Snail Mail Kit Swap: Follow Up

I hosted the Snail Mail Kit Swap on swapbot.com early this month. I wasn't sure if this swap would work or people would actually be interested in such a swap. And since this was going to be a bit pricey I was not confident at all. But surprisingly the swap had an overwhelming response. We had 54 swappers who joined in this project and thanks to all of you wonderful people the swap even made it to the top 10. And that was even more exciting!!! I am sure we all had fun putting the package together for our partners.

Well I received my swap from my partner Karen, today. And I love what she put together for me - it is so beautiful and so colourful and has many wonderful things that I like and would surely use.

Well I'll shut up and let the pictures do the talking. Thank you Karen for this wonderful and thoughtful package. I love it all. 

 Isn't this a beautiful and colourful envie??

 She packed it so well!!!

 This is the most beautiful and lovable box ever - thanks Karen.

 Covered with used envelopes - with addresses, stamps and  what not...!!! LOVE IT :*

 inside the box.

 Love all the cards, lettersets, envelopes, greeting cards, labels and the address book that says London was a hit!! It's one of my favorite city.

 Love this tiny little stamp you sent - will be using it soon and I love Papermate pens.

And I love cute and colourful owls too!!

Thank you, Karen - love the package!!!!

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...

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....