<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Anyone who has been through any sort of hard time knows that it does eventually pass. Once every last bit of lingering detritus dissipates and life begins anew, there is a new appreciation for those friends who helped us through it. The cards they sent as we were floundering become tangible milestones that buoyed us through, one scrawled word at a time. That is at least part of the thinking behind <a href="https://www.thinkingofyouweekusa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thinking of You Week</a>, which is this week — and our friends comprise its lifeblood.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of this nerd&#8217;s loyal friends for years now is <a href="https://www.shadesofexpressiondesigns.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shades of Expression Designs</a> — who has been a supporter of The Paper Nerd nearly since I debuted it as The Paper Chronicles in 2013. So it seems only fitting that this week I highlight friendship selections from this all-American, multi-generational, woman- and family- owned stationery maker. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">These selections are at the ready to make someone&#8217;s day — all that&#8217;s missing are your words and a stamp. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-3-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022455"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-6-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022457"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-4-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022456"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-8-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022461"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-7-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022459"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-9-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022460"/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-10-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022462"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I want to close with my extreme thanks to the entire Shades of Expressions Designs team for their friendship and support all these years. It is truly immeasurable, especially as I navigate my own changes, and I am beyond grateful for it. </p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-51532" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-51532 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="51532" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-10014448 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-favorites tag-design tag-greeting-cards tag-instagram tag-limited-edition-2 tag-sarah-schwartz tag-stationery tag-stationery-blog tag-stationery-design tag-stationery-designer tag-thank-you-stationery tag-the-comfort-collection tag-tiny-and-snail" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/comfort-via-snail-mail/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 100w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=120%2C120&;ssl=1 120w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=275%2C275&;ssl=1 275w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=372%2C372&;ssl=1 372w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=567%2C567&;ssl=1 567w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=882%2C882&;ssl=1 882w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=300%2C300&;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Carrying-you-in-my-heart-all-the-time-Tiny-and-Snail.jpg?zoom=2&;resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/favorites/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Favorites</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/comfort-via-snail-mail/">Comfort, Via Snail Mail</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2023-10-24T18:31:00+00:00">October 24, 2023</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="10014448"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">0</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Also seemingly immeasurable is the breadth of this New Jersey house of paper&#8217;s offerings. While they have a significant amount of <a href="https://www.shadesofexpressiondesigns.com/thinking-of-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thinking of You designs</a> beyond what I&#8217;ve shared here, I am smitten with this collection of <a href="https://www.shadesofexpressiondesigns.com/notecards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fall-themed notecards</a> as well. There is so much to discover — including your next missive to a special friend!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Friendship-1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-10022453"/></figure>