OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Sara is an American living in Australia. She sent this card, which I believe is from a photo she took herself of one of the beaches near her home. She writes the beaches have the whitest sand and dolphins live permanently in the bay. Sounds amazing.

Connecticut - RAS from Lynda, Direct Swap from Melody

For the longest time I was trying to complete my US State map collection. For some reason, Connecticut was proving to be a needle in a haystack. I was in touch with several Postcrossers who were more than willing to swap, however were unable to locate a map card. The most ironic part was I had received a few cards from people who lived in that state and had even commented on the cards they sent that they didn't have a map. It looked like it was never going to happen.

Then one day out of the blue I received a note from Melody asking if I was still looking for a map. She had seen my request in the forum and had one she was willing to swap. I was thrilled and agreed. Around the same time, my meet-up pal Lynda asked if I had found one yet as she knew how I was looking for one.

Then, as only things seem to ever work for me - after months of searching I all of a sudden had two in my mailbox on the exact same day! I have never laughed so hard, I couldn't believe it! Melody sent me this great card for our swap. It was an extra from her own collection (so sweet) and she was happy to provide the missing piece of my puzzle.

Unbeknownst to me, Lynda had been in touch with a postcard club in Connecticut to see if a member had a map card to send me. That was one of the sweetest thing I have ever had done for me. This was the card that she arranged.

So to say that I am a happy camper now that my collection is complete is accurate. The way I completed it just makes me smile that much more! Thanks ladies and to everyone who agreed to swap with me to help me reach my goal.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Natalya sent this card showing the plan for the city of Tomsk in 1898. Her message was really sweet and inspiring suggesting to notice the beauty of everyday life and live each day to it's fullest. Really made me stop to think the day it came and again now. A really super card!

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

I think this card is so pretty. I don't know if it is the perspective of the shot or just the simple every day feel of the picture but I really like it. Paivi lives just outside of Turku which she describes as a great summer town.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Sera lives in Connecticut an wrote to me about her daily life and getting her camper ready for summer travelling. Sounds fun!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Martina wrote to me about her spring cleaning efforts, something I feel I am doing every week regardless of the season! The view on this card shows the City Hall in Stralsund, which is also an UNESCO site.

Bermuda from Lisa

Lisa and I went to high school back in the day. We reconnected last year on Facebook and have had a great time catching up with each other. I was going to be in her neck of the woods one day and tried to get together. It was short notice but the answer "Sorry I'm in Bermuda" wasn't what I was expecting! I asked her if she had the chance if she could send me a card and lucky for me she did. This wonderful view showing Flatts Village and the aquarium arrived last week.  Thank you Lisa!

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

Eileen, my dear postcard pal in England, sent me this great card from the annual meet-up she attends.So sweet of her to think of me and such a great card she chose. Lots of signatures I recognize, including the Postcrossing founders Paulo and Ana. The "Petit Pilote" stamp even inspired me to have my own stamp made.

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

This card is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen let alone be the lucky recipient of. Jelena is a university student and sent the card at the end of May. It shows the alphabet through the patterns and wings of butterflies. You can see more about this project here. I have seen this concept with architecture before and love it but the butterfly takes it to a whole new level.

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

I am the first to admit while I do like nice stamps I am most definitely not a stamp collector. I think maxicards are a cross between a postcard and stamp collectors dream! I was very surprised when this Olympic maxicard came from Pattie in Australia. It is my first and only maxicard I have ever received. The card commemorates the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996. Somehow, this has been kicking around for 17 years before it made it to my mailbox!

OFFICIAL Card - Algeria

Every postcard does truly put a smile on my face, however sometimes I must admit the smile comes with a squeal! I was super surprised when this card from Dadi who lives in Algeria arrived after a 31 day travel to me. The text on the back of the card interestingly is all in French, another new thing I have learnt from Postcrossing. The text translates to say  "Indigenous Berber Tuareg remain attached to many traditional and cultural traditions." Here is a little more on Tuareg people. 

 

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Another day, another card from Germany! You know, even if you receive several cards in the same week from the same country, each are unique for the message, views and care the sender takes. This time the card came from Thilo, a 17 years old living near Hamburg. He writes that the harbour in Hamburg is one of his favourite places to be.

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Thomas sent me this sweet little sheep card at the end of May. At the time he wrote it he said the weather in Germany was unseasonably cold as it was only 8C. Today as I post it, it is 32C  with humidity feeling like 42C - for the fourth straight day. If I could only time travel!

OFFICIAL Card - Belarus

For a bird lover like me these cards from Belarus are the best surprise in the mailbox. I just {love} this series! This beautiful Mute Swan came to me from Elena. She lives in Gomel, the second largest city in Belarus. Also love the Olympic stamp she used. So thoughtful of her - thank you!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Ute lives close to Hamelin, Germany where she works in the maternity ward of a hospital. She sent this card showing views of of the town, including the Pied Piper. Yet, another thing I have learnt through postcards to help me be a better Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy player!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Betsie was born in Purmerend, Netherlands. She sent this vintage view card which shows a school that was around the corner from where she lived. She didn't say if she went there or not....some days I think I am too curious by nature! But I do wonder.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Michael is a professional photographer based in Maine. At the end of May, he sent this card made from one of his photos. I {love} the message he wrote - "Greeting from Maine - land of lobster, lighthouses and literature (well, Stephen King, anyway)." My sister used to live in Northern New Brunswick and often did many daily errands in Maine. I honestly could not count the number of times I have been in and around that state. From going to the movies, going for Gifford's Ice Cream , down to Old Orchard Beach and everything in between it is such a great state! In my acknowledgement note to Michael I shared some of my experiences and in return he sent me a sweet message back. Such a great card - stunning photography, wonderful words and the fantastic ability to bring back some really magnificent memories!

OFFICIAL Card - Japan

When I last updated my wish list in April, I included the wish of hopefully receiving cards showing local Chinatowns. I find they are always so bright and festive looking. While I have received a few, overall it has not been too many. Ren lives in Kobe, Japan and says she often eats out in her local Chinatown as seen on this card.

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

Today I will be attending the second annual Ingersoll Postcrossing meet-up - thank you to LyndaC for all your efforts in organizing this day! I thought this card was a perfect share for today. Riutsi sent this great map card to me from a recent meet-up in Jyvaskyla, Finland she attended in May. Makes me look forward to our meet-up even more.

Direct Swap - Bosnia & Herzegovina from Tina

In April, Tina was offering cards sent from Bosnia & Herzegovina. While she lives in Slovenia, her friend was travelling there and offered to post her cards for her. Tina collects maps and I sent her an Ontario map card that she had been looking quite awhile for. She sent me this great card of the Old Bridge in Mostar, which is an UNESCO site. I cannot for the life of me get this card to scan properly. It has a thin white border and a half inch silver grey border which keeps getting cut off. It really makes the night view pop. While I am thrilled with the card I was a little disappointed to see that it was not stamped as that is what we agreed on. I wasn't too sure if I should say something when it arrived but thought I would just so she was aware. Tina was very understanding and offered to send me a card from her upcoming vacation to Montenegro. I just heard from her yesterday when she got back that my cards arrived and hers are on the way to me. A win for both of us in the end.

Dominican Republic from Joanne & Isabella

I have been to Dominican Republic twice - once on my honeymoon and then again two years ago with my kids. Both times were wonderful. The water is as blue and as clear as in the view. My friend Joanne was vacationing there in May and I asked is she would send me a card if she had the chance. I was really happy when she emailed me to say she did. Two months and a bit later it arrived in my mailbox. Her 5 year old daughter picked it out for me - and signed it too! Bella, it is perfect - thank you! The only thing that could be better is if I was on the beach making sandcastles with you!!! Thanks girls!!!

OFFICIAL Card - Ukraine

Anna, a lawyer from Kiev sent this interesting card to me. The card itself is from Turkey and shows Evil Eye Beads. For some reason when I read this my mind sees "Red Devil" not "Red Evil", which then makes me wonder more as they are all blue and black not red. She shared her favourite quote with me which is great - "respect the past, create the future". Do you have a favourite quote?

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Nastya lives in St Petersburg, Russia and is an editor for a publishing house. She sent me this vintage view card of the city Tver. While there is a lot written on the front and back of the card my attempts to find more info online about the buildings just is not working for me today. On the front it lists - Lenin Square, The Tver Central District Administration and The City Duma. On the back it says Sudebnaya (Court) Square. The District Court. Nastya also chose a Sochi 2014 stamp which is a new one for my collection.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Sometimes you receive a card that just makes you wonder. This is one of them. Sarah sent this card to me in the middle of May. Totally chuckled at what she wrote "I think this multi-view is delightfully tacky :) It's so 70's looking!" I totally agree with her! Weirder yet the card was printed in Italy!?!? So. when I went to register the card and read her profile it was identical to a card I had received a few weeks earlier as seen here - same profile blurb, distance sent, etc. I messaged her to say what a coincidence that she would pull my name from two different accounts but never heard back. Small world and fun card!