Hi everyone,
It's Fan Mail Friday, our favorite time of the week! Today, our hearts are especially full as we celebrate the beautiful themes of Heritage, Home & Hope. These meaningful connections are all around us, and with Create just a few weeks away, we're reminded of how special it is to be part of such a loving and creative community.
This week's fan mail is filled with treasured memories, thoughtful gifts, beautiful handmade cards and heartfelt stories. There is joy, gratitude, encouragement and even a few tears. Each letter reminds us that crafting is about so much more than paper and embellishments. It's about preserving the past, celebrating the present and sharing hope for the future.
Come see all the wonderful things our crafting family has sent!
Watch the video:
Jenny from Oklahoma sent an extraordinary collection of hand-cut paper dolls that belonged to her mother. What a precious gift to share her mother's legacy and preserve these beautiful pieces of the past! We are so touched that Jenny entrusted us with these treasured memories.
Roberta from New York created a gorgeous card using our Jasmine Concentric 3D Foil Dies and new foil plates to celebrate National I Love You Day! Her heartfelt message reminds us how much a kind word and a beautiful card can mean to someone. What a wonderful reason to spread a little extra love!
Dianne from Massachusetts sent a beautiful Thinking of You card featuring Sienna on behalf of the New England Designing Divas! Dianne, Pat, Ann and Angie shared their warm wishes for our upcoming Create event, hoping it brings joy, happiness and an abundance of creativity. We couldn't agree more!
Lorri from Massachusetts shared her inspiring story of strength and recovery, along with her gratitude for winning our exclusive Heirloom Nouveau Cardstock during a members-only livestream. Her thoughtful letter reminds us that even the smallest gesture of kindness can brighten someone's day, week or even year. We're cheering you on, Lorri!
Karen from California sent a stunning pearl-encrusted, foil-transferred card and a handmade framed birthday gift to keep the celebration going! We love her playful question about whether her gift was a little late or very early. Karen, your thoughtful surprise arrived right on time!
Kathleen from Illinois created a gorgeous Venetian Gondola card and sent a beautiful set of Murano glass jewelry, including a necklace, ring and earrings. Her touching letter celebrated the artistry of Venetian glassmakers and the creativity we share through papercrafting. The beautiful blue hues and special connection to Anna's mother made this generous gift especially meaningful.
Tamar from Florida shared a beautiful, interactive letter of hope created to encourage Angelina, a new papercrafter, and celebrate the friendships formed through our crafting community. Her message is a wonderful reminder to keep dreaming, creating and filling the pages of life with happy memories. What a beautiful example of the love and encouragement that make Create so special!
Kris from New York sent a delightful patriotic Halloween card with the cheerful message, "Eat, drink, and be scary!" She also shared the heartbreaking news of the sudden loss of her beloved son, Dominick, along with the touching words of remembrance read by his sister. Our hearts go out to Kris, her husband Ralph and their entire family as we surround them with love, comfort and sincere condolences.
What an emotional and meaningful Fan Mail Friday! Every card, letter and gift reminds us that the things we create carry our stories, preserve our memories and connect our hearts. We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity that make this community feel like family.
As we prepare for Create, we're especially excited to celebrate the theme of hope! If you're joining us, we invite you to write a letter of hope and send a photo of it to guest@annagriffin.com. We're planning something very special, and your encouraging words can help make a beautiful difference in someone's life.
We would also love to hear from you on Fan Mail Friday! Whether you have a handmade card, a treasured memory, a happy celebration or a heartfelt story to share, your mail means so much to us. You never know whose day you might brighten or whose heart you might inspire.
Send your happy mail to 99 Armour Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30324.
Don't forget to tune in to our Daily Drop for a little creative inspiration each day! This Friday, we're bringing the drama in the most beautiful way with our MasterCraft Class featuring Theatrical Greetings! Join us as we explore the gorgeous Theatrical Greetings Dies and Materials. You'll discover wonderful ways to add dimension, elegance and a touch of theatrical magic to your handmade cards. We can't wait to create something spectacular with you!
Thank you for filling our Fridays with beauty, friendship and love. Keep creating, keep sharing and keep spreading hope wherever you go. We can't wait to see what you send next!
Love,
Anna
10 comments
What beautiful cards and letters and I certainly feel the pain of Chris and Ralph’s loss of their son. I lost my son 15 years ago. Even though he was a young man and died from an asthma attack, I had not seen him for several years and he had cut off communication with the family. He died the day before my birthday and I always remember what a sweet and loving person he used to be. My prayers go out to you and feel that your life was blessed with such a remarkable son.
I had hoped to attend Create but on Saturday of last week my husband was hospitalized with COVID. When I picked him up on Wednesday I wasn’t feeling well and was diagnosed with Covid These Health concerns changed my plans for Create. My prescription for Paxlovid was almost $300. Total for all the medication was almost $400. I would have preferred to have spent it on Create. I plan to join the Anna Griffin Group. I belonged for many years until my health & surgeries interfered with my crafting life. This year at Create you are making fabulous Roses.. My hope is you make later chose to share with those of us who were unable to attend. You color palette is gorgeous and the activities look awesome. Fantastic projects. Thank you for all you do to keep those of us who love crafting and contributing involved in projects . I always look forward to your latest creative endeavors.
I would like to be able to attend and be part of the new knee group. I had both of mine replaced over 20 years ago. But I can’t afford to attend. Maybe some other time.
So many of us have had to suffer losses of those we love, and some we never got to meet. My first child was due on Christmas Day 55 years ago, and the sting of a miscarriage continues to weigh on me. Happily, I had a daughter 54 years ago and now have twin granddaughters. I say I lost my husband twice in one day since we were divorced in the morning and he died later the same day. Remember, divorce does not mean you no longer love. Last year I lost my dear nephew to suicide. He was only 37 and the father of two little boys. Haunting me forever will be the fact that he called me moments before he took his life, just to talk, and gave no indication that he was going to harm himself. He said he loved me and would call me right back after he took a call from his little boy. The call never came. I think of him daily and wonder why, and what could I have done. There is so much sadness in the world, but also a lot of joy. Nothing lasts forever, a hard fact that we all have to understand. All we can do is live a life that is full of love and compassion and kindness, to take joy in even the smallest of things. I don’t think you have to be religious to understand right from wrong, and to show appreciation for all we have, to be happy for the success of others. I will never understand war or people who do harm to others. The old adage is more important now more than ever, to treat others as you want to be treated.
Those paper dolls are such a blast from the past. I remember cutting out my own paper dolls as a young girl. It was hours of fun playing with them.
I can see it now The New Knees Club in Fall Create 2026.
Tamar is such a talented artist. She never ceases to amaze me with her creations.
Now to Kris. I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words. So please know I am lifting you and your family up in my prayers. When someone you love becomes a memory. That memory becomes a treasure.
Beautiful projects everyone.
Happy Crafting!
Anna, we just adore and love you! Thank you for sharing all these treasures!!
Chris and Ralph, I’m so sorry for the sudden and unexpected passing of your beloved son Dominick. May you know how deeply your family is loved, being thought of and that many are praying for God’s miraculous comfort over you all. Holding space for tears and an entire myriad of emotions as you grieve…..there are just no adequate words to process parents laying to rest their child. Praying you have many photographed memories together to help you in this season.
And as a parent who also has buried a son after an unexpected tragedy, please do not feel any guilt or shame if you need to reach out to your doctor for sleep assistance/medical help or a grief counsellor or small grief group (GriefShare helped me) if you need more professional support. Praying for wisdom as you take care of yourself in this season, so you can keep loving and serving all the people God continues to bring in and through your life. I learned that I had so many tears in my grief journey BECAUSE I had poured out so much LOVE…..I’m sure you poured out LOVE as well. Lifting your family up…..<3