Tuesday Post: Mailbox Map app

www.mailboxmap.com

I found this cool app via my friend Missive Maven.  I can't tell you how many times that I have been running errands in neighborhoods that were not my own and had a package to mail.  In MailboxMap, you type an address into the search bar and it will pin the nearest USPS mailboxes and Post Offices on the map.  AND, as if that is not handy enough, it tells you the pick up times!  That in its self is worth its weight in gold.  I even use that now for the mailboxes in my own neighborhood - because some mailboxes have a pickup time of 12:30 and others 5:30.  YAY for a fabulous and handy app - and YAY for friends who lead you to apps that simplify your life!

Tuesday Post: Triangle Postcard Stamps

As excited as I was about getting a round stamp to mail postcards internationally, I would be equally as excited, if not more if we had triangular stamps for domestic postcards.  Just sayin'.

The Tuesday Post: 20 Ideas of what to write on the back of a postcard

Does this sound familiar:

You are out looking for postcards and you stumble up on the PERFECT postcard for a someone you like [friend, family member, penpal, you get the picture].  You buy it, bring it home and lay it on your desk.  In your mind, it's obvious who it is for - the picture on the front will make the recipient smile.  And yet, it is still laying on your desk.  Fast forward a few days.  The postcard is still laying on your desk, now with a pile of papers and ephemera on it.  You move it to the top of the pile, because you know what to do with it.  And yet it is still sitting on your desk.  Not because you don't know the address - so you write it on the card, hoping that will inspire what comes next... the greeting.  But, you still don't know what to say, so it goes back into the pile.

Well, Postcrossing to the rescue!  They put together this handy list of ideas to inspire you.  No more excuses.  Just write it and send it!  That's the good thing about postcards, you only have to write a few lines - it's not a 1,000 word essay :)

The Tuesday Post: Family Circus

The Tuesday Post: No time for stamps...

Thank you postcardsavvyrebel 

Obviously this was a while ago, when postage was only 39¢.  Does anyone know if this would actually work?

The Tuesday Post: Round Forever International Stamp

You heard me right!  It's a FOREVER International Stamp - and it is ROUND!  Boy, those postcards to Europe are going to look so stylish now :)

Now that we are catching up to the rest of the world in the "cool stamp" department, I wonder how easy they are to remove.  Have you ever tried removing one of the self-stick stamps from a postcard?  I have, and they ruin the paper on the postcard - not like the old lick-and-stick stamps that would slide right off when they were moistened.  In fact, most stamps from countries outside of the USA still use some sort of glue that appeases deltiologists and philatelists.

Regardless, I am still very excited to have a beautiful stamp that fits nicely on postcards!  What do you think about it?

The Tuesday Post: Mr. Zip is back!

The lovable cartoon Mr. Zip that was created 50 years ago by the USPS (United States Postal Service) to encourage people to use zip codes when addressing mail, is making a come back.  He was retired in 1983, after 20 years of service.  Apparently he already appears on the Grand Central Station stamps and as a 3D character in some advertising.

I wonder where he will pop up next...

How do you like the new 3D version of Mr. Zip?  Where have you seen him recently?

The Tuesday Post: How to tie a package knot

Ever want to send a parcel with brown paper and a pretty, but secure knot?  Here's a tutorial.  Your recipient is guaranteed to smile :)

BTW - I really like this website for tying knots.  All of the tutorials are animated to make it easier.  And I have regular twine to use this knot - it looks really romantic.

The Tuesday Post: Sign the petition for the USPS

"The postal service is not a federal agency. It does not cost taxpayers a dollar. It loses money only because Congress mandates that it do so."

[Read more: Post Office Business Trouble - Why We Should Save the Post Office - Esquire http://www.esquire.com/features/post-office-business-trouble-0213#ixzz2J0WmuHI3]

Consider signing this petition.  Maybe the US Postal Service can make a little money and continue to deliver postcards :)

P.S. If you sign the petition, share it with others.

Share on Tumblr

The Tuesday Post: Did get your new postcard stamps? you

Just a reminder - US postage rates go up in 5 days! => click here

The Tuesday Post: Postage Stamps of Postcards

There is something really ironic about a postcard stamp that is an image of a postcard.  I know in other countries they have "maxi cards", but somehow this is different.

New US postage rates start Jan. 27, 2013

January 27, 2013 is the day the US Postal Service is raising their rates.  Here are the basic rates in case you don't have them memorized yet:
postcard (within the USA) - 33¢
letter (within the USA) - 46¢
postcard or letter International (includes Canada) - $1.10

The apple stamps pictured above will be the new postcard stamps - replacing the Aloha shirt stamps.

If you are looking for more rate information, you start here .

Christmas postmarks - North Pole, AK and Santa Claus, IN

The first is from North Pole, AK.  As I understand the instructions, all I need to do is address a postcard to myself and affix a US postage stamp.  Then mail it in a large envelope to:

How to remove stamps from postcards

saving stamps and the postcard can be difficult

Here is an interesting tutorial by Ken Stewart of Junior Philatelists on how to remove stamps from postcards saving both the stamp and the postcard.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Postcards, with Hogsmeade / Owl Postmark

                                  
This blog post has moved to our new website. If you are not redirected automatically, click here to go directly to the post