Etsy Update:
It's been fun so far, I've had sales (that's always a great thing) and learned more in the last 30 days about more things than I can count on two hands!

The Downside:
While I've been learning, learning and learning (mostly about photography, did you know that paper isn't that easy to photograph) I've fallen behind, behind and more behind on sending letters I owe.  Oh, I want to sit down and write...I think of each and every one of you and what I want to tell you about.  The things I want to include in my letters and the stationery I want to use but by the time I finish with etsy (please tell me I will eventually get better and not take so long to learn things) and all that goes with that, I'm wiped out.  Literally.wiped.out.

I miss all of you something terrible, I miss your handwriting, what's going on in your lives, your envelopes, your paper, sharing with you, making envelopes for you, picking out stamps.  I miss my balance.  Please don't give up on me, I'm trying, really.  Hugs to you!

~Postcards~

The future King & Queen of The Netherlands, aren't they pretty!



Cute Kiss!


It's a Bird Day!


Beautiful Ferris Wheel!


Netherlands Postage Stamps

Here I am waving to you,
I have lots of mail goodness
to share too!

Before the mail~

Last fall, I thought I'd open a little etsy store and put a few envelopes in it.  I had just started making them and compared to the ones I make now, they were blech...at least to me.  Instead of closing my store, I put myself on vacation until I could decide what direction I want to take, fast forward to now.

I've always loved paper, punches, twine, garland, tapes just about anything in those areas and my stashes, stacks and piles of those things prove it to be true.  I found my direction, fantastic!  Finding direction is one thing, implementing direction is another animal.

I thought I knew how to take semi fair pictures until I started trying to take photo's of product for my shop, talk about hitting a major road block!  If you've ever been to or looked around on etsy you'll see that most photo's have a white or light background, natural lighting is preferred, close up images are a plus, size and scale is important and the list is endless.  My head spins just thinking about it now.

I started out taking pictures in every location in my house, at every time of day with every type of light adjustment you can imagine, did that work for me.  No!  Next, I read my camera manual from cover to cover at least seven times, I learned so much about my camera, it was like having a brand new toy.  Did the lighting in my pictures come out great, No.  Got a light box, it helped some but my preference is still natural light.

In a moment of frustration, pondering whether or not to push forward, I noticed amazing light coming in from a wall of windows in my living room.  My sweet spot!  The only hurdle, the entire living room had to be moved around to allow for enough space for me to work.  I stood there and thought, am I really going to move the entire living room around to be able to take pictures for an etsy store?  Without hesitation my mind said yes, and it got moved.

The improvement was immediate, nothing compares with natural light.  My frustration dropped immensely and though I've barely touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to taking great pictures for etsy at least I'm on the way now.

My next novel will be about learning SEO optimization, titles and tags.  My head spins every time I think about all of them.

Now to the wonderful mail~



Such a delight to find this wonderful card in the mailbox from Mariska!


Who doesn't love cupcakes, especially when they are sweetly decorated!
Arrived from the Netherlands.


Netherlands Postage Stamps


This might be my first or second By Kris card to ever receive, wheek!  Love them!
Arrived from Netherlands


Netherland Postage Stamp


Awwww...adorable baby lamb.  What's not to love about this picture.
Arrived from Germany


Germany Postage Stamps


Prace Duque Da Terceira
Arrived from Portugal

Beautiful Long Eared Owl, so pretty among the trees don't you think?
Arrived from Japan


Love and Hearts Everywhere!  There can never be too many hearts~
Arrived from China


China Postage Stamps

Postcrossing, Swap-bot, Lettermo
whatever you choose
keep writing and sending,
your words and kindness will
brighten many moods!


The very beautiful St. Isaac's Cathedral located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Arrived from Russia


There is a little series of these cute cards, I think I have 2 or 3 now, adorable!
Arrived from China


Hong Kong, China Postage Stamps all with birds!


I love birds, this pair of Bullfinch's in flight is amazing.  It allows me to see so much of their colors and beautiful wings.  My desk is by windows and hearing the birds sing in the early morning is one of my favorite times of the day.  What's your favorite time of the day?


Germany Tulip and Sonnenhut Postage Stamp


Owls sleep by day and work at night-love this!
Arrived from Taiwan



Taiwna Chrysantha Postage Stamps

Seasonal Saturday's are beautiful to me,
I love sharing holiday cards with thee.
Thank you for stopping by for a view,
may you catch a little holiday spirit
to carry all year through!


I was thrilled to see this Santa postcard from Russia in my mailbox!  A lovely winter scene filled with snow, trees, darling little girl tending to the pretty birds ( I love pretty birds) and an adorable bunny.


Happy New Year/Merry Christmas Postcard from Russia.  How cute are the bunny and kitten all decked out!


Beautiful Happy New Year postcard from Russia.  I'm in love with pretty bird postcards, this one is perfect!


Russia Postage Stamp

I'm in love with owls, and this one has such striking yellow eyes!
Arrived from Germany.

Here I am on wednesday am
ready to post lovely mail that came in,
a big variety of cards to see
make me as happy as can be!


This is the first Peacock card I've received, it's beautiful.  The blue and green colors are so vibrant!
Arrived from UK.


It's always exciting when someone parts with a Vantity Fair postcard.  This is the Skiing at Lake Placid cover dated 1936.
Arrived from USA



Fireworks!  Love them! This card shows the Torri Gate of Itsukushima Shrine in Itsukushima Japan.
Arrived from Japan


Japan Stamps

Time for Christmas Mail~


Sweet Puppy & Kitten under the Christmas Tree.
Arrived from USA.


USA Disney Ant Stamp



Merry Christmas Snowman & Birds
Arrived from Australia


Australia Gold Medal Stamp



Big Eye Cat and Snowman Christmas Card
Arrived from Taiwan.


Taiwan Stamp


White Bear & Snowy Trees Merry Christmas
Arrived from Belgium


Belgium Stamp

New Envelope Set in the store.

A new envelope set I added to my shop, Mailbox Happiness, on Etsy.  These come plain with no address labels or seals so you can finish them off in whatever style works for you!


Close up of  new envelope set I added to my shop, Mailbox Happiness, on Etsy.

A special thank you to those that stop by,
choose my address and write a card to fly.
I love your mail, words and stamps,
the time you spent to take a chance.

Watch your mailbox and you shall see
A little something, in return from me.


Mariska from the Netherlands stopped by along her blog travels and dropped a card in the mail to me...such a lovely card too!  Thank you Mariska, you are a beautiful person!  Arrived from Netherlands


Netherlands Official Postcrossing Stamp


J. Tills also stopped here along their travels and sent me this Fox Head Bear card!  Thank you so much, I love it!
Arrived from USA.


Aren't these Boston Tea Party Stamps fantastic from J. Tills!  Swoon!

Happy, sad or just feeling blue?
Sending mail will help cheer your mood.
Prepare a few postcards and send them out,
Before you know it, you'll have a lot to be happy about!


I think this is so cute.  It's called a Where's Moshi card, a spin on the Where's Waldo cards. Lots of bright colors and the back is all pink.
Arrived from Malaysia.


Malaysia Stamp


I collect PHQ and other postal issued cards, this Liverpool and Manchester Railway is a new one for me.
Arrived from England


England Stamps



A beautiful bird, the writer said maybe a kingfisher but she wasn't sure.  If you happen to know, please let me know so I can identify if correctly.
Arrived from USA


Vintage USA Postage Stamps-Just Dance & John Muir Conversationist


Isle of Wight-The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island in England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–5 miles (3–7 km) off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent. The Island has many resorts which have been holiday destinations since Victorian times.


Happy Easter Vintage Reprint from 1925, it's the first Easter Bunny I've seen smoking. ;)
Arrived from Germany