I've Bean Sending Kale Mail...

Summer has finally arrived in my neck of the woods and, boy, am I excited!  I love the sunshine, warm temperatures and of course, visiting farmers markets! A recent trip to the farmers market and the USPS farmers market postage stamp series inspired me to compose some fun new snail mail.

 I created a farmers market scavenger hunt for one of my young pen pals.  Here is a sample of my questions:

• How many different types of berries are available for sale?
• How much does one of your favorite vegetables cost?
• How many different colors of fruits and vegetables can you find?
• Can you find someone selling fresh herbs? What kind are they selling? What do they smell like?
• Is there a farmer here that is selling fresh eggs? How much does a dozen eggs cost?

I'm hoping that this will be a fun activity my pen friend can complete with her family this summer!

Remember to look for inspiration for your snail mail everywhere!  Romaine calm and send farmers market mail!  It's magical...and sometimes punny.

Go postal, everybody!
XOXO Mrs. Murphy

Unbirthday Post

The term "unbirthday" was first coined by Lewis Carroll in "Alice Through the Looking Glass."  An unbirthday is any of the 364 days of the year that aren't the person's birthday.  What luck!  That's probably today!

I fear that I am most like Carroll's White Rabbit.  I'm always late for a very important date when it comes to my friends and loved ones' birthdays.  If you, like me, often miss those important dates. Take heart!  Mr. Carroll has saved us with the invention of the unbirthday.

I missed a couple friends' birthdays in May so I am taking the opportunity to send some unbirthday mail today.  I stand by my belief that late mail is just as magical as timely mail.  Maybe even more so because it is that much more unexpected.

So join me in sending some unbirthday mail today!  It's magical...late...but still magical!!

Go postal, everybody!!

XOXO Mrs. Murphy 

Here Comes The Sun...and the Mail

It is no secret to the readers of this blog that I LOVE snailmail and all things postal. But I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you yet another way that sending and receiving mail is wonderful.

Not long ago I heard about The Sunshine Box Project By David.  This great project was started by David's mom, Abby.  David was born with down syndrome and a heart defect that needed surgery.  Abby decided that sending a box full of sunshine to other kids who were facing health difficulties and trials was a great way to send love, support and encouragement through the post.  Her project matches up "Sunshine Buddies" with sponsors from all over! 

I recently mailed off my first sunshine box to my Sunshine Buddy in Alabama! The traditional "sunshine boxes" that you see on Pinterest and around the internet include mostly yellow or orange items.  I didn't follow that example, however.  My Sunshine Buddy's mom sent me a private message including likes, dislikes, interests and sizes for my recipient.  So I packed up some stuff I picked out just for him and mailed it away in a flat rate shipping box.  Easy!  I hope he finds it as magical to receive as I did to send. 

Snailmail is a fantastic way to spread love and sunshine to those who need it most! It's magical!

Go Postal, Everybody!  

XOXO Mrs. Murphy

Collage is Cool!

I've been having fun lately creating some snailmail with collage. Every once in awhile I go through my stash of magazines and catalogs and cut out interesting images, color combinations and designs. I keep this collage in a folder and pull it out every so often when I have a block of time to get a little messy. You know, glue sticks and stuff.

I enjoy altering the image to incorporate a "postal" element and adding it to a card or envelope for maximum mailbox magic!! (My favorite!)

I never considered myself an artist.  I was always self conscious and critical of anything I did.  "I'm not a real artist," I would tell myself.  Well...I got OVER that! If you have the urge to create something then do it! Let your imagination run wild and share your joy of creating with others. It doesn't have to be perfect. If you are afraid other people will ridicule your work then send it to ME!  I promise to receive your positive mailart with joy!

Try some collage mail art today!  It's magical!

Go Postal, Everybody!!

XOXO Mrs. Murphy

I Mustache You A Question...

I've been falling behind on my snailmail creating. I did receive several wonderful letters and post cards during the months of February and March. My "to reply" pile is growing ever bigger!! 

There is no time like the present to dive "write" in!! 

Go Postal, Everybody!!

XOXO Mrs. Murphy

Snail Mail...Loads of Fun!

The serendipity of snail mail is my favorite element of this most magical hobby.  That unexpected joy that a letter or package brings is a beautiful thing.  It's easy to get swept up in the fun factor and want to send some really stupendous snail mail to every recipient, every time. But snail mail surprises do not have to be big and flashy nor must they be sent for a major life event.  That is the wonder of snail mail. It makes the everyday events of life more major and therefore, magical!

As an example, I recently sent some post in honor of ... LAUNDRY!  One would be hard pressed to find a more mundane topic, but allow me to show you how snail mail can make anything fun and special...even laundry.

The elder Murphy Brother was planning a quick weekend trip home from college to visit us, pick up his new suit (he has interviews coming up) and grab some paperwork he needed at school. His routine is to bring his dirty laundry home during visits so he can do it for free while he's home. A predicted winter snow storm changed his travel plans, however and he wasn't able to visit. I was sad, but thought it would be a perfect opportunity to send him some clever snail mail.

I created a "bad laundry day" card based on this image I saw (I don't know the original artist).  I laughed so hard when I saw it I knew I had to base my laundry card on it! I wrote a quick letter and enclosed a little laundry money so he could do a few loads courtesy of mom and dad.  Here's hoping he thinks snail mail is loads of fun and suffers no "super" bad laundry days.

Go postal, people! It'll make your mailbox April fresh! Well...maybe!?

XOXO Mrs. Murphy

List Letters

Who doesn't LOVE to make lists? Let me give you my top 10 reason why lists are so great!  Just kidding, but seriously, lists are handy and brief and totally awesome!  So why not translate that lovely listy-ness into a letter?

Have you heard of LISTOGRAPHY? It's a website and book series that helps you create your autobiography through list making. Listography is chock full of ideas to get your creative juices flowing...

1. List pets you've had and their names.
2. List places you've lived.
3. List your favorite websites.
4. List your best purchases.
5. List all your past hang-outs.
6. List your crushes.
7. List your most embarrassing moments or habits.

Start making a list of topics for lists!  Collage your lists together on a larger piece of paper or write several lists on individual list paper to combine in one jumbo pack envelope of listy goodness!
To keep the fun going, include a few blank lists for your pen friend to fill out and return to you!

I hope I've inspired you to make some list mail today. Don't forget to put it on your "To-Do" List. It's magical!!

Go Postal, everybody!
XOXO Mrs. Murphy