OFFICIAL Card - Germany

I don't know why, but it is always extra fun when a shaped card arrives in the mailbox. This great heart shaped card came from Ursula and shows views of the city of Heidelberg, Germany. She wrote about the city, her hobbies and the fact she loves dark chocolate.

Direct Swap - Haya from Madagascar

I am totally doing the happy dance after receiving this great postcard. Haya lives in Madagascar. I saw her post on a Facebook group, she was offering an arty type card that was cute but personally not my style. On a whim I messaged her to see if she had any tourist cards and lo and behold 8 days later this fabulous shaped card arrives in my mail box. Talk about fast, I am impressed! She wrote saying Menabe is a region of her country. Very beautiful and very rocky. Thank you Haya for the wonderful card and swap!

Lottery Win - Hilarie from USA

Hilarie was hosting a lottery to guess the country her 1000th official card was sent to. I got it right with Australia. Just don't ask me to pick a number, guess an age, etc - those I am sure to lose! This card is one she picked up on a visit to the Postal Museum in Copenhagen. A shaped card is always a nice break from the expected rectangle. Also, never received the sewing machine stamp before - sewing for 40+ years so that was a nice surprise. Thank you Hilarie for making this lottery win extra special!

 

OFFICIAL Card - Canada

Tamara lives approximately 40 kms from me. Probably the closest distance yet for me to receive a card. She wrote that she finds it hard to select cards for fellow Ontarians (I can relate to that!) and chose this card as it is special to her. Her boyfriend is from Bulgaria and she says it is an amazing place. Love the fact that it is shaped, although it did see some bends along the way to me. Also, how could I not like the sheep in the middle!

Lottery Win - Agi from Croatia

Another great card I won through a lottery this past summer. Agi lives in Murter, Croatia and was offering this shaped card. I really enjoy shaped cards which you really don't see to often. The water looks so inviting! Love the peony stamps, another one that somehow escaped being cancelled.

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!

Random Act of Smiliness - Lynda from Canada

Back in July I attended my first Postcrossing meet-up. Lynda was the fantastic lady who organized the afternoon. In September, she was travelling to Portugal and close to her departure her travel partner had to cancel. She sent me (and I am guessing others) an email asking if we wanted to join her. Back in the glory days of travelling I would have jumped at the chance, but seeing as she was leaving the first day of school I knew I couldn't get time off from my job {grin}. What a lovely surprise then to receive this card from her last week. She wrote telling me she had a bit of a stumble while sight seeing, but the Port wine she was enjoying helped to remedy any pain she having! This is a really neat shaped card showing the tiles that Portugal is famous for.

Direct Swap - Mirjana from Croatia

At the beginning of June Mirjana contacted me as she saw a card I had sent of Niagara Falls and was hoping to swap for something similar for her collection. I asked that she send me a card first, anything touristy from her hometown and this is the card I received two weeks ago. Fun shape across the top and a great aerial view of her city - Osijek. She tells me it is the fourth largest city in Croatia and she has lived there for four years while going to school. My card is on it's way, hope she gets it soon.

OFFICIAL Card - Poland

Shaped postcards can be fun, really fun, and this one is at the top of the list. Ula from Gdansk, Poland sent me this, my first card from Poland, last April. to say I {heart} this card is an understatement. All the little pictures in and around Warsaw are just so much fun when shaped as a heart! It also includes the city hall which is the third line down and second row from the right. Ula tells me Warsaw is about 5 hours from her home and her brother goes to school there. I can't figure out if any of the pictures are of the University or not. The card also features the Warsaw coat of arms.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Last catch-up for the day is this fun shaped card from Lilibeth in San Antonio, Texas. The building in the "E" of HELLO is The Alamo.

Thank You Card - Heather from Australia

Last May I sent an official card to Heather in Perth, Australia. At the time her profile said if you were to put your address on the card she would send you a thank you in return. Can't go wrong with that now can you. This is the card I received - a great shaped card of the Australian flag. Heather and I went on to do a couple of swaps after this so you will see more cards from her in future posts. The stamps while different from ours each remind me of a recent Canadian release.