Thursday, December 2, 2010

Unexpected Gifts

A few days ago I received a packet of old photos from a gal in Fort Myers, Florida.  They are interesting old photos that I have scanned and I will mail back to her shortly.

Included in the package was a unexpected gift. Artvelopes.  She designed them to help keep letter writing alive!  The process to make them includes drawing, copying, glue making, folding, glue application and packaging.  I haven’t  seen anything like them before.

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I am a letter writer..imagine that!  I have several friends that have refused to join the computer generation. I should write them more often. I try for one letter a month, but sometimes time just slips by. Sometimes they call and ask “Are you guys OK?”

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Can you imagine opening your mailbox and finding an Artvelope inside?  Pam takes decorating envelopes to a whole new level!  She showcases some of her artwork on her blog. Spirituality 101: Introspection and Reflection ..check it out ..tell her Far Side sent ya over.

What was your last unexpected gift?  During the Christmas Season perhaps we get all wrapped up in what we will buy.  The last four unexpected gifts that I received were all homemade or gathered gifts..what were they?  A jar of plum jelly, these Artvelopes, a box of Cyprus knees and a bag of catfish! :)

18 comments:

Becca's Dirt said...

The unexpected and the handmade gifts are the best. So nice of her to send you those. They are nice and I also wish more people still write letters. Have a nice day.

Lanny said...

Those are wonderful, my brother had a girlfriend years ago who would do "artvelopes" I always thought she just drew on premade envelopes though, maybe she didn't after all.

Jinglebob said...

My last unexpected gift came from you. The nice cards you sent me. I use them sparingly.

Linda said...

It's been a while since I've had an unexpected gift but I did buy myself some handmade paper and a little picture album made with it and pressed flowers. Hers' are beautiful.

Rita said...

I still handwrite letters, too--and make handmade cards. I've seen a variety of handmade envelopes and have made a few myself, but mine were made from pretty crafting paper. These are really unique. Most of the artistic ones I've seen have been decorated machine-made envelopes.

I think the last unexpected gift I received was a hand-beaded bracelet from a gentlemen I met online who lives in Labrador, Canada. Such a delight getting gifts for no reason! :):)

Muffie said...

When I was able, I used to make stationery -- especially unique envelopes -- then I'd give them away. My most recent unexpected gift was an old fashioned cookie recipe book. I can't wait to use some of them.
Peace,
Muff

Anonymous said...

The envelopes are so creative and beautiful. I will have to check out her site.
We received some fresh oranges straight off the trees in Florida from our neighbor. He visited his brother over Thanksgiving and was kind enough to share his oranges with us.

Have a great day.
Pam

Anonymous said...

What a nice surprise! Thanks for the link; I'll visit her soon.

lisa said...

Those are always the special kind of gifts to treasure!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

How very special are these??? They'd be a grand surprise in anyone's mailbox. I too am a letter writer and card sender. I'm gonna go check her out...thanks for the share girl.

Have a relaxing evening sweetie!!!

Patsy said...

I like to get mail, need to write more notes to get more mail. sweet gift.

gayle said...

I love homemade gifts and love to receive letters in the mail. Haven't written much lately but I do try to write notes every now and then. The ones you received are beautiful!

Andrea said...

An unexpected gift--I had to think quite a bit about when I last received one, but I remembered: I had a nurse client, a beautiful person; she paid her bills in person and we "won" her licensing case...one day she came in to my office and gave me a bottle of wine and a gift card for Olive Garden! I surely never expected anything whatsoever! It really is a nice feeling, isn't it? Thanks for challenging me to remember it.

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Far Side, I feel like I am receiving unexpected gifts all the time! But most of them are intangible. They are little surprises my kids give me. A hug. A picture. A story. Now I know why my mom said she didn't need tangible gifts, that things like hearing us sing or knowing we were healthy and well was good enough. I get it now. I love the gifts you've been given. The catfish sounds yummy! :) Hope you had some good batter for it and enjoyed every bite.

Country Gal said...

Love them, never seen them before. There is a lady that was at the christmas craft show we went to that hand makes all her cards , they were beautiful she hand paints them, there were some beautiful wild life ones and christmas ones. As for hand writen notes I hand write little notes in my hubbies lunch every day, been doing that for 4 years. Have a wonderful day !

Karen said...

I'll bet the mailperson likes delivering those too!

DayPhoto said...

Those are just amazing! My last gift was the darling little magnet mice. It's always a really fun lift to the day to get something so not expected.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

OK - but what are Cyprus knees? Didn't realize you could buy body parts off the shelf... ;-)

Love these artvelopes - so lovely!