|
Post by katiel on Feb 7, 2022 21:04:40 GMT
Wait, where did you get these??? I want more sharks too! I have some very sharky envelopes that are just *asking* for these stamps! <website link removed for now> oh no, not only do they have sharks, but they also have vegetables, popsicles, cactus flowers, and frogs! How will I chooooose? š¤£šš¤£
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Feb 7, 2022 20:50:03 GMT
Went to USPS Deals and got 50 Chrysanthemum international stamps and 100 Sharks domestic stamps for a small discount. Besides, I just HAD TO HAVE the Sharks !!! š¤© Wait, where did you get these??? I want more sharks too! I have some very sharky envelopes that are just *asking* for these stamps!
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 29, 2022 17:38:40 GMT
I notice the FOREVER is crossed out. Does that mean that the stamps can only be used until a new one comes out? I wonder if the same thing will be happening with other stamps. They always cross out the forever in the online picsā¦maybe so you canāt just print out your own? If you look at the other stamps on the website, theyāre all the same.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 29, 2022 0:11:06 GMT
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 23, 2022 2:48:11 GMT
I actually use photo organizer boxes, which are basically like shoeboxes, but sturdier. I got a whole bunch at the craft store when they were on sale for 2 for $5. So I just put my letters in there, in chronologically after I reply. At the end of the year, I divide up all the letters by sender and add them to last yearās piles, tied with ribbon or string, and store them in a bigger box. So I have a nice bundle of letters from each of my penpals. I like this method because itās easy to go back and find a specific letter if I need to.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 22, 2022 15:30:20 GMT
Oh! Me too! I just got new stamps, too! The new LOVE stamps this year are really pretty. See? Iām waiting on my Year of the Tiger stamps, which should be here any day now. Those ones are sooooo cool. Iām excited! http://instagram.com/p/CY_paUGLvR8
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 16, 2022 8:10:02 GMT
Iām contemplating an experiment with shorter handwritten letters so I can turn them around faster. Yeah, Iāve tried this in the past, too. And I think something like āoh yeah, I just wanted to say something about [something] really quick,ā and the next thing I know, Iāve suddenly written like half a page on it. Iāve had to accept the fact that Iām just very chatty. I may write an 8 page letter, but I certainly donāt expect one of that length in response. Iām generally happy with whatever shows up in my mailbox. š So, long story short, I hope it works out better for you. š Iāve given up and just write whatever I want now. It may take me awhile to reply, (and a while to do the actual writing), but I enjoy the process, so Iām alright with that.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 4, 2022 23:04:50 GMT
Anyone else attempting this goal for 2022? I think I can probably complete this challenge too. Iāve been sending out my thank you cards for the holidays this week, so Iām currently decently ahead at the moment. My next real letter will be one to sunshine2170 who is at the top of my reply pile. š
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Jan 4, 2022 22:50:38 GMT
This website is showing a few more designs than the original one. Iām getting pretty excited for some of these! Did you notice these? I did!!! Do I need 4 cent stamps? I have no idea, but you can bet Iām getting some anyway, because BLUEBERRY! š¤£šš¤£
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Dec 4, 2021 20:34:05 GMT
Well, I thought Iād get a head start on the long travel time and on November 10th, I mailed a Christmas card to sunshine2170 in Australia. Today, the card showed back up in my mailbox, covered in āmail service suspendedā stickers. Again?!? I thought that was over! Ugh. Iāll take it to the PO later this week, and see if service is un-suspended yet. But Bridget, Iām sorry, I feel like itās going to be really late. Maybe I should draw some hearts and write Happy Valentines Day on the envelopeā¦
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Nov 30, 2021 11:15:17 GMT
I used to do Postcrossing but found that just exchanging postcards wasn't really communicating. If you wanted post cards from far off places I think it would be fun. Also I always seemed to get addresses of people to write to from China and Russia. The Russian exchanges took forever and most of the time the Chinese individual either never got the postcard or didn't register when it came. I guess i still am registered but haven't participated in a year or more. What has been the experience of others of you? I actually enjoy Postcrossing, because of the noncommittal nature of it. If I have a free 20 minutes and feel like doing a little art, Iāll draw an address, do some watercolor art on the back of the postcard to match their interests (and I also enjoy picking out a card I think theyāll like), and then off it goes - someone gets happy mail in their mailbox, and I had fun making art-with-a-purpose. I can do it whenever I feel like it, and donāt feel pressured to do it when I donāt. To me, my favorite part is sending the cards. Receiving the cards is just an added bonus. My profile is pretty detailed, so Iāve gotten some truly awesome cards, that are amazing, that Iād never have known even existed otherwise. I also love seeing all the cool stamps from around the world. That said, I have had a few cases where a postcard has sparked a long conversation through the Postcrossing messaging system, that eventually led to becoming pen pals, which has turned out great so far (several years in, with several pals). Iāve had a few postcards go missing over the years, mostly to China, but I discovered that once I started printing out the Chinese address for the Chinese ones, nearly all of them reached their destination, and in half the time. A Chinese Postcrosser clued me in to this trick, because if the address has to be translated before delivery, it takes longer (itās done by individual postal workers, not a machine, and sometimes they struggle with cursive), and the translation isnāt always accurate. Plus, they print the translated Chinese address on a big sticker that ends up covering a lot of the written side of the postcard (often covering much of the message and registration code). Russia (except to St.Petersburg and Moscow), India, and the Philippines always take ages, but they eventually get there. Italy is a craps shoot, most of mine to there never arrive. But overall, most of my cards get where theyāre going. I enjoy it, but yeah, if youāre looking for meaningful conversation, rather than a few āWow! Thatās really cool!ā moments, then I could see how itās not for everyone.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Nov 8, 2021 10:55:29 GMT
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Nov 3, 2021 10:16:08 GMT
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Nov 3, 2021 10:10:16 GMT
I have a plastic clipboard that opens like a book (and closes with a latch). Itās a little over a centimeter thick, but is thick enough to hold paper and fountain pens and still close easily.
Before I travel, I grab the next few letters in my pile (usually, however many I think I might get through, plus one more for good measure), and then pick stationery and envelopes for each. I address and stamp the envelopes ahead of time, so that when I finish the letter, I can just pop it in the envelope and mail it wherever we are. Then I pick out the pens Iām taking (usually between 1 and 3), pop them in a ziplock bag, and put them inside the clipboard with my paper, envelopes, and the letters waiting for replies. I usually also add in a paper towel to the clipboard, just in case something goes wrong with one of my pens (havenāt needed it yet)(knock on wood). If I know Iāll be doing a bunch of postcards, too, Iāll throw in a sheet or two of the stamps Iāll need. (Thereās always room to add in postcards, too, but I find itās more organized if you leave these in a bag to corral them, before adding them in)
I like this method because itās all contained in one place, and easy to grab and go. Plus, with the clipboard, you can write wherever you are (beach, campsite, car, airport, etc), and it protects the papers from bending and creasing during transport, and nothing can fall out.
The exception is that if Iām flying, I pull my fountain pens out, and carry them in my tiny epipen purse so that I make sure they stay upright during takeoff/landing to avoid ink burping issues.
I enjoy the peace of writing, especially after a day that may have been overstimulatingly awesome. So I always take my writing supplies, even if I donāt use them every day.
|
|
|
Post by katiel on Nov 3, 2021 2:34:57 GMT
Marine sanctuaries are by far my favorite, too! These look neat. Iām excited for Year of the Tiger, too. Iām not sure they can top 2021 in terms of awesome designs, but I think I thought that last year too. š So Iāll be looking forward to seeing all of these in person. Yay for new stamps!
|
|