Champion of Postal Cheer, Act 1

In the first few days of January, several of my friends posted similar status updates on Facebook.  They ran something like this:

The first 5 people to comment on this status will, sometime in this calendar year, receive a handmade/homemade gift from me. I will send it out when the mood strikes me and, with luck, it will reach you at the perfect time.

The catch is, you have to make the same offer to all your friends.

The first time I saw it, I thought, Interesting, but I’m not a fan of chain-letter-esque stuff. 

The second time I saw it, I thought, I really like the idea of making and sending out-of-the-blue gifts.

The third time I saw it, I thought, Wait a minute, there’s no reason I can’t make this offer to send gifts without a you-must-do-this-too stipulation.

So, I rewrote it a bit–changing the stipulation to an invitation–and posted it.

The response was enthusiastic and I quickly found myself committed to make and send things to a variety of people.

Last week I finished my first gift.

Then I filled it up with small goodies.

And I packaged it in an envelope made from a poster I’d plucked out of the recycling bin at work.  (The back of the envelope shows Frankenstein reading Gone with the Wind.)

I was rather gleeful when I posted it off.  Sending mail is as much fun as receiving it, don’t you think?  If you’ve been looking for the perfect way to be a Champion of Postal Cheer, I highly recommend committing to send random gifts to random friends throughout the year.

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Scribbling Glue’s Guide to USPS Postal Rates

One of the fun little takeaways that I made for December’s Letter Writing Social was a postal rate sheet.  I figured that people who aren’t currently avid letter writers might like a handy reference to help sort out the mysteries of proper postage.  Since we were making envelopes that weren’t standard sizes, it was especially helpful to have a quick guide to double-check how much postage a particular mailpiece was going to need.

To my delight, the Letter Writers Alliance later featured a photo of my rate sheet as one of their Letter Writing Days of December posts.  I got some lovely feedback, which encouraged me to follow through and create a revised version to reflect the 2013 rate changes.

And now–ta-da!–just in time for the changes that go into effect tomorrow, here it is!

I enjoy writing things out by hand and I do a fair amount of computer-based design layout for posters and brochures at work, but the combination of creating by hand and designing a layout placed me outside of the realm where things come easily.  I’m so accustomed to (and spoiled by) being able to tweak, align, re-size, and move elements on a whim.  This project required making rough drafts and marshaling my spacial reasoning skills.  In short, it was an excellent challenge for my brain.  I am pleased with the end result since this is only the second time that I’ve attempted designing something along these lines, but my eraser definitely got a good workout along the way!

If you are so inclined–and I do hope you are–you are welcome to download a copy.

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Success: A Type-In & Letter Writing Social Retrospective

It finally happened.  The day arrived.  We set up the typewriters and the stationery and supplies for cutting and gluing, then we watched it all unfold.

It is nothing but the truth to say that the Type-In & Letter Writing Social organized and hosted by Thread Lock Press and Scribbling Glue was a huge success.   The typewriters were in constant use and the mailart table was always full.  Over the course of 3 hours, there were 70+ people who stopped by and walked away with typewritten and handmade creations!

If you couldn’t make it (or you did make it and want to relive the great vibe of the evening), here’s a brief photo overview.

Checking out the mailart supplies.

The first wave of typists.

A Royal gets a fresh red ribbon.

Cutting, gluing, writing, and creating.

A new round of typists.

Best friends creating together.

First time with a typewriter.

Quick! Where’s the typewriter expert?

 

Every time a typist finished, a new one slid into the seat.

And, yes, the evening even included a visit from Santa.

There were, I think, eight or nine typewriters that made an appearance during the evening.  They were nostalgic for some, novelty for others, and enjoyed by all.

What I enjoyed most was the scope of the event.  The youngest participant was 2 (and the youngest in attendance, who has not quite developed the fine motor skills to write or type, was 4 months old), the oldest were in their 70s and 80s.  Some people came on purpose, others just happened to wander into Evergrain Bread Company as part of their 1st Friday circuit and stayed to make something.  Out of town friends and family of mine made the trip to Chestertown just so they could be a part of the fun–I’m so very fortunate to have such fantastic people in my life!  People showed up as individuals and couples and families.  A man typed a birthday letter to his mother who was turning 94 the next day.  A girl wrote to a friend from school.  A woman typed letters to two of her oldest friends–the three used to work together as typists.  A little boy created a tremendously be-stamped and colorful card when left to his own devices with a glue stick (I missed a photo op with that one!).  I love thinking about all the letters and cards and poems and thoughts that were created and are now going to be sent and shared; the event is over, but its impact is going to continue as colorful envelopes make their way through the mail and are opened on the other end.  This was definitely a happening that lived up to Scribbling Glue’s mission to celebrate how “handwritten letters, jotted notes, and scrawled miscellany add to the forces of good at work in the world.”

I have an inkling that this was not a one-time event.

Oh! And I also have an inkling from the Letter Writers Alliance:

File under: this made my day 

Hooray for being a part of the creative and fun-loving community of letter writers!

Donovan and Kathy of LWA, thank you for introducing me to the idea of letter writing socials!

Huge thanks are also due to Doug and Kelly at Evergrain who gave an enthusiastic go-ahead when asked about holding this event at the bakery.

And, hey, Lindsay, creative collaboration rocks!  I’m so glad we made this happen.

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In which there is an unexpected overnight guest and the creative process refuses to be rushed

We had an unexpected overnight guest this weekend.

Hildegard, Patron Saint of Writers and Unexpected Overnight Guest

We had known Hildegard and Lindsay were coming over to make things, but Lindsay and I underestimated the amount of time that would be needed to complete our project.  After six hours of typing, cutting, gluing, and creating, Lindsay headed home around midnight promising to return the next day.  Not wanting Hildegard to feel lonely, I introduced her to a new friend.

Despite the generation gap, they had no trouble finding common interests to discuss.

After a while, they were joined by a couple more friends.

Everyone enjoyed the bedtime stories.

Then it was time to get comfy…

The youngest member of the group was already in sleep mode.

…and tucked in for the night.

Ahhh…a well earned rest after a full evening of making stuff.

And what, you ask, were we doing that exhausted Hildegard and required ten hours of diligent work over the course of two days?

Well, at various times, it looked like this:

And this:

Eventually, it resulted in this:

Tomorrow some lucky letter carrier will start these on their way to spread the word about the fast-approaching letter-writing social and type-in:

Won’t you join us, too?  If you do, you’ll have the fun of putting together your own super-special, totally unique, custom created typed-and-handwritten masterpiece.  (Added bonus: experiencing Evergrain Bakery will make your taste buds happy.)

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Matching-Optional Stationery & Envelopes

A couple weeks ago, I got together with Lindsay, of Goose Hill and Thread Lock Press fame, to print stationery that she designed for our upcoming Type-In and Letter Writing Social.  It was my first time using a printing press and I had a blast!  This is partly because Lindsay did all the challenging parts and I got to do the fun bit, but also because it’s really neat to try a new way of being creative.

I could spend this post telling you all I learned about the process of printing.  However, since I have the option of referring you to a thorough and concise outline of all the steps involved, I will instead simply share some photos and recommend that you direct any questions about what you see to Journeyman Printer Lindsay. She’s much more well-versed than I am and knows all the proper vocabulary while I’m still at the “it’s a metal thingy” stage of understanding.

The chase (one of many metal thingys involved) is filled and locked!  We’re almost ready to print.

Even application of ink is key.  (Are you admiring Lindsay’s printer’s apron?  If you’re in the market for one, check out Thread Lock Press on Etsy.)

Was it really that exciting?  Yes.  Am I often silly?  Definitely.

My first attempt was a success!

We went on to print a stack of stationery in a variety of sizes.

Stationery, of course, needs to be paired with envelopes, so we will include an envelope-making station as one of the activities at the Type-In & Letter-Writing Social.  I brought stationery samples home with me in order to create templates for making envelopes that will fit the stationery.

In a world where Pinterest exists, it’s easy to feel that plain cardboard just won’t cut it.  However, after a failed attempt making a more aesthetically pleasing template, I decided that I was cool with plain.  They are more utilitarian than beautiful, but they’re a means to an end and what they help to create will be lovely.

Voila! Template + page from a picture book with a damaged spine + scissors + tape = envelope of the perfect size!

I realize that the bright and shiny envelope does not exactly match the elegant stationery printed on quality paper, but it was what I had handy at the time.  And, hey, who said things always have to match?  However, those who feel the need for more decorum and coordination of their letter-writing materials should not be scared off by my jumping-june-bugs-kissing-katydids envelope.  There will be an assortment of materials available for making envelopes and other mailart on December 7th; I’ll endeavor to include some more refined options. ;)

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Stamp of Approval: Pass it On!

Just a reminder to leave a comment or send me a message by midnight on Friday, October 19th to enter in the Scribbling Glue 1st Anniversary giveaway!  What, you ask, is being given away?

1 handmade card

2 trade card postcards

and

1 gift card & 5 mini-flats

Click photos to embiggen and admire in more detail.  Questions?  Just let me know!

Winner takes all, so enter for your chance to be that lucky person. :)

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Year One of Scribbling Glue: An Anniversary Giveaway

A year?  A year!  Yes, it’s true.  One year ago today I launched Scribbling Glue into public view stating that my mission was “To start a revolution and inspire people to connect with each other through the simple act of scribbling.”  Little did I know that, in fact, I was joining a movement that was already going strong.

In case you haven’t yet discovered it for yourself, here’s the inside scoop: the internet is full of letter-writers, post card projects, handwriting enthusiasts, postal initiatives, and individuals and alliances that pour energy into supporting and encouraging these undertakings.   It’s truly delightful.

In celebration of my first blogiversary, I’ve put together some goodies to giveaway in the hopes of further encouraging those who enjoy a bit of postal, handwritten, or scribbled fun.  In the style of Scribbling Glue, what’s included is a bit of a hodgepodge.

The lucky winner will receive:

• 1 green-hued, one-of-a-kind, handmade greeting card with which to declare your stamp of approval for someone
• 1 lovely-dovey gift enclosure with yellow envelope
• 2 reproduction Soapine trade card postcards featuring children who, presumably, are wearing very clean clothes
• 5 mini-flats from House Mouse Designs; no envelopes, but perfect for sticking in lunchboxes or suitcases, on gifts or vases, and under covers when you need to leave a tiny note

To enter yourself for a chance to have this lovely bundle delivered to your mailbox, either leave a comment or use the Connect! page to send me a private message by midnight on Friday, October 19th.  I will select a winner at random and will be in touch about the necessary mailing details.

I hope you’re as excited about this as I am!

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Sunday 7: That’s Not a Tea Cup, It’s a Post Office Box!

My husband is not a letter writer.  He does not own stationary or letterhead.  When the rare occasion arises that he has something to mail, he does not have stamps on hand.  And yet, he gets it.  He writes me presents and he leaves me everyday notes.  It makes my day whenever I find one.  And not knowing where I’m going to find one is part of the fun.  So, with full credit to my own sweet love and the intent of inspiring you to write and hide notes of your own, I present:

7 Places to Post Your Hand-Delivered Missives

Some notes need to be passed directly from the hand of the writer to the hand of the recipient.  Others need to be highly visible so they are seen as soon as possible.  But others are less time sensitive and those are the ones that can be delivered via a wide array of objects, repurposed as personal post offices.  If you’re looking for a place to post your latest scribble, here are a few locations to consider.

1. A lunch box:

2. A tea cup:

3. A pillow:

4. A being-read book:

5. The refrigerator:

6. A laptop:

7.  The dining room table:

There are so many words, which can be tucked into so many places, to let someone know you love them.  Don’t stress over finding the perfect turn of phrase.  Keep it short and sweet, tuck it somewhere it will be found, and know that you will make someone’s day brighter and more interesting.  Love is an everyday thing, so put your words out there instead of saving them for a special occasion.

Don’t get stuck thinking love notes are just for significant others.  Next time you visit your mom, a dear friend, a favorite uncle, or anyone else who you just adore, take a tiny love note and–when nobody is watching– slip it into the silverware drawer, hide it under a jar of nails on the workbench, or prop it on a windowsill.  When you head home, you’ll do so knowing that someone you love will soon be making an unexpected and delightful discovery.

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Easy-Peasy Occasional: A Use for Old Photographs

Last week, for my first day of A Month of Letters, I sent a birthday card to a friend of mine.  I made it myself and you can create your own remarkably unique creations by following the same easy steps I took:

1. Find an old photograph.
2. Embellish it.
3. Place in envelope.
4. Giggle all the way to the mailbox.
5. Wait with great anticipation for it to reach its destination.

I started with this:

I have no idea who these people are. It was an abandoned family portrait, long ago separated from its family. Since it has no sentimental value to me, I felt the best thing I could do was to reuse it and give it a brand new purpose.

With the help of a pack of brightly colored paper, my trusty scissors and some glue, I transformed it into this:

Oh, joy! Don't they look much more festive now?

Some close ups:

After trimming the frame, this beauty of a card just fit into a 9″x12″ envelope and I definitely did some giggling along the way as I pictured the reaction it will get when opened.

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Because Saying Thank You Is Fun

I am a firm believer in thank-you notes.  Acknowledgement and appreciation are just plain important.  This year I was inspired to draw several of my thank you notes!

Does this amuse you? It cracks me up!

Yes, that's right, I got a year's supply of laundry detergent. It was exactly what I wanted!

I am pleased to report, the recipients of my thank-yous were greatly amused.  Am I a brilliant artist?  No.  But do I have lots of fun with markers!  And you can, too, if it strikes your fancy.  Next time you want to express your gratitude, try doing it colorfully.  You’ll be sure to make an impression.

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