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!

Direct Swap - Winni from Taiwan

In the summer, I do love sitting by the bonfire and stargazing. When Winni was offering the 12 Zodiac constellations one day via Facebook I jumped at the chance to swap with her. Lucky for me the card I wanted was available and I had a Waldo card my son was willing to part with. This card showing Scorpio is a great addition to my small zodiac collection. I love what Winni wrote - the Chinese characters and English translation are great!

Travelling Card - Canada to Finland to England to Luxembourg to Canada

So this next card was a little bit different for me. It is a travelling card and is sent, in this case, to four different people in different countries. I chose this card to send to myself as it is one I had and really liked. It is The Zodiac by Alphonse Mucha. As it was my card, it started with me and I sent it to Nina in Finland, she then sent it to Eileen in England, who forwarded it to Anne in Luxembourg and then back home to me. It is interesting to see all of the different stamps and cancellations. Some postal worker went to town using a pen to cancel stamps that were already cancelled. It was a fun experience - thanks ladies!

Direct Swap - Katie from Canada

On the PC Forum, Katie was offering cards showing Chinatown in Victoria, BC. I was happy when she agreed to swap with me. She sent the cards in an envelope (actually two!) and included a few others too. Very nice cards - thank you!

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

This card was such a nice surprise! Eileen sent this to me "just because". I can see this Scorpius card being part of my daughter's upcoming Astronomy badge for Girl Guides. Thank you Eileen!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

One of my wish list items is cards showing signs of the zodiac, in particular Scorpio. Karin was able to send me only my second card in this theme a great illustration of a Scorpion. Oddly, it kind of reminds me of The Grinch! The translation on the back reads - "Pronounced self conscious, insults and compliments leave them cold, passionately, likes property and success, strongly interested in all questions of life and death." All I will say is - maybe this sums me up!

Happy Hallowe'en!

Happy Hallowe'en and a Happy Birthday to me! I have met some wonderful friends through Postcrossing and several shared birthday wishes with me. Today's post showcases the great birthday postcards I received this year.

Eileen in England sent this card which I could see in Diagon Alley!

I met Michelle at the Postcrossing Meet-up in July. Guess what? She too is born today! Stranger yet, one of the other participants is also a Hallowe'en baby. Three in one room is a little spooky! This is from an old Canadian TV show....so old I actually remember it! Love the stamp she used - thank you!

J.J. my friend from Washington D.C. sent this card of cards. The Puffin stamp is new to me - thanks!

Last but not least is from Alida another lady I've met through the Meet-ups. He birthday was earlier this week so another birthday shout out to you Alida! She used lots of really fun stickers to jazz up the back of the card. Alida always gets the neatest cancellations!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Sari from Deventer sent me my first Scorpio/Zodiac card for my collection! I do find astrology fascinating and awhile back updated my wish list as I thought it would be neat to see my sign depicted in post cards. At the same time I updated to include sheep my Chinese Lunar animal. Seeing as I have received several sheep I am guessing they must be easier to find.  The card and text are actually Finnish and to be honest I haven't had the chance to translate them. I am sure it says some of the facts you can learn about here. Might sound cheesy but what sign are you?