Direct Swap - Lynn from Canada

 As I mentioned the other day there is a great Canadian swapping group on Facebook. Lynne and I connected in that group when I posted looking for this card. When I think of Canadian stadiums this is as iconic as it gets. The Montreal Olympics brings back so many memories for me for so many different reasons. I have never been to Olympic Stadium itself but have seen it many times when driving through Montreal. Was happy Lynne had a card and surprised how quickly it got to me - three days, including a weekend! Great to connect with you Lynne and thank you again!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

These sweet sheep made their way to me from Verena in Germany. The text if I am translating it correctly says "Mister, early thou wilt hear my voice, the morning will I address myself to you" according to Google Translate. With Bing translate I get this "Mister, early woolest you hear my voice, early I want to turn to you." I can't say either is making much sense to me. Lost in translation maybe?!? Anyone here help to shed some light on this. Verena also used one of the best Christmas stamps I've seen - a snow globe! I love those!!!

Random of Act of Smiliness - Lisa from Canada

This week has certainly had a Canadian feel to it! So far, two official cards, two RAS and a swap. Fun to connect with so many other Canadian Postcrossers. I belong to a few different Facebook groups too which are nice, some are very loose, fun and all about swapping and others a bit more disciplined. Either way it is nice to see more of my country and meet people who share the hobby - and the thought of cheap postage! Lisa was one of those who sent me a card. Here is a bit of background on our relationship - neat huh? She chose this painting by Henri Matisse for me. Her message was sweet - wishing me a Happy New Year. How kind! Funny thing that Lisa would never had known. I had a goldfish for a few years in my mid-twenties. I kept him in the biggest trifle bowl I could find. This painting reminds me of that bowl and my really loved fish, Silver.

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

Alida is known for surprising me from time to time with sending me a random postcard from one of her fabulous day trips. When this envelope arrived last week, I will admit I was intrigued - we have never done envelopes! She was also driving for the day in a Mustang GT! Not too sure if this is the one but either way fun, fun and more fun! She sent me some super washi tape as she knew I was looking for some with a Valentine's theme. So thoughtful! A wonderful lighthouse picture from Long Point, Ontario. Alida helped me get a card from here last year to help out a fellow swapper. And another super cancellation from Southwestern Ontario! They just seem to have so many. Many thanks Alida!!!

OFFICIAL Card - China

YuTing sent this card with an ink painting which she describes as traditional Chinese painting. I remember having a painting done for me when I was in Qufu, pretty much the exact spot where the Wikipedia photo was taken.

OFFICIAL Card - Philippines

This card has certainly seen better days. I think I can honestly say this is the most mangled card I have even received, trust me the scan does not showcase the crumples and folds. Across the back is a stamp that says "Received at CMEC Wet", I would say that is an understatement! The card came from Grace and shows a map of the Philippine island she lives on, Cebu. Her message was great and the travel lines certainly just add to the character.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Because my account has been out of whack for the better part of time since October I really feel like I missed out on potentially receiving Christmas cards and stamps this year. Sadly, as I still have more received then sent I am already thinking I will miss out on the Lunar New Year as well. This is really disappointing as I am a Sheep. I was lucky that one day the stars aligned for me in December and one card was registered only to have my name given out 9 times!!! No wonder the cycle continues! Andrey was one of the people who pulled my name and he sent this super Christmas card and stamp. I may only have received one but it was a fantastic!!!

OFFICIAL Card - Moldova

This card from Moldova is my first official card from this country. This is the second if not third time I have connected with someone to swap cards from a country I don't have to have an official arrive a short time later. It is funny how things like that can happen! Oleg sent this card to me right before Christmas. The view on the card is the sports complex in Tiraspol, home of the Sheriff Football Club. That is quite the set-up, two fields and a third one indoors. Oleg also chose a great bird stamp for me.

Merry Christmas from Annemieke

Can you believe it has been less than a month since Christmas! It seems when there is less than 4 weeks to the date there is all the excitement and merriment in the air, after, nothing. It is just back to cold and gray with no lights or tinsel to try and make you forget you are in winter. Annemieke and I had swapped a few times through 2014 and I loved this sweet greeting card she sent me. Marjolein Bastin is an artist I really like, kind of different than what I might hang on the walls of my home but for cards and stationary over the years she has been one of my go to lines. I can't believe I never knew she was Dutch until now! The text translates to say "Merry Christmas" and on the inside lovely wishes from Annemieke. I just love the little birdies - thank you and all the best for 2015!

Lottery Win - Finland

Elenna hosted a lottery in October on the Postcrossing Forum. It had a really neat twist to it. She opened the lottery and offered six different cards featuring the Swedish Royal Family. You were to choose which card you liked best and answer the question she posed about Royal Families. The twist was she asked the winner to open a new lottery, kind of paying it forward. I really liked that idea. Lucky for me I was the winner and chose this fantastic card showing Princess Madeleine and her groom. What I didn't know was Elenna took the card to a mini meet-up with a few Postcrossing friends and they all signed it. The icing on the cake is the beautiful foiled wedding stamp. This was the first postcard I received for 2015, a great way to start off the year - thank you Elenna!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This card has piqued my curiosity. It was sent by a lady named Puck. The view shows the Empire State Building and she tells me about her trips to New York City. The message on the back as well as the stickers are all printed on. The kicker for me is it is prepaid, and the company info for the card is a Dutch website. I can't make it all out as the airmail sticker is covering it and it isn't an easy peel off. I don't think I have ever some across a prepaid card from Europe. I will have to do a little bit more digging.

Direct Swap - Angie from Canada

Angie and I belong to two Canadian Postcrossing Facebook groups together. Yes, there are two - one with tight, strict rules and one that just goes with the flow! She had recently purchased the Mr. Men Postcard set and was offering to swap. I {love} Mr. Men and Little Miss! I was super happy that she had a Mr Tickle (my son's favourite!) and liked what I had to offer. As she lives in Prince George, BC she was able to get their special cancellation stamp celebrating Prince George's birth.

Random Act of Smiliness - Tunisia from Anne

I am lucky! Anne was vacationing over Christmas in Tunisia and completely surprised me with this card. Love the silhouettes of the camels against the sunset! The one and only swap I ever had that went sour was with a fellow from Tunisia, somehow having Anne send me this helps to erase that little bit of negativity that I experienced with this hobby.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Today's card was sent to me by Brigitt and has a great photo of former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and her granddaughters. A beautiful trio of girls that I have showcased in cards before. Super Christmas stamps too!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

I recently added cards depicting stained glass to my profile. Kristen sent me this card, which is my first since making that addition. It shows the art piece St.Adrian of Nicomedia which hangs in a museum in Worcester Massachusetts. Kristen shared all the details of her day with me and some of her favourite things. It was a great message.

OFFICIAL Card - Turkey

This card proved to be an interesting challenge for my kids when it arrived over Christmas Break. My son had several very good, albeit wrong guesses - China, USSR and then several wacky ones. My daughter, first answer! And I brought the mail in that day! Baris lives in Ankara and teaches English at the university. A great flag of Turkey for my collection - thank you!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Peter has one of the best profile pictures I've seen in awhile. A family picture and he is wearing Lederhosen. Just days before receiving his card my son and I were discussing this style of dress. What are the odds! The card he sent shows the parliament building in Munich, known as Maximilianeum. The stamp too is an interesting one, the first time I've seen this one.

Greetings from China - Direct Swap with YiMan

Drumroll please.......My PostalLove "Greetings from" collection is complete - again! YiMan and I connected through Facebook at the beginning of November and their card arrived just before Christmas. They joke that one of famous Chinese listed, Cai Lun, might be a relative as they share the same family name. You never know!

Thank you to everyone who helped me build my collection of cards!

Christmas Swap - Facebook

Every once in awhile I have what I think is a great idea. Shortly after, I wish I had never suggested it. In 2013, I participated in a Christmas card exchange within a Facebook group I belong to. I thought it would be a fun thing to co-ordinate within the Canadian Postcrossing group. In my head, yes, in reality not so much. I never would have guessed that something I had perceived to be straightforward and fun would give me such grief. Christmas postcard to me is just that, not a greeting card cut in half, not a greeting card you received from someone else cut in half, etc, etc. Yes, they may be pretty but not what I set out to exchange. After the initial feather ruffling it seemed to be OK. Until, my partner sent me what I strongly believe is a greeting card cut in half. Not even a Christmas stamp. I know it sounds whiny but that and all of the little kinks left me feeling a little flat. Next year, I have it diarized not to suggest it. A bit more of the Festivus coming out in me I guess! Ho! Ho! Noooo!

Have you ever been disappointed in a swap? Received something different that what was agreed upon?

Merry Christmas - Canadian Edition!

I have been very lucky to meet some wonderful people so close to home via Postcrossing Meet-ups. It is nice to be able to share this hobby with others and even nicer when you realize you share things outside the hobby too! I may not see them often however email and Facebook helps to keep us all up to date for the times in between. I was able to exchange some great Christmas cards with a few of them this year.

Lynda sent this sweet card -

Tracey sent this super glittery one. I love when every time you touch a glittered card you can manage to get it all over you, and the table, and, and, and! And it happens every time too! 

Alida found a wonderful wooden card to send me with another sheep. I think she has singlehandedly built most of my sheep collection - thank you! And Alida used another great and new to me cancellation.

Willa and I met in Toronto last year and we have done a few trades. This round card is so cute! Thank you!

Merry Christmas International Edition!

These cards were all sent to me from on-line friends I have made via swapping in certain Facebook groups. I was truly happy to know they each thought of me when they sat down to send out their Christmas cards for the year.

From Mauritis, Samuel and his sister Visha, sent this card they designed and sell here.

Heather in Australia sent this bright and fun maxi-card. The date of issue is my birthday - what's not to love!

Last card is from Sara in Switzerland. She recently had a baby so I was impressed that she even sent cards! A sweet little bird.

Thank you again my friends! Looking forward to sharing postcards with you all again in 2015.