Letter Writing in the News

In the spirit of getting back into letter writing and more consistent blogging, I'm going to try to keep up with the Quotes on Letter Writing and Letter Writing in the News.

On January 11th, the Huffington Post put up an article called "9 Reasons Not To Abandon The Art Of The Handwritten Letter".

This was my favorite part: "Long after they are written and sent (and even after their senders and receivers are gone), letters and postcards remain to be read, appreciated and preserved. Whether displayed on museum shelves honoring famous historical figures or saved in a scrapbook between two old friends, letters protect the memories of lives lived in a way that technological communication cannot. They are tangible, personal and real, in every sense of the word." 

Check out the article in its entirety here.

Latest Postcrossing Cards & A New Place to Shop

I don't know if y'all are aware, but it is pretty difficult to find Rhode Island postcards outside of Newport, especially the Stephanie Izzo ones that I like. I used to be able to get a big selection of them at my local Borders Books, but that is obviously gone now. Then I was finding them at a souvenir shop near me but the hours are terrible and if the business owner has a slow day, they shut the store down prior to the posted closing. But they have a pretty good selection. I found some cartoon-y postcards at another shop that sells all kinds of RI miniatures. Fortunately a new, larger and nicer souvenir shop has opened up not two minutes past the other shop.  I had a nice chat with the owner and I'm hoping they will bring in some more variety of post cards (they only had six out. SIX!). You know, for me and my Postcrossing friends :-)

My 1st Wooden Postcard

In September Boyfriend went to the Night Sky Festival at Acadia National Park.  We were supposed to go together but canine and work circumstances canceled my vacation plans.

Anyway, I do love this place, and I especially love the popovers at Jordan Pond House.  I enjoyed them several times at our camping trip to Acadia in the summer of 2013.  Since then, Jordan Pond House has changed hands with a lot of controversy.  I don't know if they will be the same or not, but I'm glad I got to enjoy them as the originals they were.

Some of the souvenirs that Boyfriend brought me were a trio of these wooden postcards.  I didn't think I'd send them but then I realized I shouldn't be so precious about my mail.  Mail is meant to be sent. Stationery not stationary, as the saying goes.  So Jessica said she liked to get mail (I sent her a card a week or so ago that I did not photograph with some vintage postage courtesy of Missive Maven and her Etsy Shop). So I thought Jessica would be the perfect 1st recipient of a Wooden Postcard, the 1st I've ever sent. Birch Postcards need a 1st Class Mail Stamp.

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.

Let's Talk Postcards, Shall We?

I have way too many postcards.  I have The Art of Toy Story (box of 100), The Art of Pixar (box of 100) and last but not least I have the Pantone postcards (box of 100).

The only set I've really put a dent in is the Pantone box, I'm maybe 1/3 of the way through it.

For Postcrossing, I always try to send "local" cards (sent gallery here). I don't have a varied enough collection to meet what people on Postcrossing ask for and honestly I feel bad sending children's postcards to adults.

Lastly, I just bought these stunning beauties.  The Secret Garden book of 20 Postcards by Johanna Basford. 

I don't know what y'all do in your non-mailing time, but apparently "coloring for adults" is a thing. A friend of mine, whom I met taking a photography class, started posting photos of something she was coloring on Facebook.  I asked her what the heck it was and it was this book: Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book. Well, then I was off and running. I drove to Barnes & Noble.  They were all out.  I checked Amazon, they were all out. I researched and then purchased "artist grade" coloring pencils. And when I was buying the colored pencils and I saw this lady made postcards, I bought them, obviously.

Specifically I thought my Aunt would love them because she is such a fan of gardening. I don't know that I would send them to strangers after coloring them, and I don't know if they would count as "home made postcards" on Postcrossing.

How do you all decide what to send to whom? Am I just over-thinking it?

And who wants to color with me?

Happy New Year

I love this thing but the handle is tiny. On the hunt for another.

Hello, Strangers

After a disgustingly long absence, I am back.  With a desk, even.  I just sent 6 postcards via Postcrossing, below.  Five of the six are going to Germany. I am always hopeful someone from Germany will send me something with a Weimaraner on it.

A few quick updates to explain my disappearance: My brother got married and I was in the wedding party, I am easily distracted by parties.  My dog Chevy got very, very sick with an infection that took a lot of time to treat.  He died on April 30th, 2014 from something unrelated to the sickness. My heart broke. I thought that meant that I would be able to do all kinds of fun things with my girl, but then she hurt her back in July and now has a spinal cord injury.

I miss writing to my friends and I'm sorry I disappeared. I look forward to writing to you again.

The lone Russian card.