Merry Christmas International Edition!

These cards were all sent to me from on-line friends I have made via swapping in certain Facebook groups. I was truly happy to know they each thought of me when they sat down to send out their Christmas cards for the year.

From Mauritis, Samuel and his sister Visha, sent this card they designed and sell here.

Heather in Australia sent this bright and fun maxi-card. The date of issue is my birthday - what's not to love!

Last card is from Sara in Switzerland. She recently had a baby so I was impressed that she even sent cards! A sweet little bird.

Thank you again my friends! Looking forward to sharing postcards with you all again in 2015.

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Robyn lives in Australia and wrote to me about her recent travels to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. If I think they are far from me, they are even farther for her! Love the card she sent, such a simple and strong design. The text on the back discusses the symbols of the flag.

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!

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

There have been many Olympic cards making there way to me lately. Each seems to be better than the last, so to speak. This card came from a family in Australia and shows the mascots for the games - Olly, Syd and Millie. Another great card you have to wonder where it has been spending the last 14 years!

Random Act of Smiliness - Heather from Australia

Heather was offering up cards from a trip to Melbourne Aquarium. This Green Sea Turtle is the card she chose for me. An endangered species the Aquarium rehabilitates and releases them back into the wild. Thank you Heather!

Random Act of Smiliness - Heather from Australia

It has been awhile since Heather and I have done any swapping. She was offering some fantastic maxi-cards and I jumped at the chance for this one. Love the Queen on a good day but this maxi-card from Australia Post commemorating her birthday is just amazing! Love the Queen in pink! I must say I do find her blush though a little heavy through the eyes lately. Not so much in this picture, but in ones similar to this. Thank you Heather!

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Brumby sent this prepaid card from Australian Post showing the Kookaburra bird. She suggested I search YouTube for a video of the bird laughing. Of course I did, and it is funny! She also shared a nursery rhyme about the bird - fun!

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

This card is a beauty! Julia wrote that she has a source of different (and fabulous!) stamps. She tells me the gum on the back tastes awful. She proceeded to share what I found to be quite a humourous story about gingerbread men from the local coffee shop, laundry drying on the line and the threat of rain. Basically, one of the best cards I've had in awhile. Oh yes, and lots of lovely birds. Clockwise from top left - New Holland Honeyeater, Superb Blue Wren, Zebra Finch, Red-browed Finch, Regent Parrot and a Sacred Kingfisher.

Australia from Michael

I {love} this guy!!! Hands down this is one card that will always make me smile. In fact I have had this on my fridge for so long that I forgot I hadn't blogged it yet. My dearest friend Michael was in Australia for his birthday back in March. He took this picture in front of the Sydney Opera House on his birthday. He was seeing Bizet's Carmen that night. They must have some sort of photo booth that allows pictures to be taken and made into cards/souvenirs as it has the Opera House logo printed on the back. Very neat! Don't worry, I'll keep your magic number a secret!

Australia from Michael

There are very few people I know who get as much vacation as my friend Michael. Lucky for both of us, he travels! This time he was off to Australia. And of course no trip would be complete without a stop at a winery, this time is was Turkey Flat. This ad-card he sent me is great as it has a "Wine for Dummies" bit on the back. Thank you as always Michael for thinking of me.

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

I received this card from Av showing Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. To be honest I am not too sure if it is maxi card or not. It is prepaid but the stamp is printed on the front not attached like others I have received. Either way the view is stunning. Reflections such as this one are so mesmerizing I think! Av wrote to me about a trip she took to Canada, politics in her homeland and about her favourite Canadian fencer. Fancy that, I would be hard pressed to name one let alone have a favourite!

Direct Swap - Xue from Australia

Who doesn't love a cute baby, especially a cute baby who will one day be King! Xue was offering maxi-cards issued by Australian Post and I welcomed the chance to swap with her. This was one of the first cards I had seen celebrating Prince George. I think he looks so much like Prince William. It will be interesting to see him as he grows if he still favours his Dad or not. In return I sent Xue a card from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. We were both happy with our trade.

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.

Random Act of Smiliness - Heather from Australia

This card was a lovely surprise from Heather in Perth, Australia. We had swapped cards what seems like many moons ago and have recently reconnected via Facebook. A totally fun card with simply wonderful stamps.

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Hazel's approach to Postcrossing is similar to mine - as long as it it not a bill in my mail box I am happy! This card she sent me is great - the map shaped flag really pops against the white background! She wrote me that her favourite cookie (a question I ask on my profile) is a Tim Tam. I have never heard of it but would love to try a package for quality purposes! What is your favourite cookie?

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Jielin from Adelaide, Australia thought it might have been to late to wish a Happy New Year, I don't think so! She wrote telling me about some new recipes she was trying out. Always fun to experiment in the kitchen.

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Sara is an American living in Australia. She sent this card, which I believe is from a photo she took herself of one of the beaches near her home. She writes the beaches have the whitest sand and dolphins live permanently in the bay. Sounds amazing.

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

I am the first to admit while I do like nice stamps I am most definitely not a stamp collector. I think maxicards are a cross between a postcard and stamp collectors dream! I was very surprised when this Olympic maxicard came from Pattie in Australia. It is my first and only maxicard I have ever received. The card commemorates the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996. Somehow, this has been kicking around for 17 years before it made it to my mailbox!

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Danielle from Narembeen, Australia sent this card to me of London Court an open court shopping mall in Perth. She writes that Perth is the most isolated capital city in the world. Her town is 286km outside of Perth, never sees snow and can get up to 45C in the summer. While I am sure it is lovely, that is too hot for me!

Direct Swap - Kathryn from Australia

This is the third swap Kathryn and I have done. First, we were introduced via the "12-12-12" group swap, next we exchanged cards for the Year of the Snake, and this time it was for a surprise for her Mom's birthday. Her Mom is turning 60 in April and she wanted to collect 60 different cards wishing her a Happy Birthday and sharing a birthday tradition. I sent one of my favourite winter views of Niagara Falls and wrote about how we celebrate half birthdays in our family. In return, Kathryn sent me this fun shaped card showing a variety of animals native to Australia. Love the stamps Kathryn chose - totally forgot AC/DC was from there, but then again I don't of them all that often!