If you’ve ever met me, or have read my About page, you know that I used to teach girls how to pitch a softball. The aspect I miss most about the role was getting to know and spend time with such amazing young women. You may think I’m exaggerating, but trust me, these girls were awe-inspiring!
One of my pitchers, who is studying abroad in France, got in touch with me recently and asked if I could make a card using my map stash to send to her boyfriend in California. I thought it was a great idea and my brain started buzzing. I went to my map box, found the right maps at the right scale and threw this little love note together.
As you can see the card has a very Valentine-y vibe to it and if I get so lucky to do this again I might tone down the pinks and omit a few hearts, but for this project it just seemed right. From what I can tell, the two young-uns are absolutely taken with one another!
Once the card was complete, my “Frenchie” sent me what she wanted written inside the card, a very personal and heartfelt message. (Sorry I cannot share what was said, but I assure you it was,” Awwwww”-inducing). I copied it into MS Word, found an elegant but legible font, printed it out and taped it into the card. For the finishing touches I spritzed the card with my favorite perfume and found some great embellishments for the envelope.
I got word last week that her boyfriend absolutely loved it. What fun! The project has inspired me to write more letters and to work more with maps. Hopefully it inspires you to simply tell the ones you love that you love them.
“Absence is to love as wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great.” –Roger de Bussy-Rabutin
Keep pressing on,
Carson
This post was linked up to the PS Saturday Seven Party, check it out!
bluebuttonpress 
I don’t think the hearts and pink were too much for a card of this nature. It sounds like it was a home run!
I think it was. I’m going to put together a few more this evening to play around with other color combos, I’m thinking of offering a custom long distance love letter in my Etsy shop.
Nice idea! I think a love letter is a wonderful gift but some people find them intimidating. If customizable long distance love letter sounds like a winner.
Love it, Love the plane..Definitely run with this idea..Hearts are a great touch, think even a guy would like..what adhesive do you use? I have tried several with various degrees of success..warpage is my biggest concern..keeping the work flat..looks like you have it mastered..
I’ve tried a ton of adhesives and get very frustrated with most of them. I always come back to Scotch permanent double-sided tape. Its not as easy or quick to apply, but it never breaks or gets gummed up in the works and never creates warpage. If I need glue, which I often do, I use the Zig 2-way glue pens, the glue goes on smooth, you do have to work fast to get a permanent bond, but its so worth it. If I’m gluing paper to wood or cardboard I use PVC from the paper source and a glue brush, I then go over it all with my bone folder to push out any bubbles. Apparently you shouldn’t get me started on adhesive…