Write On Update

writeon1At first I thought of making all of my cards for this WriteOn challenge and then I realized it would be cutting too far into my work schedule so I ran out to find some cute cards to use to write my 30 letters. I found all these beauties at TJ Maxx. I have always looked at the card selections there because they get really great brands and sell them at a really good price.

writeon5I even think I will use the clever box designs and try to recreate them with my Silhouette. I am always looking for the challenge. The butterfly one on the left even has a magnetic closure which I will definitely be incorporating into a future project.

writeon4I began writing a list of potential recipients and will check them off as I mail them a letter. I am sad to say that I don’t buy books of stamps as often as I would like. Despite my complaints that I don’t want Post Offices closing, while preparing for this challenge I realize that I don’t do enough to ensure that doesn’t happen. And that means using their services more regularly and buying more stamps. I can’t imagine not having post offices anymore than I can seeing our libraries disappear.  So this challenge will help me put action to my beliefs.

I found these lovely floral stamps and they are almost too pretty to mail (there goes that hoarder talking)!

writeon2I love this card because the flowers are dimensional and the envelope is in pretty colors too.

I sat and began writing and let me tell you, I don’t write as much and for very long when I do so I am embarrassed to say, that my hand actually began aching. However, I pushed on and wrote two letters.

writeon3Apollo even joined in and mailed his first letter for the month. Today I will write another. I am liking that the recipients won’t be expecting anything from me so that makes it more special.

I hope you find a time to send a letter to someone this month. Think how happy they will be to receive it and it only costs you the price of a postage stamp.

Belinda

#WriteOn campaign

ATC1Today I mailed off the March ATCs from my monthly ATC Swap. I love knowing that I am a part of this fun and also that I can send off some happy mail to some of my crafty girlfriends.

April is National Letter Writing month. I enjoy receiving mail and miss receiving hand-written letters in the mail. Email and texting seems to dominate the norm of communications these days so I am naturally drawn to the celebration of the written letter.

Naturally I found an online campaign promoted by the founder of Egg Press, that is called, Write_on.  It is a challenge to write 30 letters in 30 days during the month of April. So I have taken it upon myself to go for it. Watch the video or read more about this challenge at www.writeoncampaign.com

Since I was already going to mail out the ATC packages, I went ahead and wrote notes to each person. Since I had 8 people to mail to, I can subtract 8 letters from my 30 for this month.

ATC2

If you find time, whether you want to challenge yourself to 30 letters or cards,  or just write one letter this month. It’s great for the postal service and it’s great for you and the recipient.

It also helps me with my OLW (one little word) for this year – Connect. It is another way for me to connect with family and friends.

Have a blessed day friends!

Belinda

Belinda’s Book Nook: Happy Mail – Sujata Massey’s New Book

happymailHello Everyone!

Ok, who doesn’t love getting packages in the mail? I am pretty sure I did one of those really girly squeals when I saw the package sitting on my front steps yesterday. I knew what it was before I opened it. I set it on the counter unopened and grabbed my new favorite tea mug my sister gave me this Christmas and began making some tea.  Then I rushed to the table, tore it open and proceeded to do a happy dance that almost spilled the tea!

Next, I took a picture to share my excitement on my Instagram and of course to use to share with my blogging friends. The book is called The Kizuna Coast: A Rei Shimura Mystery by the amazing Sujata Massey. Oh I am pretty sure I have told you on a past post how much I love this author’s works.

salarymanswifeI read her first book in this series while working at a news paper back in 1997. I loved the cover and my strong interest in Japanese culture since I was a child, compelled me to pick up the book. I went home and couldn’t stop reading. I remember reading into the night. I loved that Rei, was a strong character that allowed me to peek into the Japanese culture and learn while going on her mysterious adventure. I was hooked. I bought every book in this series since then. Each one providing me with not only a great story with strong characters (many who continue on in the series) but with new aspects of the Japanese culture.

So when found out a new book in the series, Kizuna Coast was coming out soon. I pre-ordered the e-book online since it was going to arrive earlier and then pre-ordered the book to keep with the rest of the books in the series.

Anyway, when I finally sat down to look at the book, I acted like such a book nerd. I held it in my hand and marveled at the feel of it in my hands. The cover is so gorgeous in person and the pages feel so good when you turn them. Now only a true book lover will appreciate these last comments so what I am trying to say is that I am so happy and look forward to reading the book.

Kizuna Coast Book Description

When an earthquake triggers a tsunami that floods Japan’s northeast coast, amateur sleuth Rei Shimura is pushed into her most rugged adventure yet.

It starts with an SOS from Rei’s beloved elderly friend, the antiques dealer Mr. Ishida, who’s trapped among thousands on the ravaged Tohoku coast. Rei rushes from Hawaii to blacked-out Tokyo, where she discovers Ishida Antiques may have been burglarized and its cuddly watchdog, Hachiko, needs a caregiver.

Rei and Hachiko board a bus full of disaster volunteers headed to the damaged town of Sugihama. Once there, they learn about the disappearance during the tsunami of Mr. Ishida’s antiques apprentice, Mayumi, a troubled young woman from a famous lacquer-making family.

Making use of her volunteer friends, as well as her knowledge of Japanese manners and antiques, Rei investigates Mayumi’s suspicious disappearance. Complicating the situation is a police force overwhelmed by counting the dead, and a stalker who’s set his or her own sights on Rei.

I will post a review on the book once I complete the book so stay tuned. I am currently reading a hunk of a book right now so it may be a little bit but definitely will review the book.

My day, was made yesterday with the delivery of this happy mail and today with the anticipation of reading it.

Have you had any happy mail lately?

Happy reading my friends!

Belinda

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