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.

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!

Direct Swap - Dhany from Indonesia

Dhany was attending the Postcrossing Meet-up In Jakarta, Indonesia in March. They had this great postcard designed and had many people in attendance. Once again lots of signatures, stamps and even a kiss! Prior to this I was not aware Indonesia had also issued a Postcrossing stamp. Have you ever attended a meet-up?

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.

Direct Swap - Veronica from Belarus

Belarus is the latest country to issue a stamp celebrating Postcrossing. After reading about it here, I was hoping I would be lucky to receive one. On the Postcrossing Forum, Veronica posted that she was looking to swap and the card and stamp were her offer. Perfect! Lucky for me I had a card she wanted of the extended British Royal Family and we agreed to swap. Her card arrived yesterday. She posted it as a maxi card which seems even better - yeah me! Thank you Veronica, hoping my card makes it to you soon.

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!