Sneaky Art of the Spitball

On this day in 1982 Gaylord Perry of the Seattle Mariners was ejected from a game for throwing an illegal spitball. A spitball is an illegal pitch in baseball. The idea is to coat the ball with some kind of substance that will then alter the aerodynamics of the ball and thus alter it's path and make it more difficult to hit. The invention of the spitball has been credited to a number of individuals, however it was Elmer Stricklett who introduced it to the majors. The pitch was widely popular in the 1900's but was banned from use by the 1920's. The league however allowed an exception for up to two pitchers on each team, who would be allowed to throw spitballs but no other kind of defaced ball pitch. While the exemption was originally intended to last for just one season, the leagues backed off slightly after the season. They identified 17 "bona fide" spitball pitchers who were allowed to continue throwing the spitball for the remainder of their careers. The art of the spitball lied greatly in it's decption. The pitcher had to be sneaky in his actions so that the batter would never know it was coming. The most popular methods were to hide petrolleum jelly behind the knee or under the brim of the hat. Once the pitch was banned the players had to be even more creative in there methods of secrecy because if caought they would be ejected from the game. Gaylord Perry, who went so far as to title his autobiography Me and the Spitter, would put vaseline on his zipper because umpires would never check there.

If you have a baseball fan in your life impress them with your knowledge of the spitball and it's sorted history. If you are looking for a baseball themed card check out my etsy shop for one like this.

You could even add a special gift like these awesome cufflinks from qacreates shop to the card for any special occasion, even for finally mastering the sneaky art of the spitball...just don't tell the umpire.

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.

Rock Legends.

On this day in 1964 The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. Approximately 74 million viewers — about half of the American population — watched the group perform on the show. I think most of them were screaming girls when you look at the video!!
The next morning, many newspapers wrote that The Beatles were nothing more than a 'fad', and 'could not carry a tune across the Atlantic'.

Funny how history works isn't it.

Just recently 45 years later they have opened a theme hotel in Liverpool based on The Beatles called "A Hard Day's Night Hotel".
You have to love the imagination behind this. Check it out for yourself.

After you watch this video of their first performance tell someone you know what a "rockstar" they are. Head over to my etsy shop and check out this mini-album


If a card is more what you are looking for I can create a custom card for you similar to this one for a "rock star" on his 50th birthday. Or even one for your "rocking" mom, seen below.

Here's to The Beatles...you guys ROCK!

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!!