OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Ian and Bernadette live in Melbourne, Australia. They chose to send me this wonderful maxi-card showing the Waratah flower, the floral emblem for New South Wales. I think this flower is so unique and beautiful! They write that as a cut flower it can last weeks.

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 - USA

Zulu lives in New York and studies anthropology. They sent me this vintage map card of Mississippi after a long day of both work and school. The facts on the back of the card states the population to be 2,178,141 which makes this card roughly 50 years old. It is in mint condition!

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.

Group Swap - Kathryn from Australia

In November, I responded to a Forum post about a Group Swap to commemorate the date 12-12-12. This is the last "symmetrical" or repeated date like this for this century. I thought it would be fun to join in. At the time I was completely unaware of all the doomsday talk about the Mayans nor all the good fortune talk about choosing that day to be married. Just thought it would be fun!

Monique lives in The Netherlands and she has gone above and beyond in terms of organizing the 40 people who joined up for this project. Around the 1st of December, she sent out names and addresses which gave ample time to select cards and write them. I even mailed some of my Christmas postcards and RAS cards that day so they too could have the "special" postmark.

The first card of the four cards coming my way arrived last Monday. It came from Kathryn who lives in Queenstown, Australia. She sent me a lovely multi-view of her home state. She told me Tasmania is known as the "Natural State" for its scenery and wildlife. The card shows Wineglass Bay (love that name!) in Freycinet National Park, the Tasmanian State Flag as well as State Flower, the Tasmanian Blue Gum. Lastly, a map of the island and the totally cute Tasmanian Devil! The postmark while a little smudged is still very clear. A prefect choice for me - thank you Kathryn!

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 - Kimber from USA

I am getting closer and closer to reaching my goal of a map card from all 50 states. This time I have Kimber, a Postcrosser from Minot, North Dakota to thank for this fabulous card she swapped with me. Kimber lives on the Air Force Base as her husband is in the Air Force working on the electronics of B-52's. She has several pets and runs a daycare out of her home. Fun stamps she used too!

Direct Swap - Aaron from USA

I first contacted Aaron in August about swapping for a map card. He agreed and after a few follow-ups his card arrived this week. Very happy that it did. Patience is a virtue that I don't often have, but having faith that others will do the right thing is something that while not always easy is something I strongly believe. Thanks for the great map for my collection.

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 - Mandy from USA

Another map swap and a duplicate on my part - oops! I had a swap arranged, the person said they were unable to find the card I wanted, I started connecting with others and they both kind of then happened at the same time. I never feel right then going back to one of the parties and saying " thanks for agreeing but no thanks", especially if they've picked a card they would like in return for one of their collections. Either way, another fun map this time from Mandy who lives Muncie, Indiana.

Direct Swap - Laura from USA

Once again another US State map I have swapped for my collection. This time I was in touch with Laura. She was just in the process of moving from Rhode Island to Minnesota and still had map cards - lucky me! She agreed to swap and the map arrived this week.

Only seven more states to go!

Direct Swap - Heather from USA

Heather lives in Dallas, Georgia and agreed to swap with me two weeks ago. The map card she sent me arrived last week. Georgia is only a state I've driven through on my way to and from Florida. One of my funniest memories was stopping at a Taco Bell and asking for items that weren't on the menu. At the time I was a vegetarian and basically was asking for them to substitute beans for beef. They were more than willing to and then the manager came out to meet us and first thing they asked in a big southern drawl was "Y'all Seventh Day Adventists or something". Maybe it was the fact we had been on the road for hours but it was one of the funniest things I had ever been asked. To this day it is still cracks me up. I love the bathing suits and clothes in the drawing, they look so retro! Also, loving that Heather used one of the Hawaiian shirt stamps - they are so fun! Hoping she gets my card soon.

Direct Swap - Sandy from USA

I contacted Sandy about swapping for a map card of her home state. At the time she said she didn't have my first choice and said she would let me know. A week later I had two great maps from her showing me Indiana. Lucky me! We drove through the very sliver of the state that borders Lake Michigan on our way to Chicago last summer.

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!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Don't mess with Texas is what the back of this card Stan sent me says. He tells me he is retired and moved away from Houston and now lives on the coast and enjoys life in the country. Stan recently joined Postcrossing and is loving it - me too!

Direct Swap - Michael from USA

Michael responded to my forum post a few weeks ago with an offer of a West Virginia map. He is a truck driver who lives in Tennessee. He wrote telling me he has travelled from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Very envious!!! Canada some days just feels too big to see it all. Michael also wrote saying he loves to drive through West Virginia as it is very mountainous and beautiful. The stamps he chose are really great - thanks Michael for a great swap!

Direct Swap - Matt & Maille from USA

At the beginning of September I contacted Matt & Maille, a brother and sister in elementary school, from Lander, Wyoming about doing a swap. Their profile was fun, as they said their Mom often did the writing for them as hers was smaller and neater. They agreed and sent me this great map. They told me about where they live and some of the activities they enjoy - camping, hunting and fishing. They let me surprise them with the card I sent in return. I had my kids help and they chose Niagara Falls quite easily. They enjoyed it and say it is inspiration for a future trip.

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.