Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

Another fun sheep card and pictorial cancellation from Alida. So glad there is no more snow!

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

My dear Alida is sending me more wonderful pictorial cancellations! And more sheep! I have called around to a few post offices within a half hour drive and none of them have anything like these. Thank you my friend!

Lottery Win - Canada from Daphne

On a Facebook page that my friend Lynda belongs to Daphne held a lottery. Not too sure what was involved, however the prize was she was going to send a card from her vacation to someone you nominated. Lucky for me, Lynda nominated me and "we" won! Daphne sent me that great view card showing the Canadian UNESCO site of Jasper National Park. She writes Pyramid Mountain is a favourite spot to visit. I can see why! Thank you Lynda and Daphne.

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

A few members of the Canadian Postcrossing group (the cool one that is) I belong to are collecting pictorial stamp cancellations from across Canada. By far, my friend Alida seems to have access to the most. She sent me another super sheep card, the colours are so funky! This time the cancellation celebrates Watermelon Fest - love it!

Direct Swap - Alexander from Canada

Alexander and I connected on a great Canadian Facebook group for swapping. Actually, it is kind of a funny story in a round about way. There are several different Canadian groups and I was a member in a few. The "main" group as I would have called it had more members (right around the 200 mark) and the other groups anywhere from 20-60 depending on the day and the momentum it was gaining. Alexander posted in the "main" group that he was starting a collection of Ontario cities and towns and I offered up Orangeville. For some reason the admin of the group was completely anti-swapping. I mean who just wants to talk about postcards and show them but not actually share or swap them? Or worse, get snapped at publicly if you do? Even though the majority of the members wanted to, she shut down any thread that even mentioned it. Odd, huh? Needless to say the very narrow mindedness and somewhat less than friendly comments had myself and several others leave that group. Why tolerate such a bully?!?! So, Alexander and I connected on one of the other much more laid back, anything goes if it a postcard groups and had this very successful swap. I am not too sure what I would receive in return as I just said "surprise me" and this card showing a great street view of Queen Street West in Toronto was just perfect. This was one of my hangouts in high school, college and beyond. Too many great days shopping and lunching, and nights dining and going to clubs. A great trip down memory lane, thanks Alexander!

Direct Swap - Angie from Canada

I {love} our library. I am honestly there every week at least once, sometimes twice. Some weeks as many as four times. Both my kids and I are readers, plus all the DVD's and kids programming they attend. If they issued a loyalty card I would be near the top of the list for sure! The Vancouver Public Library has fascinated me for a long time. Such an interesting design. I had been looking for this card for awhile and luckily Angie went on a trip there and was able to pick one up for me. Another great swap with her - thank you Angie!

Random Act of Smiliness - Liz from Canada

Liz and I first met last summer at the Toronto meet-up and then again in the Fall. We have swapped a few times too. A few weeks ago she sent me this great "S" card just because. She felt like she had lost some writing mojo (my words not hers) and was sending a few RAS cards looking to find it. Lucky for me I was one of those she sent to. Love the message, the extras and that she was thinking of me. Thanks Liz!

OFFICIAL Card - Canada

One thing that has been a round about bonus in the change to the way addresses are given out on Postcrossing is I have received many more cards from Canadians in the last few months. This latest one comes from Lisa. The card shows a view of Springdale, Newfoundland. She has the card printed from a photo she took. Stunning! This is also my first stamp that was recently issued celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Flag. Love it!

USA from Michael

Michael once again was on the move. This time he was in San Diego for a vaycay with his hubby. Loved seeing all of his pictures online and truly loved finding this surprise waiting in my mailbox one day.

USA from Michael

To say my friend Michael cannot stay still is an understatement. This time he was in Santa Barbara for school. So proud of him and all the work he is putting into his PhD. He did have some downtime and visited a few wineries - no surprise there! Always gives me a great feeling knowing that he is thinking of me and takes the time to show me and send me a card.

OFFICIAL Card - Canada

Remember when I wrote the other day that receiving official cards from Canada was kind of rare - guess what? I received another one! Funny thing, the send dates were a month apart however they arrived a day or two apart. Who knows?!? Often in Postcrossing there is a "goal" to be the person who draws a certain number. For example, last August I drew CA-456789. The next big number people were aiming for was CA-500000. Josee was very close, as this card is CA-500064. Josee admins one of the Facebook groups I belong to and we met last summer at the Toronto meet-up. It was neat when her card arrived as I was truly able to put a face, voice, etc to the card as I was reading it. She chose a card depicting Aries. Nice as it not only shows a symbol of the zodiac but it is a Ram which is the Lunar New Year we are about to enter and "my year" to boot. Fun!

OFFICIAL Card - Canada

This card from was a very pleasant surprise when it arrived in my mail box. Official Canadian cards really do not occur that often. Don lives in Edmonton and sent this great aerial view of his city. I love how green it is! He gave me a great birds eye tour of the various sights. One day maybe I will get to see this in person.

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!

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!!!

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.

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!

Direct Swap - Krista from Canada

Krista also belongs to the Canadian Postcrossing group I wrote about yesterday. One day we were chatting about a Christmas card exchange and she suggested that we do a random swap based on our profiles. Sounded good to me. A week or so later this card showing the Western Red Lily arrived. I did not know this was the provincial flower of Saskatchewan. Krista really did an amazing job on the reverse with a great message about herself and stickers, tape and more! Great swap - thanks Krista!

Direct Swap - Katie from Canada

One night while surfing around on Facebook, I saw a post Katie made in a group for Canadian Postcrossers. Of course, it stopped me in my tracks! She had just purchased a box set of Ryan Gosling postcards! I think I might have slightly hyperventilated when I saw this! I guess she put two and two together that he is my celebrity crush and messaged me to see if I was interested in swapping. Lucky me. A few days later this beautiful card arrived. The only thing I don't understand is why my husband wasn't as excited!!! And yes, Ryan, you can be in my never ending story!!! Do you have a celebrity crush? Willing to share it here?