Incoming Snail Mail from SHARON!!

Amazing Nostalgic Flip Book

This arrived from Sharon.  She is quite  talented in her lettering abilities...Always very cute packaging.  You know, it makes you wonder , "What could be inside?"!

Of course there is the very newsy letter which I so enjoyed.  It feels like we are having a little chat over a cup of tea.  Not only is the lovely letter inside the parcel, but look at this little bit of history!  A page out of a ledger from 1917!  How cool is that?

Don't you just love this idea of using a page out of an old ledger  to wrap your goodies in?  I just wonder what sort of business this was...

And here is the gorgeous flip book that Sharon made for me.  I love her paper /embellishment combinations.

Look at all of the detail...

Loving each and every page...

Cute tags...

Perfection to the end!  Does this inspire you?  It certainly does for me!  Thank you , Sharon for your beautiful work!  I have my letter/ bi-fold  happy mail making it's way to you!

Make beautiful mail,  

And Send it today!

Pam

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society

The Society Has Arrived!

I have GREAT news!  After literally more than two years of thoughts and ramblings in my head about starting a letter writing society that would be inspired by Jane Austen, it is finally a reality.  

I have always held a great admiration for the Jane Austen novels and movies based on her books.  I am a total, hopeless romantic.  I also enjoy Jane Austen's humor, wit, and her great perception and insight of human character. She was also a prolific letter writer although approximately only 160 of her letters survive today.  And did I mention the elegance of her writing?  It is precise, the vocabulary is rich, and the descriptions of everyday life--explicit.  

Periodically I have posted Austen themed mail on this blog.  I have also met fellow Janeites in the snail mail world at large from Swap Bot, A Month Of Letters, and even Etsy to name a few.  I also have a Jane Austen Letter Writing Society page right here on my blog.  It was really just a discussion forum to keep those interested in such a society informed on my progress or lack of progress, as was generally the case. I wondered if I could find a place on this blog to host my Letter Writing Society.  But the scope of Lost Art of Letter Writing Revived is rather broad, covering  just about anything in the snail mail genre.  The more I considered this, the more I realized that the Society needed a place of its own where it would not get lost in the hustle and bustle here.  

What is the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society--besides being a mouthful?  Ha ha.  It is a place where those with a heart and yearning for letter writing from an era long gone.  It is a place of exploration and fun.  It is a Pen Friend matching service, and a place for readership participation.  To be a part of the society one need not go far, it is "in the neighborhood" so to speak,   You can be a part of this unique letter writing experience by hopping over to the Society's home.   It is also listed in my blog list on the left.  

So Lady Pamela will pull up her skirts and amble her way over to the JaneAustenLetterWritingSociety.blogspot.com and take up permanent residence there.  Pam, the Crafty Snail Mailer will continue on here.

Write Letters.

Write Often.

Pam

Oh, Miss Jane !

...And a sneak peek into the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society...

I recently received a very unusual gift from my daughter...a doll!  But, not just ANY doll, no, no.  This happens to be none other than a Jane Austen Doll!

Look how cleverly packaged it came!  Book lovers of Jane Austen will enjoy this unique packaging.

Well, here she is , decked out in her regency finery!  Her accessories were her quill and her novel.

I enjoyed the "background scene" which was included in the box.

See?  She is gong for a stroll at Longbourn!

OK, OK.  So why the post on Jane Austen?  You know me...I hate to have a post here on my blog that is NOT Letter-Writing related!  So I thought  that I would give you a peek into what it going on behind the scenes of the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society!  It is about to "happen"  Please take a look at what is coming your way!

Here it is!  This is the official Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit.  I know it is a mouth full....but it is sooooo WONDERFUL!!!!  It is so crammed full of goodness, that I literally could not put another item in.  The box actually bulges!  I had to put gold foil seals on the top and bottom flap to keep it all in. I believe Jane would be proud to see her name on this kit.   You can check it out completely on  my etsy store: Lost Art Revived.   

Whatever you do...be inspired and do it well!  How about writing a letter today?

Write Letters.

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

Vintage Unused Stamps

Edelweiss Post

Do you like interesting stamps?  I do and I especially  have a hankering for older stamps!  Edelweiss Post (Etsy) is a great place to purchase  interesting unused stamps .   I went ahead and placed a small order...here is what I received in the mail.   I love everything about the front of this envelope...the stamps, the rubber stamp markings, and the beautiful calligraphy!

The back side didn't disappoint either.

Isn't it clever to use an old book page (in German, of course) and pen a bit of a note?  How personable...great customer service!

And here is my tiny order...aren't the stamps lovely?  "Letters Lift Spirits".   I couldn't have said it better myself.  Thank you Edelweiss Post for making my tiny order so special!

Write letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

The Pressed Flower Project

Pressed flowers to add to your letter writing

 

I was shocked to see how paper thin the Hydrangeas became...so delicate and the color was retained so vibrantly.  I hope I can do more of these this year.

Bachelor Buttons are my absolute favorite wild flower...especially the pink ones.  Out here in the country we mainly have the blue ones.    I'm not sure what the little white flowers are, but they are so sweet!

Daffodil, crocus  

I usually place my pressed flowers inside the letter folded up, but I have tried this arrangement and rather like it.

This turned out nice with the gold doily and the gold wax seal,,,with a purple crocus.  It is so sweetly old fashioned, and just nostalgic.  I love the effect.

Write Letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

A Pocket Letter Response!

Pink And Kraft Vintage...

Pocket Letter

I received my first Pocket Letter from a dear friend, Elaine.  If you need to know details about Pocket Letters, check out Janette Lane's Blog at:  Blog

If you want to see Elaine's beautiful, cheerful Pocket Letter that she sent me, you can see it  here  

It took me one crafty session to knock this out.  I think I had to mentally get into the gear of this project, but I could see that you could do some of the steps  separately before hand.  For instance.  You could definitely cut your "background" papers  in a separate session.  That would eliminate quite a bit of time with that one step.  Arrrgghh. I'm a terrible cutter.  But it is rather simple, cutting 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inch rectangles.   Elaine sent me a cute little "cover" card----where did you get this cute thing , Elaine?  I had some large tags which were about the same size, so I just used one of these.  I used the pink bling factor...

This is the front of my Pocket Letter...my theme (because my, oh my, you MUST have a theme for these Pocket Letters!)"Faith , Hope and Love" in the style of  Vintage, or shabby chic.

 This is the BACK of my Pocket Letter.  Hmmm....looks a bit bare, doesn't it. ?

I went ahead and added some items that were not glued down so that she could use them  in future projects.  Elaine is the "Queen of Crafts" so I know she will know exactly what to do with these items!

This little pocket holds a folded up letter for Elaine.

All tucked away nicely in a business-sized envelope...but has to be sent as a parcel when you have lots of goodies in it.    But still, it is not too expensive and I think rather worth it , don't you?  

To carry  the  vintage style through I had to get madam Victorian boot wax stamp out and finish the job. 

OK...your turn.  Have you  joined the Pocket Letter Craze?  Give it a try! You just might get hooked.  

Write Letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Let Me Tell You About A Letter In My Mailbox...

Mail Box Spotlight of the Week!

This beautiful letter arrived in my mailbox recently.

And I particularly loved the Victorian wax seal. 

The envelope and the paper appeared to be tea dyed.  I don't think that  I  have  tried doing that yet.   It gave the letter  a really "old, vintage" feel to it.  It arrived with a charming package of wild flower seeds!

I hope to plant these by  next weekend.  

Thank you , Virginia for writing me and being my  Mail Box Spotlight for this week.  You will receive a gift in the mail from me-- along with a letter!. 

Would you  like to be featured on this blog? Please take a look at the sidebar for my address... and write!  I will be featuring  mail as it comes in.  (I am a bit behind, so I am playing catch up for the next couple of weeks.)  And thank you for your letters...I love each and everyone of them.

Write Letters

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Vintage and not so Vintage finds...

Snail Mail Tools...

I love when I find a product that is just right.  Here is one, if you like vintage sort of embellishments for your snail mail adventures...or perhaps journals... you might want to give Littlejenstore over at  Etsy a look.  I was very pleased.  It took a little bit for delivery (ships from Hong Kong), I had forgotten I had ordered it.  But it arrived safe and sound.

I purchased two sets.  Most of them are perforated for the individual stickers.  Some of the sheets are not perforated, but could be used with punches.

Here is some ways I have used these cute stickers  on some of my envelopes recently...

Don't forget the B-side!

 And here is Miss Piggy...Vintage style!

Oh, I do love Mr. Rooster!

Write Letters,

Write often.

Lady Pamela

Letters As History: 1885

1885 Letter...a peek into the past!

Here is one of the envelopes  that I purchased at Packard's Stamps and Rocks some time back.  It was in my pile of very interesting envelopes . When I got home I realized that  it had a letter in it!  This was written in  a town a couple hours from where I live, Martinsville, VA.  It is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The sender is the wife of Mr. Wythe M. Peyton , Esq.  He , the receiver of this pencil written letter is an attorney -at- law, in Martinsville.  Evidently there was some outbreak of infectious disease that claimed an acquaintance's  (Mr. H) children .  Mrs. Peyton, evidently had been continuous contact via the mail by her remarks.  This reminds me of the scene in Jane Austen where Marianne is sending John Willoughby several letters a day in Bath.  

Interestingly, after expressing concern for Mr. Peyton's safety and interest in him returning home as soon as possible, she switches gears to the dress that is not trimmed properly and the missing basque!

Then all the domestic goings on...all in this simple letter!  What a peek into the daily, mundane life of a family in the 1880's.  

For the philately inclined...I loved seeing  these hand canceled stamps...Does anyone see anything else that I am missing?  

These dried flowers were found it the letter...over 130 years ago.

April 4th 1885

April 4^th 1885

My dear Husband:

You can’t imagine my delight when I received your note yesterday evening but I can’t keep from feeling uneasy about you  knowing your great kindness to people who are in distress; Have you been to Mr H’s house?  And where  were his children buried?  I do feel  so sorry for the family but hope you will not expose yourself that you may without danger come to see us soon.  I hope you can come this evening if you think safe as Aunt A  has invited Annie Watkins who is at Mrs Matilda Penns to come here this evening where her sister Jennie will meet her.  Please accept many thanks for the things you sent me; but I could not wear my dress as Lucy forgot to send me the basque and the overshirt is trimmed entirely different from the model we selected and promised to trim exactly like it; please send or bring the basque this evening as tomorrow is Sunday.  The children are well and continue to wish you were here to enjoy the nice things.  Loulie was delighted to get her basket and send you many thanks for sending it.  Preston walked close to me just a minute ago and said “tell Pa  I am very much oblige to him for writing to you , but I want him to come to stay with us.”  Please excuse writing my pencil is so short.  I send  Miss Lucy A the measures for Loulie & Preston.  Aunt S sends many thanks for your messages and says you must come down when you think it is safe for the children.  (With truest love and kisses from Loulie, Preston & Your fond Wife)

G. W. Peyton

I hope you have enjoyed this letter as much as I have.  I am currently trying to reach the historian from Charlotte County Historical Society to see if they can tell me what infectious outbreak was occurring at this time.   Just a bit of detective work!

If you visit any antique stores, poke around in their envelope boxes, and ask them if they have any old letters.  We can learn much from the past.

Write Letters,

Write Often...someday someone might be blogging about your little letter a century later!

Lady Pamela

Vintage Books Re purposed for Snailmail

I have a Horatio Alger book collection.  But, unfortunately  they were printed on really bad paper...the effect now is that they are disintegrating ...crumbling , each time you open them.  This particular book is so amazing.  I love the cover, but pages are fast falling out.  Now...just so you know.  I do NOT advocate buying up these beautiful OLD books for the sole purpose of tearing them apart.  That would be like tearing apart my soul!  I have hundreds, if not thousands of out- of- print books in my home.  Ask anyone who knows me!  But, I decided to use this one for the purpose of "sharing".  One thing that I have found that is somewhat  of interest to me since I have a love affair with old books, is the  taking from an old book a single page and including it in your snail mail.  This gives others a taste for vintage reading that they may not have ever been exposed to and might even get them "into" old books as a hobby.

Here you can see that I have included a page from the book Facing the World by Horatio Alger on the cover of my envelope.   I will also share a page of it in my letter.  Then I used rubber stamps and craft paper and made some vintage prints,old tickets, stamps,etc. to collage onto the envelope.  

Here are some gorgeous pages I received in a recent swap.  Oh...I love the prints...the pen and ink drawings are just amazing.

I came across this at Pinterest and I am in love!  The web site is :  http://cosmocricket.typepad.com.
and the pictures are from this website.  I just love how she has extended the life of an old book!

Cosmo Cricket has a lovely DIY tutorial on how she made this!  I hope you will visit her site and give this a try.

Write Letters,
Write Often.

Lady Pamela