22 February 2013

Keeping in Touch: the Inspiration Care Package

This post is written by contributing author Anabel Bouza.

As someone who has been moving around a lot, I lament the fact that I'm often leaving new friends behind. Oh, the heartbreak of creating friendships, just to say farewell...

Of course, I try to see the positive: I have friends in far places! As long as they're there, I can still call that place, home. Another good thing to result from this: it forces me to come up with fun ways to keep in touch.

That's how I arrived at the idea of the inspiration care package.

Photo: Anabel Bouza

All you need is a small tin can or similarly lidded, light-weight receptacle. As to the contents, the possibilities are endless. Some of my own ideas so far:

  • A mini-project in a box: all the materials needed to create a brooch, necklace, bookmark, or whatever you can fit within the container. 
  • A miniature stationery set: tiny pencil, pretty paper, ribbon, wax and seal...
  • A small diorama or collage, to be finalized by the person who receives it.
  • A tiny embroidery project. Include the pattern — even better if it's relevant to the person receiving it — needle and thread, even a tiny embroidery loop if it fits.
  • It could also be just a miniature collection of beautiful textures and colors, visually stimulating. Almost like an amulet to keep inspiration flowing!
I've been hoarding buttons, paper, and fabric my whole life, so I have more scraps and notions than the average human — although I suspect many of you are in the same situation. You're not? Well, don't feel discouraged! Just head into the world (or your cabinets) with a gatherer's mindset.

Photo: Anabel Bouza


Keep an eye out for graceful twigs, cool looking train tickets, blown out christmas bulbs... Any strange little thing can become treasure!

I can almost hear the collective gasp coming from the minimalist's corner! As long as you're making care-packages with your finds, they can't accumulate and weigh you down. Actually, this may be a good way to finally do something with all the random bits of beauty you already call clutter.

I would love to know what other people do with their scraps — those too small to use in your work, yet too precious to discard.

Would you like to be at the receiving end of an inspiration care package, or would you see it as 'homework'? 

This post is part of Listen to Your Heart month on Kanelstrand. Read the rest of the posts here and join in the discussions, we'd love to know what you think!









Anabel Bouza insists there's powerful magic in the action of creating something out of a vague vision, a chill of inspiration. She is an illustrator with a passion for nature, paper manipulation, and pointing her camera at things.

Her appreciation for simplicity dates back to a former life in Cuba - her strange homeland - where she refined the ability to see the alternative uses of common objects, and the enchanting side of things. She's often found blogging as
Weird Amiga, hard at work in her sunny studio, or staring at things as if looking at them for the first time. Her tiny family is comprised of her husband & a turtle; they're new to the city of Chicago, and they love it. Connect to Anabel via facebook and twitter.

21 comments:

  1. I adore this. I've done care packages in the past, although never in a tin - I love the idea of making tiny gifts, little treasures I've held onto, special and valued again. Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. These ideas are so lovely, I send out quite some mail. I should try one of these. Have a fun weekend! How much fun to receive something like this.

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    1. Yes indeed! It shows your attitude to the receiver like nothing else!

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  3. This is the cutest thing. I send a lot of emails to my friends and family, but there really is something special about getting a goodie in the mail.

    As for my scraps, I try to use as many as I can! Leftover paper from making coasters gets turned into little thank you cards, extra fabric can usually become part of something else, and my beads get re-imagined until I use them up. :-)

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    1. You are so creative, Paige! Thanks for dropping by.

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  4. I'm so glad you guys like this idea as much as I do!
    I find these little projects to be very relaxing. Imagine an afternoon of care package-making with friends, music, and lattes...

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    1. Oh, now your post got even better. I can see those care packages evolve so much with friends, music and lattes and starting a life of their own!

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  5. Anabel's post is inspiring me to send some of my own care packages out into the world soon. In fact, you've given me an idea for little gifts I've been wanting to bring to my fellow participants in the healing art program I attend monthly & perhaps unique party favors for our daughter's upcoming 8th birthday! Care packages delivered in person! : )

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    1. Yay, isn't inspiration contagious! Lisa, please let us know when you make your care packages, I will be curious to see them (if they're not a secret, of course).

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    2. I would love to see that!

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  6. Totally adore this post! I've been wanting to do something like this for a while - such a lovely idea :B Thanks for sharing it - off to make one now!

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    1. I am sure you will make one extraordinary care package, knowing your creativity!

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  7. I love this idea of an inspiration package! Such a perfect way to say "I'm thinking of you" and send one along. Thank you so much for sharing this.
    ~Kim

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    1. Yes, such a perfect way to leave a tiny note of love!

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  8. I would love to be on the receiving end of such a treasure trove! Would make me the happiest of happy.

    And making one for someone else would be a lot of fun too, of course. :)

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    1. I can even imagine how yours will look one, you surely will add some felt goodie inside, won't you?

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  9. Very cool ideas. I would love it if someone did this for me, so I would imagine one of my friends would like it too. :)

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    1. Showing a little bit of attention is always so pleasant for both the giver and the receiver, I think. Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. Ooooh, being a lover of small art (I live in a small space), this is ideal! I've often thought to create myself a "mini shrine"...this has revitalized my ideas! Thanks!

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  11. I love that idea so much! I have not moved in years, but I think my friends would still love to have a little box of inspiration any time of year!
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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