This is something I have participated in over past years. I still have my original pen friend and we still swap mail all through the months of the year. This year it has grown...a lot. Miss Lindsay is our fearless leader and bless her for organizing all of this. I believe we have over 130 participants this year alone.
I have been very busy creating lots of assorted items to mail. We only have to mail to our swap pen friend. However many of us mail to many...if not all...of the participants.
I am not one to sit and make cards but I must say it was fun to gather my supplies and put things together. I did enjoy the treasure hunt in my studio and found lots of goodies for mailing.
I spent lots of time cutting out ATCs and post cards. I tried using some cereal and cracker boxes but discovered the work involved is not time smart. We will see how successful any of this will be. I have gathered and rolled change in order to buy extra stamps. NLWM after all was begun by the post office to earn more postage sales. It worked! Now the carriers get to work extra. At least they will be very entertained with all the amazing clever and creative Happy mail.
Yesterday we received our lists of pen friend and everyone involved. Lindsay is "The Creator of Cuteness" and created the adorable post card she mailed notifying me of my specific pen friend. This postcard (bottom left) is ready for me to color. How cute is this?!? Thank you Lindsay. I also want to thank Lilli who has helped organize all the chaotic names and addresses. Lilli is clear across the coasts and did a lot of electronic helping. I gave Lindsay a big hug today when I saw her. She needs an extra Happy Mail in her mail box! This photo is showing my attempt at being organized and ready to send out lots of mail to surprise pen friends. My Tinkerbell bucket holds each of the participants names and addresses so that I might select one at random whenever possible. This is going to be such fun!!!
We are clearly having Spring weather and it is beautiful. However...we desperately still need rain! Lots of rain! Our "exceptional" drought is certainly not gone. I am wishing Sunshine and Warmth for all who are still having snow and ice. Crazy weather across the country. I am enjoying our extended daylight which allows me more energy personally. I feel like I still have time in my day to be productive.
I must admit my time has been spent on NLWM 2014 and I have not done much in my studio or sewing room. I was sew excited to get my Pfaff Sew La Te Da back and here I am at my computer. Soon I will share a small project I sewed. What are you creating? Do you like the extended daylight and get more done? Joyful Bliss to all...
Looks like fun! Letter writing may be becoming a lost art, but clearly not in your home. You are very creative ... :) Pat
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun!! I can't remember the last time I hand wrote a letter :) I hope you are having a great week!! Happy spring :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
How fun but looks like alot of work. Glad you have the time to do this. Must be fun and sciting to now receive items and cards or letters from others all over. Have a great weekend and happy crafting. Ana
ReplyDeleteI love this, its something I would very much enjoy,
ReplyDeleteI agree; true letter writing is a lost art. This looks like much fun, for you, Sherry! Enjoy! xo
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I am glad to see that you ladies are keeping snail mail alive. Getting mail truly is a wonderful thing. A little package of creative love makes it even more special. Looks like you are enjoying the process. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteI used to write lots of letters. I need to think about doing it again. Bless you, Sherry
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy gal! Yes I love more daylight! ~Diane
ReplyDeleteI used to write letters, too, regularly. That has diminished over the last few years.....but something I still do every once in a while.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're set for lots of writing fun!
I'm working on the wrist cuff bracelets, CQJP, and my wrapping cloth piece #11. No change there, but the wrist cuffs are still distracting......
I am so impressed with this project! And love seeing your work station. It's so inviting- makes me want to dive into paper. But I've got fabric out right now!
ReplyDeleteI love that you guys are actually writing letters...such a lost art, these days. Looks like you've got a lot of wonderful, creative fun going on in the center of that delightful room, Sherry - love to you, my friend...happy, creative Friday! XOXO
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lovely idea and I can see your pen friends will be delighted with your makes! We had rain every day for three months solid (in the uk) I hope it's heading your way :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!! Participates will be lucky to receive your contribution!!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!! I still love letter writing and the joy of receiving mail in the real inbox!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had fun creating for your swap.
Wishing you a wonderful spring and a great first weekend.
Hugs and Blissful Creating my friend!
Dear Sherry,
ReplyDeletewonderful, but time consuming ,yes. Handwriting and cardmaking, takes a lot of time, but also gives joy ..both to the creater and the reciever .
So good you have spring weather ,dear,- I hope for you all, that rin will soon fall from the sky !
Here it is grey today, but mild and no wind :-)
Hugs,Dorthe
What a fun idea for a swap. I will have to join in next year.
ReplyDeleteSherry-- I've never heard of this-- but I love the idea. So many times we just send off an email or text!! I love to get beautiful cards and letters-- it really is becoming a lost art!
ReplyDeleteVicki
OMG Iook at all that stuff!
ReplyDeleteLetter writing is certainly becoming a lost art, so happy to hear your group is keeping it alive...and the post office too:-)
ReplyDeleteLoving this beautiful weather we're having, but will definitely welcome some much needed rain.
Snail mail is the best! What a fun project you are involved in. I've been on vacation and I am loving the longer days...now if it would warm up just a bit all would be good here. I was wondering if the rain you received was enough to help with the drought....think of all the food that is grown in your area...higher prices for sure.
ReplyDeleteWith higher postal costs I do nearly everything via Internet. It appears you have quite a project going. It is nice there is a group preserving the art of letter writing. I think of all the letters I have run across, full of info, when working on my genealogy. If our ancestors had used computers it might have been much more difficult to connect the dots, but that's progress.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog!!!! So looking forward to April 1!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Lilli
Sherry, what a fabulous post! I too am looking forward to April, this is my 2nd year taking part in NLWM. Thanks for sharing this peek into your process!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiration you are, soooooooooo looking forward to my first year in this wondrous group!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love when I open my mailbox and there is a "REAL" letter there not just bills. It means someone really took the time to communicate with me. Life is just to fast these days. Especially when you have 8 tiny legs following you everywhere. Ha! I love what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteHow fun is this! and what a tremendous project! I still have contact (Facebook) with one of three penpals I have had since teen years. Getting real mail is so novel today! ;)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful for Lindsay to organize all of this! Oh goodness I can only imagine how much work it is and you.....Whoever gets you as a pen pal has no idea how lucky they are! I am always amazed at all of the projects you get involved in!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Oh you are elbow deep in fun! This swap sounds so fab. I didn't even know it was NLWM! I hope you have tons of fun and meet new people.
ReplyDeleteI understand about the sewing machine...who can stop a muse in full swing???
Hugs,
and happy spring!
Terri
Sounds like so much fun! We are doing an ATC swap around the world with my Wednesday group. Like you, I will mail more than 1. Watch your mail next month!
ReplyDeletexxD
Hello Dear Sherry! I have posted about you on my blog : )
ReplyDeleteHugs and hugs to you,
Terri
I would love to be part of this! how awesome! Next YEAR!
ReplyDelete~Donna~
Those pictures with all that beautiful paper just crazy awesome! I'm a self confessed stationery junkie and love letter writing. Thank you and all the pen pals for encouraging snailmail greatness.
ReplyDeletehow exciting to see a fellow 2014 Lindsay Ostrom group NLWM'er here - love your blog, love this post. Cheers! Davielle in CA
ReplyDeleteWhat a happy, newsy post this is! I love the idea of NLWM and think it is truly inspired - there is nothing like getting a letter in the mailbox. You have definitely inspired me now, dear Sherry, and I am going to make some pretty cards to send out myself, to family and friends... I must say, I loved the picture of your work table... For me there is nothing quite like a table of creativity to get me all inspired!
ReplyDeleteSherry, I love your blog. This is my first time seeing it but I will return, I promise. It was great to see all the wonderful things that are on it. This is my first year of NLWM but so far I know it will not be my lat. Thanks. Carol Hodges
ReplyDeleteSherry, I love all your various projects! I have known you long before I new how crafty you are.
ReplyDeleteAlso I know both you and your first pen pal and keep thinking I should set a lunch date and get the three of us together so you can finally meet? Or if you prefer the mystery of it all that's ok, too! She is an even lovelier person in person!!!