Thank Yous:Five Favourites

Every year after Christmas I like to write thank you notes. It's been something that my parents drummed into me from an early age, and while I really detested it when I was young, I've actually grown to really enjoy it. 

After all, sending someone a piece of snail mail that's not a bill, that's hand-written and loaded with thanks is a pretty great gesture. 

Stationery is one of my weak spots, so today I'm sharing five of my favourites to help you get pen to paper and post someone a quick hit of joy! 

SIRA Magenta Love Card - $5.95: Big loving the design of the graphic print, inspired by the architecture and landscape of Palm Springs, I love that punchy magenta hue (Tiny's current favourite colour!) that says - HEY HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thanks for being ace. 

Little Paper Lane Watercolour Stripes Letter set $14.95: Loving this sweet set (of 20) featuring a hand-painted design. I always like to imagine the person receiving the card - and I'd LOVE to receive a card on this set, and pin it on my pinboard. 

Rifle Paper Co. Boxed Assorted Card Set from Papier D'Amour $35: In my book, Rifle Paper can do no wrong. Anna Rifle is a freaking genius, and I just love anything she does. Who wouldn't be happy when one of these lands in their mailbox? 

Thank You Fruit Box Scratchie Card by TMOD $6.95: I love these TMOD cards, for all the fun and theatre of a scratchie! Plus the Carmen Miranda-esque design appeals to the extrovert in me, and screams summer!

Gold Button Postcards + Envelopes from Poppies for Grace x Bianca Cash $12.95: There's never been a cooler collaboration!! These gold foil beauties are destined for great things i.e.  straight to the pool room on my inspiration board. 

Thank you letters, a quick note to share your gratitude. Can we all make it a thing this year? 

Nicole Kidman. And "That" V Magazine Cover

Dear Nicole,

Thanks ever so for sharing your bunions with the world. It's a little less scarier, when I can see your derriere. It's ever so cheeky of you. And all why, why why are you wearing Warwick Capper's wig? Or is it Rod Stewart's? Or is it one of Keith's spares? (Maybe circa early 90s?) Either way - - - Genius! Ironic and hilarious all at the same time. Let's keep it in the family. Let's say it's Keith's. After all, there's an economic downturn to consider, which is why there's also a small economy of clothing gracing your lithe body.

I do understand that Mario Testino talked you into this.

I do.

I'm not sure why. I get art. I love art. I am married to an artist, after all. But this? This is scraping in just by the skin of its teeth as art. In my language this says: "attention seeking". Katie Holmes stole the spotlight after leaving her crazy Science boffin, which coincidentally was your crazy Science-boffin, and now what are you left with? A thick belt of leather and a chain belt.

Does anyone know how to spell classy?

Nicole, I would really have rathered a return to the big crazy hair of BMX Bandits. I love that hair. You could have dug out some Coogee jumpers and gone pantless. Still pantless, but a little more demure. And retro-licious.

Once upon a time, at a big soiree, I got to meet you - I had to go find your jacket (Dolce e Gabbana). You gave me a kiss on the cheek and I was blown away by the sheer movie-star factor. You had it girl.

But this? This screeches - hey guys, look at my pert bot-bot. You've gone Stepford Wife fembot, to trashy look bot-rot.

I don't buy it.

Please burn these negatives, delete the files, and we'll keep it between ourselves. No one else needs to know you're waging war against covered up botties.

Yours, in a full brief, very comfortable, almost Cottontail,
PottyMouthMama


see more here (or don't, if you don't want to, like, burn your retinas)

E to the GADS! Day 29 of 30: Thank You Letters

Oh yowsers, you might be wondering how my thank you letters are going. Me too friends, me too.

I've made a list, and I'm checking off my numbers as I post. So far I am up to 10 posted, 13 in the works - I better get cracking since I only have 1 measly day to go to complete this 30 day challenge. And given my track record, I am going to do this one. It's achievable. It's not easy. I sometimes feel a little awkward, but being grateful is a good thing - and I love the written word.

It's a lovely ritual, to write a letter.

The actual writing of the letter. And a thank you note is particularly nice - because you can relive whatever you're thanking your thankee for, all over again. Of course, I need to write with a particular type of pen. My handwriting is horrible in ballpoint. Loathsome. So it must be a fine tip. Yes. It must.

The addressing of the envelope. Sometimes I get crazy and try and lavish some crazy loopy writing. Or make it look particularly beguiling. Sometimes I leave it classic.

The licking of the envelope. The sticking of the stamp.

And the physical posting of that envelope. My smalls take turns to post the letters into the oversized red boxes. Precision is needed to aim it through the slot. Imagining the route that little letter will take.

The arrival. Upon receiving the note, the thankee can tear into that envelope, or perhaps they're swanky and own a letter knife.

But back to more pressing matters. Do you have a preferred pen? Bics make my writing messy. I love an Artline Felt Tip. I am dedicated to the cause.

2 Letters Down, 28 To Go

I am well into my thank you note writing. I've written two, they're addressed, they're stamped, they are ready to be posted whenever I next see that telltale pillarbox red. While I can write a letter a day, I can not get to the post office 30 days running. Sorry receivers!

I'm on the lookout for some cute new notelets to add to my collection. As ever, Lark carries such a great range of pretty/cute/funny/quirky that it's troublesome choosing! But how cute is the Able & Game card above? I met Anna of Able & Game fame at Finders Keepers a long time ago. I chat to her on the Twitternets now and then too. She's a swell gal.

Please vote for me and send me away!

30 Days Has September:: The Handwritten Letter

September is a big month. There's 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty. There's Ted Noffs 30 Days Has September. And it's the debut of Spring for 2010.

But beyond that, for me, it's 30 days of thank yous. Australia Post is going to love this.

I do love a good thank you note. In particular I really like writing them, but receiving them is also a joy. Who doesn't love a handwritten note? Much more exciting than a bill (actually, let's amend that, there's no excitement when it comes to bills, unless it's this bill - hmph!).

I also happen to love stationery. This pretty set is from Australian gals Poppies for Grace. I can personally vouch for their products, they're almost too pretty to use. But I will.

How better to exercise my gratitude and my handwriting than by penning a handwritten thank you note? I've emailed people before to tell them how rad I think they are (Sheila Kitzinger, please email me back - I love you), but my thank you notes are sorely lagging.

30 handwritten letters in 30 days?

All Cuddled Out:: The Tiny Torturer

Dear Tiny,

It might well be fun and games on night one of climbing out of your cot repeatedly and peeking around the corner. Yes it's funny. Yes it's cripplingly cute. And endearing. And I do want to squash you because I love you so much.

But let's get real.

By night seven it's NOT so funny. If you were a comedian I'd ask you to stop laughing at your own jokes. Of course I love you, I adore you, but hey tiny lady, sleep deprivation is a tool of torture that you're a little too familiar with.

My eyes are struggling to stay open. I'm cranky. I'm no good. I'm behaving like I've been eating cans and cans of Snappy Tom. I'm daydreaming of sleeping. I lay on our bed today with dead eyes. I couldn't even move when I heard you cry, thankfully your Dad intervened.

In fact, with this type of sleep deprivation I feel as if I have a newborn (and have thoughtfully included a photo above, though you were more like 5 months there). Those first few days/weeks of excruciatingly hard sleep deprivation. One day I hope you know that tiredness.

A newborn in the shape of a small toddler. Who climbs out of bed all the time. And currently has an ear infection which is directly proportional to how many cuddles you seem to require day and night.

I am not a good person to be around when I am severely sleep deprived. This weekend, unfortunately, I think you've discovered this.

Last night when your Dad and I were watching a movie, and you decided to come out, and watch it with us, despite the fact that it was 9:30pm and your regular bedtime is 6:30pm, remember that? I'm sure you do. I certainly do, I'm well familiar with it. You peeked around the corner at us - oh - about fifty seven times at least, and then came and sat on me. Then on your Dad. Then on me. Then on your Dad. It continued that way for a long time. That was cute. But after the third hour of returning you to your bedroom, it became painful. Frustrating.

And tonight, having returned you to your bed for the tenth time (yes, yes I am counting) I am pooped. I am tired. I am plum tuckered and fresh out of cuddles. I need some time to lie on the couch without anyone touching me. I am officially touched out.

Please, please find something else that is funny. That we all, mutually, think is funny. Sleep deprivation can definitely make me get a lot uglier.

In sleep,

Your Mama. x

Dear Matt,

Ahem. It's my birthday in 69 sleeps. I'm just saying...

Kid Wrangler Required:: Apply Within

For the past few days the Doctor and I have been butting heads like two little billy goats. A combination of overtired mama and defiant child. Anyone want to babysit?

So while he's attempting some 'quiet time' I've been trying to write some thank you notes. I love thank you notes. I love writing them. I love receiving them. And I love great letterpress. Here are some of my Etsy favourites so you can share the love too (and if you babysit, I'll be sure to send you a thank you note or two).

Sarah Jane Studios: sweet, whimsical illustrations, gorgeous cards - you can't go wrong with anything from her shop.

Sycamore Street Press: I've told you about them before, I'll tell you again, witty, quirky and the best stock. I love to love these cards.

Every Jot and Tittle: I learnt about these from one of my favourite blogs ever - Dooce. Such cute, neat gift tags, such bright colours. I've got them. I love them. And I love finishing off a wrapped gift with these tags.

Papered Together: cool, a little quirky, beautiful cards.

And finally, I've been keeping this one a secret, but hey - sharing is caring Dutch Door Press have the most beautiful cards. I love them. Covet them. They are stylish. Frame-worthy. Do you love them too?

Hope you have a wonderful New Year's Eve. I hope the New Year holds great plans in store for you! Well will see... I plan to be fast asleep when 2009 rolls in. Boring I know, but I'm not a NYE junkie. Though five years ago tonight is when Matt and I met at a party. Ahhh yes. The night I forgot his name at least a dozen times, and introduced him to everyone (who he already knew) as my husband - and subsequently forgot his name again. Now how's that for sozzled psychic powers?

Postman Pat

I am notorious (in my own head) for never finishing things. Take for example the day I posted about letter writing with my biggie small. I did mean to get back to you if you commented.. But I just didn't. So here I am to make amends.

If you'd still like to play Postman Pat with us, please email me your postal address. We'll work on something over the weekend, and hopefully, if all goes to plan - your little ones (or you!) might receive something in the mail other than a bunch of bills. Now doesn't that sound like the sweetest plan?

Just a small thing. My biggest little one is 3 and a bit. So we'll be abstracting it up. Don't expect some kind of Picasso wizardry. Simple is key people!

Also, later this week I'll be posting a giveaway.. Excitement to the max people.. Stay tuned.

And finally, the photo that I posted yesterday - well it wasn't the bin.. I put you off the scent though, didn't I? Now you're madly going around all the number 33 houses ripping open the lid only to discover old tins of Snappy Tom (which BTW - are recyclable!) and hairballs, maybe even the missing silverfish.. Who knows.

Posting

I keep going to write posts then just like lightning, I forget what I was going to post about. But today, I am posting about posting. Or rather, postage.

Is it just me, am I the only one that has such a relationship with the people at the post office that I get shown their photo albums of their eight children? Told all their childhood stories. Reminiscing in a post office, while I am trying to rush out the door to get another errand done. I can never just walk away though, I have to stand and admire those wedding photos. Ohh and aah.

Anyway - here's a heads up - postage is about to go up (along with everything else) on Monday. So my little dude and I are sending out as many cards as we can while it's still 50c. Otherwise that extra 5 cents might see us hit rock bottom. Just jokes. But we're going to go hammer and tongs and send out some mail in the hope that someone hits us back with a colourful correspondence.

I have loved stamps ever since I was old enough to help my Mum with her stamp collection. And I know that borders on sound incredibly nerdy, but stamps really mark a time in history, as well as your very own mini-art collection. While some stamp designs are pretty average (currently at Australia Post is a rugby league collection - boo hiss!), a lot feature beautiful graphic images.

Anyway - you heard it here first, postage is set to rise. Don't tell me I never tell you anything. It's all ground-breaking news here!

found here

My little guy big loves receiving letters in the mailbox so today, we write letters in the hope that we get some letter-lovin' back. Anyone want to play postman with us?

PS - days 19, 20: I went walk to the op-shop and on my way dropped into the newsagency to confirm my massive winnings that would buy me a house. I don't want for fancy holidays, diamond rings, caviar on toast for breakfast, that sort of thing. Just a wee little cottage. Do you think I won anything? Nope, not a dime.

Next day of walking we fast-footed our way down to the train station to meet Matt. It was a little chilly in the air. I hadn't worn appropriate clothing. Naughty me.

And today is day 21. Once the babies are awake, we're going to check out the neighbourhood. This is my last habit-forming day. And then no more walking. Ha! Fooled you again. Now I will be armed and dangerous - I'll be willing to go walking no matter the weather. It's become easier and easier to get out there and soak up the day. It probably has something to do with the sunshine too - it's so good feeling the sun warm up your back, checking out this and that. Try it. Join up here.

The Kind Of Rebel I Am

I don't get parking tickets. Never had one. Never been to gaol. Never been in trouble (well except for being kicked out of almost everyone of my Year 11 modern history classes - sorry Mr Lawler). I am a law-abiding citizen.

So no wonder the law-abiding citizen inside of me has just quivered in fear at the sight of a letter from my local council.

This is the kind of rebel I am. It's for outstanding library books. What kind of crazy am I? A book-loving kind of crazy, James Dean loving, Marlon Brando adoring kind of geek-crazy.

$117.20

Huh? But I returned these books ages ago. Given they were late.. Yes, maybe a few months ago, but at $117.20, I should have kept the damn things. Sold them on Ebay. Made curtains out of them. Wallpapered them all over our bedroom. Had a bath in them. Rolled around in them. Slept on those fine 400 count pages. But, they weren't $117.20 worth. No way. Well I didn't get $117.20 worth of fun from them, that's for certain. They were mainly children's books about trains. And you know how I feel about trains.

Any ideas how I can remove this fine so it doesn't tarnish my law-abiding reputation. I can't even go to the library for the shame. How can I explain this to my kids without having to move to Mexico.

The word is out folks, I am a book nerd.