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I read a comment in a Facebook group the other day that really resonated with me. "Unexpressed expectation is premeditated resentment."
I see this a lot with crafting. Especially cards. People post stories of having given a card to a relative or friend and that relative or friend threw it away, and then they are super upset.
But here's the thing - most people when they receive a gift of any kind, are instantly grateful that they were thought of, and that the person took the time to give them a gift. What they are not usually expecting is an unexpressed obligation.
So let's say you give a complete minimalist a ten piece Russian nesting doll spice shaker kit, for example. If you give that freely, with no expectations, expressed or unexpressed, that minimalist will experience the joy of receiving a gift, but as it doesn't fit into their ethos of minimalism, will also experience joy giving it to someone else. If you later find out about it and are mad - that is premeditated resentment, because you didn't put a tag on it that said - I am giving you this ten piece Russian nesting doll spice shaker gift fully expecting you to carry it around your entire life and then be buried with it.
If you send a card to someone with the expectation they will put it in a shadow box and include it in their will so that it never leaves any blood relative of them, then you should a) say that or b) don't send the card.
I opt for the philosophy of gifts with no strings attached. If I send you something, it's because I wanted to. What happens after you get it is your business. I'm not going to follow up in five years asking for a picture of you with that day's newspaper and my gift or card.
The real magic is in the giving. Just give freely. And if you can't give freely, don't give! Or give to people who understand your expectations very clearly. Then everyone wins. Life is short. Let's not have too many rules!
There is some fun new stuff out today, so I actually had a chance to stamp this week. Work has been absolutely insane, so I appreciate the break with pretty things.
I love their giant florals, and
the new peonies are no exception. This stamp is amazing for detailed coloring but I opted for simple - just three markers - royal blue and neon violet blue
Karin markers (coupon code in footer) and a special black copic and BOOM - a very delft looking pattern! I stamped the image in
Blue Belle Ink before coloring. The sentiment is from
the AMAZING new double cut alphabet which created three different styles of letters with just one die set. I cut the letters from
holographic cardstock.
If you like more detailed coloring, like I do with watercolor - how about
these apples? This stamp reminds me of the trees in Santa Fe with small apples on them. I stamped it with
Fadeout ink, and painted it with the Lydia Split from my Daniel Smith split group.
I brushed Gina K Kraft ink onto a draft card base through the Coloring book stencil for the background. The sentiment is from
BFF Favorite Hello and the sequins are
Spring Fling.



| Simon Says Stamp Silver Holographic... | All – Picket Fence Studios | Blue Belle - VersaFine Clair Ink Pad | Vintage Apple Coordinating Die |... | Vintage Apple Stamp Set | Picket... | Picket Fence Studios Slim line rising... | Aurora Borealis Stamp | Picket Fence... | Big Hugs Word Die | Picket Fence Studios | Nautilus Shell Scene Coordinating Die... | Nautilus Shell Scene – Picket Fence... | Seeing Double Alpha Die Set | Picket... | More Fancy Sentiments Die Set –... | Picket Fence Studios More fancy... | Day and Night Gem Mix | Picket Fence... | Slimline Ocean Waves Cover Plate Die... | Spring Fling Sequin Mix | Picket... | GKD Color Companions Ink Pad- Wild... | Fadeout No Line coloring Detail Ink | BFF Favorite Hello Stamp Set | Picket... | Lavender Frame Cover Plate | Picket... | Ride With Me Dear Coordinating Dies |... | Ride With Me Dear Stamp Set | Picket... | Wild Peonies Stamp Set | Picket Fence... | *Karin Brushmarker PRO Markers |
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What are you up to this weekend? I sense a weekend of cleaning and organizing!
Loveyameanitbye.
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