incoming mail

This is what my mailbox looks like after being away for just over a week.  There were letters and Christmas packages from France, England, the U.S. and Canada.

Vancouver

I'm back from ten lovely days in Vancouver.  It was all about seeing family and friends and resting up for the new year.  There was bowling, games night (Operation and Clue!), walks along the water in Stanley Park, singing backup at our friend's band night, reading a book from cover to cover and writing postcards. I found these ones by Gold Fools at City of Craft.

Wishing everyone a very joyful new year!

holiday letters

This month I've taken quite a bit of gift wrap and cut it down into envelopes and stationery.  These were the last of the holiday letters that I made.  (Sandi printed this wicked green and black gift wrap.)

Happy holidays stamp lovers and letter writers!

Christmas cards

Here are a few more of my favourite Christmas cards made by Kid Icarus and Deadweight.  I'm totally hooked on trees..

Christmas trees

I really can't get enough of these Christmas tree stamps from 1981.  I've been putting them on nearly every letter written these past few weeks.  Sometimes in grids, sometimes mixed in with other holiday stamps.  I just adore the simple design.

good things

1. Pizza + gelato at Libretto.
2. Two of our shoots made it into Toronto Life Weddings!
3. Beginners.
4. A surprise care package from my dear Ali.
5. Lego's winter village post office.

incoming mail

My mailbox this week was filled with:

A) a bunch of Hawaiian postcards from Gail + Grannie

B) letters from Alice and Marni

I still find a full and pretty mailbox one of the most delightful parts of my days!

a pink holiday

My monthly post is up on The Paper Place's blog!  And it's very, very pink!

Christmas Island postmark

I came across this article in the paper on Saturday.   A tiny post office in Christmas Island, Nova Scotia has a sought after postmark.  So much so that they receive bundles of mail (addressed and affixed with the proper postage) from all over the world to receive the Christmas-themed postmark.  How wonderful to hear of other lovers of all things philatelic!

doublenaut

I have finished writing all of our Christmas cards.  Some standouts include these rad designs by Doublenaut.  A fine score at Handmade Holiday! 

good things

1. Watched A Charlie Brown Christmas in Italian.  (More dramatic than in English!)
2. Pizzelle.
3. Agata and the Storm.
4. Survived my very first cavity.  (Boy, was I ever scared.)
5. Celebrated Christmas #1 with half our family.

incoming mail

Lots of letters filled my mailbox this week.  Thank you Jessica, Céline and Tanya!  I was happily treated to vintage stamps, lovely bits of papers and a sweet, sweet letterpress print.

holiday tally

My holiday tally so far this week:

17 Christmas cards written
4 cute gifts wrapped
2 Christmas CDs played
1 light snowfall seen

bicycle stamps

It's December and I'm still biking.  I'm ever so happy about that!  

These stamps from 1974 were made to celebrate the World Cycling Championships in Montreal.

1960s

When I find postal gems, like these first day covers from the 1960s, I scoop them up and just stare at them for a long while.  

good things

1. Bright pink ice skate stamps.
2. Nothing Matters When We're Dancing.
3. Handmade Holiday!  A lovely crafty day.  See rad pictures here.
4. Life is less hectic.
5. The Mascot.  Mint green tea + mini chocolate cakes.

incoming mail

Two day's ago Toronto had its first snowfall.  It was the perfect day to receive Rhya's flurries diorama!  Thanks Rhy!

P.S. I'm super busy putting together stamp packs for the show.  Come on down to Handmade Holiday for some crafts and tea tomorrow!

The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street

"I seem to be living in a state of deep hypnosis, every time I mail a postcard home I could use Euphoria for a return address."

Helene Hanff
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street