Letter Writing and Me

For the last few years I haven't received any festive or celebration cards, while I have been writing Christmas cards regularly to all my extended families for almost 3 consecutive years (except for the year 2010 - as I was busy preparing for my wedding).

I have been reading online and reading some books too - and I am being suggested that I should drop these people off my list who do not care to reply the letters or do not have the courtesy to send a simple greeting card.

Most of my extended family tells me its better to call then to write long letters. But I don't receive any calls either. How can people so busy? Many times I wonder if I am going wrong somewhere or is it that people just don't care? I feel neglected! It feels as if I am doing all that I can to keep the "flames" on,  while the opposite is true for them.

My grandma always says that family is always family and I have learned from her not to give up on our loved ones. So my latest project is to write to them and send greetings and mail them all that I can and give myself a time frame of 2-3 years before I drop them off the list. I pray that this relationship of sending and receiving mails can be restored. Its not just a tradition or a culture or a ritual but a way to say that, I care, I miss you,  I am thinking of you and Just because...

Many times I have realized that my friends and family who call me get lost within few minutes of conversation. They do not know what to say or ask beyond those typical questions like, "how are you? how is your husband? how are studies? you doing good?". I might sound frustrated but this is the truth. The calls are not intentional, just a formality so that they can say, "oh, we do call her from time to time".

I am not saying that I am perfect with maintaining this tradition or that I am so good with sending cards and so on...  I agree its not easy to write letters - it requires time, and thinking and an intention. You pour out your heart to someone when you write - either email or traditional mail. And that's why it required effort, and that's why letters are treasured and people require a response.

Sigh... me and my frustration.

The "S" for September Swap

 Hellooo Swappers!!!

Since its not too far for September, I thought of hosting this swap called "S for September". For this swap we will put together articles/items that begin with the letter "S", such as - sailor, salt, ship, sheep, salt, sweater, snail, stapler, snow, spa etc.. (you get the idea).

You will have 10 days to put 10 things together.

Be CREATIVE and think outside the box. Also include a letter or note explaining - why you included what you included. Fun isn't it? 

Please comment below if you have any questions or if things are not made clear. I am open for suggestions.

NOTE: NEWBIES are welcomed with well filled profiles (I'll check the profiles) NO FLAKERS please, I WONT angel this.

Tip: Please make sure you put some love and be thoughtful (checkout your partner's profile for likes and dislikes) in making this package - it should be something that you would be happy and excited to receive. Be CREATIVE!!!

This is an INTERNATIONAL SWAP.

CLICK HERE to join the SWAP (Last date: 14th August 2012)

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Here are few ideas to get you started: 

Sun, seed, shape, shoe, shop, sink, snail, snake, snow, soda can, star, string, summer, swing, sack, sail, soap, song  on CD, spoon, scarecrow, street, sidewalk, station, scene, snow, spring = Postcards, squirrel,  soup, spiders, sponge, stamps, scarf, stickers, etc...

We made it to TOP 10!!!

Hey guys!!! Thank you for all the support.... Couldn't believe my eyes - when I logged in today Snail Mail Kit Swap was featured on Top 10 list...!!! Check it out!! So cool...!! and so encouraging!!! All credit goes to all those lovely people who signed up for this swap and all those who still have it on their watch list - sign up soon. The dead line is 10th August 2012. 

Click here to join the swap: rtwong

Back to School Swap

I just love those Back to School theme - it just makes you feel like kid again!!! Doesn't it? Let's rekindle those childhood days!!!

For this swap we will put together a kit of stationary that we used in school. You can include as many items as you want but the minimum limit is 5 items. You will have one partner for this swap. This is an INTERNATIONAL swap so please consider the postage cost before signing up. If you have any questions please use the comment section below or PM me for clarification. Here are few things to get you started.

1. pencil case - pencils, eraser, sharpener, etc...
2. glue
3. scissors
4. crayons
5. colour pencils
6. post-it notes
7. cute note-pad
8. calculator
9. time table card
10. Adhesives
11. high lighter
12. correction pen
13. geometrical set
14. cute thin note books with those cute pictures
15. etc...

Find the swap here: Back to School Swap

Check out what I received in this swap HERE

Snail Mail Kit Swap

We made it to the TOP 10



We all love mails and we love to see our mailbox happy. We all have different styles and we use different things / items for our outgoing mails. So wouldn't it be fun to put together a SNAIL MAIL KIT?

Here's how it goes:

So you will put together some mailing supplies and stationary and create a "Snail Mail" Kit. Here are few things that you might like to include: a couple of letter sets and pretty pens, color papers, date stamp, thank-you cards, a few postcards, stickers, airmail stickers, stapler, some spare envelopes, post it notes, glue stick, a small address book, scissors, etc... and the list can go on forever. If you think of more stuff to add here, post in the comments below.

Well, you at least need to have 5 basic items in the package. But you can aim to get the heart by adding extra stationary and make the package as big as you want.

You will have 10 days to send this swap, so only join in if your time permits.

Also NO FLAKERS please, I WONT be able to angel this.

It is the first time I am hosting a swap on Swap-bot. So please comment below if you have any questions or if things are not made clear. I am open for suggestions.

Tip: Please make sure you put some love and thoughtfulness in making this kit and is something that you would be happy and excited to receive. Be CREATIVE - since it's a kit - you can put it together in a flat box or a zipper plastic envelope too.

Also this is an INTERNATIONAL SWAP.

IDEAS:

Stickers to seal the envelope flap. How about a couple of handmade/mail art envelopes (if that's your thing)? How about items that stretch the norms of snail mail, eg, an envelope made of semi-see-through tracing paper? Blank swap cards with a space for name, s-b name, swap name, date, email address, what's being sent, etc? Little envelopes or pouches for storing stamps and address labels? A colour theme for the whole swap, (you can choose your own color) eg, candy pink + apple green? Purple + orange? Blue + yellow? Pale blue + white? Red + blue + white (Air Mail colours)? Black + grey? Beige + crimson?

Oh, OK, you get the idea. :X A mini booklet for recording sent and received mail (name, address, date, items sent/received, answered or not, etc)? Just a few ideas....

SWAP: How do you store your postcards?

Swap categories:                       Email Letters & Writing Photography
Number of people in swap:      6
Location:                                     International
Type:                                           1: Electronic
Rating requirement:                  4.90
Last day to signup/drop:          August 4, 2012
Date items must be sent by:    August 7, 2012
Number of swap partners:       4

Description:

To all of us - The Postcard Lovers!

We all have our own way of storing our postcards. Mind sharing your secret?

Take a picture and tell your story - Where and how you store your postcards.

That's it. Happy Swapping

NOTE: Depending on the sign up, I might change the number of swap partners. Since it's type 1 swap - shouldn't be a problem?

World's Smallest Postal Service

While surfing online I found this cutest thing on web. Ever wondered on sending the smallest and tiniest letter or greeting card across? Here is someone who can do this for you - World's Smallest Postal Service .

And this is how it works:

 "You write a letter and it is transferred onto a tiny 1 inch paper. It is placed in a tiny envelope with address, stamped and wax sealed. The letter is then securely put into a see-through folded coin case and is packed with a magnifying glass."

And it's not just letters you can send but invitations, custom cards and even packages. And here's the coolest video of the coolest mailing kit.