Postcards

I organized my stationery drawers yesterday. That sounds so lame, but I had mixed matched envelopes and cards that were bent up or a few I know I’d never use-so into the recycle bin they went.

Except for postcards.

86 postcards. Ridiculous that I have that many from trips we’ve been where I over zealously buy them when traveling to send to friends or their kiddos.

It was fun displaying them and thinking about how incredibly blessed I’ve been to travel as much as I have. Orcas are my favorite animal so I always pick up a few when we go to the San Juan Islands to see them.

In order to continue with my less is more theme of the year, I will be sending postcards to friends to say hello even though the postcard trip is history. .33 cents knocks off the .49 a bit.

I remember finding a vintage postcard site and about fell out of my chair when I saw prices of $350 for an old Coca-Cola card or how about $500 for a Santa and beer one?

Another site I found through Facebook is Postcard Happiness. Based out of Cape Town, Africa, a graphic designer is dedicated to encouraging the sending of postcards. My favorite sentence on the about us page reads, “I would like to reignite the joys of sending and receiving these little gems around the world just because they make people happy.”

Last year I traveled to Spain and Italy. My mother loves water colors so instead of buying a large print and dealing with the cost of shipping or having it damaged I purchased three postcards and had them framed when I returned home.

Postcards from Florence, Italy

My most recent purchase was a cool thank you postcard. It is so cool that I had to make a video because my description wouldn’t do justice. The only information on it shows a German postcard website along with Copyright by L.M.Kartenvertrieb Graffiti and Stefan Fleischmann-Design made in Germany. Creative men in my book.
I only purchased a few months ago, but called one of my favorite stores that carries unique cards and gifts, Upstairs at Pierre Lafond in Montecito, CA and fortunately they have more!

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Do you send postcards? Make anything from them? Keep them? When is the last time you sent one? With summer here I'm sure you can pick one up on your next trip and surprise someone with a handwritten personalized note.

Jimmy Hendrix Stamps

I love purchasing stamps almost as much as stationery. I could say I try to match the stamp to the theme. I like the black stamps that say “Celebrate” on them, of course to send with birthday cards. 90% of stamps I send are some version of the American flag because that’s what comes out at Wells Fargo bank ATM. I also enjoy the hearts and love type stamps. Those usually come out in the spring for the upcoming wedding season.

I’m sure if surveyed the average person could care less about the stamp, but if you really want to splurge, which I have a couple times, one can get photo stamps from the post office.  However, with a price of $21.99 plus shipping and tax, I’d rather spend that extra $13+ on 20 more stamps or stationery.  I don’t belong to the American Philatelist Society, but I do like checking this site occasionally to see what stamps I can look forward to.

With the new self-serve kiosk at my local post office I have been purchasing stamps there to save time, but they are all black and white and not as fun as having the clerk flip through their binder to show me what stamps they have.

The reason for this post today is that I went to the post office and cracked up as I heard the old lady-and I do mean old, classic, she must have been 90–she asked, “Do you have any more of those Jimmy Hendrix stamps?” Rock on grandma! That sentence made my day!

I’ve had conversations with people that don’t know you can “pick” stamps or that square envelopes require extra postage. I realize not everyone has a passion like I (we, my new followers?) do for all things letter writing- and that’s too bad. Ha! I’ve been called “crazy about letter writing” and that’s ok with me.

To quote Jimmy, “You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven.”

Stationery created by kids

Imagine my delight getting a package in the mail today when I wasn’t expecting anything. Inside was a set of stationery designed by a three year old boy who I adore!

A friend from high school and I met for coffee about four years ago when she was visiting from New York. She was pregnant, but we didn’t know! We have become closer since that morning at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Last year I had the pleasure of visiting New York and meeting the rest of her family for the first time. Her son George has truly stolen my heart. If they lived in California I would see him more often, but for now “Aunt Julie” can only write to him and of course send anything dealing with trucks, cars or planes!

George’s stationery is designed by Kids Art, Inc. I visited the website and what a fabulous idea for creating individual cards or fundraising for schools or groups. Simply submit the child’s artwork and have greeting cards, notepads, stickers, gift tags or invitations made.

I look forward to writing some of my favorite kiddos with this stationery! This was such a fun gift to receive!