A New Year, A New Battle

When I sat down to make my 2016 holiday cards, I wanted an image that rallied strength and hope for things to come, but also reflected on the year that's passed. And let's be honest, a little bit of a lot of us was hoping that someone would swoop down and save the day before inauguration. 

So you combine that tiny bit of optimism, with my recent Halloween costume, and my sincere love for the US Postal Service, and the card just sort of happened. Yes, that's right, my holiday card was inspired by a postage stamp. 

The hand-painted image of a very buff, wonder(ful) woman punching out 2016 recognizes the challenges 2017 offers, and vows to fight on. 

Stay strong. Game on 2017. 

It's a Stamp Love Fest

I'm fairly certain Christmas keeps the Post Office operational for the year. Snoopy and his friends will adorn thousands, could it be millions(?), of Christmas envelopes this year. But as everyone is gearing up to buy their first stamps of the year, I'm still cherishing many of my 2015 favorites.

This summer it was the Summer Harvest Collection. As the product of a produce family, I have a soft spot for seed packets and fruit crates. This set is very nostaligic for me, and they look stunning on envelopes!

Martin Ramírez is an artist I'd never heard of. It wasn't until after his death that Ramírez received any notoriety. He spent most of his life in a psychiatric hospital, but his drawings have a modern and intriguing hypnotic quality.

 

I love this $1 stamp for it's optical illusion qualities. But it's actually called the Patriotic Wave, and comes in both $1 and $2 complimenting patterns. It was designed to be emblematic of a billowing flag, and to appear patriotic when placed on an envelope. 

The Forever Stamp in vintage Rose (forever) and vintage Tulip (70 cents) were created as a symbol of love, perfect for use on wedding correspondence. I love the Black and White detailing mixed with the simple red heart. Also, the paper has a touch of pearlescence and the black ink has a raised embossed quality. It's minimal yet stunning. 

So my love affair with stamps continues. I habitually visit the post office to mail a single package, and leave with a purse full of postage. So this holiday season, remember to be kind to your postal workers!

The Hardest Working Square Inch

If you've spent any time on my blog, you may have notice I'm a bit of a Stamp Design Enthusiast. I just love that these 1" x 1.5" piece of artwork can carry your letter all the way across the country. And they only cost 46¢.  

There's a lot of planning that goes into the release of a stamp — 99% Invisible has a facinating podcast on this process. It isn't as simple as creating tiny artwork. The goal of Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) is to tell the story of America. Whether it be American history, American pop culture, American social issues or commemorating (deceased) influential Americans. 

I'm sure most people don't even notice stamps, and are unaware the USPS make stamps that aren't flags or liberty bells. But I want CSAC to know that I appreciate stamps (!) — here's a 2015 stamp release that I'm particularly fond of. The colors are so warm and pleasant, of course it's about friendship....
In 1912 Japan gifted the US 3,020 flowering Cherry Trees. In gratitude, President Taft arranged for the US to send 50 Flowering Dogwoods to Japan in 1915. These gifts of friendship became a tradition, and continue to this day.

Cherry trees have become iconic around DC, blooming annually in brilliant splendor after the long winters. The trees in their rich color and history remain a symbol of the great bond between Japan and the US. 

The 2015 Gift of Friendship Stamps from the USPS celebrates 100 years of this friendship and tradition.

So, not only is it tiny, not only is amazing art, not only does it cost cents, not only can it carry a letter across the country (in just a few days) but it's also a history lesson. That is a very efficient 1 x 1.5 inches.

I highly encourage you to check out the 99% Invisible on Stamp Design, and to browse USPS.com for stamps other than flags — add a little delight to your envelopes!

Share the Stars

I love stamps.* Today I received the most charming American Flag inspired presorted stamp. Which led me to wonder... what exactly is presorted mail?

Presorted Standard Mail is usually business mail consisting of sales flyers, form letters, or other printed pieces that are generally identical in content. Items must weigh less than one pound and a minimum of 200 pieces must be sent. 

Hmph. Well I guess I'll need more friends and family if I want my holiday card to qualify for cute star stamps.   

*If you're an avid reader, you've realized this.

Delivering Holiday Traditions

On December 6, 1964, families sat down to watch an animated special called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the very first time. The hour-long show went on to become the longest-running and highest-rated Christmas special in TV history.

To commemorate this beloved holiday tradition, USPS and Greg Breeding have designed 2014 Christmas stamps featuring Rudolph and his misfit friends. Still frames of the stop-motion animation produced by Rankin/Bass, will deliver a bit of nostalgia and joy to people all over the country this season. 

In addition to these postal delights, the Post Office has also gone interactive! Visit their website to find out which misfit you are!

I'm Santa! Peppy and resourceful, yet perhaps a little skittish, Santa almost cancels Christmas because of formidable weather. But then he discovers a brilliant solution for his sleigh: the guiding light of Rudolph’s nose.

My favorite part of this is that he almost cancels plans due to incliment weather, cause yes, I do that. Guess I wouldn't be a very good postal carrier...

Magical Mail

The United States Postal Service has just released the most beautifully curated collection of stamps I've ever seen!

The five panel booklet contains 20 stamps commemorating the Harry Potter novel series. The stamps span the entire series and contain many of the beloved characters. Taking lessons in marketing, the Post Office has presented these stamps in an entirely new way—as a book of their own. 

In the spirit and heritage of stamps, it's a truly keepsake and collectable collection. Postmarks and 5 panel diecut press sheets are also available from the USPS store.

So the big dillema now... send or keep?

The Heroes that Made America

Earlier this year, the USPS released a new collection of forever stamps, honoring the people who worked and sacrificed to make America great—  Made in America: Building a Nation.

The 12-Panel collection features black-and-white photographs of early 20th-century industrial workers, whose dedication and work ethic contributed to the growth of modern America. These iconic images* connect us to our past and tell a powerful story of American strength, prosperity and determination. 

*11 of the 12 images were shot by photgrapher Lewis Hine. 

Revisiting Roald Dahl

While perusing the literary stamps honoring Dickens, I stumbled across stamps for another British author–Roald Dahl, and I suddenly remember watching the Witches as a child and being absolutely terrified. 20 years later, the memory made me shudder–I still can't believe that the man who created the wonderful world of Wonka could create a character so horrific!


Roald Dahl, along with illustrator Quentin Blake, created dozens of individually unique world's – James inside the giant peach, the underground labyrinth of Mr Fox, the book-lined rooms of Matlida... and of course the gypsy caravan of Danny (the champion of the world). This imagination made Dahl beloved by children, but as I think back, I'm wondering how his stories translate as an adult—something tells me they are still valid with age.

So... thanks, to some stamps, I'm inspired to go back and read the stories I read as a child– to discover the underlying themes that I have a hunch were there all along. I just hope I've outgrown the scary bits!

Best of Times at the Post Office

Through the miracle Etsy, I ordered som vintage cards and they made their way to me all the way from London! I loved the packaging about as much as the cards, including the great David Copperfield Stamp.

I did a little Googling, and last May, Royal Mail released a set of 10 stamps showcasing iconic Dickens characters, including Mr Bumble from Oliver Twist, Mr Micawber from David Copperfield and Captain Cuttle from Dombey and Son. Six of the stamps feature original illustrations adapted from Character Sketches from Charles Dickens, originally published around 1890.

2012 was the bicentennial of Dickens' birth, and several countries chose to honor the famous novelist including Ascension Island who released a set of four Christmas Carol stamps in December.

Dickens' has been on envelopes before however, his work appearing  on three previous stamp issues– Literary Anniversaries (1970), 150th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol, (Christmas 1993) and Musicals (Oliver! 2011).

Time to write more letters people—the world needs to share these stamps!

Put a Stamp on It

Three weeks into the New Year and my New Year's Resolution—by now some of you should have received some actual mail!

In accordance with my resolution and consequential reunion with postage stamps, I am intruiged and impressed with these 3-inch postage stamp paintings by Molly Rausch.

Dear 2012,

When I make my New Year's resolutions, I like them to be measurable. Sure, general overarching goals are great— "Be a Better Person", "Eat Healthier", "Gossip Less"— but success is then objective and relative.

Last year, my resolutions included "Cook 5 new recipes a month" (Success!), "Run at least 5 miles a week" (Fail!). But having a quantitative goal gives me something against which to hold myself accountable.

Anyhow, it's 2012, and while I plan to keep cooking, it's time for a new goal/s. Here's one I'm particularly excited about: "Send one Just for Fun snail mail letter every week."

There's two motivations behind this. 1). I love stamps. I think stamp designs are some of the most charming I've ever seen. 2). Going to the mailbox is a favorite part of my day. Sure, it's usually full of trash, but for that 30 second walk, it feels like anything is possible. So I want to give my friends and family a periodic surprise.

Here's some of the stamps that have inspired this resolution.

So in 2012, I'll finally make a point to use those adorable notecards I love to shop for and design. Besides, we don't know how much longer the USPS is going to be there for us, and I want to take advantage of this amazing public service.

Cheers!