Signed, Sealed, and Delivered.

Although now a familiar sight at busy intersections in every city, mailboxes were not used until the 1850s, after the introduction of postage stamps. Before 1847, everyone had to take his or her letters to the post office, pay the postage, and have the postmaster mark each item “paid.” After the introduction of stamps, people wanted a more convenient place to drop-off their mail than the post office. In the 1850s, the Post Office Department began installing collection mailboxes outside of post offices and on street corners in large cities. People can drop their letters in these mailboxes throughout the day, and the postal service collects the accumulated mail at specific times, usually marked on the box.
On March 9, 1858, the first U.S. patent for a street mailbox was patented by Albert Potts of Philadelphia (No.19578). It comprised a simple metal box designed to attach to a lamppost. By August, these boxes were found along the streets of Boston, Mass., and New York City, N.Y. His patent described the "object of this improvement is to afford greater facilities to the inhabitants of large cities for the depositing of letters, and to enable the carriers to collect, or the citizens to deposit therein, at any period of time." The boxes had a central hole for the shaft of a lamp post, lids covering the drop hole to exclude weather, a sight hole so a carrier could see if any letters had been deposited, and a small door secured with a lock for the carrier to empty the box.

Even though e-mail has become the first method by which most of us now "mail", there is nothing like the thrill of pulling out a real, honest to goodness card or letter from your mailbox. It almost makes all that junk mail bearable!

In honor of Albert Potts and the ease with which his invention made "depositing a letter", send a real letter to someone today. There are loads of great note cards out there. Etsypaper has many talented artists that design cards and stationary. Etsygreetings even has a blog dedicated to the beauty of the handmade card that often includes giveaways. Of course you can always stop by my etsy shop and pick up a few things to have handy to "drop in the mailbox". When you do, think of Albert and smile.

Inspired to Sing Out Loud!!

Today in 1931 Congress adopted the song "The Star Spangled Banner" as the National Anthem. It was in 1814, that 35 year old Francis Scott Key penned the song that now is sung thousands of times a year. In fact "The Star Spangled Banner" is one of the most well known national anthems, and has been translated into numerous languages. During the war of 1812, Key and a friend were sailing down the Chesapeake Bay when the British began their attack on the city of Baltimore. Key and others watched the British bombarded Fort McHenry for two days. During all those blasts of canon fire, and the haze of gunpowder, the group was able to occasionally catch glimpses of the HUGE American flag that flew above the Fort. The Flag was 42 feet long and was made to be big enough that the British couldn't miss seeing it. As the last of the shelling stopped Key peered out into the early morning fog and smoke to see if the flag was still flying....it was. He was so inspired that he began to write a poem on the back of an envelope which he called "The defense of Fort M'Henry" Key was quoted as saying, "Then, in that hour of deliverance, my heart spoke: 'Does not such a country, and defenders of their country, deserve a song?'" The flag that inspired Key (pictured above) and a nation is in the care of the Smithsonian Institute. On their website, you can find out interesting facts not only about the song Key wrote, but the woman who sewed the flag, Mary Pickersgill, how it came to be a National Treasure, and why it is so much smaller than it started out. Not the reason you would think!

If you are feeling patriotic please visit the shop for a selection of patriotic cards suitable to send for any occasion that inspires your inner Francis Scott Key.

7 days and counting...

Just a reminder for all those holiday challenged types. Valentine's day is only 7 days away. If you head over to my etsy shop right now I can get you your order just in time for the big day.
Everyone deserves a valentine, the paper boy, your neighbor who takes in your trash cans for you when you are away, the UPS guy who walks you package up the hill when his truck can't make it through the snow. Stop by the shop look around in the valentine's goodies section and pick out a card or two. If you mention you saw this post on my blog I'll even give you an extra 10% off. Just let me know when you order.

Are you my TYPE?

On this day in 1957 Smith-Corona Manufacturing of New York, began selling portable electric typewriters. The first one weighed 19 pounds. It's unbeleiveable how far we have come in 52 short years. It's amazing that now even a laptop doesn't weigh 19 pounds. If typewriter history is your TYPE of thing then you want to check out this site by Will Davis, who apparently is all about the typewriter. Smith-Corona also has a history timeline for their products here.

If you're not really into that but know

someone who is...look for this Valentine card in my shop and send it out the old- fashioned way...snail mail.

Birthday Madness

WOW... July has hit me with birthday madness. In the last week I have known and/or celebrated about 6 different birthdays, including my own. It's funny how things like that hit you in packs, birthdays, new babies, weddings. It seems as soon as you go to one you are going to several. One of the birthdays we helped celebrate was a milestone...60 years. A good friend of the studios turned 60 and we had a surprise party to go to. Of course such a monumental occasion called for an awesome card and I hit the boards to create one. I came up with this, a bit nostalgic, but fun as well. Inside is a pocket that can hold a gift card or even cash if you wish to give it. A a great quote about growing old..or not growing old I should say.

Since it turned out so well I thought I would offer it in my etsy shop. It's a great card that can be personalized for the birthday boy by YOU. You can take out the replica photo and replace it with one of your own, or send us you photo here at the studio and we'll include it for you. While you're at the shop checking out this card take a look at some of the others we offer for birthdays too. If you are having or had a birthday this month...to you I say..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Those daring young women in their flying machines.

On May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean.

It was five years to the day after Lindbergh's famous flight, when she took off in a Lockheed Vega, in an attempt to become the second person after Lindbergh (and first woman) to fly solo across the Atlantic. Starting from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, her flight lasted almost 15 hours, when she touched down in a pasture near Londonderry, Northern Ireland. With this flight she had broken several records ...the first woman to fly the Atlantic solo and only person to fly it twice...the longest non-stop distance flown by a woman...and a record for crossing in the shortest time. (The distance from Newfoundland to Ireland being considerably shorter than Lindbergh's route from Long Island to Paris, her flight time was correspondingly shorter than his 33 hours.)

Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchison, Kansas. Her grandparents raised her during her early childhood. From the age of ten, she lived with her mother and father. She was a tomboy - climbing trees, sledding in the snow, and hunting She saw her first airplane in 1908, at the Iowa State Fair, but her interest in aviation lay dormant for another ten years. She served as a nurse in World War One, and took her first ride in an airplane in 1920. After her flight with barnstormer Frank Hawks, she said:

"As soon as we left the ground, I knew I myself had to fly."

Indeed, within a few days, she took her first flying lesson, in a Curtiss JN-4 Jenny. Six months later, she bought her own airplane.

This birthday card from the studio reminds me of Amelia. Perhaps you know someone who has a great spirit of adventure as she did. Look for this card in our etsy shop and celebrate the daring and adventuresome spirit of great women like Amelia.

I leave you with a quote from Amelia made before her attempt at flying around the world, what has become know as her last flight. This quote sums up much of how I think she lived her life.

"Please know I am quite aware of the hazards...I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail their failure must be but a challenge to others."
Bravo Amelia!

The Sultan of Swat...begins.

Today in 1915, Babe Ruth hit his first homerun while with the Boston Red Sox. May 6, 1915

In the third inning at the Polo Grounds, 20-year-old pitcher Babe Ruth slammed the first pitch off Yankee right-hander Jack Warhop into the second tier of the right field grandstand for a home run. It was the first home run for the youngster in his 18th time at bat in the major leagues. As Ruth trotted around the bases running out the home run he had blasted, the 8,000 in attendance, cheered him on.

Ruth's impact on American culture still commands attention today. Top performers in other sports are often referred to as "The Babe Ruth of ____." He is considered one of the greatest baseball players in history, in fact many polls place him as the number one player of all time. His name comes up anytime home runs are discussed, including Barry Bond's passing Ruth's career number in 2006. You can find his baseball stats here.

In honor of america's favorite pasttime and the huge number of baseball fans out there, we have created this card in the studio.

It features a replica T-206 baseball card, often times called tobacco series cards since they came in the package of tobacco (not chewing gum !)

It has been a popular seller from our studio and can be personalized for any occasion. We may even have your favorite old time players replica card to put on the front. Look for it in our etsy shop.

In the meantime ...get out there and knock one outta the park...The Babe is cheering you on.

Happy Birthday...Dear Leo.

Today in 1452 Leonardo Da Vinci was born.

He was the illegitimate son of a notary and a peasant girl, born just outside Florence Italy. He was a painter, draftsman, sculptor, architect, scientist and inventor. He learned from observing things and constantly asking questions. There is a great site from the Museum of Science that showcases the "Leonardo at the Museum" exhibit. I especially like the way his eyes move in his portrait on the first page...but hey that's just me.

I also found this quote from Da Vinci that I think is great and still applies to our lives today.

Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else.

In honor of Leonardo's birthday I would like to present him with this card, to encourage him to celebrate his birth and life accomplishments. If there is someone whose birth you wish to celebrate you can find this card at my etsy shop.

So, get out there today and do some stuff, if it works...then do some more. That's what Leo would have done.

ROAD TRIP !

Today is National Reading a Roadmap Day.

Where would we be without maps. Especially today, with the internet and mapquest, it's easy to find your way from here to there. Once a futuristic idea, a car that tells you where to go has become the standard for many people. National Geographic has a great site called Map Machine that will give you maps for places all over the world, even maps of Mars from the sattelite.

Sometimes though it's nice to just wander, without having a place to be and a time to be there. I made this card in honor of that wandering spirit. It is available in my etsy shop.

This weekend...get the vehicle gassed up...call shotgun, and hit the road to see where it takes you. Remember "All who wander are not lost".

Girl Scout Cookies!

Today is the day that the Girl Scouts were founded in 1912! Who would have thought then that they would still be around in 2008. I don't think I know anyone who doesn't love a good (let's face it they're all good) Girl Scout Cookie. In case you missed getting your supply, or already ate it, I found this site on the web to help you find some or some more. http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/

In honor of the great cookie, I am posting this card today in my etsy shop. A good cup of coffee goes great with a yummy samoa! Leave a comment with your favorite Girl Scout Cookie flavor.

ETSYGREETINGS Color Challenge

The etsy greetings group is holding a color challenge. All those participating were to post in their shop a card using the colors of green and lilac. You can see all the cards on the etsygreetings blog. Please visit and vote for your favorite (mine I hope, #38)

This is my submission for the color challenge. I decided to do a Mother's Day card that would allow you to add a photo of your own Mom, but look as if you produced the card with that picture in mind. I accomplished this by having a pull-out tag that is overlaid with a clear transparency on which I stamped a flourish in a lovely metallic champagne color. It has really turned out well and I am excited to begin a new line in my shop with this type of card. Look for more soon both here and in my etsy shop.