I just spent how much?

I went to Target tonight to pick up some birthday cards for some coworkers.  I almost exclusively buy Papyrus cards but I forget how much they cost in quantity.  There used to be a Papyrus store near me, but it closed.  Now the closest one is in the Providence Place Mall and I hate going to that mall, so I buy at Target.  Tonight's total for 5 cards was $41.  OUCH.

I tried to get fancy with my addressing, but my calligraphy skills are now officially classifiable as heinous.  I used some calligraphy markers that I had picked up a few weeks back for my Santa Mail project.  They did not like the Papyrus envelopes at all.

Anyway, these are the fancy cards. One card not shown because it's for my coworkers to sign as a group for the boss.  The ones below will all be mailed.

Outgoing: Celebration Cards

This is a shameful example of how far behind on my mail I am was!  All of these cards are Papyrus cards.  They are my go-to dealer for "glam" cards {though Hallmark is making progress, as you can see here}.  Fortunately, you can pick up Papyrus cards at Target {and Bed, Bath & Beyond, as I noticed yesterday}.  I say fortunately because the Papyrus store in Garden City closed and is not re-opening.  I am super annoyed about it because I love their cards but I really adore their swanky, bling-y gift bags and tissue paper.  I know the bags are $10, but I like to have the best looking present on the table.  Snotty, but true.  

Now, the only other Papyrus around is in the Providence Place Mall.  If you live in RI, you know why that stinks.  Fifteen minute drive {for me}, pay to park in a garage, tri-level pain in the butt.  No more "just run over to Garden City and be right home."

I sent this card to a bride who was married in July {August?}.  I made her wedding cake, and I purchased this card before her wedding.  It finally got mailed on 02/04/2013.  But the upside is that it will be a nice surprise, right?

This card is significantly less late.  Charlene's birthday was 01/31.  This card also got mailed on 02/04.

This card will be early.  For my 2nd cousin Beth, whom I adore and has a great sense of humor.

The inside of the card says something about having your cake and eating it, too.  I love that David is censored with a fig leaf underneath.

All of the envelopes on these indicated extra postage needed, so they all got their 66 cents with a 64 cent butterfly and the Navajo necklace for the extra 2 cents.

1000 Cards for Patsy

Today over at the LWA Blog Donovan posted about a woman named Patsy.  Patsy lost, literally, a lifetime of correspondence in Hurricane Sandy.  She is 87 and she was saving them to read in her final hours.  Her son-in-law is trying to get her 1000 cards for Christmas.  I am sending four, because I don't know when to stop.  Click that link above to see the story.

Got this card at Papyrus, thought it was classy and elegant.

Also love the lined envelope.

Picked this card because it was glam.  At 87, you deserve some glam and expensive cards.  Also, I love purple and snow.  The envelope is a shimmering silver.  Also from Papyrus.

Matching lining!

Picked this card because aquamarine is my very favorite color, other than gray.  March is my birthday, aquamarine is my color.  From Papyrus.

This is the final card, from Hallmark.  I love what is says, because it's true.  I think of her receiving all of this mail and I can see her smiling and joyful.  This card has a stunning matte-finish gray envelope.

Patsy, Merry Christmas.  You are four cards richer and I thank you for the smile you brought to my face tonight.  I loved sending these to you.