snail mail & a giveaway

I love getting mail. I love it even more when you get something really sweet or unexpected on a really crappy day. Yesterday, I got my Snail Mail Collective package from the very sweet Lauren! Which was perfect timing because it was just the pick-me-up I needed for such a wretched Monday. 

It was really fun getting to know Lauren, who blogs over at Going Green: Our Army Adventure. Lauren is the first Military wife I have come in contact with through the SMC and was such a sweet person to get to know. Her package was so thoughtful and was so perfectly timed! The theme for this past month was "grateful," so her package was filled with all sorts of goodies associated with things Lauren is thankful for. A sleeping mask for that much needed nap we both need but can't seem to sneak in, pens and notepad for doodling breaks, a wine bottle holder because a glass of wine at the end of day can soothe all ails, and chocolate because chocolate makes everything better! Perfect! 

Head on over and check out Lauren's great blog, she's a very inspiring lady and I'm SO grateful to have been partnered with her this month. Curious about the Snail Mail Collective? Melyssa and Chelsea are only hosting it for one more month! Become a part of it while you still can! I have met so many inspirational and wonderful ladies over the last 6 months because of it. Plus it's always a nice surprise to get a little something in the mail...

On to the giveaway! I'm currently sponsoring the very talented and sweet Chantilly over at Chantilly Songs. Right now she's hosting a giveaway for $25 credit towards the Sketchy Notions shop! Head on over and check out Chantilly (did I mention she's a very talented musician?) and enter for your chance to get some Sketchy Notions goodies! 

snail mail & being your own boss

Once again I am slow to share what my lovely Snail Mail partner sent me in September. Last month in the Snail Mail Collective, I was paired with the very sweet Elizabeth from Singapore! She has a cute blog NomElizabeth and was so fun to get to know! She just got back from a trip to Bangkok, Thailand so naturally I'm insanely jealous. Elizabeth sent me some really great things, I particularly love the little notebook! The cover is adorable and it has red lines inside and a title page made of velum. Love it! She also sent me some traditional Singapore games! I'm still trying to make sense of how to play them, shame that Elizabeth lives down on the other side of the world and can't show me in person. 

Also today over at one of my favorite blogs, Melyssa's the Nectar Collective, there's an interview of me about being your own boss and running a small business! I know I'm still new to this whole adventure of owning and operating a small business but it was really fun thinking back to how it has all happened and evolved over the years. Gotta admit it's pretty strange seeing a giant photo of myself over on another persons blog! You can check out the interview on the Nectar Collective! 

the Snail Mail collective: July & August

Busy busy little bee over here again. I've been out of the art bubble most weekends and the week days are just a blur from fulfilling Etsy orders, responding to requests, Sketchy Notions business, some nannying and Arts Outreach lessons kicking back into gear. As much as I could use the time on the weekends to work, taking a break from everything is so very needed and gets me caught up and rested for another week of busyness.

But I finally have a quick moment to share the bounty I received from both my July and August Snail Mail Collective partners! In July I was partnered with Remi over at A Peachy Keen Day and this past month I was with Amanda at Rhyme & Ribbons. There was an issue with the post office refusing to send me my package, so I actually received Remi's package just a couple days before Amanda's! 

Can I just say, I really miss receiving mail just for fun. Getting bills and bank statements just doesn't cut it. It's like being a kid again around your birthday and waiting to check the mailbox each afternoon. And both these sweet gals were so generous with their packages! Here's a peek at what I got from both of these lovely ladies! 

Remi crammed so many goodies into this box, it's insane! Completely worth the wait! My favorite items were the postcards (I'm going to frame the little bobbin one), an awesome mix of local tunes and tiny vile of Utah dirt! Remi is from Utah did an amazing job at capturing her state, even including some clippings from local papers. There were some awesome candies (which are nearly gone already...), a mini notebook with the coolest teeny mechanical pencil, some cute hair pins, some cards and just so many sweet things! This Utah lady was so much fun to be paired with and get to know! Be sure to check out Remi's blog! 

Amanda is a lovely gal from New Mexico that moved to England! I was very excited to have an international partner for August! Amanda sent me some very lovely things, including a great postcard of Anne Hathaway's cottage, a GB sticker with the British flag and some gorgeous earrings! I have an old fashioned steamer truck that I've been wanting to cover in traveling stickers and this sticker might be the first addition! And although it may not of have been her intention, I really loved the Royal Mail postage stamp on the envelope! One of my favorite things about international mail is seeing the postage stamps from different countries. Pop on over to Amanda's blog to read all about her English adventures!