Travelling Card - Christmas Stamps

This year I once again participated in a travelling card. The theme was Christmas stamps. Each person was to select a card, using Christmas stamps and send it to the next person. Once it arrived at the fourth destination it would then start to travel back to you. I chose what may be one of the smaller cards I had, but wanted to have a Christmas theme on the front as well. (Hard to see the glitter but it is there!) I received it back last week. I love seeing the various creative stamps other countries publish. Many thank to Claudia from Germany (who also organized this), Anne from Luxembourg and Mervi from Finland.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Because my account has been out of whack for the better part of time since October I really feel like I missed out on potentially receiving Christmas cards and stamps this year. Sadly, as I still have more received then sent I am already thinking I will miss out on the Lunar New Year as well. This is really disappointing as I am a Sheep. I was lucky that one day the stars aligned for me in December and one card was registered only to have my name given out 9 times!!! No wonder the cycle continues! Andrey was one of the people who pulled my name and he sent this super Christmas card and stamp. I may only have received one but it was a fantastic!!!

Merry Christmas from Annemieke

Can you believe it has been less than a month since Christmas! It seems when there is less than 4 weeks to the date there is all the excitement and merriment in the air, after, nothing. It is just back to cold and gray with no lights or tinsel to try and make you forget you are in winter. Annemieke and I had swapped a few times through 2014 and I loved this sweet greeting card she sent me. Marjolein Bastin is an artist I really like, kind of different than what I might hang on the walls of my home but for cards and stationary over the years she has been one of my go to lines. I can't believe I never knew she was Dutch until now! The text translates to say "Merry Christmas" and on the inside lovely wishes from Annemieke. I just love the little birdies - thank you and all the best for 2015!

Christmas Swap - Facebook

Every once in awhile I have what I think is a great idea. Shortly after, I wish I had never suggested it. In 2013, I participated in a Christmas card exchange within a Facebook group I belong to. I thought it would be a fun thing to co-ordinate within the Canadian Postcrossing group. In my head, yes, in reality not so much. I never would have guessed that something I had perceived to be straightforward and fun would give me such grief. Christmas postcard to me is just that, not a greeting card cut in half, not a greeting card you received from someone else cut in half, etc, etc. Yes, they may be pretty but not what I set out to exchange. After the initial feather ruffling it seemed to be OK. Until, my partner sent me what I strongly believe is a greeting card cut in half. Not even a Christmas stamp. I know it sounds whiny but that and all of the little kinks left me feeling a little flat. Next year, I have it diarized not to suggest it. A bit more of the Festivus coming out in me I guess! Ho! Ho! Noooo!

Have you ever been disappointed in a swap? Received something different that what was agreed upon?

Merry Christmas - Canadian Edition!

I have been very lucky to meet some wonderful people so close to home via Postcrossing Meet-ups. It is nice to be able to share this hobby with others and even nicer when you realize you share things outside the hobby too! I may not see them often however email and Facebook helps to keep us all up to date for the times in between. I was able to exchange some great Christmas cards with a few of them this year.

Lynda sent this sweet card -

Tracey sent this super glittery one. I love when every time you touch a glittered card you can manage to get it all over you, and the table, and, and, and! And it happens every time too! 

Alida found a wonderful wooden card to send me with another sheep. I think she has singlehandedly built most of my sheep collection - thank you! And Alida used another great and new to me cancellation.

Willa and I met in Toronto last year and we have done a few trades. This round card is so cute! Thank you!

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.

Merry Christmas - Anne from Luxembourg

Anne and I are participating in a Christmas stamp travelling card at the moment. When her card arrived I must say I instantly fell in love with one of the stamps she used. It was a supercute owl on felted/flocked paper. The following week or so, I was delighted to find that Anne sent me this beautiful, glittered card with wishes for me and my family. Lucky me, she used the other stamp in the issue. I don't think any scan or picture would truly be able to capture the slight fuzzy feeling of this stamp. Trust me it is adorable! The text translates to read "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year". Thank you Anne! Wishing you and your family all the best too!

Direct Swap - Corinne from Canada

Corinne and I belong to Postcrossing Canada on Facebook. She had found some cards at a local shop and shared her purchases with the group. This card cracked me up - just so retro! The copyright on the back is 1965, finally something older than me! I was delighted that she was willing to swap with me. Only 44 more days until Christmas!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Olga gave me such a laugh when she sent this card to me. On it she wrote, "My mom bought this postcard in 1981..." Yikes, I hope she knows she sent it!!! Truly a vintage card. The text translates to say "Happy New Year". She used some fun puffy stickers on the back and wrote she hopes they will arrive safely. I always use stickers on my cards and sometimes wonder too if anything that is slightly raised makes it or not. Do you decorate your cards at all? Stickers? Washi tape? Stamps? Doodles?

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

Only 8 months until Christmas! OK, I admit I postdated this entry so I could use a round number like that! This lovely folded card and gifts were sent to me and the kids last Christmas from our dear friend Eileen. She is so wonderfully thoughtful and is really good at putting a smile on our faces!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Another example of better late than never.....

This package of goodies came to me this past Christmas from J.J. She included several postal goodies and stickers. Love it!!! Thank you again J.J.!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Only 303 days until Christmas! Julia lives in Northern Russia where she tells me 6 months of the year it ranges from -25C to -45C - ouch!

Direct Swap - Hallie from USA

So I joined a folded Christmas card swap via Facebook. Our names were given out randomly to a participant and we each received one card in return for the one we sent. My card came from Hallie who lives in California. With the card she included what she describes as her "tackygram" the at times dreaded end of year family update/letter. I actually have always enjoyed reading these, albeit I have not had many sent to me. Call me curious, or weird, but I do. Not knowing Hallie or her family I found it particularly fun. She also shared some of her families holiday traditions which have a lot to do with food. I also didn't mind reading all about that! Thanks Hallie!

Random Act of Smiliness - Nina from Austria

Nina and I have done a few swaps via a Facebook group we both belong to. The last card she sent did not arrive and to be honest I really was OK with it. I knew we would do more swaps in the future and things would all work out in the long run. I was very surprised when she sent this lovely Christmas card to me. Maybe she felt bad her last card went astray, maybe she just likes me. Who knows, it was most welcomed.

Christmas from Canadian Friends

Now that the decorations are put away I still have a few cards that made it up on display before they were scanned. I try not to group cards together, however at this pace it may still be Christmas for another week!

These are all from friends I have made through the July meet-up I attend.

From Lynda.

From Alida, with another fun cancellation!

And a pretty shaped folded card from Tracy.

Thanks ladies and I too look forward to seeing you all next summer!

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 - Netherlands

Another fun Christmas card that came to me, this time from Corina from The Netherlands. The card is by Dutch artist Rolf Unger and is called "Sinterklaas Automatiek", a typical Dutch vending machine. Very fun indeed. The stamps she chose are fabulous - King Willem Alexander, current day and as a baby Prince with his mom, Queen Beatrix.

December - Ayn from United Arab Emirates

 A year ago if you had told me I would receive a card with a camel in a sleigh I wouldn't have believed you. Very funny and completely unexpected! This card brings to an end a wonderful year long swap I have had with Ayn from United Arab Emirates.I am sure our paths will cross again in the New Year. Thank you Ayn for showing me so much of your beautiful country.