Snail Mail // Deconstructed

I’ve recently entered into the world of snail mail and I never realized there was such a large community of modern letter writers out there! I became interested in doing some kind of exchange with someone and I eventually found someone I could write to. I guess the words snail mail, pen pals, swaps, and RAKs are interchangeable, but the basic idea is to get to know someone through writing letters and perhaps exchange some goodies if you feel like it. I felt like this would be an interesting experience, and a great way to share some crafty love and things I might have too much of.

I got my first letter for @paperpanduh together and it didn’t take as long as I expected! Here is a breakdown of what I sent for my very first pen pal.

1 | The Letter // Probably the main/most important piece. I took a plain card I had extras of and jazzed it up with whatever paper, embellishments I had on hand. I also decorated the envelope (shown below) with stamps and washi tape. Just have fun with it! 

2 | Mail Tag // As an efforts to get to know your pen pal know, most people include a mail tag. A Mail Tag is usually a list of questions you want your pen pal to answer in their next letter to you. This time I used another 3x4 PL card (so useful!) and attached a tag onto it and used some alpha stickers I had.

3 | 5 Things // Since I was the first one to write, I decided to include 5 things she should know about me. I just took a 3x4 Project Life card from the Midnight core kit and jazzed it up with some Thickers on one side, and wrote those 5 things about me on the other side.

4 | Crafty Goodies // This is definitely optional, but I enjoy sharing things I have extra of or might not use or things you feel that your pen pal would enjoy. In this letter I included some samples of washi tape I have on an extra Popsicle stick I had from rub-on's, shared some PL cards, some Martha Stewart home office stickers (because I knew my pen pal had a planner), and some other extra goodies.

5 | Treats // How much more could I fit in here? I knew my pen pal liked tea so I included some tea I had for her to try. I've seen others swap candy they've never tried, which I think is a neat idea. 

In the end, to send all of this out, it took about 5 stamps from California to Seattle. I dropped it off at a blue postal box first thing Wednesday morning and she got it on Saturday. It was fun to put together and I look forward to exploring this world of pen pals, RAKs, and swaps some more!

If you're interested in finding a pen pal/person to swap with, here are couple of ways to find one!

- Swap Bot

- If you have an instagram, you can look up hashtags such as #penpals #penpalswanted #penpalsneeded #snailmail and such, and usually you can find people looking for pen pals or even post something yourself!

Do you snail mail? If so, what do you like to do with your mail?

Big Hug,

Jeziell

Lent 2014

So this year I'm doing things a little differently. For the most part, in the past I've given up some kind of food. This year, I'll try to DO more, if that makes sense.

Here was my initial list I wrote yesterday:

1 // #NOSPENDLENT

In an efforts to save money and also to use what I have, I will not be shopping during lent (aside from my Studio Calico subscription which is automatic and I can't cancel without a fee since I haven't had it for 6 months yet, but this really means no add-ons next month!). That means no crafty stuff, no clothes, no buying things I don't need. Also, to practice that saying that "If you love what you have, you have everything you need."

2 // PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY

Something that is a little different this lent is I'm trying to be more pro-active instead of giving things up. As always, I am always re-evaluating myself in what I need to do to improve myself in all aspects of my life - spirtually, physically, mentally, emotionally, ect. I feel like I've been slacking in the prayer department, so hopefully this Lent I can recharge and grow in my relationship with God.

3 // STOP BEING LATE TO WORK + DON'T GO ON YOUR PHONE WORK DAY MORNINGS

So this happens to me often: I wake up, go on my phone for what feels like 5 minutes, but then look at the time and 20 minutes of my life is now gone forever. This is not ok, and I don't know why I have the urge to check my phone first thing in the morning. Also, I am usually a very timely person. If I make plans with someone I am always on time, but lately I have been late to work. I don't want to be that person. Time is valuable, and I want to be a good example to my son and to myself, if that makes any sense.

4 // WRITE 5 THINGS YOU'RE THANKFUL FOR EVERY DAY

Sometimes I feel like it is really easy to take things for granted. This is just a reminder that even though our day may seem completely ordinary, we have a lot of good things in our lives, like our health, being able to bring food to the table, having a warm bed at night, and being with the ones you love. Doesn't even matter if I repeat the same things often, at least I can remind myself to stay humble and to be thankful.

5 // DO 1 RAK A WEEK

For those who don't know, RAK = Random Act of Kindness. This can be a lot of things. For example, my RAK this week was bringing my preggers coworker a custard bun from a bakery I went to yesterday. Spread good deeds, it's a good thing. ;)

**Did you know....?**
- If you are nursing or pregnant, you are exempt from Lent.
- Sundays do not "count" for lent because it's considered a day of rest (although you can continue your Lenten promises on Sundays if you choose to)
For more information, this was a good site my friend showed me: http://coffeetalkwithleslie.blogspot.com/2011/03/lent-101-all-pregant-ladies-and-fun.html?m=1

What are you doing for Lent this year?


Big Hug,
Jez