💌 Celebrate National Letter Writing Day (9/1) and the Power of Putting Pen to Paper 🖋️!

September 1st, is World Letter Writing Day—a day that personally reminds me of the timeless power of a handwritten note!

For me, this day carries a special meaning. Last year, I committed to a year of letter writing. Over the course of 12 months (366 days, accounting for Leap Year), I wrote to friends, family, strangers, mentors, and even my mailman. What started as a personal challenge turned into something much bigger—a journey of connection, gratitude, and discovery.

I have also tagged it as my year of JOY because every single day I was thinking of someone to write to and what I could say to them about what they mean to me and that made me happy and excited for them to receive my words. And on the flip side, I was blessed by the overwhelming feedback I received in return. Give it a try 😉 , and it doesn’t have to be every day…I promise you will find the JOY too 😊!

I learned that the simple act of sitting down with pen 🖋️ and paper 📃 can (and will):
💌 Brighten someone’s entire day.
💌 Create lasting keepsakes that people treasure.
💌 Offer a sense of presence in a digital world.
💌 Heal, encourage, and inspire in ways we sometimes don’t expect.

That journey also deepened the mission behind my business, Social Butterfly Designs, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year 🎉. For 25 years, I’ve been designing stationery and cards with one goal in mind—to help people connect more meaningfully through handwritten notes.

To celebrate this occasion, I’m sharing a resource close to my heart: 14 Note Writing Tips (see image below 👇) with ideas I have been sharing on my Instagram account @socialbutterflydesigns over the past several months. Whether you haven’t written a note in a while or already have a drawer full of stationery, these tips will help spark ideas, ease the pressure of “what do I say?”, and make the process fun again.

Some of my favorites include:
✨ Try writing to someone out of the blue — those unexpected notes often mean the most.
✨ Don’t forget to write to people you live with — a little surprise love note can go a long way.
✨ Write to a stranger — during my letter-writing year, this was one of the most magical experiences.

So, in honor of National Letter Writing Day, I encourage you to:

1. Pick up a pen.

2. Choose someone—anyone—who could use a lift or just a few kind words.

3. Write a note that’s just a few sentences long.

That’s it. No need for perfect wording or fancy stationery (though I won’t say no if you use a favorite design 😉). What matters most is that you take the time.

Because when you put pen to paper, you’re giving someone a piece of yourself—and that gift lasts far longer than a text or email ever could.

Check out “Jill’s Go To” Pack

These four designs were my

“Go To” notes during my year

of letter writing!

SIDE NOTE: This weekend I got together with some lifelong friends and shared a handwritten note one of these friends had written to me in high school and she was so caught off guard to see her handwriting and words (single-lined college ruled paper, double sided front to back) after all these years. She was amazed I still had it and was touched I shared it with her and passed it along. I have so many more where that came from because the thing about notes is that you can hold onto them forever, unlike a text or email, and they still mean something to me and if shared, to the one who wrote them in the first place.

OK, so if you have stuck with me this long, you obviously have some interest in the topic at hand. I am going to be putting together a course which I am (for now) calling The Notewriting Lab, where I am going to go deeper into my own personal note writing experience and share a lot about what I’ve learned over the past 25 years in running my stationery business with tips, personal accounts and some surprises along the way. If you might be interested in such a course, just drop a heart in the comments or send me an email and I will be sure to keep you posted.

Happy National Letter Writing Day, friends! 💕

Jill

Follow along on Instagram @socialbutterflydesigns and @thenotewritinglab. Hope to see you there!

National Stationery Week -- Let's Celebrate the Power of Paper!

Celebrate Snail Mail Magic with Me! 💌

Did you know it’s National Stationery Week? As someone who just completed a year-long handwritten note journey (yep, 366 days of heartfelt words and sentiments!), I couldn't let this week pass without a little fanfare.

To celebrate, I’m debuting something special:
✨ The Jill’s Go-To Pack ✨
A curated set of 8 notecards featuring the 4 designs I reached for again and again during my letter-writing year. Whether it was a thinking-of-you, I appreciate you or a spontaneous "you’ve got this!"—these cards carried my words with just the right vibe.

Why do I love them 🥰?
Because they’re versatile, cheerful, and just the right nudge to get you writing that note you've been meaning to send.

🎨 Jill’s Go-To Pack – 8 notecards, 4 delightful, all-purpose designs I reached for all year long.

🦋 1. Butterfly Trio – “Just for You”
My go-to for thoughtful, anytime notes. Sweet, simple, and perfect for any occassion, especially a “just thinking of you” moment that flutters right into someone’s heart.

🌸 2. Floral Heart – “From the Heart”
This beauty was made for meaningful messages. Whether I was writing to an old friend or sending a dose of encouragement, this card wrapped my words in love.

👯‍♀️ 3. Hello Friend – “Little Things, Big Love”
Bright, playful, and bursting with charm. A note with this card always brought smiles—and reminded me how fun it is to connect just because.

❌⭕ 4. XOXO – “Hugs & Kisses”
Short and sweet, this one says it all. When I wanted to send warmth and love, XOXO did the trick.

So grab your favorite pen, pour something soothing, and celebrate National Stationery Week with a little handwritten joy.

✍️ Put pen to paper. Make someone’s day. Start a ripple of connection.

With paper love,
Jill 💕

P.S. I’m offering a special discount on this card set this week! You can take 20% off this pack with code JILLSGOTO through Friday, May 23rd.

The Jill’s Go To Pack

April is National Letter Writing Month -- Let's Bring Back the Magic of the Mailbox!

Did you know April is National Letter Writing Month? It’s the perfect time to slow down, pick up a pen, and connect with someone the old-fashioned way—with a handwritten note.

I believe there’s something truly special about putting your thoughts on paper. A note in the mail is a little moment of joy, a smile tucked inside an envelope. And in a world buzzing with notifications and emojis, it’s a deeply personal gesture that stands out.

Writing to people is the amazing opposite of social media. Instead of isolating us, it connects us. Instead of being focused on appearance, it focuses on the spirit. Instead of flashy and distracting, it's slow and meaningful, and helps us re-focus and reflect on our relationships.  You can change your whole attitude and help change the mood/day of the lives of the people around you just by writing a simple and thoughtful note 💌. 

Why Letter Writing Still Matters

Think about the last time you opened your mailbox and found something that wasn’t a bill or a catalog. A real letter, addressed just to you in familiar handwriting. Remember that feeling? That little flutter of excitement? That’s the power of handwritten connection!

Whether it’s a thank you note, a birthday wish, a just-because message, or a simple “I miss you”—your words, in your own penmanship, mean more than you know.

Let’s Celebrate All Month Long

To celebrate Letter Writing Month, I’m challenging you to write at least three unexpected notes this month. Here are some ideas:

• Surprise an old friend with a “thinking of you” card

• Send a note to someone who’s helped you recently

• Leave a love note for your spouse, your child—or even your mail carrier

• Drop a few lines to someone you see often but never pause to thank

And of course, I’ve always got you covered with specially-designed note cards to make your words even more memorable. From quirky cards to heartfelt sentiments, each design is made with connection in mind.

Join the Note-Writing Movement

Need a little inspiration? Follow me on Instagram at @socialbutterflydesigns where I’ll continuing to share note writing prompts, ideas, and a peek into my own letter-writing routine.

Let’s bring back the joy of the handwritten note—one letter at a time.

Happy Letter Writing Month!

xx 💕…Jill 🦋 💌

🎊 Cue the Confetti—Social Butterfly Designs is Turning 25 in ‘25! 🦋✨

I’m feeling all the emotions ❤️‍🔥 as I write this because this milestone represents more than just a number—it’s the celebration of a journey that has been incredibly personal to me. 2025 marks the 25th year of Social Butterfly Designs—an entire quarter century of creating, designing, and delivering countless invitations and paper creations for all of you. It has been, without a doubt, one of my life’s greatest
passions 💋.

Today, as I step into this anniversary year, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that has brought me here, the amazing people who have supported this business, and the exciting ways I will celebrate this milestone with you.

🧐 A Look Back 🔍

What started as a small stationery business focused on designing invitations has blossomed into something far greater than I could have ever imagined. Social Butterfly Designs has never just been about invitations, greeting cards, and paper goods; it has been about fostering genuine connections, celebrating life’s special moments, and providing ways to share the simple yet powerful act of putting pen to paper. Every design, every product, every invitation, and every heartfelt note I’ve created has been from the heart, and has brought me so much joy!

I have been absolutely blown away by the love and support you’ve shown me over the years. I started this journey back in 2000 (anyone remember Y2K? 😂). My two oldest kids, George and Helen, were only 3 and 1, and my youngest, Audrey, wasn’t even born yet! Here’s a snapshot of our family back then (left) and my son’s birth announcement (right), with a special story behind it below.

This little hand-drawn, hand-painted watercolor birth announcement I created for George (now 27!) in 1997 (yes, I painstakingly hand-painted over 150 of them 🤯…and did anyone note my son’s birth weight 🫢…he ended up being born via c-section 😮‍💨) was a turning point for me. It was in that moment I made the life-changing decision to leave my 14-year corporate job in public relations at Princess Cruises to stay home and raise my family. This birth announcement played a major role in inspiring me to start my own graphic design and stationery bbusiness just three years later.

After years of designing my own holiday cards and receiving encouragement from family and friends, Social Butterfly Designs officially launched on November 1, 2000. I initially started the business with my friend Susan Mills 👯 who shared my passion and creative vision. We worked together for a few years, but for the majority of this journey, I’ve been on my own—learning, growing, and evolving every step of the way.

⤵️ Then vs. Now: The Realities of the Day 💻

Back in 2000, people were still using flip phones, and Facebook or Instagram didn’t exist yet! Designs were hand-drawn more often than digitally created, and my workspace was the back corner of my dining room table, piled with stacks of paper, ribbons, embellishments and cutting tools instead of sleek design software (and because cell phone cameras weren’t a thing yet, I don’t have photos of this scene ☹️). But one thing hasn’t changed—the joy of sending and receiving a heartfelt, handwritten note in the mail 💌.

Brad Pitt was the “Sexiest Man Alive” and flip phones and Razor scooters were all the rage in the year 2000.

🥂 A Year of Celebration 🍾

To honor this incredible milestone, I have some special things planned throughout this year! From behind-the-scenes looks into my creative process, to exclusive anniversary designs, giveaways, and maybe even a few surprises (think limited-edition designs, nostalgic throwbacks, and maybe even a special collaboration… stay tuned!), this will be a year filled with gratitude and celebration. I want to take you along for the ride 🎢 —sharing cherished memories from the past 25 years while looking ahead to all the exciting things still to come!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this journey and for joining me to make this anniversary year one to remember!

I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a favorite Social Butterfly Designs card or invitation you’ve kept over the years? Drop a comment or share a photo—I’d love to take a trip down memory lane with you!

P.S. The best way to keep up with these 25th anniversary updates is to follow this blog and/or follow me on instagram @socialbutterflydesigns.

Wrapping Up my 2024 Note Writing Journey

Last year (I cannot believe today is January 1st), I committed to writing a note to someone every day since January 1, 2024…and yesterday marked my 366th note (accounting for Leap Year of course)!

It’s been a remarkable and incredible experience with so many unexpected surprises and connections along the way. I have no words for how meaningful it has been and how much JOY it has brought me.

I’ve put a lot of thought into who I would send my last note to, and how meaningful this note was to me.  While I’m keeping this to myself, I can share that it felt like the perfect way for me to close this chapter.

my last note!

While this isn’t really the end of my note writing journey—in many ways, it’s just the beginning! In the days ahead, I’ll be sharing more about what I’ve learned and how it’s inspired me to create something special for anyone who wants to experience similar connections through handwritten note writing.

I hope you’ll follow along and stay tuned for what’s next…I’m pretty excited about it!