The New #PostCircle Stationery Range by AnneeApple

When I started #PostCircle I had no idea that over one hundred and seventy of you would be as enthusiastic about sending and receiving happy post as I am. Neither did I know what other sorts of wonderful things could come out of it! I'd like to share one such thing with you today. Introducing the brand sparkly new AnneeApple stationery range!

Inspired by all things #PostCircle, the talented Anne McBride has designed her very own range for fellow post lovers. And this is just the tip of the iceberg; she has many more design ideas up her crafty sleeve!

I love the idea of lettergrams (above), as after all this is how original written communications started out, with none of this separate envelope business! 

Who wouldn't love something so cheery to land on their doormat in a morning? (Much better than the tax return forms I received yesterday. Sigh.) Annee has cleverly merged bright, modern colours with vintage-style themes to make something for everyone.

Annee's stationery range will soon be available in her new Etsy shop (keep your eyes peeled for listings appearing soon!) with prices in the region of £6 for 20 sheets of writing paper, personalised linen writing paper (20 sheets) at £8 and five lettergrams at £5 (prices subject to slight change as the range is fully developed). For the latest on the range's launch, and news of a giveaway soon, follow Annee at her blog and on Facebook.  

Personally, I think my fellow otters are going to be very happy to get some of this #PostCircle stationery in the post very soon!

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!

Pink Pig Sketchbooks

Time for a quick stationery geek-out! Since opening an Etsy shop I've been forever sketching button designs, so I needed a new sketchbook. I've been really impressed by this one from Pink Pig. They come in all sorts of colours and sizes, contain lovely paper, and feel really good quality. I've been carrying this pink A4 one around with me everywhere I go!

Pink Pig is based in Huddersfield, so in buying one you'll be supporting a British business. They in turn support the RNLI. 

I must confess that I bought mine through work, as we sell them in a little stationery shop there, but if you want one yourself you can buy them from Amazon. The students where I work seem besotted with them!

Of course, I had to add a little crafty embellishment to mine...

Have an ideas-filled Wednesday,






P.S: This was not a sponsored post; I just like to praise companies I'm pleased with!