~ mailbag ~

I've spent my free time this weekend finishing off my envelopes/letters for the latest round of the elevated envelope hosted by Tara at her lovely blog.  This one had the theme of "malicious surprise"  - my version of this was included inside the envelopes. I hope none of the girls on my list are arachnophobic (eek!)

The last of the "sweet" themed envelopes arrived just recently too - I've been trying to master the piano piece but my skills are very rusty

{these clear protective envelopes are such a great idea...has anyone seen them here?}

I was super lucky to receive this gorgeous piece of mail recently from a fellow Tassie blogger.  I sent Sarah one of the fairy biscuit envelopes from the last exchange... and just look what came my way. 
I just love it!

{so pretty - and with extras - perfect mail}

I'm still enjoying post crossing although I'm not really sure why; yes, I love getting the thrill of mail and there's also the curiosity about who the person is who sent the card and why they chose that particular card.  I find it fascinating what people chose to say on a post card - its not a big space to write but some people manage to cram in fascinating bits of information.  And some just write "hi" and "happy post crossing" which is a bit of a downer; makes me wonder why they bother with it

{cards in}

{cards out}

{birthday mail...the best kind of mail}

I started this year wanting to send more mail; to nuture friendships, to consider the words I was using to communicate with people, to send a little joy.  Its happening and the huge bonus is the lovely mail I'm getting in return.

Here's hoping  your post man brings something nice this week.

 ♥

~ Monday's mailbag ~

I got an email from Kate this week as she wrapped up her awesome 100 pantone postcards project - she posted 100 separate postcards in 100 days to good friends and bloggy strangers like me.
I was thrilled when I got mine (and put it straight on instagram but never managed to blog about it)
So here it is in its new home (and on the day it came)

{on my wall}

{Kate's card to me}

 In the last month I've also posted off all my efforts in the latest elevated envelope project and have had some lovely envelopes (and bits and bobs) come my way too. I enclosed some fairy biscuit postcards in my similarly decorated envelopes -with some stickers and furry friends chocolate.

{my pile of elevated fairy biscuit envelopes}

{postcards I had made to go in the envelopes}

Disappointingly - a month after the deadline - there are still 4 or 5 missing.  I think its got beyond blaming living in Tassie (the postal end of the universe) - some people obviously just never get around to fulfilling the promises they make.

I've also joined Post crossing.  I kept reading about it and thought I'd give it a whirl.  I've sent about 8 cards and got my first one back today.  Real mail, even from a stranger, still gives me a little thrill. It was a pretty flower too - how appropriate.

{my first post crossing card - from the US}

I've been trying to fulfill my promise to myself to write more to the people I know too.  I've sent some cards and funny envelopes. I've also got a big missive on the go to a friend in Hong Kong who's been feeling the same lack of connection that I have (in our 20+ year friendship) - we've decided to write more - about the mundane, the everyday, the special and see how it goes.  It feels like having a penpal all over again.  Its exciting.

{post crossing mail going out}

{orphaned post card project}

{lovely mail in}

 Anything interesting in your letterbox?

♥

~ mail in and out ~

I've written before of my love of real mail (here and here in fact) and this week was a goodie.

We all sat at a cafe last week and made great use of the free post cards ( I love them - we used to send them all the time when we were travelling.  Once we stocked up on about 50 of the same design and sent them weekly to a friend) ... 60c and we got to spread some snail-mail love to a grandad, a surrogate aunty, a flickr friend and my brother.  Best of all - we got follow-up within the week - phone-calls, texts, a post on fb - that our mail was received and appreciated.  We're all inspired to send more now.

My elevated envelope group are obviously very organised (the date for final post is not for another 2 weeks yet... I'm going to need each one of those days) because I got 3 lovely envelopes this week.

A very cute kisses and hugs Union Jack from the UK, complete with jubilee themed recipes and a little flag.

 

 

A sparkly, sequinny envelope - fragile enough to need to be encased again in plastic.  This also had little treats inside - UK lollies that the girls are desperate to try.

 

 

This one amazed me.  A see through envelope with handmade paper (with lace patterns imprinted in the paper) lingerie.  And instructions to make my own!!

I can't wait to see what the next few weeks bring.

Do you ever use those free post-cards?

What was the last exciting mail you sent?

 ♥