Pen Pal Log Update

Hello, friends. I'm going to do two posts, back-to-back rather than combine into one. First up is a quick update for the pen pal/mail log files I shared some time ago (part 1, part 2).

It's been a long time coming, but I finally got full-size (8½x11") pages done for the to-do list (letters to write) & mail log (individual pen pal sheet). Sorry it took so long!

I realize that the half-size log pages I shared previously might not be helpful for a lot of people. This size will be a lot more practical, and easier to implement, if you need such a thing. See links above for how I organize my log.

To Do list (letters to write)

• On Drive
• On DropBox

Mail page (individual pen pal log sheet)

• On Drive
• On Dropbox

Pen Pal Log Free Downloads and More

Pen Pal Log

A few days ago, I posted about my pen pal/mail log and promised free downloads and other details. If you want a pen pal log, but don't want to create your own, then use mine!  These pages were designed for a disc-style 8½x5½" notebook/planner (print full letter-size sheets then cut in half). I created my log based on products I already owned, so it literally cost me nothing except paper & printing. Going out and buying all of these things just for this log can be pretty pricey, so you may want to research other binding options. (I am, and will update this post if I have anything to report.)

Files

Download these three PDFs and print as needed for your personal use (no selling or mass distribution).The files linked below have been saved to Google Drive. If you cannot access them, feel free to email me (see profile) and let me know which page(s) you want and I'll share via email.[Update: link to post with full-size pages.]

• To-Do: is my letters to write sheet. I print this page single-sided, so I can see at a glance what letters I owe without flipping pages. It should work fine printed on both sides if you want to save paper. 
• Mail: is my individual pen pal log. This PDF has 2 pages; when printed correctly & cut in half, you will have two 2-sided log pages per sheet of paper. If possible, print on paper that is a little thicker/smoother than regular copy paper. The pages will be a little sturdier and you should be able to tape little notes with washi tape and remove/replace without damaging your sheets. 
• Enclosures2: is a slightly different page than shown in the previous post. Trying to have 4 different enclosures per page (two columns each side) was hard to keep straight, so I took this opportunity to tweak it a little. (I couldn't rearrange things, and if I ended up sending a lot of one item, there was no place to overflow.) I'm thinking about printing this 2-sided, but only using one sheet per enclosure. If you want the old version, with two columns, let me know.

Materials & Tools

Punch: Why is this listed first? Because quite honestly, the punch is probably the most expensive component if you're starting from scratch. If you you already have a punch that will work on 8½"x5½" paper then you're all set. If not, check with friends/family to see if anyone has anything in this size that you can use before you go shopping. (People are forever buying things for a planner system, then changing their mind (how do you think I have all this stuff sitting around?).) Unless you can easily afford to buy a whole other batch of stuff, find your punch first, then base your notebook and accessories on that.

• If you're buying one for a disc-style notebook, I recommend the Circa portable punch; while it only punches a couple of sheets at a time, it's less than half the price of the full-size one from Staples that has a shallower punch (and is decidedly not portable).
• A 3-ring punch might come into the printed area a little, but a punch intended for a planner that size (Franklin, Day Runner, etc.), will probably work, even if it has too many holes. This one from Staples (Amazon link for convenience) has mixed reviews but is not expensive and is the right size. One thing I've been trying to do is convert an old letter-size 3-ring punch to work for a mini binder. If I manage to succeed, I'll post an update. If you want to really save money and are willing to spend the time, make a template out of thick card stock, and hand-punch the holes. 

Notebook: Once you know what kind of punch you have (or are going to buy), you can match a notebook to it.

• Disc style: I re-purposed an old Arc notebook, but actually prefer Levenger's Circa notebooks (Junior size), because the punch goes a tiny bit deeper, which means the pages stay in the book a little better. Honestly, if you order from Amazon Prime, the basic Circa notebook is just $2 more than the Arc and is, in my opinion, the superior product.
• Non-disc style or ringed notebooks: search Amazon for "avery mini binder" or dig up an old 8½x5½" planner.

Accessories: 

Sticky Notes helped me remember to use this
Miss Piggy stamp

• You don't have to buy dividers, although the heavier ones are nice for frequently-used sections. You can see in the video that I purchased one set, then made additional dividers with cardstock and stick on tabs*. The accessories from both brands** are pretty much interchangeable, which is helpful, in case you find a sale. In fact, on Amazon, you can order the Arc tabs for $4.99, with free shipping, which is less than half the price of the Circa dividers. For ringed binders, see the "mini binder" results on Amazon for pretty inexpensive tabs. 
• Sticky notes are pretty essential. I make little notes about all kinds of things and attach them to my pals' pages. Example: one of my pals used Muppet stickers on an envelope, and mentioned them in another context. I have Muppet postage stamps, so I made a note to make sure to use one of them on the next letter I sent. I transferred that note to the letter when I started to write it, so I'd remember when I stuck it in the envelope. 

*Watch out - I accidentally bought "angled" tabs. I'm using them, but they bum me out. 

**There could be others that I'm not aware of.

A Month of Letters and Mixed Tape Monday Announcement

Yesterday, I said I was suddenly a joiner. I wasn't kidding! Not only did I join the 5 Fandom Friday, but I'm going to be participating in the Month of Letters (LetterMo) challenge. I've committed to sending 24 pieces of mail during the month of February - every day except Sunday and the 29th.

If you want to play, go to the above link, then click on the "Sign Up" tab and register. We'll figure the rest out as we go! (I signed up as epicmel.)

It's a little intimidating, but I'm going to give it a go!! (I'll probably use the Sundays to get a little ahead of the game. I'm an anarchist, so I can do that kind of thing.)

In addition to joining stuff, I'm about to launch my own themed ...thing, the very originally named Mixed Tape Monday.

The first post will have all the details, but what I'm thinking of is picking a theme, sharing one or two songs (via YouTube videos or other media), and the reasons I chose the song(s) and maybe even share some lyrics.

If anyone else wants to play, I'll create a page to list all the participants, linking to their blogs.
Each participant would be free to pick their own theme. I can post a list in advance of what I'm thinking about doing if anyone would like some help.

So come back Monday for more about Mixed Tape Monday!!

Pen Pal Log

Two mail-related things happened last week that made me sad. First, after not getting any mail for a few weeks, my husband came home from the Post Office with a small stack of envelopes, none of which were posted recently; two had been mailed (domestically) before Christmas! We have no idea where it has been all this time - perhaps in the box of someone who doesn't visit often? I was able to notify all but one of the senders immediately online, and sent a post card to the last, so they knew I wasn't ignoring them.

The second thing that made me sad is the reason I'm finally doing a post on this subject. When I went to log that new stack of mail, I found a hole in my letters to write checklist: no checkbox where one should have been. Oh, crap! I wrote a lot of letters and cards over the holidays, but had neglected to respond to one. Luckily, the letter wasn't lost, and once aware of my mistake, I was able to make responding a priority. If I hadn't kept that log, however, I might have come across the older letter, assumed I had already answered it, filed it away and that pen pal would never have written back (having nothing to reply to), assuming I wasn't interested in corresponding.

This is why I keep a log. I'm sure everyone has some kind of system that works for them. Maybe a stack of letters to reply to. Maybe a spreadsheet or a simple to-do list. I use a redundant system to make sure I don't have to rely on my memory. It's in a book, which is harder to lose than a sheet of paper. It can also be changed easily if I find something in the future that works better. I know that not being able to arrange or remove pages would make me crazy, so the notebook I selected allows that.

I don't make a lot of videos, as evidenced by my camera work (which I hope will improve), but here is a tour of my pen pal log.

There are two main parts to the book. First, every pen pal has their own page, where I put their contact info, and list details about both incoming and outgoing mail. They're sorted alphabetically, and separated into groups, so it's pretty easy to find whatever page I need. On the back of each page, I tape their response to the little question card I send out. (I use washi tape, so I can easily move the card to the front of the page when the list flows over to the back.)

At the front of the book, I keep the heart and soul of the log system: my "Letters to Write" page (top picture). It's simply a list of letters I need to write that I mark when in progress, and when sent. Whenever I get mail I need to reply to, I first add the person's name to this page, then add more detail on their own page. It was the gap on this page that led me to realize I was long overdue in responding to one pen pal.

Beyond that, I try to keep a list of goodies sent on an "enclosure" page (one section per type of enclosure). I'm not great at keeping this up to date with things like washi tape samples, but have been pretty good when it comes to CD mixes and smashed pennies. This way, I hope to avoid sending the same little giftie to the same person twice.

I have a section for extra pages, one for basic postal rates, and one for inactive correspondents. These are either people I don't write to a lot, but want to keep a record of which cards I send, etc., or they are people who were pen pals who stopped responding (or never responded at all). This way, I don't have to flip past their pages over & over, in the "active" section and be reminded that they've dropped off the radar. I go through it every couple of months and move truly retired pages to a drawer.

I'd love to see what others are using! How do you keep track?

Interested in making your own pen pal log like mine? In a few days, I'll be posting the files, plus a list of resources. Stay tuned!

Update:

• Part 2, with download links for this size pages
• Post with link to full-size pages

January 2016 Updates

A couple of quick updates:

Letter Folders
One of my penpals posted a little video showing one of my folder letters/flip cards that I posted about earlier this month. @theritzymailbox is her snailmail Instagram account (a lot of people do this, but I can't keep multiples straight, so all of my stuff goes in together). Since I cannot get IG embeds to work for me, I had to download the video and repost, but here's the link to @theritzymailbox's original on IG. It is 100% her work.

Fun with Fountain Pens
I've had a bit of mixed luck with the pens I wrote about here. The free eyedropper pen that came with the large bottle (that got the whole obsession started for me), turned out to be a dud. I had a major ink leak all over my case, hands and desk. The pen was prettier than the ones you can buy from the sites I shared, but I couldn't fix it, so it's gone, gone, gone. I've had no troubles with the conversions that I did.

I did learn that taking fountain pens - at least this variety - on planes isn't the best idea. I had seven or eight  pens with me on a short flight and four of them leaked - through the nib, not the conversion point (that held solid). Cleaning that up was kind of a nightmare! And the worst of it was that I didn't need them with me. I never opened the case until I got home and unpacked my bag. :-( So, the rule for me is, no fountain pens on planes. (Maybe nicer pens would hold up better, but I wouldn't want to risk an expensive pen!)

Resources
I've added a page for Resources (always available via tabs at top of page). It's a little sparse now, but I'll be adding to it as time goes by and I continue to find cool things.

Giveaways
I had one commenter for the first giveaway, and doubled that for the second!! Both winners were reached and the first prize was sent some time ago. The latest contents winner was just notified yesterday, and I'll be mailing the stamps out this week.

Celebrate Achievements: Grown-up Merit Badges

It all started when I got to the end of a difficult book. I quipped to my husband that I deserved a merit badge for finishing Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne. It was not fun, but it was a classic; I felt that I had to finish, and it was hard to do. No matter that it was an audio book. (I commute almost 100 miles per day. Audio books are as essential to me as coffee.)

I started looking around online; I figured there was a chance that there was something out there that would work as a merit badge. I soon realized that there were many things I've done that deserve a merit badge.

Within an hour or so of looking, and just a few hours after making the crack about needing a merit badge for finishing a book, I found exactly that: a merit badge for finishing a difficult book (aka Book Conquest patch from Patch Fever). Ordered!!

You know how when you have a mild itch on your hand or arm and start to scratch, first you think it's going to relieve the itch, but really, it's made it worse? Then you have to sit on one of your hands to stop scratching? It was kind of like that. Or, in simpler terms, I was hooked.

The book patch wasn't the first one I bought. I vaguely remembered reading something about alternative "scout" patches, so that's where I began. I quickly found The Scout Project and oh! she had a Pen Pal patch! So I ordered a couple (and went back later when they were in stock for knitting/needlework patches).

I definitely recommend the Scout Project as a starting place, because her patches are practical, fun, and affordable (it does seem like she's out of the pen pal patch, but there are a bunch more). After that, my next stop was Etsy. And boy, howdy! Was Etsy a good place for my search.

And then I went down a rabbit hole. I found so many patches that I wanted that I had to make some rules for myself. I wanted them all, but I also wanted to save room (on whatever their home was to be) for future activities. (I have a tendency to dive so deep into a new interest that I burn myself out completely. I wanted to avoid that with the patches, and keep them special.) There are dozens and dozens of grown-up badges out there, more than I can link to. Besides, I don't want to deprive you of all the fun.

One of the rules I made for myself was that merit badges had to be earned before they could sewn on or, ideally, even purchased. So I still covet that Ghost Hunter patch, but haven't ordered it, because I haven't been able to arrange such an activity with avid ghost hunter friends. (I made sure they knew I was a skeptic, and they're still willing to include me when time and all that stuff allows.)

I even saved up my mad money and got a backpack like all the cool kids have, one that patch collectors seem to like (Fjallraven Kanken on Amazon: price varies widely by seller (and color)), but you could obviously sew patches onto a messenger bag, tote, jacket, whatever you can get a needle through. I actually really like this pack. I can fit more than I thought into it and it was designed to be easy on the wearer's back It's not super-friendly to the sewing process, so look elsewhere if you're impatient about that kind of thing. I used invisible thread and a big, sharp needle.

Shown on the pack, right:

• Pen Pal, Needlework & First Aid patches from The Scout Project (linked above).
• Letter Writer's Alliance membership patch ($5 lifetime membership pack includes this small, triangular patch).
• Book Conquest patch (linked above).
• The Martian "mission patch" - total surprise SWAG when we saw the movie on opening day. I may have squeed.
• Human Resistance patch from Storied Threads.
• Zombie Survival patch, also from Storied Threads (their patches aren't cheap, so I only have a couple, but the quality is great and they have a fun selection).

Shown left: Not merit badges, but a tribute to my very first 

fandom, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. I have a Banzai Institute patch (top) and a Team Banzai Jetcar patch. Both from Starland. 

Not shown (other side of pack): Hell, MI Route 666 patch.

This would be a great parent/child activity, too. Just avoid the naughty patches (there are all kinds out there (see?)) and have some fun! I'd love to hear from other badge collectors, so please reach out! (DM me on Instagram (see siderail for link) or email me (see profile).)

Folder Letters

I wanted to write all about these cool letter folders I put together, but it turns out I only have one picture (I mailed the last one out today), so I pulled out an old one to show my progress. More to come: if one of the recipients posts images, I'll get their permission to share and all can be revealed; otherwise, I'll do a follow-up post when I make my next batch.

Folder Letter #1
These are probably known by other names. I've heard letter folders, too, and flip cards; if there is a proper name for these, maybe someone can let me know!

I tried one a few months ago, when I had virtually no supplies. It didn't turn out terrible (although it photographed terribly), but it felt wanting.

For this type of card, I folded the light card stock in thirds, then cut horizontal slits in an outer panel (not all the way across) and glued-down that third. which made pockets. I cut a different card stock (chartreuse, from PaperSource) for my questions & a short letter and used washi tape to turn them into a pages.

It wasn't perfect, but it was fun (and bright). I popped it into an oversized DIY envelope and sent it off.

Over the Giftmas weekend I decided to try making some with what I had on hand, based on one I recently received from a pen pal. It can be time-consuming, but I can see how it would be addictive! (It may also cost more to mail them if you don't pay attention to the thickness, which is why some of those I mailed recently might be on their way back to me as I type (see lessons learned at end of post).)

Supplies
First, I gathered up everything I thought I might be able to use. I'd recreate an entire folder if I had the right cards, but since I don't, pictured here are some of things I used, with links to sources where possible.

Basics: folded cards (smooth surface seems to work best), envelopes, washi or masking tape (at the very least to create the flaps or pages), additional card stock, tape runner, glue stick (I buy these by the case), scissors, X-ACTO knife, and paper cutter. Including little gifts, like tea or tape samples, is pretty typical and embellishments (like the office sticky notes and squirrel) are a nice touch. I also had a bunch of small treat bags and some glassine envelopes.

I have no special die-cutting machine, just a straight-edge paper cutter (with which I still cannot cut a straight line) and a few punches. I have not invested a lot of money specifically for this purpose. (The only thing I bought with this project specifically in mind were the little pre-made pouches, which I found in the teacher's section at an office supply company.) I don't have that much more in the way of "stuff" since my first attempt but I did let myself think outside the box a little more, which helped.

Folder Letter #2
 I had five black cards with matching envelopes, and that is what I used. I think they were A7 size, which was pretty good for this purpose.

Front: I took a water-based white Sharpie pen (gods, I love this thing) and just wrote "Hello..." diagonally (& hugely) across the front.

Inside cover: I cut a piece of black card stock to fit roughly the bottom half of the card & sliced horizontal slit about 2/3 down from the top, not all the way across. Using a my permanent tape roller, I glued down the card on the two sides and bottom; the top of the new piece and the slit formed two pockets. Along the top edge, I put some green grass tape and under the second pocket, I glued down a little pencil-themed tape flag, With the same white pen, I wrote "summer is coming" near the frozen-treat stickers I inserted in the top pocket. Into the second pocket went a washi tape sample card (most but not all shaped like a mason jar).

I cut down some small two-sided card stock squares so they wouldn't extend past the card's edge, and taped them to the center with some patterned masking tape. Onto the front "page," I glued a pouch and added reading-related embellishments. On the flip side of that, I glued down one of those orange squirrel notes and taped to its paw a tiny bag holding a squirrel D-clip (paper clip).

On the inside back cover, I taped down (overlapping) two more goodies: a bag of my favorite tea (in a small treat bag) and a glassine envelope holding 2 letter-writing themed stamps.

Then, the important part: I wrote letters on thinner-than-usual paper and folded them into the pouches. It all fit easily into the accompanying envelope.

For one, I had mail tag to answer, so I made another page, taping it to the back cover (top, bottom or side would have worked; I did one of those). The idea of these folders/cards, in all their forms, is to make the experience interactive, so the center page could have been just as easily taped at the top as in the center.

Lessons learned:

• I need to pay attention to the thickness of the packages. A slightly heavier envelope might cost around $1 to mail (94¢?) domestically, but a too-thick letter can become a package (closer to $2). I didn't think to see if the envelope would fit through the slot in the tool* I have until today, so 2 of them will probably come back to me. Next time, I'll try not to overlap and might have to skip the tea. Or, simply calm down and not try to send so much at once.
• I definitely need to get better-quality cards for the base - trying to re-position washi tape on these was a pain, since it pulled away the cards' surface. But, as long as I went slowly and didn't have to pull up tape too often, they worked out okay. 
• Dare I say that my letters might be too long? The too-thick envelope from this AM was 3 full sheets, front and back. I might need to make myself be less chatty when sending these and make it all fit onto 1 sheet. 
• Thinking outside the box is good. I probably had plenty of things to make my first folder more fun, but didn't think about it enough. 
• I'm glad I made all of them (5) at once. Then they were done, and were just ready and waiting as I finished letters for them. 

My goal is to get one of some kind to each of my pen pals (I'm keeping track). 

*Here's a PDF you can print onto card stock and cut a hole in. I don't know where my fancy one came from. 

When Good Envelopes Go Bad

That title might be a little extreme, but on Friday I did mail out some letters in envelopes I'm not terribly excited about or proud of. I keep buying new craft supplies and just play with them. Nothing wrong with that, in the least, but this time, maybe, I should have looked up some directions or something.

I hope my pen pals are still excited about getting letters, even though the envelopes are kind of hideous.

They didn't start out ugly. These are all PaperSource #10 envelopes in Curry. I just love deed-style envelopes (open on the short end) and theirs come in gorgeous colors and are nice and sturdy.

I got these spray inks and had a vision of lightly flecked colors across the edges of the envelopes. It's not quite how they turned out, but I just kept going, thinking I might end up with a tie-dye kind of thing. Not so much, but at least they're BRIGHT.

I added some washi tape here & there (mostly on the left edge that isn't shown above). Then I discovered that I didn't have a pen that really made the addresses stand out, so I had to use labels on a couple.

Basically, they're a hot mess that I hope actually arrive at their destinations. I also hope that the fun postage stamps and the letters will make up for the chaos on the outside.

There are too many individual stamps to list here, but you can always leave a comment if you want details.

"Let me know if you don't receive this" is one of my favorite rubber stamps to use for the first time I'm writing to someone. It's quirky and a little Discordian. Kind of like me.

I also received some mail! I had to cover most of the blue envelope, but my address was written in calligraphy and there are little flower stickers all over the back.

The big envelope is from someone with a way better & bigger rubber stamp collection than me! Seriously, @fairyartmother is a snail mail and mixed media artist that I was matched with for a swap recently and we agreed to continue exchanging letters. Gotta say, I get a kick out of being referred to as "the Mel..".

Thanks, pen pals, for bringing light to dreary days.

Charlie Brown gets a Pen Pal

I've loved Peanuts (especially Snoopy) since I was tiny. The theme for my third birthday party was Snoopy and Snoopy's Christmas is still my favorite Giftmas song. Thirteen years ago, my husband and I rescued a litter of kittens and named them all after Peanuts characters. We kept Charlie and Linus (who turned out to be a girl and was later renamed), Our Charlie is, really, the Charlie Brown-iest kitty of all (kind of clumsy, not the brightest, but exceedingly sweet).

Still, when The Peanuts Movie was announced, I was a little skeptical. Getting nostalgic has been a letdown for me lately. I was pretty sure they were going to shit all over my childhood and modernize Charlie, Snoopy and the gang - they'd all have cell phones and be even meaner. We went to see it yesterday afternoon, because we'd heard that the Schultz family was involved in the production

My fears were unfounded. It's not exactly the Peanuts of my childhood, but I think it's better. It's subtly a kinder, gentler Peanuts. There was an entire school class seated behind us and they were entranced (seriously, we hardly knew they were there). Thanks to the enduring charm of the franchise, they'd probably all seen A Charlie Brown Christmas or It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown so it wasn't entirely new. I recommend this movie to anyone who isn't a curmudgeon & who can sit still for 92 minutes (plus the inevitable, probably terrible, trailers). Also, you need to be able to handle a change in the animation style. Listen for old friends - Snoopy, Woodstock & the "adults" are from the original recordings - and new (all the kids are played by kids!).

Oh yeah, the Pen Pal thing. I almost forgot (not really). No spoilers, I promise, but on the last day of school, the kids chose partners for a summer pen pal project. I was pretty excited about it, envisioning real life parents using that as an introduction to letter-writing. No letters were actually written (it's a summer activity), but good old Chuck's partner promises to write over the summer. 

And now there are these stamps, so letter writing geeks who have a soft spot for the Peanuts gang can have some fun with that. I don't really do Giftmas in the normal way (I'm not religious) but I've loved A Charlie Brown Christmas since I first saw it and I still watch it almost every year, even though I fast-forward through Linus's recitation near the end. I'm a little bummed that there are only two stamps showing a mail box, but I plan to buy a few more sheets and save those for non-holiday mailings.

These have inspired me to send Giftmas cards this year, something I haven't done in absolutely ages. 

Pen Pal Etiquette for Newbies

Although I've had pen pals at one time or another since my teens, I'm still a newb when it comes to more formal/organized correspondence. For anyone who is thinking about getting into it, I'm going to share some of what I've learned in the last couple of months. For anyone who has been doing this for a while, I'd love some input!

1. The initiator usually writes first. 
   Makes sense, but when I first started seeking out new pen pals, I wasn't sure what was what. You want a pen pal, so you post on a site or do a #penpalswanted "ad" on Instagram (IG), and if someone reaches out, you send the first letter, unless they want to go first. I'm intrigued by ads I see on IG from people who are only interested in exchanging letters if the other party writes first. (Surprise (not): I ignore those.)
   
2. Protect your pal's privacy.

   

   Obscuring our addresses

   
   If you're planning to post pics of incoming or outgoing mail online, take a few moments to obscure your pal's full name and address. I often photograph outgoing mail before I address it (with sticky notes in place showing the recipient's initials). There are apps that allow you to apply digital stickers or blur out parts of images. You can also just lay physical objects over those parts of the envelopes. I've used gum packages, candy, pens...all kinds of things.
   
3. Goodies are a nice addition, but are not required.
   

   

   Washi tape sample sharing cards

   Including little treats is something you'll see being done by a lot of folks posting snail mail images. Not all connections work out (see #4), so unless it's an assigned exchange, which might be a one-time thing, I like to wait until I've received at least one response before sending extras. If you've signed up for a swap,  then naturally, you have to send goodies. But you can just send newsy letters and anyone who has a problem with that has, well, a problem.
   
4. Remember it's voluntary.
   If you're not "feeling it," you don't have to keep up a correspondence. I haven't had to back out of anything yet, but several people I've started writing to have never responded. I've never suspected that it was because I didn't send gifts with my first letter. I figured that my letter just didn't do it for them and have moved on. No hard feelings.
   
5. No proselytizing.
   I haven't actually ever had this happen, but I've been assured that it does happen. Don't preach unless you've established that you're preaching to the proverbial choir. Surely you have more to talk about that whatever dogma you practice.
   
6. Protect your privacy.
   Your mileage may vary. I may have a blog and several social media accounts, but I'm also quite private. I put my return mailing address on the back of envelopes and use a PO box, on the off chance that someone posts a picture of the reverse side. I also include one of these with the first letter I send to a new pal:

   

   Image-sharing Insert.

The image-sharing insert has multiple functions. It gives all my contact info. in one place. It assures my pal that I won't be sharing their personal info. online and asks them to do the same for me. Finally, the last section is a mini questionnaire that I ask them to fill out and return with their next letter. If they love postage stamps, then I can take time (if I have it) to find a fun combo for my letter to them. If they hate washi tape (I know! Who hates washi tape?) then I can send something different. And so on. If you'd like an editable copy, email me. I have InDesign or OpenOffice, which should work in MS Word.

What's up this week? I have a new pen pal to write to and four letters to respond to. My pen is going to be very busy.

Upcoming topics: I know this is a brand-new blog and not likely to have readers for a while. If you have stopped by, thank you! I have several topics planned and feedback is welcome: pen pal organization - keeping track; grown-up merit badges; vintage stamps (ongoing, because I'm slightly addicted); finding pen pals; converting cheap fountain pens & testing fun inks; and more, but I'm drawing a blank.

All Hallow's Read 2015

When I decided to start expanding my circle of pen pals, one of the sites I found was the International Geek Girls Pen Pal Club (IGGPPC). One of the many features of the site is a swap forum, where users can organize swaps on all kinds of topics. While I've had abysmal luck in the past with swaps, I've tried a few since I joined and have had great experiences so far. One of the first swaps I joined was All Hallow's Read.

It started with this guy, Neil Gaiman:

The "rules" of All Hallow's Read are that you get a spooky/scary/etc. book that you like and give it to someone. Pretty basic. The IGGPPC swap organizer just took it a step further by letting people partner up with someone who wanted to exchange spooky books. I took a chance and ordered the book I planned to send, even before I had a partner assigned to me:

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. 

After chatting with my partner, it seemed like she'd be okay with the above, so I wrapped it up and added some goodies (like the bookmark peeking out, above) and sent it off:

In addition to the book (wrapped): striped tape, mix CD, some goofy plastic skeletons & a small candle I made. Plus, naturally, a letter. I also included my pen pal intro card/quiz.

On Friday, I visited the Post Office and found a very decorated package waiting for me!

Hallowe'en Party, by Agatha Christie

This is a book that I've read, but I'm certainly not sorry to see it again! It's great because I grew up on mysteries and started reading Agatha Christie when I was quite young, but someone managed to miss this one until I was an adult. It's not spooky/creepy, but it is chilling (the book starts at a Halloween party, where a child is murdered), which totally works for the theme!

Halloween 2015 Snail Mail

I'll elaborate more on pen pals in upcoming posts - how I find them, how I attempt to stay organized, etc., but I will say that I am lucky to have found so many people who love Halloween. I'm having so much fun that I'm hoping to continue the theme with a few people! Here are some things that went out in the last few weeks.

My first attempt at decoupaging an envelope. 

I saw @dovbee on Instagram posting decoupaged envelopes, realized I'd gotten a similar package of napkins as a gift, and knew I had to try! I will continue to work on my technique, since most of what I do (like "painting" the envelope with ink) feels half-assed, but I sill love the result!

Envelope: #10, curry, by PaperSource; Pen: Sharpie Water-based marker in white, vintage stamps from my collection. The napkin was a gift but the label says Paperproducts Design U.S. Inc.

When I learned that one of my new pen pals love The Bride of Frankenstein/Elsa, I knew I had to do something special. I found a high-res image of the iconic scream, printed it on 11x17" paper, and made this envelope. Then I had to use a Frankenstein's Monster stamp!


Template from JetPens, vintage stamps from my collection; pen: Uni-ball Signo broad, also from JetPens.

I've not found fun/affordable catalog envelopes, and recently landed on a way to fancy them up! I found this fun Halloween-color zigzag sticker paper at a dollar store and cut it to fit (I think I taped around the edges for security) & used a 4" circle label for the address*. With my letter, I included my Pen Pal intro & quiz card (I'll post about that sometime soon), my 2015 Halloween mix & a pen pal merit badge patch from the Scout Project.

Can you guess this was a Halloween-themed swap package?  I was pretty excited to only have to use one non-themed postage stamp to send.

Vintage Stamps used on this envelope: American Bats 37¢, Edgar Allen Poe 42¢ & 3¢, 3 Universal Monsters & Alfred Hitchcock 32¢, Legend of Sleepy Hollow 10¢ & Washington Irving 1¢ (author of Sleepy Hollow). Current stamps: Harry Potter** 49¢ (Forever), & 4¢ chair.

Just a little fun writing thank you notes with some Halloween washi tape (in one of the gifts I was thanking someone for). The motif for the party was skeleton keys (for a haunted house), so all of the related correspondence came from my hoarded collection of key stationery.

The pen is my favorite for addressing, just above the white pen linked above. It is literally an "envelope address-writing pen," comes in 3 sizes and I just love it!

*You'll notice one thing very quickly: I display as little as possible of my pen pal's addresses & names. I can't keep straight who would be okay with showing that info., so I err on the side of caution, since I know I do not want my info. out there like that!

**No longer selling at the Post Office, but still available for regular price at the online USPS store.