OFFICIAL Card - USA

Linda lives outside of the Detroit area and says she has traveled to the area I live in several times. She sent me this card by artist Thomas Kinkade, titled "Pathway to Paradise". I think this was my first US Christmas stamp from 2014 too. Love the wreath!

OFFICIAL Card - Belarus

One of the first cards my daughter received via Postcrossing had the view of the Minsk Railway Station. So when this card arrived from Victoria last week I was able to recognize it. Good memory if I do say so myself. She translated some phrases for me from English to Russian and Belorussian. Love the Christmas stamps she chose too.

USA from Michael

To say my friend Michael cannot stay still is an understatement. This time he was in Santa Barbara for school. So proud of him and all the work he is putting into his PhD. He did have some downtime and visited a few wineries - no surprise there! Always gives me a great feeling knowing that he is thinking of me and takes the time to show me and send me a card.

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 - Germany

These sweet sheep made their way to me from Verena in Germany. The text if I am translating it correctly says "Mister, early thou wilt hear my voice, the morning will I address myself to you" according to Google Translate. With Bing translate I get this "Mister, early woolest you hear my voice, early I want to turn to you." I can't say either is making much sense to me. Lost in translation maybe?!? Anyone here help to shed some light on this. Verena also used one of the best Christmas stamps I've seen - a snow globe! I love those!!!

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!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Today's card was sent to me by Brigitt and has a great photo of former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and her granddaughters. A beautiful trio of girls that I have showcased in cards before. Super Christmas stamps too!

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!

Random Act of Smiliness - Montreal Meet-up from Elaine

Every once in awhile it seems my Postcrossing account gets out of sync. Mine has been like that for close to a month now. Somehow my received cards is greater than my sent cards. When this happens your name is not given out until it is equal again. There are several different reason why this happens which I won't bore you with right now. All I know is it can be annoying! This time I had received 8 more than sent. It can take a long time to catch up when there is a difference like that, especially when I send only three officials a week. Frustrating! In the meantime to make my mailbox happy I have the swaps I've completed to post or a few RAS like this one.

Elaine and I swapped some blank cards a little while ago. She recently attended a meet-up in Montreal and very kindly sent me a signed card from there. To say I was surprised is an understatement! I was thrilled that she thought of me. The card is not only a great design but loved seeing all the signatures. Thank you Elaine!

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida from Canada

Alida my dear friend has sent me yet another wonderful cancellation. She had noticed on my blog I was "missing a few". I am so lucky that she has access to so many great ones! The card she tells me is one her brother picked up for her on his vacation. Lucky me, love the colours they are so bright! Thank you Alida!!!

Happy Hallowe'en!

Happy Hallowe'en and Happy Birthday to me! My dear friend Alida was the first to send me birthday wishes this year - thank you! A great card with many fun stickers and stamps on the back and of course another fabulous cancellation.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Sometimes I think I take for granted where we live and the many beautiful things around me that makes our corner of the world unique. I know that the spot I live in is very pretty - rolling hills, lots of trees, the occasional farm with animals....same old, same old to me as I drive by it every day. When people come to visit us, especially those who live in the city are "taken back" by the beauty. I'm like, "ya, it's a tree".

Rachel sent me this very typical and iconic view of her village - a windmill. She writes that it "might not impress but it is gorgeous view". It was built in 1772, however is no longer in use. I totally agree with her, sometimes it is the small treasures that don't seem like a "big" thing that make our corner simply wonderful. Kind of like that tree I should pay more attention to.

Random Act of Smiliness - New Zealand from Alida

Alida will single handily grow my collection of sheep cards. I love her for that, so thoughtful and there to put a smile on my face when I need one. She sent this card in the beginning of May and writes that while she is seeing many lambs and sheep locally but no local postcards. This view card show sheep grazing with Mount Cook, NZ in the background. Thank you Alida!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Sabine is also a stay at home mom and we share many of the same interests. The views she sent me are of her family's favourite island Borkum. It looks lovely!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Aleid sent this card and wrote these are images from where she lives in the northern region of the Netherlands. Loving the little sheep!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

The card Mary Lou and Greg sent me is neat. It is a little bit smaller than most - 3.5"x5.5" and is made of a really sturdy cardstock. The illustration shows the library at San Diego State University. They also used some great Christmas stamps - very much appreciated!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Roman from Moscow sent me this card. I must say it is one of the largest cards I have received measuring in at 8.5" x 6"! I don't know if it was due to the size but this is probably one of the most chewed up cards I have received as well. For me it does not diminish the beauty of the views of the National Palace of Congress in St Petersburg.The stamps Roman used are great - such a nice variety!