I'm a Paper Whore, Specifically, a Postcard Whore

The title says it all. I collect paper and postcards like a nymphomaniac collects notches on her bedpost. I just can't help myself. I have a problem. Just like a whore who sleeps with every Tom, Dick, and Harry to fulfill some void in her soul, I need postcards, notecards and paper to fulfill something missing inside of me. If it wasn't paper, it would be something else. I know this because I have an addictive personality. I was addicted to cigarettes before I was finally able to quit ten years ago. Once I quit, I substituted smoking with eating. Yep, I turned to sweets. I'm just barely weaning myself away from that but not quite. I could go on and on with things that I need, but overall, I guess it's a positive thing that I'm addicted to buying paper, (unless it really turns into hoarding) because there are certainly a lot worse things I could be addicted to. You get my jist, I'm sure. 

Take a look at my stash. I'm sure it will make you feel much better about your own. 

All of the boxes in the above photo contains vintage postcards. I have them organized according to years, and whether or not they have been used/written and stamped.

These are the postcards in the big box that weigh about 35 pounds. All of these postcards are vintage but are unused. They range from early 1900's all the way to the late 90's or early 2000's.

This box contains all used/written/stamped cards from 1980's to 2000's.

The variety is quite extensive in this box.

1900's to 1940's. All used and written or stamped. This box contains a lot of my favorites, not neccesarily because of the images, but rather what is written on the back. Some of them are funny.

Just love all the colorful cards from the olden days.

1950's, 1960's and 1970's. All used, written or stamped.

When I first began collecting postcards, I was drawn to the early 1900's, but the more I collect, the more I am beginning to love the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Lately, I feel really drawn to old motel cards and roadside attractions. I love them all.

I started this box of postcards to put all the ugliest cards in and then I bought another couple of hundred mixed lot to add to my collection, and I didn't want to take the time to organize them so I just put them in the box with the ugly postcards. Some of these are used and some are unused.

Are you starting to see why I call myself a postcard whore?

This box contains all foreign postcards. I believe they are all unused but there may be some used ones that slipped in by accident.

This is where I store the vintage postcards that I am keeping for myself at the moment. Of course, the cards inside could be on rotation because what might be my favorite today, may not be my favorite tomorrow.  I'll show you a few samples of what's inside.

Don't you just love how colorful they are?

These little black and white dog postcards are one of my all time favorite series of cards. I think these cuties got their own blog post awhile back.

This drawer is full of notecards. This is only half of my stash.

This drawer contains only Christmas cards and Christmas related stuff like invitations, etc.

I love, love, love buying Christmas cards. I love sending Christmas cards every year to friends, family, acquaintances, pen pals, and for swaps. In fact, the only way I get Christmas cards back is to join a swap on swap-bot. So sad, don't you think?

This is my postcard stock that I have specifically for Postcrossing. These are all new cards that I get when I travel and/or that I buy from amazon.com. I like being prepared.

Of course, I need decorative paper for my computer. These are for the days when my arthritis is bad or I'm just lazy and would rather type than handwrite my letters.

I almost forgot the drawer that has stationery and writing sets/envelopes.

I still have hundreds of postcards that I didn't show you. These are the ones I get from Postcrossing and from pen pals, family and friends. I have them in a special place. When they first arrive in my mailbox I pin them to my bulletin board and they get displayed until new arrials take their place. I do not ever throw away pen pal letters or postcards but they are special to me. I cherish every word that everyone writes to me, including complete strangers.

So, do you feel better now. I bet your stash doesn't seem so huge now that you've seen mine.

What?

Did I hear you say, "I'm a paper whore"?

I totally agree.

Smile.

What are your favorite types of postcards?

If you'd like me to send you a random card from my collection, leave a comment specifying if you prefer it already written on, unwritten, or if you want me to write something on an unused card. You can send me a private message with your address after you leave a comment. 

Have an amazing night! 

I have a confession to make

Good morning loyal readers.  I have a confession to make. I have dual personality traits. One side of me is very detailed and organized while the other side of me is quite chaotic and messy. My office as a whole is pretty cluttered, however, there are a few spaces within my small confine that I think are very organized and I would like to show you that area.  It's mostly the area where I store all of my stationery and art supplies. I am always inspired when I read a blog post about storing mail/art supplies so I hope that my post might give someone else a bit of inspiration or an "aha" moment.

My office is tiny and the layout is sucky. There is a built in desk which was already here when we bought the house so it makes everything kind of limited on where I put things. My work station/desk area faces west. The drawers in the picture above face south, but they are arranged on the north end of my office.  If I swivel my chair slightly to the right, my elbow touches this storage chest. Yes, that's how tight my space is. Ugh! You can kind of see what I store in the drawers- paper clips, highlighters, washi tapes, self inking stamps, and miscellaneous.

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Washi tapes take up two drawers.

Right next to the first storage chest is another one.  This is still within an arm's length and I can access everything quite easily. The black drawers contain business related items for my doTerra oils and the Make-Up Eraser. This is also where I store all of my etsy items that are currently listed for sale or about to be listed. The mini storage chest on top in the middle is one I have my hands constantly in and out of.  It's where I store all my glues. The green and purple krates house sticky notes, and then you can see the green and white polka dot can where my pens are.

A look inside. I use the glue sticks for mail art and for gluing my handmade envelopes. I use the other glue on the far left more than any other glue. This is what I use to moisten and glue my vintage stamps to envelopes. Then there's double sided tape which I also use on my envelopes.

The drawer containing some etsy items for sale.

The postcards I enclose with every etsy order thanking my cusomers.

These set of drawers are next to the bookcase that is next to the black storage drawers. This is not within reach but it's not something I need to use constantly. Starting from the bottom up, this houses some of my paper goods including stationery/writing papers, handmade envelopes, photo papers, miscellaneous papers, address labels, and another drawer of miscellany.  Next to this I have a table with two large printers. One that does everything and another that is a photo printer that can print up to 19x13 photos. And underneath that table is a set of teal storage drawers (like the black ones, only more narrow with just 4 drawers). The table with the printers are on the East end of the wall. 

All handmade envelopes, most by me, but some by others who sent them in a swap, etc.

Next, in another post I will show you the rest of my storage for postcards, notecards, greeting cards and more stationery. 

Did I confess that I might be a tad bit of a hoarder when it comes to paper?

Well, consider this my 2nd confession.

Now go have a wonderful, creative day.

A Ten Year Love Affair.

I love Sundays.

Sunday is the day I sneak off to meet with my endermologist. 

I cannot keep it a secret any longer.

I want to shout to the world how good I feel every time I leave.

This love affair has been going on for about ten years now and I think I will never put an end to it.

Some people get pedicures, acrylic nails, massages, etc. 

I on the other hand, have a tete a tete' with my endermologist once a week and I love it.

My husband doesn't mind at all that I look forward to seeing Shelley each week.

In fact, I think he likes it.

Are you surprised that my endermologist is a female or that my husband doesn't mind?

I know by now that your imagination has conjured up all kinds of lurid scenarios, hasn't it?

Well rest assured, that it is all innocent and that if you had an experience with Shelley, you'd be hooked too.

Now, get your mind out of the gutter and go google endermologie.

 

Here's some mail to get your thoughts back on track.

 

 

A pretty package and nice gift from my penpal Rachael.

 

Here's what was inside:

 

 

A really nice note card set.

I really like the designs.

They are very pretty.

 

 

 

She enclosed this cute card with a nice note written inside.

 

 

A nice multi view post card of Yosemit National Park.

This is from a swap I joined, "A Postcard in The USA"

 

 

Another postcard form a different person, same swap.

I really fell in love with this card.

It's a photo of Zane Grey, the author of numerous western novels.

The weird thing is that I was just talking about him a couple of weeks ago.

I think it's Synchronicity that I got this card in a swap.

I love these type of cards because they capture a mood, a personality and evoke feeling.

 

That's it for Saturday's incoming mail, but it definitely made my day.

 

I sent out two letters yesterday.

 

One to a penpal and a thank you to my nephew's in-laws.

 

 

I got the beatnik stationery for Christmas and I used every peice of paper in this one letter.

Now, I have these cute envelopes with no matching paper.

I did however, get two sets of this stationery so I suppose I could make copies of the paper in the 2nd set so I can have more paper to go with the left over envelopes in the first set.

 

The second envelope in the photo is handmade by me.

 

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year's Eve.