Only one other country in the whole world borders Canada, the United States of America.
Our respective nations share much in common, though also differ in a number of ways as well (from our political systems to the size of our populations, for example).
A point that falls in between, with certain similarities and notable differences alike is the observation of a day of Thanksgiving.
In this post, I will be sharing with you a vibrantly hued Thanksgiving card that I recently made for someone dear to me whose presence in my life is something I feel immensely thankful for all year round. 🙏
First, however, let’s take a quick look at the complex histories of American and Canadian Thanksgiving Days, respectively.
Note: I would like to preface the following discussion by saying that this is a brief and incomplete picture of the history of Thanksgiving in both countries.
There is much more pertaining to both days that is not covered here. I am simply touching on this subject in the context of sharing a handmade fall harvest season card, not to produce a highly detailed overview of a nuanced, multifaceted subject.
Nor am I delving deep into my personal views on Thanksgiving, how I observe it presently, or what this day means to me when viewed through the context of being a Pagan witch.
American Thanksgiving Day gets its start
In the US, this classic holiday traces its roots back to the pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock. This journey was a perilous one and not everybody who had boarded the Mayflower in Europe reached the Eastern shores of America alive.
Not long after the surviving passengers and crew of the Mayflower reached what would one day become a nation called America, (possibly) in October 1621, these voyagers shared a meal of Thanksgiving with some of the Wampanoag Natives in the area.
This event is widely considered to be amongst the first days of thanksgiving enacted by European settlers on American soil and from it grew the now centuries-old tradition of setting aside one day a year to feast on fall’s seasonal bounty and give thanks for the blessings in one’s life.
In 1789, Thanksgiving was officially recognized across the newly forged United States of America as an annual day of giving thanks and saying prayers of gratitude.
Thanksgiving floated around across various fall time dates, until, in 1863, President Lincoln declared that the last Thursday in November would be the official annual date for this fall time holiday.
That date stuck, and Thanksgiving has remained a cultural cornerstone of the American experience and calendar alike ever since.
Not everyone embraces Thanksgiving (and that is 100% okay!)
It is important in discussing the subject of Thanksgiving Day to acknowledge and respect the choices of those who opt not to observe this holiday.
The account of the pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving, when it transpired (1621, 1623, or 1637, or example), what was actually being celebrated, and various other factors are called into question by some people. And rightfully so.
The notion of a huge, picturesque feast shared between Native Americans and the pilgrims as it has been envisioned by many in the ensuing centuries is likely a long way off from the reality of what really went down at the meal that would contribute greatly to the day we have long called Thanksgiving.
Tragically, some of the early (and no shortage of subsequent) Europeans who came to what is now the US quickly began invading, bringing disease, stealing land, mistreating, enslaving, and killing local indigenous peoples.
As such, many who eschew or boycott Thanksgiving do so because of the wrongdoings that the pilgrims and other later (primarily) European settlers and their descendants inflicted on North American First Nations peoples for centuries.
This is a wholly valid and very important perspective. I can sincerely understand why Thanksgiving (especially the embellished “sunshine and roses” communal feast origin story of this holiday) does not sit right with everyone.
I believe, however, that it is possible to reclaim this day (or to set aside your own personal day of harvest season celebration) and create a vastly more inclusive holiday that focuses on the positive aspects of gathering and celebrating with loved ones, community members, etc in our lives today. As well as the universal gifts of the harvest season and the role that it plays in helping to support life on this planet.
This is not to gloss over the profoundly important history regarding the despicable treatment of Native American and First Nations people at the hands of Europeans and others over the course of history.
Instead, it opens up the question of if it is possible to evolve Thanksgiving, so to speak, into a day of unity, remembrance, harvest season celebration, and fairness for all.
Some might see that statement as woefully pollyannaish, but I do not feel it necessarily has to be.
The concept of universal peace, tolerance, and respect is one that we as a collective culture still have a long ways to go before we reach.
To my mind, there is little reason why Thanksgiving (or a newly created take on Thanksgiving with fresh origins and motivations) can’t be transformed into a day that focuses all the more on ways that we can each try to make global harmony a possibility.
While, in the process, never forgetting (or, goodness forbid, repeating) the appalling mistreatment of North America’s first peoples.
To this end, since 1970, some people have chosen to observe Thanksgiving as a day of National Mourning.
If you are not familiar with this important occasion, I highly encourage you to learn more about it – including, if possible, by holding space for Native Americans to share their stories, thoughts and feelings pertaining to both Thanksgiving and the broader picture of their history.
A great article to further your understanding of this topic is What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Native Americans on the Native Hope blog.
The origins and history of Canadian Thanksgiving
Up here, north of the 49th parallel, while the types of foods enjoyed and the themes of fall time, the harvest season, and counting one’s blessings are common to Canadian Thanksgiving as well, our celebration does not share the same pilgrim roots as that our American neighbours.
Nor, interestingly, does it take place on the same day of the year.
In the US, Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday in November.
Canadian Thanksgiving, however, transpires annually on the second Monday in October (this year it happened on October 11th).
This date is a holiday in America as well, with Columbus Day also taking place on the 2nd Monday of October. This turns that date on the calendar into a fall time holiday for both nations.
(Related side note: The latest date that the second Monday in October can fall is the fourteenth and as October 14th just happens to be my and Tony’s wedding anniversary, every few years our anniversary takes place on Thanksgiving Day.)
Spurred on by the Protestant clergy at the time (who were inspired by America’s tradition of holding a fall time day of thanks), Canada’s first officially recognized Thanksgiving Day took place in 1859.
However, some believe that the origins of a meal and/or day of Thanksgiving stretch back considerably further in Canadian history. Possibly to Martin Frobisher’s arrival in 1578 or to a feast hosted by none other than Samuel de Champlain on November 14, 1606 (at which some male members of the Mi’kmaq People were in attendance).
Initially, during the 19th century, Canadian Thanksgiving was intended by the church leaders who advocated for it as a day to collectively recognize and give thanks for the mercies and blessings of God.
Even at the time though, not everyone was wild about this merging of church and state (in the sense of the soon-to-be nation of Canada declaring a holiday, outside of Christmas and Easter that is, with such strong religious undertones).
Nevertheless, Canadian Thanksgiving caught on quite quickly, with observers simply including (or not) the degree of religion into the equation that aligned with their personal beliefs.
Following Confederation, the first Thanksgiving to be observed in the fledgling nation of Canada took place not in the summer or fall months that correspond with the harvest season, but rather on April 5, 1872.
In that same year, Thanksgiving was declared a national civic holiday, rather than a religious one.
A few days later, in 1879, Thanksgiving was moved to the first week of November to correspond with the harvest season as well as various anniversaries pertaining to the British monarchy.
For quite some time afterward, Canadian Thanksgiving would bounce around in terms of when it fell. Occurring, at one point, as late in the year as December 6th.
As the 19th century progressed and melded into the early 20th century, the newly formed (in 1867) nation of Canada quickly began to expand ever westward. This included settling and establishing a thriving agricultural trade in the prairie provinces.
In doing so, Canada soon began growing a great deal of wheat, oats and various other grains, with large crops of additional classic fall foods such as apples, pears, grapes, carrots, potatoes, and corn being successfully raised in various parts of the country.
It is safe to say that the identity Canada took on as being one of the world’s biggest grain suppliers helped to further cement Thanksgiving as a harvest season event in this country.
In the wake of WWI, it was decided that Thanksgiving and Armistice Day (which was introduced in 1919) would be celebrated together on the first Monday in the week that houses November 11th.
However, in order to accord the recognition deserving of those Canadians who had participated in the Great War, by the early 1930s, November 11th had been designated solely as Remembrance Day.
Thanksgiving did not vanish when that happened. Instead, it held on and was bumped back a month to October.
It was not, however, until as recently as 1957, that Parliament officially proclaimed the second Monday in October as being “a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.”
Despite the religious wording used, once again, Canadian Thanksgiving remained open to celebration by those of all faiths/beliefs and has long been viewed primarily as a civic holiday that honours the bountiful crops and wonderful harvest season that occurs across Canada each autumn.
As well as serving – just as with Thanksgiving in America – as a time when many people gather together with friends, relatives, neighbours, coworkers, members of clubs and groups they belong to, or anyone else they desire to share a delicious fall time meal on this holiday.
In the primarily French-speaking province of Quebec, Thanksgiving is called Action de grâce. And while observed by some, interestingly, this holiday has not been embraced by many Quebecois to the same degree that it has been across much of the rest of Canada.
As with the festive feast that often accompanies Thanksgiving, another element of this annual event that I eagerly look forward to is the making of harvest season and Thanksgiving Day cards for some of the special people in my life that I am grateful for.
Naturally, I’m not alone on this front and many a paper crafter enjoys creating Thanksgiving cards to exchange in person or zip through the post to loved ones near and far.
Humbly, the card shared in today’s post is amongst my very favourite Thanksgiving Day greetings that I have created over the years and I have been champing at the bit to share it here with you since the moment it was completed. 🎃
Warm colours of fall flower and leaf adorned “feeling thankful” Thanksgiving card
Being that we are a northerly nation with a real proclivity for winter weather, I have long felt that it makes a great deal of sense that Canadian Thanksgiving falls in the first half of October.
Nevertheless, plenty of us have experienced snowy Thanksgiving Days here in Canada. As a whole though, in most parts of the country, the relentless grip of wintertime proper has not taken complete hold yet at that point in time.
It was to the jaw-droppingly gorgeous days of September and October, when the leaves were at their most spectacular in our area and the local crops were being harvested, that I turned to for both the colour palette and overall inspiration of this card.
A card that, while not as in-your-face Halloweeny as say, this one, is fully autumnal and has enough fall time charm for it to easily classify as a #MakeHalloween365 project.
As such, it is my #MakeHalloween365 share for this month. 😃
We live in a rural farming community and while not farmers ourselves, we love to experience and give thanks for the local bounty that springs forth annually from this region of British Columbia – and elsewhere in the country, too.
Tapping into the theme of harvest season on the farm, I included a piece of Carta Bella paper with a charming vintage pickup truck print on it.
The other side of that very same piece of paper offered up a beautiful orange and white plaid print that worked terrifically for the card design I had in mind. These two patterns serve as the only prints on this card.
This was done intentionally to let the rich, autumnal-hued cardstocks and bevy of fall leaves and blooms take center stage.
Quite a lot of people grow mums and sunflowers around these parts and late-season roses are by no means unheard of either.
These enchanting flowers, coupled with the breathtaking fall leaves with which Mother Nature paints our landscape each fall inspired the blooms and foliage here.
It is safe to say that in some parts of the world, including both Canada and America, no other vegetable is quite as closely linked to fall time as pumpkins.
Thus, I decided to sprinkle a few adorable 3D Mini Pumpkins from Tim Holtz amidst the fall leaves and flowers on my card.
These darling little pumpkins not only serve to further represent the fall harvest, they also echo the illustrated pumpkins nestled into the beds of the pickup trucks on the Carta Bella paper.
The two-word sentiment of “Feeling Thankful” might not be the longest greeting ever, but it accurately conveys how I feel about the person this card is destined for.
If you would like to create a similar-looking harvest season (to say nothing of autumn birthdays, anniversaries, thinking of you, missing you, just because, etc) card, you can find a list of supplies and detailed step-by-step instructions to do just that below.
Products used to make this charming, multi-layered fall harvest season card
-Dark brown cardstock, terracotta cardstock,
-Matte gold cardstock
-(Fairly pale hued) kraft cardstock – Kraft Cardstock from Carta Bella
-Orange plaid + fall pickup truck print paper (both sides of the same sheet of printed paper) – Hello Fall Great Harvest paper from Carta Bella
-Oval nested dies
-Small leaf dies (or a background style die that cuts out multiple leaves)
-Flower border rectangular die (any suitable rectangle die can be used here)
-Decorative edge scissors – Victorian decorative edge scissors from Fiskars
-“Feeling Thankful” sentiment sticker – Autumn by Steven Duncan Elements Stickers from Carta Bella
-Diamond print stamp – Diamon Pattern Play Clear Photopolymer Stamp from Altenew
-Dark brown ink – Acorn Archival Ink from Ranger
-(Second type of) Dark brown ink – Memento Dew Drop Rick Cocoa Ink from Tsukineko
-Mini plastic embellishments – Mini Pumpkins from Tim Holtz Idea-ology
-Orange mini paper roses (from Dollarama)
-Sunflower/Black-eyed Susan style fabric flowers (from Dollarama)
-Dusty orange coloured fabric flower – Fall Floral Accent 635169 from Michael’s (fall seasonal décor)
-Red and yellow felt leaves (fall seasonal décor item from Dollarama)
-Metallic gold stiff cardstock leaves – Christmas Belle Fleur Leaves from Prima Marketing
-Two sizes of orangey-peach coloured adhesive pearls (or similar flatback pearls that you adhere yourself)
-Glue gun and glue sticks
-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers
-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)
How to make a beautiful country farm-inspired fall time card
Begin by making a card base from kraft cardstock (cream, ivory, and pale brown cardstock would all work nicely here as well).
Cut, by hand, four small, equal-sized triangles of matte gold cardstock. Position and adhere them slightly inward from all four corners of the card base.
Cut a piece of terracotta (dark reddish-orange) cardstock slightly smaller than the dimensions created by the matte gold cardstock. Adhere to your card base.
Using the decorative “Victorian” edge scissors, cut a piece of dark brown cardstock slightly smaller than the terracotta cardstock (if you wish, you can distress this piece of cardstock a bit before adhering it). Adhere to the terracotta cardstock base.
Cut a piece of the same kraft cardstock that you use for the card base. Using Acorn Archival Ink from Ranger, stamp the Diamon Pattern Play Clear Photopolymer Stamp from Altenew. Adhere this piece of cardstock to the dark brown cardstock layer.
Die cut an oval-shaped piece of matte gold cardstock, adhering it in the middle of the previous layer (as you can see in the photos, only a small portion of this matte gold cardstock layer is visible in the completed card design, so you could just cut a portion of an oval, if you wished to conserve cardstock).
Using the decorative “Victorian” edge scissors, cut a rectangle of terracotta cardstock. Adhere horizontally across the middle of the card base layers.
Die cut a flower design rectangle piece from the white and orange side of the Hello Fall Great Harvest paper from Carta Bella. Ink edges of this piece with Memento Dew Drop Rick Cocoa Ink from Tsukineko (or the Ranger Acorn Ink used earlier; objectively, there’s no need for two different dark brown inks here, so long as one of them works well for stamping) and adhere to the white and orange plaid layer.
Cut a somewhat smaller (than the previous layer) piece from the fall farm truck print side of the Hello Fall Great Harvest paper from Carta Bella. Ink edges of this piece with dark brown ink. Adhere to the white and orange plaid layer.
Cut (by hand) two small triangles of matte gold cardstock to use as photo corners on the top and bottom right-hand sides of the fall farm truck print paper. Adhere to that layer (the other two corners will be hidden by the flower and leaf cluster you’ll soon be making, so do not require photo corners of their own).
Die cut a small oval from terracotta cardstock. Freehand cut a curve-top-shaped sign/rectangle-shaped piece from dark brown cardstock (or use a similar shaped die, if you happen to have one) and die cut small fall leaves from it.
Top that dark brown cardstock piece with the “Feeling Thankful” sentiment sticker from Carta Bella.
Adhere the dark brown cardstock piece to the terracotta cardstock oval, attaching the latter to the fall farm truck print paper.
Next, attach three smaller (of the two sizes) orangey-peach coloured pearls to the top left and bottom righthand sides of the dark brown layer of cardstock that sits atop the orange plaid base layer.
Adhere a few of the slightly large size of peachy-orange pearls on the points of the diamonds on the stamped kraft cardstock layer.
Next, using the photos throughout this post as a guide, assemble a selection of vibrantly coloured felt fall leaves, fabric and paper flowers, and gold Prima Marketing leaves. Attach all of these components on the lower left-hand side of the card using hot glue or a strong liquid adhesive (such as E6000).
There you have it, one cheerful fall time greeting that suits Thanksgiving Day to a tee. And which could easily be used for a wide range of other harvest season occasions and events (including the Pagan sabbats of Lammas and Mabon) as well.
The world needs a universal day of Thanksgiving
Days of giving thanks – whether they pertain to the fall (or spring, south of the equator) harvest season or not – far predate the origins of both Canadian and American Thanksgiving.
People across the globe have often celebrated successful harvests with merriment, coming together as a community, and feasting for, if not since time immemorial, then at least since many early peoples adopted a more agrarian way of living.
It is likely that harvest season celebrations date further back still, reflecting successful harvests, so to speak, of forged and/or hunted foodstuffs.
Far fewer of us are solely dependant on collecting and storing all of our own food in the 21st century and, as a result, days of harvest season thanksgiving are not quite as widespread as they likely were for many of our ancestors.
Personally, I have long felt that we need a global day or two of Thanksgiving (i.e., one for the Northern Hemisphere, another for the Southern Hemisphere) that embraces the shifting seasons and acts as a time to reflect on what we are currently grateful for in our lives.
In saying that, I readily acknowledge that food availability/abundance is, heartbreakingly, far from a universal given. As such, that particular element of a universal Thanksgiving Day would need to be addressed.
Ideally, those nations with an abundance would share with others who needed a food supply boost.
Looking beyond the large meal so often connected to times of Thanksgiving, this day could have universal elements of gratitude and celebrating the shifting seasons.
Be it fall or spring, these chapters of the year are incredibly beautiful. Certain elements of nature are retiring, dying, or going into hibernation for a few months, but there is still so much vitality, beauty, and wonder to be had in these seasons.
Whether a universal Thanksgiving Day ever comes to be, I hope that the fall time stirs happiness in your heart, helps to remind you of the many blessings in your life, and brings a deep sense of inner contentment your way.
At Lammas and Mabon, as well as both Canadian and American Thanksgiving, I make a point of counting my blessings.
Big or small, short-term, long-term or perpetual, I know that even on the very roughest days of my life, I have an infinite number of things to be grateful for and strive to acknowledge them to the best of my abilities.
Coming together with loved ones for Thanksgiving and other autumn gatherings is one of my favourite ways to do just that. Creating and giving lovely Thanksgiving/fall harvest cards is another.
The true history of Thanksgiving Day may not always be clear and what this date means to those in the 21st century will, understandably, differ a good deal from person to person.
Beyond the actual holiday of Thanksgiving itself, fall is one of the most incredible seasons.
As the year winds down, we can reflect on how far we have come in 2021 – as well as over the course of our lives. In addition to centring our thoughts on the history (good, bad, and truly horrific) of our ancestors and others who populated the lands many of us now call home.
Let us give thanks for the blessings in our lives, for the progress we have made beyond some of the darker chapters of world history, and for the leaps and bounds forward that will hopefully continue to occur as new pages are written in the history book of humanity.
To Canada’s American neighbours who observe Thanksgiving this month, may you have a safe, beautiful, happy celebration.
And to those who observe a day of mourning or otherwise consciously opt-out of Thanksgiving Day (be it Canadian or American), please know that you and the stances you take are seen, acknowledged, and wholly valid as well. 🍂
I agree that everyone needs and deserves a day to contemplate being grateful. It’s an act and emotion that’s under-valued.
It wasn’t until I made Canadian friends a decade ago that I learned you guys celebrate it on a different day. Actually, the real surprise should have been that you celebrate it at all since our holiday emerged from different circumstances.
As always, I admire your crafting ability! Best wishes, sweetie. 🙂
Ally, you are always sweeter to me than all the pumpkin pies that have ever been baked for Thanksgiving in either of our respective countries.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment and for eloquently expressing that gratitude is an act + emotion that is often undervalued. I concur completely.
IMO, most of us are more fortunate and blessed than we will ever know.
I hope that you, Robin, and all those you hold dear had a relaxing, joyful Thanksgiving that filled your hearts with seasonal cheer.
🖤 Autumn
PS: When I count my blessings, you and Robin are, sincerely, always amongst them.
Such a gorgeous card, beautiful colors, I like the felt leaves and your photography is amazing! Nice history of both of our Thanksgivings.
You are blush-inducingly kind, Donna. Thank you so much on every count.
I hope that you and your loved ones experienced a serene, happy, and very enjoyable Thanksgiving this year.
Hard to believe now that November is over and we’re precisely (as I type these words) three weeks away from Santa’s return. It’s been snowing for the past few hours straight here which is adding to the festive feel of these early December days for us.
Heartfelt thanks again & the sweetest wishes for a marvellous holiday season.
🖤 Autumn
This is a beautiful Thanksgiving card. I’m sure whoever got it was happy with it. The flowers are such a lovely touch and that mini pumpkin is adorable. I do agree that pumpkin is probably the first association to Thanksgiving. You shared a lovely article. It was very interesting to read about the history of both American and Canadian Thanksgiving. It is an important holiday for many and it’s always good to be thankful for what we have. I know these holidays are meaningful for a lot of families. I can understand different sentiments about them (especially about the American Thanksgiving) in reference to Native Americans, but as you say and I agree these holidays can evolve and develop new meanings. They can also be an opportunity to educate children about Native Americans and their role in the survival of first pilgrims. Holidays, like life, are what we make of them. Have a nice day!
How right you are, Ivana. Thanksgiving, in both countries, is an excellent time for youngsters and those with a few more years under their belts alike to learn more about and hold space for First Nations/Inuit/Metis/Native Americans.
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment, including the super kind things you said about this cheerful fall time card.
It’s always a pleasure to hear from you, lovely lady. May you and your family experience a serene, festive, and joy-filled December. 🎄
🖤 Autumn
I love that both of our countries celebrate this beautiful day of thankfulness. Like you, I strive to be grateful every day, and especially on holidays. In spite of the chaos and craziness that abounds today, we still have so many blessings to be grateful for.
Such a beautiful card to represent our days of Thanksgiving and Autumn colors!!
Thank you deeply, my very dear friend. I completely agree with you and feel that a good many people are more blessed and fortunate than they will ever fully realize.
The fact that we’re alive in the 21st century alone helps that to ring all the more true for many of us. Sure, the world has been battling some rather hefty issues lately, but we’re still living through a time of wonderful things, be it technology, scientific advances, or otherwise.
I hope that you and your family were able to savour a peaceful, happiness-filled Thanksgiving and that you have a splendidly lovely December. 🎄
🖤 Autumn
A stunning Thanksgiving card Autumn, gorgeous colours and fabulous details, the flowers and leaves are beautiful and as always you have added so many super details – I love everything about it.
Pauline – Crafting with Cotnob
x
You are mighty kind, sweet Pauline. Thank you very much for your awesomely lovely words about this festive fall time greeting. I really appreciate them – just as I do you sharing your time with my blog. 💗
Big hugs & the very happiest of wishes for a fantastic December coming your way.
🖤 Autumn
Thank you for enlightening me on the origins and history of Thanksgiving, Autumn! Your card is yet again an absolute triumph. I’m loving those felted leaves! xxx
It is my heartfelt pleasure, dear Ann. I explored this topic somewhat here and there over the years on my previous blog, but don’t recall ever getting into as thoroughly as I did here. It’s a topic I’ve been wanting to write on for quite some time now and felt that the tail end of November, with US Thanksgiving approaching again, was the ideal time.
Plus, now when someone tells me they just learned that Canada has a Thanksgiving Day, too, I can point them towards this post for more information on the celebrations held in both countries.
Wishing and Jos a serene, beautiful, and abundantly joyful December.
🖤 Autumn
I find your posts absorbing and informative,so many facts which I have never given much thought to,We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK though I have learned to appreciate and be thankful for what I have and not to take anything for granted.
A stunning card in gorgeous colours
Thank you deeply, sweet Meg. I wholeheartedly appreciate your kindness and support of my writing. It helps to fuel me on all the more here as WCL heads towards its third year of life (this site’s blogiversary is January 1st).
How incredibly right you are regarding not taking anything for granted. That is something I really try to be mindful of as well.
Many thanks again, lovely lady. May you and all those you hold dear have a safe, happy, and wonderfully festive December.
🖤 Autumn
Beautiful bright and cheerful card. Love Dawn x
Thank you very much, dear Dawn. Those glorious, all-too-shortlived days of autumn sunshine were still out in full force as I created this card and (they) definitely helped to inspire this upbeat design.
Alas, those gorgeous days are behind us again here and snow is once more out in full force (including as I type these words). I still try to keep some elements of fall going strong straight on until the Winter Solstice, all the while embracing the coming (icy cold!) season as well.
Living in Canada, where winter weather is the norm in most parts of the country for 5 – 7 months, it helps to be friends with the snowy season and that’s what I’ve been actively doing since I was a youngster (ahhh, for those carefree winter days spent sledding and skating outdoors until we almost felt like our little legs would give out on us).
Big hugs & the happiest of wishes for a serene, fantastic December.
🖤 Autumn
Your lovely card has all the great elements of a great fall harvest, and it’s beautifully designed and crafted with wonderful details! I respect everyone’s right to live, celebrate, and make their own choices in life and I’m grateful for those who return that respect. Life is all about caring and kindness to others, regardless of what happened before I came to this planet.
Wisely and wonderfully said, Carol. Thank you very much for the blessing of your insightful words. I feel the same way and have always tried to hold fast to a “live and let live” philosophy.
Many heartfelt thanks, too, for the kind things you said about this festive fall time greeting.
The warm, harvest season hues it houses are already fading into memory around these parts as winter descends upon us in full force. I will miss fall (my favourite season) fiercely, but take comfort in knowing it will return, just as the sun rises each morning, come next year.
From my heart to yours, may you have a safe, serene, and deeply happy December.
🖤 Autumn
Wow a beautiful card, post and delightful warm feelings. , so love this one, and fabulous colours of it too.. Great deco’s xx
Thank you so much, dear Annie. You are as sweet and kind as can be!
I am extra grateful that we can create with the colours and themes of autumn all year round, if so desired, in our craft rooms. Especially since winter has returned in full force here again and, in turn, the sublime loveliness of this fall’s golden sunshine-filled days are already fading into memory.
Many hugs & the cheeriest of wishes for a safe, joy-filled December!
🖤 Autumn
What a fantastic post Autumn, I loved reading about the history of both of our Thanksgivings. Stunning card and beautiful fall colors. The layers and flowers are absolutely gorgeous!
Have a great week ahead.
Hugs, Tammy
Thank you so much, sweet Tammy. I wholeheartedly appreciate your positive feedback both on my overview of Cnd + American Thanksgiving Days, as well as the super kind words you said about this cheerful fall time greeting.
If only I could recreate these colours as easily outdoors as I can in my craft room. While not the shortest autumn ever, this year’s essentially came to a close by about mid-November around these Western Canadian parts. Several snowfalls have already occurred and fresh flakes are tumbling down as I type these words.
I will miss fall with all my heart, but delight in knowing that it will once again grace the world with its presence in about nine months.
Many heartfelt thanks again, coupled with oodles of hugs and the very happiest of December wishes. 🎄
🖤 Autumn
That is a gorgeous card, Autumn, and I’m sure the recipient really appreciated the thought and time that went into it.
I enjoyed reading about our countries’ different Thanksgiving origins. I just read a book that clarified Columbus Day for me – it was started after the Chicago World’s Fair (which was in 1892, celebrating the 400th centenary of Columbus’ “discovery” of the Americas).
Thank you very much on both counts, sweet Sheila.
During the years of my vintage blog, I touched on the subject of Thanksgiving as it pertains to both the US and Canada here and there, but don’t believe I ever penned a more in-depth look at it.
This November, with US Thanksgiving rounding the bend again, felt like the perfect time to do so. Plus, handily, now when someone tells me they didn’t know that Canada had a Thanksgiving Day too, I can point them to this entry.
I hope that you and L enjoyed a relaxing tail end of November and am sending my cheeriest wishes your way for a safe, relaxing, and splendidly enjoyable December.
🖤 Autumn
PS: Have you gotten snow yet in Victoria? We received our first fall a few days in November and have experienced several since. Indeed, a flurry of tiny flakes are waltzing to the ground as I write these words.
First, your card is just gorgeous! The colors are so cheery, yet still embrace autumn perfectly.
Second, I’m currently in the midst of writing my Thanksgiving post, and it’s been a struggle. I appreciate your perspective on the holiday and inclusion of the murky history.
xoxo
-Janey
Thank you deeply, my very dear friend.
You are a compassionate soul who values inclusion and understands that the past is often so much more than the standard party line found in school textbooks.
I have no doubt that you approached your Thanksgiving post with wonderful, caring insights that look at things from multiple angles/perspectives (I haven’t read it yet, but hope to catch up on the last few days of blog feeds this weekend and really look forward to spending some time with your own Thanksgiving Day entry).
Wishing you and Pat a safe, cozy, and deeply enjoyable December.
🖤 Autumn
What a stunningly beautiful card, rich with color and texture! Love the patterned papers and the felt leaves!!!
You are splendidly kind, dear Celeste. Thank you very much.
As went engulfs our corner of the world once again, I am all the more thankful that I need only venture into my craft room to recreate some of fall’s sublime beauty and incredible colour palette anytime the desire strikes.
All the while, counting down the days until my very favourite season returns once again.
Big hugs & the happiest of wishes for a beautiful December coming your way.
🖤 Autumn
Oh, I just love the truck images for Fall and Christmas! Your paper is so pretty. I bought paper napkins this year with a turquoise truck for Thanksgiving! It’s so sad that Thanksgiving’s origins in the US couldn’t be more like the fairy tale we grew up with. Sad that greed brought about such destruction that really continues to this day. I think I want to be Canadian! 🙂 However, our family thoroughly enjoys the day with a grand feast and lively conversation. Your card is gorgeous. I love all the colors and textures you added. Simply beautiful!
Thank you very much, my sweet friend. I adore vintage pickup/farm truck images for the chilly months as well. A couple of autumns ago I picked up a wonderful, good-sized fall/Halloween vintage truck figure that instantly became one of my favourite pieces of seasonal decor. It’s still out on display as I type these words and I am seriously considering weaving it into our year-round decor as I love it to no end.
Not being an American and having never lived in the US, I cannot speak firsthand to that experience and sincerely appreciate you sharing about some of the mixed feelings that Thanksgiving stirs in you.
I don’t per se think that when it comes to (American) Thanksgiving one has to necessarily toss the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. It is possible, IMO, to reframe this holiday to one that provides an honest account of its true history, while also choosing to focus on the timeless elements of the fall harvest season and the act of giving thanks for the gifts, blessings, and reasons to smile in our lives.
Many thanks again, dear Angie. Thinking of you and sending the sweetest, happiest wishes your way for a fantastic December. 🎄
🖤 Autumn
What a beautiful card, I just love those colours and all the little details contained within it. Thank you too for the info on the history of Thanksgiving in the US and Canada, it was so interesting. I like the idea of global Thanksgiving holiday, but fear that it would be another occasion for over consumption by those that already have so much. I am really not sure that it would lead to greater sharing with those that have less. In current times we are not doing very well on that front. I suppose the optimist would say that it would be an opportunity to change that. Thanks for making me sit and think about these things and for the pleasure that your beautiful card had brought to my life today xx
Thank you deeply, dear Hilary – very much including for sharing your thoughts on how a universal day of Thanksgiving, were one to ever arise, potentially play out. I agree that it would be woefully easy for those wealthier, more resource-abundant nations to utilize the lion’s share of things and leave little for those countries that need all the assistance they can get.
Still, it would be a beautiful thing, I feel, to have a global day of thanks and giving. Ideally with some nations who could do so without causing hardships for their own citizens, sharing generously with others around the planet.
I sincerely appreciate your comment (including the sweet-as-pumpkin pie things you said about this festive fall time greeting) and hope that you have a safe, peaceful, and thoroughly enjoyable December.
🖤 Autumn
What a jaw-dropping beautiful card! The vibrsant warm colors and all the different layers and textures make this card unique and absolutely gorgeous. Lucky is the person who receives this, you can tell you have put a lot of thought and attention into this design.
Sweet Pia, you are exceedingly kind. Thank you very much for your awesome comment – it made my day and then some! (Especially since I’m a long-time fan of your own gorgeous paper crafting creations.)
Many hugs & the happiest of holiday season wishes coming your way,
🖤 Autumn
I enjoy each and every post you write although am especially taken with this one. I enjoyed reading of the histories of US and Canadian Thanksgivings and appreciate your recognition of our Indigenous communities and their ancestors. I practice gratefulness and do my best to put a grateful twist on what could be grumblings (e.g., Instead of, “Ugh! Look at all those dishes to wash”, I reframe my thinking to, “I am so thankful that we have food to eat.”). We enjoy Thanksgiving at our home while recognizing our privilege. We also give thanks for each other in our own ways as not all my children share my faith (and I am thankful that I raised them to be independent thinkers).
Your card is so pretty and screams fall. Given your name, that seems especially fitting. I especially like those lovely felt leaves.
I’m thankful for you, my dear friend!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear Kate, for your tremendously lovely comment. I too cherish the bond we’ve formed and look forward to hopefully deepening our friendship all the more in 2022.
Thank you very much as well for sharing how Thanksgiving is approached in your family. I greatly enjoy hearing how others approach holidays and special events.
That is a stellar outlook to have regarding choosing to find positives in situations where it would be easy – perhaps even natural – to view them through a negative lens. I strive to do the same and am grateful in some respects actually to have grown up with very little and a highly challenging homelife, as these factors helped me to develop an attitude of gratitude at a very young age that has, thankfully, stayed with me ever since.
And on that note, thank you deeply again. You are such a sweet, fantastic soul.
Warmest hugs for these ever chillier days of December,
🖤 Autumn
I thought I commentated on here but I guess I did not. I loved this post. Happy Belated Thanksgiving lol…Personally I love Canadian Thanksgiving too. It is always lovely to have gratitude. xoxo
Thank you very much, sweet Kmarie. (Isn’t it frustrating when that happens? I did not receive any other comments from you on this post and checked my backend spam filter just in case – nada there either. The internet, eh?!)
I very much enjoy and am grateful for Canadian Thanksgiving as well. For a myriad of reasons (both before and during the pandemic), my family hasn’t been able to celebrate as we often had in the last few years before then, but I’m hoping we can collectively steer things back on track at least a bit more come next October.
Sending a bevy of hugs your way as the Solstice approaches and Christmas descends on the land once more as well.
🖤 Autumn
A gorgeous card Autumn, I love everything about it – the papers, the colours, the beautiful flowers and leaves and all of the lovely layers.
Pauline – Crafting with Cotnob
x
Thank you abundantly and wholeheartedly, dear Pauline.
How swiftly (especially here in Canada) the year morphed from the very colour palette featured here to one of the iciest blues, greys, and whites all set against a backdrop of verdant evergreen trees.
I look forward to sharing more (some of which have already been posted this month) winter-themed projects here in the coming snow-filled weeks, all the while thinking up fresh ideas for fall, Thanksgiving, and Halloween related projects aplenty.
🖤 Autumn
Another post with a wealth of information. TFS.
Your card is fabulous. The rich warm autumn colours just pop beautifully. Great choice of products… they coordinate so well together.
You are over-the-moon kind, dear Trina. Thank you very much for your awesome feedback on this festive fall time make. Hard to believe that another autumn is already over and that we’re knee-deep (quite literally here at the moment) in snow and ice once again.
Fortunately, each season returns in due time – plus, I’m a big fan of winter, so really don’t mind spending a few icy cold months with this chapter of the year.
Thank you again, sweet lady. May you have a serene, joyful tail end of 2021.
🖤 Autumn