Aspire to everything Inspired

In which a visitor arrives from the East

More Mouse post?  Yes, evidently. 

And this crowd doesn't waste any time getting packages open.  Brown paper and string - hah!

Hello?  Is there anyone in there?

"Yes!  Hello!"

"Surprise!"

"Ta-dah!"

Cousin Emerson has come to visit from the East! 

He's a dapper mouse, as you can see.  We're all a little in awe of him.  But we rawther think he'll fit in right well.  Don't you?

Cousin Emerson, from EmersonMade of course. Of course. 
What a delightful gift - we can't stop talking about it to all those folkses that stop by to borrow the odd cup of sugar, five books, a dozen loose coins, the odd sock...
Thank you, Emerson!

Mice have been getting into the mail lately

It all started when they saw a pretty little brown-paper package addressed to "Nielsen Mice"...

They really liked the contents of their package...

Really REALLY liked it.  

In fact, it seems to be giving them ideas...

Uh-oh

Uh-oh

Um.  It has occurred to me that after that last post, you might just be expecting a postcard from Rome to be delivered to your mailbox someday soon.  And, um, well, it's entirely possible that I may have written you one... but just to be sure...

If you're thinking a postcard from Rome (well, as noted, the postcard is from Rome, but the postage stamp may not be) is just what you always wanted...

Be sure to leave a comment.  Maybe your address too (if I don't already know it).  Just to be sure.

Because we don't want anyone to be disappointed!

Postcards from Rome. Really!

Though many were written, not all of the postcards were sent from Italy.  It's a long, drawn-out story involving a postal clerk without €0.01 stamps, a handsome and impossibly tan Concierge named Frederico who said the stamps were "finished", and an Airport without a post box.  All over a matter of days of course, because we are not without persistence when it comes to postal matters.

So what does one do, when one comes home with a smattering (um, 10) of postcards that were written a la Roma, but could not be mailed?

Why - mail them anyway! 

After pulling out all of one's best stamped images and adding extra decoration, of course.  Just to counter-balance that so obviously American stamp.

And certainly take a photo or two, just to record the funny ones for all posterity

Creating more Kid Stationary

Really, it was only a matter of time, I suppose.  My Favorite Houseguests were admiring my new hoard of vintage postage stamps... and the LWA Pen Pal Application... and their cousins' amusing letters written on personalized Fill-in-the-blank Stationary...  Genuine interest and enthusiasm ensued and, yes, it was only a matter of time before someone said "Well, I'd like to write some letters too, {sigh}, if only I had some cool stuff for it...{double sigh} "

Really?  Request granted!  (I'm so easy...)

Hmmm... A sassy folder to start with -

and some fabulous paper on which I typeset and printed a fabulous two-page form letter. With matching pink envelopes from my stationary stock, of course. -

And then creativity went into over-drive, and I created a mini-folio of personalized postcards to include too.  Yowza!  Don't you wish you were going to be on the receiving end of one of these beauties?

It was late and the lighting was bad, so I skipped taking a final photo after assembly was done.  However, instead of orange labels, the finished folio included a sweet, printed ownership label on the left pocket and a glassine envelope filled with vintage postage stamps (to use) on the right pocket. And, trust me, it's charming and clever and oh so delightful! 

All finished and ready to go - with a fabulously fun mailing envelope too.

Now I'm going to sit back and optimistically wait for my first letter...

{crickets}

And by the way... interested in a personalized Stationary Folio of your own, or perhaps for someone small who ought to write you a letter?  Email me!  Yep, now accepting commissions...

Now accepting Applications...

Our friends over at the Letter Writers Alliance have come up with a delightfully tongue-in-cheek idea... a Pen Pal Application form!

Brilliant.  Honestly, how could I resist?! 

I've been getting my applications ready, of course. 

 , Print a dozen forms... Check 
 - Find silly photo to attach to applications... Check 
. Practice best penmanship... Check 
/ Decorate large envelopes to make them intuheresting... Check

Several of my completed applications are already in the mail.  However, I'm always looking for new pen pals...  Maybe you need to receive an application too?  Yes, I thought so.  Just leave a comment below and I'll email you for your mailing address... Because everyone really should receive an application, don't you think?

[Saw it first at the Letter Writers Alliance, where Donovan and Kathy do their best to encourage classic etter writing and correspondence.  Keep up the good work, friends!]

Swappity Swap Swap!

Now here's a cool idea... The Priority Mail Swap:  Send a small Priority Mail flat rate box filled with all sorts of lovely crafting paraphernalia and fun... and receive one in return!

Considering that some of us have waaayyy more arts & craft supplies than we can reasonably use, well... for $4.95 postage, it sounds like a fun swap, don't you think?  (Not to mention you'll be able to share the leftover supplies from your failed attempt to make a gift for Aunt Ethel.  Who knew she was allergic to crocheted potholders??)  Whether your bug is paper crafting, scrapbooking, sewing, jewelry making, embroidery, knitting, birdhouse building or one of dozens of other hobbies, this swap is so obviously custom made for you.  Especially since you don't have to be a blogger to sign up.  Really - it's just that simple!

Learn more (and sign-up too!) here:  Priority Mail Swap

The deadline for sign-ups is Saturday, May 8th, so don't delay! 

little letters

Remember those little mailboxes sent off to The Nephews for Valentines Day?

Well, a little bird told me that seven year old Arthur suggested his family implement their own postal system - using their new little mailboxes, of course.  What a brilliant idea!  That's just the sort of thing a doting Auntie ought to support, don't you think?

What the winner won...

Dear Friday Club members,

I promised to show you the sweet package of surprises from The Netherlands Giveaway, ... and here we are to it at last! 

To dear cousin E, who was first to comment and who used her exclamation points so generously when she said "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Friday! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh, what a glorious feeling!",
went this lovely care package of treats:

Including a sweet Jip & Janneke suitcase, an assortment of delicious chocolate eggs, amusing and colorful band-aids (love that pirate monkey!), darling porcelain shoes, interesting museum brochures, and yummy fruit toffees.

Mmmmm....

And to our other winners went some of the above, plus a little something from H&M, or delicious speculaas cookies, or a fantastic flea market find, or some other small treasure.  Which just goes to show that it's always fun to be a winner, don't you think?  Indeed!

Best regards,

Madame Club Directrice (c'est moi)

Easter fun! Colorful labels to download and share

I'm always creating labels, tags, brochures, packaging... and other random bits for my own random projects.  Really, I just can't help it.  Well with Easter just around the corner, I decided some bright and colorful labels would be just the thing for care packages and little presents.  Sounds like a great idea, don't you think?  And, voila!  Here's what sprang to mind...

And then I thought to myself, "hmmm... share the labels, share the fun!"  (Because maybe you too need something bright and colorful for labeling your Springtime goodies, right?) 

Simply click on the link below to download a printable .pdf file.  And once you have the file, you can print them on regular paper, label paper, card stock, or really any paper you choose, of course.   With my compliments and best wishes, my dears, for lots of labeling fun!

Download Springtime Labels (8.5" x 11" image)

Now, I'll admit I also thought to myself, "Hmmm... something new.  Hope it's a success."  Which means that I'm curious to see how this turns out and that I'd love to hear what clever things you do with them.  So please do let me know.  Cheers!