Direct Swap - Aaron from New Zealand

Aaron was interested in swapping for Year of the Horse Stamps and was offering the same. As I do not have too many cards from New Zealand I though it would make a great swap. I asked him to surprise me with a card, preferably a bird and was happy when this card arrived. It shows the Brown Kiwi and the stamp is very nice. Kind of Asian in design and at the same time not at all. Funny enough this bird came up shortly after in some homework conversations. It was kind of neat to pull this card out to show the kids, might be old school, but way more bang for the buck than plain old Google.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Nancy lives in Florida and the card she chose for me has the state bird, the Northern Mockingbird. She writes that years ago they had one living in their yard that could imitate a telephone ringing. That would be interesting to hear!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Elzbieta is originally from Poland and now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I always wonder about the twists and turns some peoples lives take where they move and live so far from "home". Having lived within 100km (or less) from where I was born does sound rather dull when compared to Cracow to Albuquerque! She saw that I liked maps and sent this one of her home state - great choice and a great assortment of stamps!

Direct Swap - Kimi from USA

Kimi and I agreed to swap map cards back in November. After a few bumps her card arrived last week. Now, I only need one state - Connecticut - to complete my collection. I seem to be going nowhere fast on trying to connect with someone to send me this card. Patience is a virtue I don't often have.

Direct Swap - Laura from USA

Laura lives in Ohio and collects cards showing the stadiums Major League Baseball Teams play in. I had a card showing Rogers Centre, where the Toronto Blue Jays play.  She had a map of Ohio. It was a perfect fit! Haven't heard if she has received my card yet, hopefully it will be there soon.

Direct Swap - Olga from USA

With this card I have only two more states to go - yeah me! Olga responded to a forum post I made looking for state maps. She lives in Virginia and picked this card up while on a layover in Denver. Smart cookie! In return, I sent her a butterfly card from the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls. She received my card earlier in the week as well.

Direct Swap - Zach & Carolyn from USA

Getting to closer and closer to a complete collection of US State maps. This time South Dakota thanks to Zach and his mom Carolyn. The deal with this swap was Carolyn sent me the card and asked that I send one to her son Zach in return, not her. Easy peasy. The kids helped me pick out a card of Niagara Falls and I told him all about our most recent trip in August. Hopefully he gets it soon.

Direct Swap - Michelle from USA

I am down to less than 10 state map cards that I need for my collection. This nice addition is from Michelle who lives in a city called King. She shared with me her favourite quote "Life is a balance of holding on and letting go." So true!

Direct Swap - Danielle from USA

Danielle lives in Omaha, Nebraska and agreed to swap me for a map of her home state. I had to laugh when I received it as the state flower is Goldenrod. It grows in abundance here and is very much considered a weed. Since then, I think of this card every time I see it growing by the side of the road.

Direct Swap - Lynn from USA

A few weeks ago, Lynn responded to a post I made in the forum looking for US State maps. I was lucky she did as she had three fabulous additions for my collection. In return I sent her maps of Ontario, Canada and Niagara Falls. She too received hers and was pleased with our swap.

Direct Swap - Trista from USA

Trista agreed to swap with me for a map of her home state of Maryland. She wrote telling me she is hoping to visit Niagara Falls next summer. One of my favourite places, as I am sure many Postcrossers who I write to can tell you. I love the Maid of the Mist! This is a super map for my collection which is getting closer and closer to completion.

Direct Swap - Cindy from USA

I had an overlapping swap a little while back. Sometimes that is to be expected when I am trying to collect a map from each of the 50 states. Cindy from Springfield, Illinois was kind enough to send me this card a few weeks ago. I visited this state last summer and we all fell in love with Chicago.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Becci sent me this card which I received on Monday. It shows a map of her home state, Massachusetts. She describes where she currently lives and where she grew up in terms of what is on the map - near the apples and the Native American. Really made me laugh when I read it. She also used a totally fun stamp from Toy Story thinking about my kids - very thoughtful!

Direct Swap - Renee from USA

I saw a great map card of Illinois in the gallery and contacted the sender to see if they wanted to swap. Renee, who just so happens to be the #1 sender in the US said she didn't have anymore but she could send me one of her home state - Iowa. That was another I didn't have so was happy to swap. A week or so later this great map card, with a view of the capitol building (#3) as well, came through my mailbox.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Radio lives in the Shenandoah Valley and sent me this great card from their home state. It has an outline map, the state flower (dogwood) and state bird. I had just seen a cardinal the day I received this card last week. A rare treat these days for me.