Introduction Pen Pal Letter

Let Me Introduce Myself ...

Usually, I ask people to write me first. But on this occasion, I requested a Pen Pal from Japan, so  I am doing the honors.    I decided (since I know absolutely nothing about Yurika) to do a little intro about myself.  So, this is how I designed my  "Intro Sheet".   I included, date, time, weather , temperatures, what I was listening to on the radio,  a few fun facts about living in Japan, and about where I live now.  If you noticed, I included that I, indeed, did reach the summit of Mt. Fuji at the spry age of 11!  Whoo hoo!  Ha, ha....there is such a FUNNY story about that whole adventure! My sisters, and my mom and I have so much fun remembering our experience, we usually laugh till we cry!

What followed this was a rather lengthy letter.  For , you see, I have no problem at all with filling up pages and pages of delightful chatter.  

I would have liked to have sent her a flip book, but then that would constitute a "package".  I already had one package go out to England earlier this month, so I really couldn't.  I think it cost me about $12 or $13 to send a flip book...so one must be sparing, other wise it is cost prohibitive.  However, if you keep your letter to less than 1/4 inch thick, then it can go letter rate,  which is 1 of the above postal stamps you see on my envelope.  But because (as I usually do) I pushed the limits a bit, by adding tea, and other paper ephemera, I put another $1.15 on the envelope.  

What about you?  Do you have very many international pen pals?  If so, do you keep it to strictly a 1 oz. letter or do you splurge?    Postcrossing is a great way to receive international mail, by just sending post cards through the mail.   A Postcard also takes 1  $1.15 stamp.

Sayonara!

Pam

Clear Snail Mail!

I Can See Clearly Now...

What is it about clear envelopes?  I just love them. In this letter that I sent to my friend Amelia, I also added a bit of shimmer confetti.  I went easy here, as I didn't want it to hamper the USPS from being able to read the address.  Here is a great way to send a wax seal, twine, and other embellishments through the postal system in a "kinder and gentler " way that won't have the postal employees fretful and charging you lots of money for the external cuties you put on your envelopes.   I have a secret I want to share with you about how you can get clear envelopes for FREE! ( Well...sort of!)

I use quite a few of these sticker packs as I decorate my mailers for my Etsy store for outgoing orders.  What I noticed is, this clear packaging for the stickers are the same dimensions as a legal envelope!  All you need to do is to slip out the card stock backing of the stickers, and you now have a nice clear envelope for your snail mail!  So don't throw away your sticker packaging, up cycle them in your next cool snail mail project.

Here is some "sweet" bag mail that went out to Beth!

This has embellishments that would NEVER make it through the postal system....so again, if it is something you want to share with the world...then go ahead and put it into a clear cello self seal bag. , then attach your postage and away it goes.

I love ETSY!  This is the dimensions for the self seal cello bags that I purchased through this Etsy shop. The above "sweet" bag mail was sent in this size cello bag. This shop has super fast service and these bags can be used for a  multitude of projects. 

Go forth and send pretty snail mail!

Pam

Out Going Snail Mail!!!

#Outgoing!

I had some Texas Mail going out...but I didn't plan this envelope too well.  My script sort of crashed into the stamp corner, ugh! I had to put the other stamp a good distance away.  Lesson  Learned.  Its probably a good idea to place your stamps on your envelope ...FIRST,  Then go ahead with whatever else you plan to do  on the envelope.  

Oh how I love this Sam Houston Stamp!    Texas has certainly produced  its share of  "colorful" men! 

Did a bit of parceling this past week.  I do so love this vintage"Mailman" stamp!

Little people mail going out!  I always want to send individual letters to this family's children...but it never fails...they never arrive all at the same time  causing a bit of  consternation among the ranks, I'm afraid

Texas mail, camp mail, map letters, thank you cards. little people mail, parcels...oh my.  It has been a really good postal week for me!

Write Letters 

Write Often.  

Lady Pamela

More Outgoing Snail Mail!

How is everyone doing with their summer schedules?  I hope it includes some crafty snailmail! Here is a few that I sent out recently.  My schedule changes so much in the summer from my school year schedule that I sometimes think I'm not nearly productive as the fall, winter and spring.  Ha, ha.  Routine is good!  But, I'm going to try to  turn that around for this summer.  What about you?

Write Letters,
Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Outgoing Snailmail!!!!

I haven't posted any outgoing lately, but thought that you should see some of the mail that I have sent this past week.  I'll try to post some of my very cool "incoming" too...for I believe ALL my  incoming mail is so VERY cool!

Don't forget to write me a letter, and you might be my next "Spotlight on my Mailbox" winner!  It could be written on the back of a menu...it doesn't need to be fancy-smancy ...just written from the heart!  See the column to the right  for the address.

Write Letters,
Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Lydia Mail...

A Tri-fold Pocket Letter

This is my Tri-Fold Pocket letter, that is more like a wallet.  It is made from a 12X12 piece of scrap book paper that  you fold up from the bottom to make the pockets.  Washi tape is used to  made the pocket divisions.

This is my Tri-Fold Pocket Letter, that is more like a wallet.  It is made from a 12 X 12 piece of scrap booking paper that is folded up from the bottom to make the pockets.  Washi tape is used to make the pocket divisions.

But first things first.  The Letter.  This is to my daughter Lydia who lives several states away.  For her letter I decided to use graph paper for a change up.  She is my theater major, so I went ahead and illustrated the letter a bit, for extra flare.  

After the letter I started scrounging around for my green, orange, red, and pink items to include in the pockets.  After everything was arranged...

I took a piece of my Dollar Tree Frugal find, Ribbon, and tied it all together.

The flower you see in the left pocket,  was made by using this tear drop punch.  I glued the pieces (large ones underneath, smaller ones on top) and glued to a 3/4 inch circle  made with my punch.  I put a hole in the center and used a tiny brad in the middle.  You can use a pencil to curl the flower petals so they appear to be 3-D. 

I know.  This is a repeat of photo # 1. I'm sorry that  I don't have a picture of it in the envelope.  But let me tell you what I did.  I purchased some lip and tuck clear  cello bags off of Etsy and used it to be my envelope.  I placed about 5 stamps on it because it  had to go parcel rate.   I used a label for her address.  It was fun using the clear cello bag for mailing.    I am also using this method quite a bit for my Bi- Fold Pocket Letters.  Yay!  The best part is...it arrived safe and sound and my daughter found it on her pillow when she got home from an exhausting day...(thank you mom/Grandma!).  She said it was just what she needed at the end of her day.

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Out Going Snail Mail

Lest you think I only Blog about Writing...

This batch went out yesterday.

This batch went out last week.  I still have plenty of letters to write.  Please be patient...you will get one soon, I promise!

This went out to my winner on instagram for my GiveAway!

Write Letters,

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Stationery Scandals: Destination : Paris! DIY

Paris...HERE WE COME!

Well...at least in my letter writing.  But ...maybe one day!

Here, I used some Paris themed washi tape that I found at the Dollar Tree (love frugal finds--don't you???) and then used some pigment ink and stamped the stationery background.  The envelope has some vintage themed stickers and the tag is also covered with vintage themed stickers that I had  just waiting for a project like this!

Do you like to make themed stationery?

Write Letters.

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Sending out a bit of Christmas Cheer!

This is a lovely time of year to send out parcels!  Here are a couple of my outgoing  Christmas Cheer!

Here's a sampling of some of my incoming Holiday stamps...

I have had a fairly busy week of incoming with Christmas Cards with great Family pictures, and newsletters. Time  to break out  the reindeer  mug and fill it with some steaming hot tea and then I need to finish some last minute crochet projects.  If anyone is interested in seeing what I am doing on that end, you can find my work on Instagram:  hatsforallseasons.

Relaxing...enjoying simple pleasures...even family newsletters!  ;-)

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Stamp Love and Outgoing!

Are you a  Philatelist?

Do you enjoy the hobby of philately?    Are you a philatelist?  Haha, for those of you unsure of this vocabulary , philately is the collecting of stamps and other postal matter  as a hobby or an investment 

When I started this blog almost 5 years ago, I was like many.  I bought the first stamps that the Postal Clerk offered me....those dreaded "Liberty Bells" or the latest "USA Flag" stamps.  Ugh.  But when I realized what amazing works of art are offered on postage stamps, I changed my stance.  Now when they ask me if I need any stamps , I reply: "Why yes!  Please show me what you have that is PRETTY or INTERESTING!"...then they get that look like , "Oh man! Really?????".  Then out comes the HUGE 4 inch binder that has all of their stamps and they ask me to step aside so they can help the next patron.  I like that.  That gives me time to just go through the stamps and pick what I like!

Your stamp purchase is an important part of your envelope!  Think of it as  adding a huge bit of interest to your letter.  Many are actually works of famous art, so it is really an education.  I spend quite a bit of time enjoying the interesting stamps that come my way.  

I must say...I do love the holiday stamps that are out right now!  THUMBS UP ! USPS!!!  

Here is a closer look at the Gingerbread Houses stamps!

And I just love these sweet stamps!  I don't know who the illustrator is , but I love this style!  And, of course I am from Virginia...and the cardinal is our state bird!  I also grew up in  St. Louis and there again, I love the Cardinals. :)  Also, bird feeding is one of my all time favorite hobbies in the winter...I have had up to 7 male cardinals  at my bird feeder.

Here is some outgoing!  3 cards to Germany, and 1 to Russia for Post Crossing.

Things are slow here postally for me, do send me a letter!

Write Letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Let me tell you about a letter in my Mailbox! Week 4!

Show and Mail Week 4

We Have A Winner!

I hope the winner enjoys the color blue!  I enjoyed working with the blue and silver paper...very festive!

This little guy just had to be included... he said, "I have blue pants!"  Why , yes you do!  So in the stuff you go!

It was a slow week for my mailbox...hmmmm....you would almost think that people were BUSY this time of year or something!  Ha, ha.  Well, me too...I have been a bit slow on the posts lately!   My crochet business is pretty busy right now...and then just all of the hustle and bustle around this time of year.  And does everyone else have so many December birthdays?  We do in this family!

The winner this week is a young mother from Virginia!  Congratulations Beth Nell!  I thoroughly enjoyed her chatty letter...and especially the little notes on the inside of the letter!  Ha, ha.  The bottom note says, "Sorry my envelope is boring!", the top note says"I need to find my stickers!".  Well, there is no requirement for entering this drawing other than writing me a letter.  I love all letters, not just decorated letters!  The letter itself was VERY interesting.  Thank you for writing and I hope you enjoy the goodies I will be sending off tomorrow!

Do you have weeks of slow "incoming mail"?  Don't fret!  Try to take advantage of the extra time for catching up on letter writing, and other mail related projects.  I have been working on a few and hope to share with you soon!  So check back later this week.

Write Letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Tuesday Tea Time and Letters and some outgoing

 Late...

Well...I just looked at the clock and noticed that it is now Wednesday...does it count that I started this post when it was still Tuesday?  But I am excited to share a new man in my life...Mr. Tea!  He likes to "hang around"!

I just had to get a few pictures of this cute little guy!

I have just ordered this Spiced Apple Cider...and it was PERFECT! I let it steep quite a long time, and it never had that bitter taste...and it wasn't over powered with cinnamon flavors.  The tea is real chunky with lots of fruits and bits of cinnamon sticks...

I received my Mr. Tea in a little gift exchange we had on Thanksgiving...and my daughter received the Teatanic...super cute too.   So grab your favorite cup of  tea and join me with my outgoing!

I have some long overdue mail going out in this batch...

This is last week's winner package going out  all the way to India.  I had to mail it flat to get the "letter rate"...these envelopes are 5 inch X 10 inch .. a strange size , right?  If I would have mailed it in a small padded envelope (like I originally wanted to do) it would have become a "parcel" and the cost would have been extremely high.  So, I got my advice from Postcrossing and mailed it in two flat envelopes.  It came out to less than $4 to mail.

Got this envelope in a swap ...very cool and mod!

Off to Germany...

I thought this sticker was appropriate for German mail...

For all those Audrey Hepburn fans...

I had to put my thoughts on the back...

 And a bit of Family mail...

And a vintage letter needs...well...a Victorian boot wax seal!

That's  it for now.  Enjoy your letter writing rituals, and relax and enjoy your letter writing experience! Happy Tuesday Tea Time and Letters... even if it is now Wednesday! :-)

Write Letters

Write Often,

Lady Pamela