Umbrella)
  • YOU ALWAYS BRIGHTEN MY DAY (Full of Happiness)
  • HERE FOR YOU (By the Dock)
  • BELIEVE YOU CAN (Do the Impossible)
  • YOU ROCK! (Music From the Heart)
  • HELLO FABULOUS (Dressed to Impress)
  • SOMEBODY LOVES YOU LOTS & LOTS! (Parcels and Petals)
  • YOU MAKE ME HAPPY (This Little Piggy)
  • DARLING YOU ARE FABULOUS (Stitched All Around)
  • HELLO BEAUTIFUL (Butterfly Gala)
  • YOU MAKE ME SMILE / THE BEST THING ABOUT TODAY IS YOU / YOU MAKE ME SMILE (Well Said)
  • YOU ARE BRAVER THAN YOU BELIEVE, STRONGER THAN YOU SEEM, SMARTER THAN YOU THINK, AND LOVED MORE THAN YOU KNOW (Rustic Retreat)
  • YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST! CELEBRATE EVERY TINY VICTORY YOU ARE LOVED ALWAYS (Varied Vases & Vibrant Vases)
  • YOU’RE STRONGER THAN MOST (Beautiful Promenade)
  • YOU’RE AMAZING & THAT’S A FACT / YOU ARE LIKE A DIAMOND – RESILIENT, STRONG, AND BEAUTIFUL (Strong & Beautiful)
  • YOU GOT THIS GIRL / YOU DESERVE A WHOLE SHEET OF STARS (Here’s to Strong Women)
  • YOU’VE GOT THIS / I TOLD THE UNIVERSE TO SEND SOMETHING AWESOME YOUR WAY (Genuine Gems)
  • YOU ARE THE HAPPY TO MY DAY (County Home)
  • YOU’RE THE CAT’S MEOW (Nine Lives)
  • KEEP CALM AND WAG ON (Happy Tails)
  • ALL DAYS ARE BEAUTIFUL THAT BEGIN WITH YOU (Floral Essence)
  • THERE’S SO MUCH TO LOVE ABOUT YOU (Abstract Impressions)
  • YOU ARE AMAZING / BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT (Band Together)
  • YOU ARE SIMPLY WONDERFUL (Bloom & Grow)
  • I’LL NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN YOU (Magical Mermaid)

Spread the love!