Outgoing: Bird Mail

This week my outgoing mail theme is all about birds. I'm inspired by the collages of Lee McKenna. I first found her on Instagram. She does amazing things with paper and ephemera. 

Collaging is a great way to use up your supplies and ephemera. Usually, I collage in a notebook, but I had never thought to apply it to my outgoing envelopes and parcels. For this week's design I used a variety of materials around the house: an old Cavallini & Co calendar; a stack of vintage book pages; a box filled with items sent to me from pen pals; and postmarked bird stamps from old letters.  

I used small kraft bags to house a letter and various bird themed pen pal goodies. On the outside of the bag I used good old Mod Podge to paste a sheet of vintage paper and a stamp. My Letter Writers Alliance seal balanced out the design. From my tag stash, I pulled out patterns that were not my style and covered them with paper and bird images to make book marks. I was really pleased with the final product. This may become a continuing look for my future letters. 

Week 6 Journal Entry

I intend to share my weekly journal entries on this blog for several reasons. First, and most important, my entries have been a great way to demonstrate how to implement personal vision and goals with weekly journaling.  Second, people often ask how I decide the design for my layout and what materials I use. A blog is a great way to share that information.

This week’s entry was inspired by a couple of things. Of course, Valentines Day influenced the decoration. I received beautiful cards in the mail with lovely stamps and washi tape to use for collaging. There was no shortage of heart shaped ephemera this week.

For journaling, I updated many of my goals. I have multiple actionable goals set for 2016. Goal updates make great writing prompts for journaling. Here are a few of mine:

1.     Goal – Get outside and enjoy nature by visiting at least 1 local or state park per month.  Result – I visited 2 parks this week and hiked a total of 10 miles.

2.     Goal – Read 50 books this year. Result – I read 1 book this week. That’s a total of 6 so far this year.

3.     Goal – Launch Paper Tams blog. Result – This blog was launched on Valentine’s Day.

Materials Used For This Week’s Entry*:

Midori Notebook Insert http://amzn.to/1Xt24Nx

Pilot Fountain Pen http://amzn.to/1ojjCQx

Pilot Fountain Pen Ink http://amzn.to/1PztSwy

MT Gold/Silver Washi Tape http://amzn.to/1KSdUyR

If you are interested in more detail, here is a coordinating video post for this week’s journal entry. 

*Please be advised that some of the links provided are affiliate links and I do receive a small commission if you make a purchase using those links.  This does not cost you any extra when you make a purchase. Thank you for your support. 

Valentines from Valentines, VA

When I set a goal to have this blog up and running by Valentines Day, I hadn't figured out the topic of my first post. Sure, I had a list of potential topics to cover, but the first post is always the hardest. Thankfully, my incoming mail and a very familiar postmark gave me an answer. On Valentines Day it is only prudent I write about Valentines, VA and tradition. 

My family is scattered along the North Carolina/Virginia state line in area known for tobacco, peanuts and bass fishing. Driving from my parent's house to my grandparents farm we always pass through the unincorporated community of Valentines, VA. If it wasn't for a small country store, most people wouldn't even know Valentines existed. I know about Valentines because my aunt lives a few tobacco fields over from the country store.     

In winter, Valentines becomes quite the hot spot for a few weeks. Cards and letters from all over are delivered to the little country store and the tiny post office housed inside. Some letters are shipped, but most are hand delivered. Those cards and letters want one thing - a Valentines, VA postmark before reaching their final Valentines Day destination. And a very special postmark they receive. The heart shaped postmark and additional rubber stamped embellishment add the perfect amount of character to the patina of well traveled snail mail. 

I moved away from my hometown over 14 years ago. My family is still there. My mom has been sending me a Valentine from Valentines ever since I left. It's become a tradition. Our neighbor and family friend, Beth, sends me one as well. It never gets old. Each year the Valentines country store and post office manages to stay open, we celebrate. It will be a very sad day if I ever stop receiving my annual Valentines from Valentines. 

Happy Valentines Day to you and yours. May you find your own snail mail traditions to pass on to those you love.