Ideas For Happy Mail

I like this idea. As long as the postal clerk can put their postage labels on it, it can go. This one is a bit small. It would  take $2.54 in postage stamps to send(2016).   It needs to be in a bigger container - clear if possible.

 Envelope art.  Google it.  Seriously.

 I found this road atlas for a buck at the estate sale this morning. For a buck, I can make about 50 envelopes. Well - twenty - cuz I'll get tired of cutting maps out.

 Have you ever made your own envelopes? It's pretty easy to find templates all over the web. Or, if you're fond of a particular size envelope, sacrifice it to be your pattern. I cut my templates out of cardstock-weight paper - usually the ends of a calendar. Then I just trace and cut them out. A little glue stick on the ends to hold things in.

Did you know glue sticks go bad? The glue stick in the kitchen was all dried up and the one in my sewing room looked 'moldy!'. I used Elmers school glue instead.

At garage sales,  I look for large books/calendars that have wonderful images on them. Coffee table books. Nice paper.

 The other two envelopes are from a German calendar. Which is actually awesome as, at most, there are only twelve images, which is doable as a project with a clear end in sight. This US states road atlas looks like a massive black hole of time project.

I'm thinking I will offer up some handmade envelopes as a prize. What do you think? Do you want particular states? I sized my templates for a long business envelope and a smaller, more personal size - is that an A4?

 I also found our local photographer who made these Canby Ferry postcards. This is our car ferry that traverses the Willamette River just north of us.

 One of my favorite ways to send Happy Mail is cute socks for the nephews & nieces in clear freezer ziploc bags. Everyone smiles along the way as these socks make it to their destination. These fun socks are going to DD.  Its fun to send boxes of movie candy - like Sour Patch Kids, in ziploc bags too.

Make sure you use the freezer style as this plastic is thicker.

 Some of the items I have on my counter to pack up and send in the next few days.
Easter is March 27th so this is a reminder to send out those easter packages.

I am sending out all of my plastic easter eggs. They are already filled with candy, ready to post. You can send just one easter egg with stamps on it but my peoples are getting more then ten each. Really! Do plastic eggs re-populate in the dark storage cupboard? When did I get so many? It's been many years since an easter egg hunt was held here.
 

 Adult coloring books anyone?
Awesome happy mail to get colored pencils in a upcycled clear water bottle.

This larger envelope with multiple smaller envelopes.
Please, pretty please, will someone make it for me?

How about printing out a Marauders map and sending it to your niece or nephew who loves Harry Potter?

I've sent coconuts from Hawaii before. A little bit expensive as the coconut has to be USDA approved (no bugs) and they are heavy.  What's the most interesting item you have sent through the mail? Have you tried?

Birthday Sweets

My friend sent this delightful stamp set and it arrived the same day as my big box of fabrics.
Two boxes in the mail!

I had to wait until my carrier delivered them to open.

I'm in my 7th week of postal drama over taking three sick days at the end of my japan vacation. Thank god for unions.

I'm trying to stay under the radar by not grabbing my boxes and ripping them open immediately.

The box was wrapped in a biplane fabric scrap (swoon). The outside was a sturdy paper bag which had a fun design on it when I turned it inside out. Little gnomes.

This is one of those kawaii gifts.

Now to see if I can find that video of the video that showed how to wrap things in fabric with an animal result.

Letter Writing

Getting something in the mail unexpectedly is one of life's little joys.

A national mail count takes place the last two weeks of September 2011. What does a mail count mean?
This is the primary means of determining a rural letter carriers wages. Each letter, each manila envelope, each package counts towards a formula. The heart of the post office is your rural mail carrier. If there isn't enough mail to deliver, carrier routes and paychecks will get cut.
I am proposing a grass-roots effort to up the volume of mail during the last two weeks of September. I am asking each person who reads this to send one item through the mail.

It could be a postcard to your friend: 29 cents (2012 price 32 cents).
It could be a letter to your mom: 44 cents ( 2012 : 45 cents).
Or, a get-well-soon card to your friend: 44 cents .
It could be a book to your dad: $2.38 Media mail rate(2012: 45 cents).
It could be a small package of Rubber Bandz to your nephew: $1.71 ( $1.95 for 2012)
It could be a huge Priority Flat-Rate package of candy to your favorite nephew: $10.95 ( $11.35 for 2012).
Or a more restrained Priority Flat-rate envelope: $4.95 ( 2012: $5.15).

One item from every person in the United States would ensure the continuation of Rural mail delivery without restrictions for the next four years. Even if only a few participate, every letter counts. Every postcard counts. Every package counts.

If you have ever dreamed on starting your own business or currently own one, chances are - part of it is on the internet. Chances are - you rely on the postal system as part of your delivery system. Please order USPS (FREE!) supplies during this period (free delivery too!).






This is a helpful & funny place to peruse if you have difficulty in starting a letter. The Bureau of Communication is here to help.




Plan on sending your mail during September 15 -28th. The mail count starts on the 17th and continues through September 30th.

FAQ's:
Does this have something to do with people too busy to send a letter?  yes.
Does this have something to do with me in the city?   Well no - but your recipient may be on a rural mail delivery route.
Does this really matter in the giant scheme of things?   It's a bit more permanent than a text message.
Is letter writing proven to make life more simple?   no.
Do I need to go to the post office?  Yes, to buy a stamp.
Do I need to send it asap?   Yes. The IDEA is to have mail volume increase during the last two weeks of September. Try to send it between Sept. 15th & Sept.23rd.
Will my mom like getting a letter from me?  No - she will LOVE it.
Will my nephews & Nieces love getting candy?  Duh.
Will this count towards random acts of kindness?  Yes.