Direct Swap - Oleg from Israel

This card took almost long two months to arrive and was so worth the wait! Oleg had offered this colourful and foiled card showing the Hebrew Alphabet. I was happy that I had something he liked and wanted to swap. The design on each of the letter is like a little piece of art. Once again my scanner does not do it justice!

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!

Direct Swap - Nastia from Moldova

Another great connection made through Facebook, this time with Nastia. She lives in Moldova, another new country to add to my collection. Looking through each others swap album must have been tough as we both decided on two cards. I equally love the sheep she sent showing the countryside and the alphabet card. Kind of makes me do a double take when you see a watermelon beside the letter "H".  Great swap, thanks Nastia!

OFFICIAL Card- Australia

My last name starts with the letter "T" and this card from Lindy is just great! She described a unique snack she was having - fresh dates stuffed with a Brazil nut and a cup of tea. I adore the stamp she chose - I {love} Prince George's cheeks!

Random Act of Smiliness - Egypt from Eileen

This past September Eileen took a trip to Egypt. She wrote that it was really hot and the breeze felt like a hairdryer! I would love to see what my hair would like like in that situation - not! Her cure - ice cream in the shade. Sounds perfect! This fun card shows ancient hieroglyphs. Thank you for thinking of me!

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

Alida scored a lucky find - 50 mint condition cards at a thrift store for $2! This card was one of them. So happy she remembered that I like alphabet cards. Kind of fun too as I was received the "S" and the "W" as cards in the past - neat! The letters are all so different, each time I look I find a new favourite. How about you, have you ever had success at a thrift store?

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Another card from a West Coast Postcrosser! This time it is Jen from Seattle who sent this fun "T" card - my last initial! Thank you!

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

I have been sending and receiving postcards now for a little over three years. During this time I have received very few duplicate cards. When you think about it, it is pretty amazing that it doesn't happen more often. This card that Sophia sent is one that I have received before, as you can see here. You know what? The message it what sets it apart from all the other "S" cards in the store. Thank you Sophia!

Have you ever received a duplicate card? How did you feel?

OFFICIAL Card - Poland

Beata lives in Warsaw and sent this amazing alphabet card to me! It shows the "ogonek". I would love to receive other cards in this series if there are any - fingers crossed! The stamps she chose are interesting. At first glance I thought the one on the left was a Christmas stamp as to me they looked like gingerbread men. Quick translation of the text and it is celebrating the anniversary of the UN. Ooops!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Two cards from the Netherlands from people named Jacqueline, two days in a row - what are the odds! This card is a sweet illustration of the letter "W", my son's initial. I couldn't quite make out the signature and did a "Google Image" search. Coolest thing ever! Look what I found!

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

Eileen sent me the most wonderful package of cards one day out of the blue. She was sorting through her cards, had a few extras and knew they were a theme - alphabets/typography - that interested me. It is a wonderful assortment and most are new for me. Thank you again Eileen, you are too good to me!

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

I love Google translate. I know it is often not perfect but I do like that I can listen to the words that I have translated. Can you guess what ihana means? Check here to see if you are right. Thank you Anne, I love alphabet cards.

Direct Swap - Nicole from Netherlands

At the end of the summer Nicole was offering arty alphabet cards to swap through the form. I was happy to hear the "S" was available and we agreed to a swap. She was looking for stamps showing cats and/or dogs. I was lucky to still have some of these stamps promoting pet adoption. My card arrived shortly after with another great Europa stamp. So far I have never heard from Nicole to see if my card arrived. I've sent a few messages and they have not been read nor responded to. I can assume she has or she would have been in touch. How long would you wait before you "close the file" so to speak?

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This card was one I had in my favourites, at the time I honestly didn't know what it was exactly, just letters and pictures. I was glad Henny had one and sent it to me. I know know it is a Leesplankje or reading board. It was used in the Netherlands to teach children phonics and how to read. She included a great assortment of stamps and translated the words on one of them. Keep this up and I may actually be able to say something in Dutch!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

This card is so fun! Marijane sent this card that shows the alphabet "through the looking glass" of Alice in Wonderland. When I get a new calendar I always check the picture for my birth month first, here I automatically went to my initials - shrinking tea! What are yours?

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Helena saw this card on my favourites wall. She had this card and sent it to me. She wrote telling me it is part of system that was used to teach Dutch to children. Totally fun!

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 - Hong Kong

Rach lives in Hong Kong and sent me this card from my favourites wall. It is always such a great feeling when someone take the time and effort to look through your wish list, even "better" if they find a match you were hoping to receive. Even the stamps are some of my favourite subjects. She wrote telling me likes to travel and purchase postcards overseas. Also, that she is reading the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy....as she said "an eye opener"! Haven't read it and to be honest, not too sure that it is my kind of read, have you?

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

Since joining Postcrossing two years ago I must say I have enjoyed all cards that have been sent to me. I won't deny that there have been a few that have made me think "gee, wonder why they chose that one for me" but nonetheless it has been welcomed into my collection. With that said there are some cards the I really like (read - squealing at the mailbox like) but I wouldn't want to actually say it at the risk of offending anyone who sent me one of those head scratching cards. This is one of those cards that I really like!

Marja lives in Turku, Finland with her husband and pet tortoise. This card she sent me arrived in a quick 6 days and shows the letter "S" and the Finnish word "Sina" which mean "you". Marja gave me a quick little Finnish language lesson as well as an art lesson as the card was designed by Ristomatti Ratia son of the founders of Marimekko. Anyone who know textiles will surely know that name. Marja even tells we she likes to watch the birds as she writes cards. A perfect card all around - great message, great design and a little brain candy for me too - thank you Marja!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Anastasiya is a bookkeeper from Moscow. This card has long been in my favourites and I was happy to receive it. There is something about the Cyrillic alphabet that fascinates me. I think it is because so many of the letters are similar to what I know and others so different. Whereas a character based alphabet like Chinese is just completely different. She too wrote me on her favourite day of the week - Saturday! Funny my favourite day to Postcross is a Monday. What is yours?