Thursday 7 March 2013

On Stationery



Sixty-six emails were sent out to #PostCircle members on Tuesday, confirming groups (the names of which are British wild animals) and partners for the first posting. It was really exciting to see people finding their groups on Twitter and introducing themselves... and all this inevitably led to lots of chatter about stationery.

I'm something of a stationery addict, I'll admit. I have a drawer dedicated to such things, and think putting a little thought into the paper and decorations you send with your warm wishes really helps to make post special.

But this doesn't mean stationery has to be expensive. While a lovely embellishment, stationery does play second fiddle to the words themselves, and I don't want anyone making themselves bankrupt in communicating with their new pen pals. Here are some creative ways to craft up your correspondence on a budget...


  1. Try Claireabellemakes' Washi Tape DIYS.
  2. Check out my post on making your own writing paper using fabric and a scanner. 
  3. Using the method in number 2 - stick stamps, stickers or draw on paper, scan and print.
  4. Shop for bargains! Markets and shops such as Wilkinson and The Works have bargainous lovely stationery. 
  5. Try Wrapped Up in Rainbows' rubber stamp DIY

If you're happy to spend a little money, there is so much choice on Etsy. These are a few of my favourites:


This is $4.00 by kayfish



Pack of 10 postcards £2.00 by Patternalism



Typewriter postcard £1.80 by typescale


And as well as letters and notes here are some ideas for goodies to include in your envelopes:

  1. Recipes
  2. Teabags
  3. A crossword or sodoku puzzle
  4. Doodles and other artwork
  5. Card luggage tags
  6. Origami creations
  7. Crocheted doilies
  8. Pressed flowers
  9. Sheet music
  10. A polaroid style photo
Decorate your postie creations with:

  1. Old stamps
  2. Stickers!
  3. Ink stamps
  4. That handwriting you haven't practised since school
  5. Washi tape
  6. Cutout pictures from catalogues, magazines and old greetings cards
  7. Buttons


Most importantly, have fun and don't sweat it! You don't have to feel pressure to write a long letter if you don't want to - a short note or a postcard is enough to brighten someone's day too!

“The act of writing a letter has become akin to meditation in our fast-paced lives. It's taking a moment and slowing it down, letting it become, transforming it onto paper and sending it to someone else. The receiver opens his mail and instead of finding a bill, there is a personally addressed envelope. Every letter from a loved one is a true gift, because that person decided to transmit that moment in their lives to me.” ~ Hope Von Stengel - rather fabulous Etsy seller. 








PS: Another three #PostCircle groups will be started off by the weekend!

26 comments:

  1. I enjoy the embellishments as much as the actual letter/card, some of my friends think this is mad, but I know you understand!!! :) x

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  2. Great post! I'm so excited about making and sending some pretty packages for PostCircle. The Range is also pretty good for cheap stationery. Helen (@helahic)

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    1. Ah yes, I need to find my local The Range, thanks for that Helen! x

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  3. Great Post, I love the idea of scanning in fabric. I will be doing this for my #postcircle letter. Thanks for sharing!

    Hannah
    x
    www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com

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    1. I warn you - once you try it, it's addictive! x

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  4. Really fab ideas Anna! I was a little worried about the costs of writig paper, but I should just go back to my creative roots and adorn it myself :) Hedgehog doodles are appearing in my first letter! xx

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  5. I am so excited about this, go puffins :). And a big fan of stationery (I could go bankrupt at Paperchase, it's an addiction).
    That quote is just beautiful, I am going to have to write it down.
    Thanks for the ideas ! ANd you are so right, a postcard can bright up a day so much! Even the free ones from nice cafes!

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    1. Go puffins! I need to find these cafes giving out free postcards... x

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    2. Send me your address :)

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  6. Oh I do love a bit of stationary! mostly letter sets and packs of cute notecards! I just can not get enough of them!! (helps that I work in a stationary shop too, yey!)

    Have you heard of Paper Dear? check out http://itspaperdear.weebly.com

    Also I am sure you probably have lots of help now, but if you need any further HTML/CSS advice I am happy to help too :) Just drop me an email any time!

    Jenny xo

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    1. Thank you Jo, that's much appreciated, and checking out Paper Dear now - sounds amazing! x

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  7. Scanning fabric sounds like a brilliant idea!! Inspired!! I adore getting personalised post, makes such a change from junk mail and bills and statements and all the other rubbish!
    Jones x

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    1. There is so much rubbish in the post now, it makes a mockery of the history of letter writing! We'll bring back fun post, don't worry :) x

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  8. I love stationery big time! Thanks for sharing my washi tape tutorial :-)

    I wrote my first Post Circle note last night and had such fun trying some new stamps and cards. I like to make my own notecards with patterned paper and blank cards.

    Thanks again for setting up the Post Circle Anna!

    Claire x

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  9. I really enjoyed reading this post. I spent last nights creatives unite crocheting a gift for my first Post Circle note last night and shall be posting it very soon. (So excited!) :)

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  10. I am uber excited to be joining in with PostCircle Anna.... I have a massive collection of pretties for such things (I might have a small problem when it comes to stationery!) - http://glasgowmummy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/post-circle.html - looking forward to finding out who is in my group. Sarah x

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  11. Some fantastic ideas here Miss Beatrix. I'd love to join postcircle at some point when things are a little less hectic!

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  12. It's a great post.Very inspiring.Looking forward to getting started.

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  13. Is it too late to join the post circle? Email me at rodjudith@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon.

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