Mailbox Happiness

Postcards, stamps & a letter on the way
that's what it's about today! ;)

Oh boy, I love having a large selection of postcards to choose from!  It's gives me the opportunity to almost always find something from my partners favorites or wishlist and hopefully when they open their mailbox it brings them an instant smile!  I know it does for me! You?











I finally purchased the new USA Lunar New Year stamps, love them!

Today is a great day
to start sending
Valentine's Day mail
along the way!

If you're sending Valentine's Day mail to international friends this year and want it to arrive in time, consider starting to send it now. You can pick up Valentine's Day Postcards at Amazon: Valentine Postcard Book, Vintage Valentine Postcard Book, Victorian Valentines.




Valentine's Day Postcards on the way!





USA Postage Stamps on Valentine's Day Postcards.

Hello Thurdsay, you've come again!
Don't let this day go by without writing a friend.
Even though you've much to do,
writing your penpal is important too!


Penpal Letter to a wonderful penpal in Italy.


Postcards off to Malaysia & Netherlands


My Postcard Pal-Mariska from the Netherlands sent me this beautiful postcard filled with beautiful white sheep.  Love it!


Yay, this fantastic card NL-1627217 arrived from the official side (meaning not the forums) of Postcrossing, I couldn't be any happier! I always do my best to read and match profiles when sending cards and it's refreshing when others to too!


Oh how I love Forever Friends Bears by Hallmark, this postcard makes me happy and brings a smile! 

Why, oh why, doesn't Hallmark make postcards for us in the USA?  I know people would buy them and they already sell them in other parts of the world so it's not like re-inventing the wheel, ya know. 

Another letter departed today,
to a very patient penpal
across the USA.



Yay! Another letter on the way today.  Supplies used were an old map book to make the envelope, hello sticker and snail mail rubber stamp.  Easy peasy!

My spirit is less numb,
the words seem to flow.
Time to send letters,
and let my penpals know.

I am lucky to have such wonderful and understanding penpals.  Since Oreo passed, I could hardly put pen to paper but you kept writing and sending me strength through your continued letters.  Thank you!

My spirit isn't as raw now, and I felt called back to my pens and paper.  This time, the words flowed instead of the tears.  I still have plenty to catch up on but here's what I've sent so far.


One of my favorite papers to use for an envelope, the shapes remind me of big beautiful snowflakes on pretty white snow.


The Life unscripted stamp is perfect because this letter contain's my life....unscripted!


I'm in lust with the New Ladybird Johnson Forever Postage Stamps!


Sweet, adorable birds!  I loved this stationery set the second I laid my eyes on it, into my shopping basket it went. Now a letter on the way, hoping to brighten her day!


A few cards on the way to the USA & The Netherlands. 

Christmas cards have a way
of brightening spirits
no matter the day.

Lovely images
full of good wishes
bringing holiday cheer
and thoughts of the new year.


Gloria in Excelsis Deo-Perfectly sweet and tender card.
Arrived from Russia


Postage Stamps from Russia including a Christmas Stamp


The time is drawing near, Santa will soon be here!  I love Santa Cards!
Arrived from China.



China Postage Stamp


Santa Claus in the Jack in the Box. 
Arrived from Spain


Oh Christmas Tree
Arrived from Spain


Spain Postage Stamp


Merry Christmas Santa & Snowman
Arrived from China


Santa in the Snow
Arrived from Lituania


Lithuania Postage Stamp

I love cards and stamps that come from Russia!

Add in a little Christmas and and a few fireworks....I'm over the moon!




Russia Postage Stamps

Recently, I sent a Christmas package to my lovely penpal in Germany.  I wanted to send it in a nice, big, holiday themed envelope, without buying one for $5 or more (envelopes are expensive these days). 

My brain cells actually kicked in gear and I remembered that I'd picked up a huge Christmas themed coffee table book on clearance in the summer for just $1.50.  I love it when I have an ah-ha moment at exactly the right time...they are rare these days!

If you make envelopes you know what happened next:
book, exacto knife, glue, tape, all made it to one area and in about 5 minutes, I had a very merry holiday envelope ready to fill with goodies and mail to Germany! 

Here Comes Christmas Mail,
Here Comes Christmas Mail,
I'm sending it right to you!

Thank you, Dear Post Office,
for all the very hard work you do!

You handle our mail and packages,
keeping them safe along the way.
For every time you deliver a Christmas card
or letter you makes someone's day!

Never underestimate the power of a card or letter you send,
it just might arrive on a day when someone's world
feels like it's coming to an end.

I love to add Holiday Cheer to my Christmas Cards before they hit the road but I'm also a girl on a budget. 

Michael's always has a huge container of rubber and clear stamps for $1.00.  I must have hit them just after the Christmas stamps arrived because there were so many to choose from, I very painfully narrowed it down to these cuties and I can't say for sure which is my favorite because I love them all (maybe the mouse or the penquin or the reindeer, or...or...all of them)!  Best part...got them on sale and only paid .66 each per stamp!  Oh Happy Day!

I'd say that when I send Christmas Cards I use a red sharpie 99.9% of the time to address the envelope.  I like the ultra fine point, they are permanent ink, dry on contact and don't smear...did I mention cheap!  Hobby Lobby has them for 30% off on a regular basis or you can get them at Michael's with a coupon.  Either way, they only run about $1.20 or so. 

Office Max ink pads are just as good for me as those super expensive ones at the craft stores, cheap too!  I try to buy them when they are buy 1 get 1 half off and use the roller ink refills. 

The little stickers are from Walmart, .97 for a huge roll, I put them on the back of the envelope seal.

Mailbox Happiness headed out the door for hardly any money and just a little time! 

Oh happy day,
you sent me mail
and it made my day!


Mailbox Happiness arrived in a very special way!  The adorable Alex at 80sgirl sent me this beautiful Angel Advent Calendar.  Thank you for thinking of me Alex, I can't wait to start using it!


Cute Envelope from 80sgirl, look at the perfect and pretty handwriting!  I love the USS Constitution Stamp, it's one of my favorites from 2012! 

Oh Happy Day!

Christmas Cards are special to me,
bringing lots of happiness and cheer
for my family to see!


Beautiful white cat in the window with a Christmas Tree.
Arrived from Finland. Postcard


Ded Morez, Grandfather Frost, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden.
Arrived from Ukraine. Postcard


Ukraine Postage Stamps


Cute Christmas Bears building a snowman.
Arrived from Finland. Postcard


Finland Postage Stamp


Merry Christmas Kawaii Style.
Arrived from Tawian. Greeting Card


Taiwan Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Postage Stamp


I love this card, so dreamy! 
Arrived from Russia. Greeting Card


Russian Postage Stamps

Goodbye mail,
you're on the way.
Here's to safe travel
and making someone's day!


It's been super busy over at the Christmas Card Round Robin on Postcrossing.   This is the most recent  stack of Christmas Cards loaded with Christmas Stamps that headed out to destinations worldwide.  If you love Christmas mail please feel free to join a group or two, I'd love to have you!




A few more outgoing *non-holiday* postcards.
Cute Hello Kitty eating ice cream Postcard
Thomas Kinkade Chapel Postcard
2011 Disneyland Lenticular Postcard (didn't photograph well, did it)


Dallas Skyline Postcard
Labrador Retriever Postcard
Boston Vintage Reprint Postcard


Mt. Rushmore Postcard
Tiffany Glass Postcard