2011: Ending on a Positive Note

Some of my followers are already in 2012 and shortly everyone reading this will be as well. I have nothing bad to say about 2011. Sure there were disappointments (getting turned down for multiple jobs...) but there is always a positive spin (getting a new job right before Christmas).

And while this blog isn't a year old (just yet) I do feel like I need to say something about it. I started this blog on a whim. Basically it was Brad telling me that if I liked reading everyone else's blogs..that I should start my own. I am pretty sure in that moment I rolled my eyes. Honestly, I could have never imagined that I would meet so many wonderful people. I started this blog with one follower...Brad. At the time of writing this, I have 121 visible followers and I would guess there are quite a few who aren't visible. Just knowing that people (like you) enjoy reading what I have to write makes it all worth it. It is not always easy to find a topic to write on, and it is not always practical for me to sit down every night and write something. But I try my best to bring new content on a regular (ish) basis.

Now, I am not a superstitious person and I don't really believe in making New Years Resolutions, but there are a few things that I hope to accomplish in the new year ahead.

*I want to take a serious look at Etsy. Maybe offer some stamp jewelry or ornaments, or decorated envelopes. I just know that I should give it a try.

*I want to host more giveaways or contests. Something to make it interactive for everyone who reads.

*I would love to add a historical spin to my blog. Maybe taking a post every now and again and seriously learn something about the postal service. ( I love learning so why not learn about something that I love to do?)

*I plan on doing some more reviews, both commissioned and not. I always plan to tell you whether I got the products for free and I promise to give a fair and honest review. I will also never review something on the blog that doesn't somehow fit into letter writing (I personally hate when people do that..review something that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the theme of their blog). And of course..there wont be so many that the blog turns into a reviewing blog

*I am going to have a running contest for each new stamp that is released in the US. I am still working on how to word everything and most importantly whether (and what) a prize will be given. I also want to think of a way for international readers to get in on the action. I will post more details on this tomorrow (hopefully).

*Probably one of the biggest goals I have, is to completely record all my mail this year. What this means is that each envelope, postcard, box, object, etc. that comes into my mailbox will get documented in pictures. I am not sure if I will post all of them to the blog. Someone suggested setting up a Tumblr...so I may look into that. Regardless, there will be some pictures taken each day and occasionally posted to the blog. Not only that, but I will be recording each piece in a mail log (if anyone is interested I will post how I have mine set up). THEN..here is the biggest goal (and the one I think I will utterly fail at) I would like to scan every card, or letter I send so that I have a record of the words I have sent. I think it will make it easier, and really neat to look back through and read whole conversations.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head. Other than staying caught up in my mail (which is a no brainer). Do you make your own little resolutions? Or have plans for the New Year? If so, tell me about them. And if anyone has any suggestions to help the blog or just in general, I would love to hear them. =)

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Post Brought to You By The Letter...

Limner sends some really neat things. I never shared the Texas sized gift she sent me..and honestly its because I want to wait until it is framed. It is so beautiful and inspirational. Just like this M.

I apparently forgot to take a picture..but now this M hangs where I can see if when writing my letters. =)

Peter R Mason

Remember the post from yesterday? The one about sending used postage to a good cause? Well check out what artist Peter Mason does with used postage..it makes me insanely jealous!!

Don't you wish you could do that? I know I do!!

Used Postage Stamps

Have you ever looked in your stash and noticed that you have way too many used postage stamps? I know that I have from time to time. Granted I use a lot of old stamps to make jewelry, cover boxes and make postcards out of. However, if you are less inclined to make something with your used stamps there are a number of helpful ways you can use them.

Stamps for the Wounded is an organization that collects stamps for wounded soldiers. Soaking the stamps off the paper and cataloging them into their own collections gives them something to take their minds off their injuries. If you are interested in donating stamps, you can clip them off the envelopes leaving a quarter inch around the stamp. (This will allow the soldiers to soak the stamps off themselves). Then package the stamps up in an envelope and send it to:

Stamps for the Wounded
P.O. Box 297
Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Boy or Girl Scouts of America use the stamps to help the scouts meet their merit badge requirements. Same rules apply, the stamps need to be clipped from envelope with about a quarter inch left. As for where to send them...I recommend donating local. =)

Foxborough Regional Charter School in Foxboro, Massachusetts has been collecting stamps for almost 3.5 years now. Their mission, to collect 11 million stamps. They want to collect one stamp for each soul that was lost in the Holocaust. It is a lofty goal, but what a great cause. Check out the neat mosaic that they created.

If you are interested in sending stamps to the Foxborough RCS then you can send the stamps here:

Holocaust Stamp Project
Foxborough Regional Charter School
131 Central Street, Foxboro, MA 02035

All of these places are excellent ways to get rid of used postage stamps. Why toss the used stamps when you can send them to a good home?

First Class Tracer

The USPS announced today that they will start marketing a product called First Class Tracer in a limited market soon. For a small fee you can buy barcodes and add them to your letters/postcards or even *gasp* mail-art! The barcode allows the postal employees to scan it and give you tracking information. You could then access the tracking information on the postal services website.

After reading the submission to the Postal Regulatory Commission it appears that they will be offering the FCT in around 50 post offices in and near the DC metropolitan area. They will be most likely found in areas that already sell the gift cards and other merchandise.

So my question to you is...would you use the First Class Tracer?

** I would use this..cause I think it would be fun to see how many stops my letters make before they reach their destination. Also, I secretly hope that someone reading this blog finds these in their post office..buys a couple..and sends me a piece of mail with one on it. Cause that would be too cool for words.**

Mail Art Show!

Blog follower Derrick sent me this by email..and I thought I would share it with all of you. I am looking forward to creating something to send in myself. AND I would love to see what you come up with, if you decide to submit a piece.

"Milk is calling for artists for our February mail art show! No packages will be opened, envelopes unsealed...art must go through the post and be ready for display. Any packaging must be the art itself. Postcards have already started to arrive and we have heard rumors of objects to be sent. Art will be for sale at a 50/50 ratio to artist and gallery. Include your address on the art in order for compensation for sales to be forwarded! Any unsold art will not be sent return post due to the volume of works being received. Artwork needs to be received in the gallery by February 1st.

Please mail your awesome art to 212 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

New International Postage

In less than a month the cost to mail a letter outside the North American continent will increase from 98 cents to $1.05. And with that change comes new postage!!

The new stamp features Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Lancaster County is famous for the Amish communities that reside there. You can read more about the Amish here.

I am pretty excited to use this stamp because I send quite a few Amish Country postcards through Postcrossing, and now I can add a stamp that matches! I may even use a few of these stamps on postcards with destinations inside the country. =)