Who can not be inspired to write letters when a penpal sends you such charming stationery as this hummingbird set? Oh how careless of me. I placed the pen over the the hummingbird. I took the picture with my daughter's Nexus 7 tablet since it is oh so convenient for taking pictures and emailing; and it's not like I've charged my camera battery recently and...no...I will not retake the picture. I've already returned the tablet and this will have to do. Take my word for it, it's lovely. In addition to stationery, Kathleen also sent a Mozart CD. How did she know I'm a fan? I don't think I've ever written to her about music. So, with Mozart playing softly, lovely stationery and new sealing wax (Waterson's Scottish Mura wax) along with a new celtic cross seal I was feeling inspired. To complete the inspiration, Mr. Duffy put on a war movie in the other room which drove me to seek out quiet. I found it. What inspires you to write?
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I came across a letter story today and wanted to pass it on. The following excerpt is sweetly inspirational. They both have personalized stationery: correspondence cards from a small engraving and letterpress shop in Oyster Bay, N.Y., with their names printed across the top. He writes her love letters on other stationery, from hotels all over the world, and she tucks tiny notes into the freezer or nestles them within the pages of a book he is reading so they might flutter out like confetti when he removes a box of pizza bagels or arrives at a certain passage. I want to show you a card that deserves mention. No, it's not a belated Valentine's Day card, it's just a belated post. Remember the mystery sender who occasionally sends postcards with no name? Well, this sweet thought comes from the same hand. Thank you, Valentine. I would write back but you never include your address! Maybe one day? I smile when I see it because I can hear the Pillsbury Doughboy laugh. Do you remember this commercial? I do. Listen for the giggle at the end. Next up is envelopes within envelopes from Patty. This is brilliant. She tells me she didn't think of it herself but I know she's responsible for the cuteness of it. The back provides instructions. This is two envelopes joined by the glued flap to create a sort of folder. Tucked inside are smaller envelopes. She's given me a set of ten. If you receive a letter from me in a Halmark envelope you'll know you're in possession of one of Mrs. Duffy's exclusive envelopes. I just know there's something I can do with this envelope idea to pay it forward...but what? It'll come to me in a flash of inspiration...soon I hope. And finally, from one of my most avid snailers, COMICS! Now who wouldn't delighted to find funnies in the mailbox? I feel one of my story book envelopes is in order. I may not post pictures of everything I receive but. I enjoy every letter and card. Now go write a letter and brighten someone's day!
“When you love something, you write it by hand.” Ms. Selecky has written a beautiful article on writing and another one specifically on writing by hand. I encourage you to read the articles at her site, Sarah Selecky: Write What You Want to Read.
The featured letter of this post comes from Melissa of Epistles - Minor and Major by M. Howard. This letter is exceptionally creative and I love its personal tone; we've begun what is bound to wonderful conversation and hopefully a long one. I feel I am learning much about the art of conversation from my correspondents, limping along though I may be. The concern of this post, however, is the creative use of paper so I will post some pictures and begin the tour. Another handmade envelope with a Lord of the Rings Theme. I love the book and came to love the movie when I forgave Peter Jackson for what he did to the story. Here you can see that letters have been cut out and pieced together. I appreciate the time Melissa spent on the envelope alone. You'll hardly believe what she's done with the contents. You can't enjoy it as much as I did but I think you'll appreciate the work and creativity put into it. The letter is sectioned into two parts, each numbered. You can see the maps which serve as the canvas for this work of art. Now for the goodies. The letter itself is written on a variety of things, note cards, recipe cards and even small envelopes and bags which have notes tucked into them. I thought the envelopes and bags were especially fun and gave a treasure hunt feel to reading the letter. This is recycling in the old-fashioned sense at its letter writing best. Once upon a time before we expected that every thing ought to be disposable, people reused things and sometimes turned them into other things. Melissa's letter is a good example of this and shows that any kind of paper can be used for stationery and used well. When all the bits and pieces of otherwise unimpressive paper are united in a letter collage the results are impressive. The truly impressive thing, though, that I want to draw your attention to is Melissa's imagination. This letter started a good, creative idea and makes me wish to be more imaginative myself. Thank you, Melissa for a truly delightful letter.
I am occasionally inspired to some sort of action by letters I receive. My purchase of "The Art of the Handwritten Note" by Margaret Shepherd was inspired by fellow blogger and letter writer, Lennart Wennberg. I also purchased another of Ms. Shepherd's books, "The Art of the Personal Letter." I am now a fan of Margaret Shepherd and recommend her books to you. Just the other day I received a letter from Juanita from South Africa. You can visit her blog at www.therecanbeonlyjuan.com. She mentioned belonging to the Letter Writers Alliance and I wondered why I had never joined myself. I soon put my wondering to rest and mailed $3 and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to P.O. Box 221168 Chicago, IL 60622. I will soon have a membership card and access to exclusive member items as well as more penpals. I encourage those interested in meeting people through letters to visit the LWA webpage. Thank you Juanita for the inspiration. I look forward to the fun of more letters from you and the new pen friends I may find through Letter Writers Alliance. My response to you will soon be on its way! |
Letter Matters
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