Before and after

***I received this card from Sherry here in Florida. I met this fellow postcrosser at a couple postcrossing meetups and she had one similar to this one.  I was like "GLITTER!!! Where did you get this?!?"   So, as a thank you for sending her son a card (which is the main reason she started doing postcrossing), this was my return card!!!  Arriving the day before Valentine's Day, I think it goes nicely with this month of love and such.  What a wonderful surprise as well as very nice of her to remember and send me such a great card!!!

***This next card I received from a direct swap with Col. Ahkil from India the day after Valentine's Day. This depicts Krishna (which is the 8th reincarnation of the Lord Vishnu in Hinduism) and it goes with the love theme. "Radha-Govinda at Night--by B.G. Sharma" is on the bottom of the card and it came with lovely stamps as well. It is one of my favorite cards to date because besides Buddha, I've always had a fasination with Indian Gods and the art derived from them.



***Food for Thought: Love is always and will always be a popular expression in art no matter the culture or time period. What are some things that you relate to love? Hearts, sweets, items made by hand (cards, food, a cd mix of special music, art, any item the person really likes and values that you acutally can make for them).....are just a few things that I think of immediately. Do you like cards with glitter? I do, more appropriate would be that I "love" them!!! This is just another example of how trading and sharing makes others happy and feel special. Have you shared some love today?

Valentine's Day...Celebrates the World of L-O-V-E!!!!

***In the spirit of love, love, love......I present this card with such a cute combo of hearts and mustaches!!! This card comes from a great swapper named Mike and he always sends the coolest old school stamps as seen below (you know, the old lick and stick---yuck, NOT the peel and stick we are so accustomed to today). He stated that he got this card from an artist on Esty, always great to support the arts. I actually received this card last year around Thanksgiving.



***The Boston Tea Party--8 cent, Dwight D. Eisenhower--6 cent, and then Tlingit Indian Art--15 cent stamp to equal a total of 29 cents.  Since I received this card last year and I have not receive one Valentine's card (unless you count the one from a co-worker last night---card, not postcard---let me clarify), I chose to share this one because I really love it and it fits the occasion.  No worries, the day is young and the mail has yet to arrive. Plus, I sent out my handmade goodies yesterday and they will all be late!!!

***Food for Thought: I "mustache" you a question or 2, do you like hearts or mustaches more? I pick hearts in general, but on occasion a good mustache comes along and I have to pick the fur, heehee. How do you celebrate Valentine's Day or do you think it is a waste of time? My motto is that you do not need a lover, just love on this day! In which, you celebrate all things you love and of course if coupled, you honor that love. It's nice to have a day, I believe, that celebrates the simplest, sweetest gestures of love. I do like getting chocolate as well:) Noms. Do you ever say I love you in a different language? I know I tell my mom "mahal kita", which is "I love you" in Tagalog, the Filipino language. So, as usual...be happy, thoughtful, and do things from the heart and blessings will be upon you. Have a great day. Love and light.

Gentle Universe...this is what sharing is all about!!!

***I had seen a message to sign up to receive a handmade card of goodness last year and simply forgotten about it until this past week when this arrived in my mailbox!!! I love it and what they are all about. I highly suggest you check out their blog.
www.gentleuniverse.blogspot.com
I really do love handmade cards. They are just special and this has layers of simple goodness....check out the back below.



***How very nice is that message, makes my heart flutter and jump with joy at the pure kindness and creativity that others share.

***Food for Thought: What are the things that keep you inspired? Pure kindness and happiness help me get motivated. Have you ever made your own mail? I have made envelopes, but postcards are on my list!!! Are the big gestures what you live for? For me, it's the daily little goodness that goes a lot further than those big bang things that fade!!! I'm not saying that big gestures are not awesome, but daily doses of sincere kindness and positive energy wins the race...the little joys on the daily. Be kind, be gentle, and show you care <3

Postcrossing Meetup

***This first card was sent to me from Vix in the Philippines from a Postcrossing meetup they had. I love cards from the Philippines because my mom is from there and I am 1/4, so I appreciate and love all things Filipino!!! One day I hope to visit, it would be great to catch a meetup!!!

***This card came from my 2nd Postcrossing Meetup (& from my friend Brenda!) in Orlando, FL that was held at the 2012 Orlando International Paper and Postcard Expo.  This is where I learned about vintage and old school cards, a real treat for any postcard enthusiaist!!!  Since finding cards about the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus World, I've also learned about the museum located in Sarasota, FL.  What wonderful info for it to be so near, I hope to make a visit soon. This card contained a Forever Buzz Lightyear (from the Pixar movies---Toy Story) stamp!!!



***Who doesn't like Harry Potter?  Well, this card is actually from my first PC meetup (signed at my 3rd PC meetup), but I just recently heard about how my friends send cards to themselves and since I do prefer written and stamped....not blank....this is the first of many cards I will be sending to myself, LOL!!!  I sent myself the Purple Heart 37cent stamp that recently my mom found them (she forgot that she had them) and because though my dad has since passed away, he received two purple hearts for his service in the Korean War as a Marine.  Being able to have a free day at Universal thanks to the_beatles_4_ever on Postcrossing, I was able not only to purchase a lot of postcards, but get this card stamped with the Hogsmeade Owl Post stamp that you can only get at the park!!!  It's a wonderful world of postcards and stamps!!! 



***I'm also sharing some sheets of stamps.....Our version and celebration of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon here in the states.  I just think they are cool and wanted to post them!  Secondly, my Postcrossing stamps were sent to me from a penpal I made via Postcrossing (Mirjam in the Netherlands). She sends me the best things and I've learned a lot about different European and Dutch cultural happenings.  So, when I say that postcards connect the world, I mean it, and some create deeper connections than others.

***They came in a niffy little folded card and are behind a plastic cover!!! I do not really collect stamps, though I love them. But, since Postcrossing is where it started and they created a Postcrossing stamp, I will keep these unused and adore them!!!

***Food for Thought: Do you like Harry Potter? I sure do. Have you ever been to a Postcrossing meetup? My mom went and really enjoyed herself and she's not even a Postcrossing member!!! Are their certain stamps that tug at your heartstrings because they help to you to remember, enjoy, or even think about things that are important in your life? I think there is only one answer to that question......YES!!!  Thanks for reading...peace and blessings;0)

My friend Brenda :0)

***I think to myself...what if I never went to that first Postcrossing meetup
 (11/19/2011)? I think that I would have still met Brenda eventually due our love and wanderlust for all things postcard related, but all things fall in place where they should and that was the day I was to meet this lovely individual. I also call her my postcard mentor, LOL! This wonderful card above was sent to me from her!!! I call it a triple threat of awesomeness, but it's really a triple treat!!! I collect "Alice in Wonderland" cards, it is a Disney card (which she loves Disney), and it has the 41 cent Star Wars stamp of Darth Maul. She knows I collect and love Star Wars cards as well!!! This card has 3 things I love and it is from my newest dear friend!!!


***In addition to hanging out with Brenda for a 2nd Postcrossing meetup at The International Postcard Convention in Orlando, FL., she has taught me a lot about the different types of postcards (history and such) and blesses me with the best cards. She gave me my first "hold to light" card (aka-HTL) as well as the one below. HTL cards are from the early 1900's, have die cuts in order for light to ignite the beauty of each design once the card is thus...held to the light. I will eventually do a blog about them. This Titanic card is a replica of an original design. Titanic cards are simply amazing and as Brenda says, "It's like holding a piece of history in your hands." I was instantly hooked on vintage cards from this day forward as well as ship related cards. Since this card is an unused card, I would like to share with you these U.S. Merchant Marine ship stamps that I recently bought. I think they are pretty niffy.

***Lastly, Brenda is a great example of how a wonderful human being should be---happy, humble, and spirited and that's only the beginning of this awesome woman I now call my friend!!! I know I'm tooting her horn, but it's nice to appreciate the special people who touch your life thru laughter, fun, and sharing. Why not let people in your life know they are awesome and you appreciate their presence!?! If you get a chance, check out her blog: http://www.9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/
She's been at it for years and has students follow her blog as it is very educational!!!
***Food for Thought: The joy of postcards and sharing is a wonderful world to be in, have you let your loved ones know they make a difference? I send my mom postcards and at first she thought I was silly because we live 10 minutes away from one another, but now she loves it!!! With Feburary here and the spirit of love in the air (you do not need a lover, just love), I say tell those special ones in little ways how awesome and grateful you are for them being in your life! Do you have certain friends that you know it's always going to be fun to be around? I know I do and I always look forward to their company. Lastly, what are things you like that would instantly make your heart soar if you got an image of them via snail mail? I think mine are apparent thru my blog.***
Love and light, take care of one another!!!

Relax, Rekindle, Rejuvenate---Where's your zen???

***I would love to be relaxing, rekindling, and rejuvenating in that nice tub, soaking up some zen right now. This card I received from Apple in Taiwan as a direct swap. The bottom of the card is white and not scanning, but simply says "Rekindle your soul" and has some Chinese writing as well. Apple writes "this postcard is a hot spring in Miaoli (located in central Taiwan)". In addition to the cool stamps (a Panda and a pot that looks like it would make perfect hot tea) on the back is written....
"Release their billowing energy.....
The view from the window is like a framed picture.
The sunlight flickering through the trees ushers you into nature.
You will expect the strokes of the breeze,
You will expect the leaves fluttering down slowly......."
I find zen in this card!!!


***The second card (also from Taiwan) has yet another element of zen for me......a nice cup of hot tea, to be enjoyed alone while writing my posts and postcards or with a friend or two sharing precious moments. With this card, I am also sharing the entire back of the card. It has so many nice stamps from the pink train and railway stamp to the special 11/11/2011 post office stamps x 2!!!  I did receive this card in November, but it pairs nicely with the one from above I received in January. Here in Florida, the winters are mild compared to other places around the globe where winters are bitterly harsh and cold, but I'm already thinking of the new growth of spring...thus the zen of growth thru relaxation and reflection. We should think of budding out of the cocoon of winter rekindled like a hibernated bear ready to get on with life with a ferocious appetite!!!


I have gotten some of my best cards from Taiwan!!!  Taiwan is an island of the coast of mainland China in the western Pacific Ocean.  I would love to someday visit!!!
***Food for Thought: Do you like to relax in a hot bath? I do and a hot springs is even better, that place looks ideal for my type of relaxing. Do you enjoy tea, coffee, or ? I love hot tea (Earl Grey and Jasmine are my current favs) and a cappuccino is nice too!!! Where do you like to relax? For me, a massage, the beach, and with a friend sharing a hot beverage and lots of chatting!!! Those are just a few, but postcards make you think about the little things that make a big difference in day to day life, a break and a cup of hot tea can go a long way when you have a long way to go........

21 by Adele

***This card is from a direct swap for an ad card trade. Of course, I love Adele, she is one of the best artist living now in my opinion. So, I was more than happy to do this swap with Pattama in Thailand!!! The stamps are nothing short of amazing as well. It is also my first card from Thailand, bonus!!! "Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988), better known mononymously as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter. Adele was offered a recording contract from XL Recordings after a friend posted her demos on Myspace in 2006. The next year she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" and won the BBC Sound of 2008. Her debut album, 19 was released in 2008 to much commercial and critical success in the UK. 19 was certified four times platinum in the UK." <---copied from wikipedia;0)-

***Asiatic Golden Cat, The Festival of Illuminated Boat Procession (Nakhon Phanom is the province where this takes place), and looks like a Leader/General of Thailand, could not find online.
***Food for thought: Do you like Adele? I know I do, I listen to the Adele station on Pandora often. What is your favorite type of music? I go thru phases and it depends on my mood I like jazz to hiphop. Have you now seen ad cards that you wish you would have gotten to mail to a friend? I know I wish I had got 2 instead of 1 in hindsight.***

Red cont'd......Why not, we have a theme......Let's roll with it!!!

***This card I received earlier in the month as well. Chinese New Year---Year of the Dragon begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The dragon symbol is said to bring success and happiness, also it stands for good luck and power!!! What a great card to receive from China!!! It also has dragon stamps from the postal service on the back, win!

***I just love the next card. It is from postcrossing via Fayeyu (from Taiwan)!!! It contains her own photography since it included red and it is truly one of the best cards that I have received in my opinion, I had to share it here. She has many wonderful cards of her photos and this one was just meant for me!!! It's silky, satin finish let it go thru the mail nicely as well. I'm truly in love with this card. It ties in with my love of photography, culture, and randomness!!!  This card contains a neat animal stamp......


***Food for thought:  Do you have a New Year's tradition? I usually do not care what I am doing, but since I work nights, I refuse to be at my place of employment when the new year arrives. I cannot tell you why, but I haven't worked a New Year's EVE in years. I do like have black eyed peas and cornbread on New Year's Day. What creative items sing to your heart? Photography sings to mine!!! What's your Chinese symbol? I'm a tiger, rawr!!!  On a side note, I received four other cards with red, but I will leave my red posts for now!!!***

Red! Red! and more......RED!!!

***I received this card late in January, the last card from a Facebook Christmas group swap. It is from Romania and it was a nice late holiday card, which in turn started the "red" theme for this month. Also, it is my first card from Romania. On the front of this card is the words "Boldog Boldog karâcsonyt! unnepeket!" which actually is Hungarian that translates to "Happy Happy Christmas! Holidays!" Hungarian along with Romanian, German, and Ukrainian are the four major languages spoken in this country, neat! The stamps below depict ceramic vases and are from 2005, the 30 & 50 value ones say "bani" which means "money".
***I collect Buddha cards, so I loved when this one arrived....
with the beautiful sailboat stamps and looks like a temple in the clouds on the other stamp...

***The next two are the black & white with those touches of color. I have traded with Hanna in Germany before and she always finds the best cards for trading as you can see. I do love gnomes (they can be creepy weird, but fascinating all at the same time). I also enjoy funky art (that classic microphone is awesome---makes me wanna cut a rug!!!). The stamps are cool as well, from the "200 Jahre museum für Naturkunde Berlin" translated to "200th Anniversary of the Museum of Natural History" on the gnome card to the St. Michael’s Church and St. Mary’s Cathedral at Hildesheim UNESCO stamp, I've learned about different places. Check this link for more info on the site http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/187. I only have one Unesco card, so this stamp was great to receive.

***Food for thought:  Do you have a favorite color or colors that arrive in themes or cards that arrive in themes? I'm more partial to blue, love to wear black, but in other things like art and such I like pops of red! My coffee table with it's microfiber is RED. I never knew about Unesco sites until I started collecting postcards, it really is a great way to learn about the world!!! Have you learned new things about life through a hobby of yours? Have you ever thought about how life relates to stamps?***

Winter view and memories too!

***Winning http://deltiolog.wordpress.com/ blog's Boxing Day Giveaway (a wonderful postcard blog to checkout), I received this awesome card!!!  It has the following on the back describing the scene which is a painting by Robert Rapp titled "Sun Dogs"......
"The western South Dakota bobsled was used for most everything on the ranch when there was lots of snow, such as feeding cattle, going to town for supplies, and taking kids to school.  My parents and I moved into western South Dakota and settled near Wall in 1906.  This gave me a chance to witness the closings days of the Old West, the old ranches, to see the coming of the railroad, and the coming and passing of the homesteaders.  I left the area in 1917, but came back in the twenties, working ranches near White Owl.  Memories from these times furnish the material for most of my paintings."
***What a neat piece of history to learn about from a first-hand witness of those days that turned his memories into a wonderful painting to be enjoyed and shared thru the mail.  It's a wonderful world of knowledge that is shared via this snail mail love.
***Below is a 32 cent Georgia O'Keeffe stamp "Red Poppy".  She lived from 11/15/1887 to 3/6/1986 and remains one of the beloved American artist of our time.  Check out her work and see for yourself.
***Food for thought:  What memories will you have of growing up and the historical changes you have witnessed?  Is there a local artist that you enjoy?  Do you have a favorite artist?  This card was a combination of history and art!!!  (For me, the end of The Berlin Wall, especially 911 because that is also my birthday, and the election of the first African American President of the United States...just to name a few memorable historical events in my lifetime.)  One of my favorite artists is Salvador Dali.  Living in Florida, I have had the opportunity to visit his museum twice (the old building and the new remodeled one).  I just think he's a mad genius.  There are great local artists as well!!! I buy local art & art in general when I can or I pick up an awesome postcard!***

How it all started......

***This is my very first postcard that I received from the Postcrossing website.  It is from Sila, Italy (where the sender was spending his summer vacation because he is originally from Italy).  But, the card was actually sent from Belarus and contains the Belarus postage.
***A winter view from the Italian National Forest Park is depicted here. The park is located in southern Italy known as the Calabria region.  Sila is more commonly known as La Sila and with its vast mountains and woodlands make it a great outdoor escape.
***Thus, with this card my journey as a collector and postcard enthusiast as well as what I feel at this time is a lifelong hobby began.  By receiving this card, I learned how to correctly pronouce Belarus and it's location in the world......Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe, that is surrounded by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Lativa.
***Below is the wonderful snow covered field stamp, I would love to be breathing that crisp fresh air right now!!!
***Food for thought:  What was your spark?  Have you heard of Belarus?  Lastly, do you find that twinge of happiness at the sight of personal mail?  (I know I still do, but the first one does hold a special place and that's why I share it with you here.)***