Small parcels with lots of love

I have always believed in the perfect timing of things and how they find their way to you. These parcels below are amazing examples of excellent timing. They arrived in time to cheer, comfort, reassure and most of all to deliver the love the person invisibly wrapped just for me.

My life has felt a bit like a roller coaster lately, and these beautiful and amazing people from far away have made me feel loved, and for that I am deeply grateful.

It is magical how "pen-palships" are born, why some are a perfect match, and some others aren't, why some last many years and others don't. I've always thought it is actually quite similar to meeting someone in person- you either have the chemistry or you don't, and you either insist or you don't.

What I  know for certain is, that when beautiful parcels like these or simple, long letters arrive on my mailbox, my life is so much fuller and brighter because of them... And I feel very darn lucky!!

Thank you so very much, Juliane, Jenni, Puk, Julia, and Jen!!

I wish you a beautiful weekend ahead and may the stars align so that beautiful parcels arrive at your doorstep,
Giova

Lavender bags with quotes for your letters

This idea combines 2 things I enjoy; tea and quotes (nice ones).  I also have a soft spot for nice packaging, oh! and nice smelling things, OK this is actually 4 things I enjoy (sorry)!!

I combined the wonderful looking bags from Kusmi tea with the idea of the quotes from Yogi tea, and filled the bags with lavender, and voilà I nice little gift for your pen pals.

If you don't like the smell of lavender (you're a weirdo), no I'm kidding! Then try something like dried rose petals? Anything that will make your letter smell lovely, and who doesn't like a nice smelling letter?

I  painted little pieces of paper with watercolors, wrote quotes I liked, and sew them to the bags.  The fabric I used is gauzy like, forgive me as I have no idea the name of the fabric, but you can see it is quite thin.

I made these four in 10 minutes, including the time I spent unravelling the piece of fabric that my sewing machine had swallowed. You can also sew it by hand if you want or don't have a sewing machine.

These lavender sachets fit the dimensions for my flat project, just don't overfill the bags (wink).
I hope this inspires you to make some of your own, and send out nice smelling letters. Instead of quotes you can always write wishes or more personal messages, that is entirely up to you.

Wishing you a lovely and crafty day,
Giova

Handmade and small gifts for pen pals

"Spring is approaching," is my new mantra. I repeat this in my head all day long. In fact I've been thinking about it since the beginning of January which makes me a bit, how do I say this? Annoyed? I'm supposed to be in the present, the now, enjoying what I got right at this second and I'm dreaming of a beach, a hammock and lots of sun. Oh! I've just realized that it is summer what I'm dreaming about.

Anyway, here are some ideas to cheer someone up via snail mail. The most important thing is that it's flat! I haven't had the chance to complain here about the raise of postal prices (boy are they ridiculous!).  The fact that a simple package is starting at 9 euros makes me think twice before I send anything out.

So in January (I know...) I came up with some little boxes to send. This one is filled with airmail labels that I printed here. But some stores like this one, sell vintage ones.

You can also make little pouches to fill with your favorite seeds, carve a stamp, make a label and close with your favorite washi-tape. Spring is approaching, spring is approaching...

Send them in a small tin box. Don't forget to include the instructions for planting.

Why not carve a few tiny rubber stamps to fill a pill box? As you can see I was still in heart and Valentine's mode.

Send to friends, pen pals, any one really. Snail mail has the ability of cheering everyone up, and with this winter going on, wouldn't it be nice to open a package that has been sent with lots of love? I think it would!

The things you could fit in a small box are a lot. Just give it a try. Did I mention cheer someone up?

Happy monday. I hope it is a good one!
Giova

A String of Shells

We have been back in Holland for more than 2 weeks already, and every time we see the sun shinning (which is not very often), we jump in the car and go to the not very popular beach.

One of my favorite pastimes is gathering shells, and then putting them on a strings (I love strings of things). A very easy craft and one that I'm sure your recipient would love. I'm not including this in my flat project as it exceeds the dimensions. But it is something I would definitely include in a package for a pen pal.

What you'll need:

• shells - especially watch out for the ones with holes otherwise this won't be an easy craft
• thread in your favorite color, and needle
• tassels, pieces of fabric, anything that you want to add to your string
• origami paper for the box

Then just string the shells how you want them. Adding pieces of fabric, or beads along the way. I always start mine from the bottom part.

Have fun putting it together. There is really no right way or wrong way to do this.

I really think that this string makes for a really nice gift. Or at least it is something that I would love to receive.

Then make a little "Masu" box with your origami paper. This box was made by my son, and he used the scissors for a part, which I'm almost certain in origami you don't use them. You can find instructions here and here.

I hope you will be inspired to make your own little string, and to share with friends the nice shells you picked this summer.

The shells I pick usually go in a small glass bottle with a label of the name of the beach. How do you keep your shells or the things you gather from nature? Is there a especial way you keep them?

Have a wonderful weekend and if you go to a beach keep this string in mind!
Giova.

PS: I leave today for Copenhaguen (haven't been there since I was 18). I'm helping with a project, and they were willing to pay for my travel expenses (so if you know me, you know I can't keep myself out of an airplane for too long). I hope to instagram the bejesus out of that amazing city.

Washi-Tape Alphabet

The idea for this post started a month ago, before my trip to Berlin. It was only meant to be a P and an H. Then 2 weeks ago I thought; "wouldn't it be nice a whole washi-tape alphabet?" It ended up looking pretty nice (or so I thought), but then something happened, something that occurs in the immensity or smallness of our world. This past week I saw that Creature Comforts had made something very similar, and I went gulp, and also said some words in the vicinity of "holy cannoli!!"
Hers (like all the things she does) is beautiful, has a downloadable alphabet and they are stickers (why didn't I come up with that idea?).
In any case, I was thinking of what to put inside an envelope to send to my pen pal, and this is how this very brilliant idea, never done before in the world of washi-tape (add very cynic tone here), was born.

This is what you'll need:

A favorite font printed (this is arial bold, 300 size)

cardboard

scissors or X-acto knife

all the washi-tape you can find

Cover the letters with the washi-tape, and then simply cut the excess tape. I recommend just doing the letter you want, as the whole alphabet (I mean there are 26 letters, that is like a lot of time and lots of washi-tape, believe me).

Beware, washi-tape can be very addictive. You have been warned!!

Here are a few ideas of what to do with all those letters. Before sending your friend her initial, write all the words you come up with that start with that letter (I know a bit childish, but we pen pals like all childish stuff, or maybe it is just me?). As a bookmark, for your mood board, or for the wall, where my G is now looking all good and great!!

Have a most excellent monday, if it is turning a bit blah, just take out the washi-tape and have fun!

Giova.

A Snail Mail Giveaway

I've been thinking of doing this giveaway for awhile now - not sure why I didn't. But in any case here it is; mostly it's things I got at Target (my favorite store in the US), and a note card set I got from my other favorite store, Anthropologie. The washi-tape and pens are from Hema (my favorite store here in Amsterdam).
Things for snail mail are the best. Even if you are an avid and long time snail mailer or just joined in the fun, I'm pretty sure you'll want to add this to your collection.
I will also send the winner a surprise package of things I've made for the Flat Project.
If you are looking for pen pals these are good places to start: Letter Writers Alliance and Postal Society.

Alphabet stickers and rubber stamps, tags, post-it notes, pens, wash-tape, ribbons, and 2 sets of cards with envelopes, plus a surprise packet with handmade things by me!!

• Open to all
• Until May 21st, 2013, 9:00pm (my time, european something, something)
• Leave a comment saying why snail mail is so very cool (you could also just leave your name and email, so I can contact you in case you win).
• Share it if you like, that would be kinda nice.
• And that's about it, you don't have to like us here and there, but it would be kinda nice as well.

Have a brilliant day. Happy mailings and to infinity and beyond!!
Giova

A Doily Obsession

As seen in many previous posts, this doily obsession has been intensifying by the minute. I love the paper kind; plain, colored, heart shaped, small, extra big and well, you get my drift.
Usually, with most of my crafts I don't feel they're done unless I add words to them. I like to remind myself of certain things. To add a burst of color is my other obsession; neon colors!! (I know its so last year, 80's, etc..., but what can I do?).
These are my latest craft creations. I hope they inspire you to get your doilies and paints out.
Hang them in a bunting way, or from a wooden stick, or just by themselves. Or better yet, send one to your pen pal.

Be happy. Create. Have fun.

Some web shops carrying doilies: 32 degrees North, Gift Shop, Scrapbook, and my favorite Talking Tables.
Have a wonderful day!
Giova.

Wishes for Pen Pals

One of the best parts for me, in Chinese restaurants is when they hand in the fortune cookie. I love them (not because of their taste), but because of the words inside! I usually glue them on my journal, and not because I find them ominous, but because they are funny. I love words. They're everywhere in my house.

So I thought, why not print seven. Anything from quotes, funny wishes, or personal thoughts that you know you'll friend will like.

All you need is: Pretty paper, washi-tape, scissors or X-acto knife, thread, ribbon and rubber stamps for decoration. The clear paper was used to create a pouch (for the first version) so that the washi-tape didn't get stuck! 

 Find the quotes, inspirational words that you like and print. You can write them by hand if your prefer.

This is the sewn version. Just make sure you don't sew over the wishes ;) First sew the ribbon on a thicker paper, then cover the back by sewing the borders, for this I used an origami piece of paper (15x15 cms), and close with a round sticker.

And you are done! What took most of the time was finding the right words, other than that, it is quite easy, and quick. Wouldn't you like opening one wish each day??

Sending you many good wishes!!!
Giova
"The future ain't what it used to be." - Yogi Berra

Felt Envelopes

This is a nice and simple idea that won't take a lot of your time doing. I just thought it was nice idea to instead of sending my pen pals some nice postcards that I've encountered in a simple paper envelope, instead make one that they'll keep and re-use. 

What I used for this project:

• 2 pieces of felt - the thin kind, cut in the size of a postcard
• thread and needle - although I did use my sewing machine for some bits, you could do it without one
• stamps, ribbons, fabric piece - things you might want to use to adorn the front of the envelope

The back of the envelope, simply stitched like a paper envelope.

Then I embroidered a neon (I'm obsessed with neon things)  heart to "seal" the envelope, stamped a ribbon with the words air mail, stitched a paper stamp and embroidered my friend's name.

The one that says to Megan is stamped on paper then sown on to the felt, and I added an extra stamp, which looks nicer, but I had already sown together the one for Puk, so that one only has one stamp.

Close all sides except for the top one, where the postcards will go in. That is basically it. You can add or take things, just don't forget to put this in a paper envelope to send to the destination, otherwise I don't think it will get very far.

It is light, the size of a postcard, and very, very, flat!!!

Have fun, and happy Monday!

Giova