Random Act of Smiliness - Melanie from Canada

It was a nice surprise to find this in my mailbox last week. Melanie had followed-up with me on a Christmas card I had sent her. She emailed to say she reads my blog daily - yeah me & hello Melanie! She had a card she thought I would like based on my writings and was sending it along. She was right on in selecting this one for me! The card shows a painting by Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis. The piece is titled "Yellow Birds". This is an artist I was not familiar with and I really enjoyed learning more about her. Melanie tells me she has been to the gallery with her sons and they studied Maud Lewis in school. I think I what I like best about this painting is the bird on the right with the worm. I don't know how to describe it exactly but it looks like he is wearing a baseball hat the way his beak and "cap" are painted. Totally brings a smile to my face. Thank you Melanie! I hope 2013 brings you everything you hope for!

Random Act of Smiliness - Melanie from Canada

Melanie, who I have swapped with several times, sent me this map card of Newfoundland back in August. Her husband is from there and her sons went for a visit this summer. Lucky boys, one province I would love to travel too. This card was (and is) such a nice surprise to know she was thinking of me.

Random Act of Smiliness - Melanie from Canada (Part 3)

The last card I received as part of a super thank you bundle from Melanie is this pretty card of the Virginia State Flower - Dogwood. So thoughtful of her to send me cards that so nicely matched various wish-list collections. Thank you Melanie for all the great cards anytime you need something just ask!!!

Random Act of Smiliness - Melanie from Canada (Part 2)

Last week I posted the cards Melanie so generously sent me as a thank you. Here are a few others that were part of that parcel. This time UNESCO from the Atlantic Provinces that I didn't have - Grand-Pre, in Nova Scotia which just made the list this June and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. I have 4 of the 16 Canadian sites - thanks Melanie for doubling the collection!

Random Act of Smiliness - Melanie from Canada (Part 1)

Sometime in the summer Melanie had contacted me about helping her with a favour. She was a super person to swap with and what she needed help with was a very easy request. The way she thanked me (which wasn't necessary) was by sending me a totally fun bundle of cards - perfect! She sent me lots of different maps from the Maritimes for my collection (or to swap, she didn't care and left them blank for me if that is what I want to do). Some other fun ones too but that will be a post for another day.

Direct Swap - Melanie from Canada

This is the last card of the initial swap I did with Melanie - a super map of Great Britian including the flag. I have a bit of a soft spot for this country as my husband is from Belfast.

Direct Swap - Melanie from Canada

When Melanie and I connected about swapping a map of her home province she said she had some duplicate maps in her collection if I was interested. One of them was this map of New Hampshire, one of my favourite US States. Funny thing, I received an official card through Postcrossing just days after receiving hers - what are the odds of that! This one is a different design and both are great in my collection.

Direct Swap - Melanie from Canada

Here is another map card I swapped with Melanie. I was having a hard time finding someone to swap with in Quebec so the fact she had an extra from her collection was great. Can't even count the times I have driven through this province on my way to New Brunswick. It may be long and not so fun but always worth it to see my sister!

Direct Swap - Melanie from Canada

Here is another map card Melanie sent me that was a duplicate from her collection. She received it from a friend whose dad was a cartographer working in New Zealand on a map of the ocean floor. How interesting!

Direct Swap - Melanie from Canada

A little over a month ago I contacted Melanie to see if she was interested in swapping with me. I had seen a map card of her home province, Nova Scotia, and still needed that for my collection. She agreed and this is the gem that she sent me. She has been collecting cards for many years and had some other duplicate map cards that she was kind enough to swap with me. Since then we have swapped another five cards which I will post in upcoming days.