^ A gorgeous collage by Katey Nicosia.

I've been a bit absent from the blogging-internetting world these past few days/weeks as I'm waiting for the interwebz to be connected at my new abode . I've been using semi-reliable, mobile internet for a week or so and I don't have enough bandwidth to post pictures or the like, but all should be solved in the next week or so. At the very least, the internet shortage is offering more Madmen-watching, letter writing opportunities.

Onto more pressing matters. I was wondering if some of you lovely folk might like to do me a small favour... I have compiled a very short survey about letter writing. If you'd be so kind as to fill it out and email it back to me I would be very grateful.

I am thinking of reposting the survey answers received on this blog in some form and also including a handful of them in a zine I'm (very slowly) putting together. If you'd like to fill in your answers and send them to me, but don't want me to publish your answers, that's fine too, just let me know in the email.

Interpret the questions however you like. Give sentence, paragraph or one-word answers. Be as serious or non-serious as you please. Even if you don't write letters often. If you don't have an answer for a question, leave it blank (or write a new question).

The survey
Name:
Location: (town, state, country)
A letter a day keeps the _________________.
I write letters because _________________.
The last letter I wrote was ______________.
The last letter I received was ____________.
When I write a letter I feel ______________.
People should write letters because ________.

Email to: biancajagoe[at]gmail[dot]com

If you're at all confused as to how to answer, here are my answers (you don't need to write as much as I did!);

Name: Bianca
Location: Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
A letter a day keeps the bills away (not really, it just makes it feel like there's less of them).
I write letters because it makes me feel good. I think they're little packages of good vibes and the feeling after reading (or writing) a good letter is blissful. Writing letters makes you slow down and observe your surroundings. Writing letters makes you connect with people on a different, meaningful level. I write letters because the thought of empty mailboxes makes me sad. I write letters because the sharing of mail with people from all over the globe expands my knowledge of the world. I write letters to feel more connected with people.
The last letter I wrote was nine pages long(!) and sealed in a glittery pink envelope.
The last letter I received was in three envelopes and included an American dollar note!
When I write letters I feel connected.
People should write letters because it feels good.

Thank you kindly!

1. Recycled Security Envelope Buttons/Badges 2. US Mail Airmail Slot 3. Red Postal Airmail Stamp Sewing Buttons 4. Red Cardboard Letter Holder Box 5. Airmail Envelope Camera Pouch 6. Crochet Airmail


7. Airmail Letters Quilting Fabric 8. Don't Shoot The Messenger Earrings 9. Vintage Mail Ephemera Postcards 10. Lolas Room Set of 4 Sweet Things Postcards 11. Vintage Owl Napkin/Letter Holder 12. I Wrote You A Letter Sticker Set


13. Vintage Upcycled Mail Box Desk Organiser 14. Mushroom and Birds Fold-It Notes 15. Wedding Postmark Custom Rubber Stamp 16. Hand Carved Mailbox Rubber Stamp 17. Mailbox and Mail Bag Crotchet Pattern 18. US Postage Cufflinks


19. Zip Code Necklace 20. Vintage Postage Ornament Blocks 21. Mail Stamp Silverplated Ring 22. Vintage Postman Barrette 23. Postman Vinyl Decal 24. British Postal Box Vinyl Wall Decal

(My 'Favourite Etsy Mail Finds #1' is here)

Today C and I paid a visit to our (undeniably phallic looking) vintage post box pal outside of City Park and C kindly took some photos of my outfit. It was a very windy day and although I can't recall the specific dialogue, I told C that he had to be on "flying skirt duty" to make sure it didn't fly up and reveal my behind to the general public, to which he replied, "So I get to spend the whole day looking at your butt?". How lovely.

We are still in the throes of unpacking and are slowly discovering things we like and don't like so much about the new house, e.g. - likes; warm, sunny, proximity to all shops, well-sized. Dislikes; our washing machine blocks most of the bathroom door (only thin people can visit us or they won't be able to use the bathroom), industrial-grade school-like carpet, one cracked window, etc. But at the moment, just having an abode and making home is good enough for me. All things aside, it is a happy house to be in.

We're currently making do without a fridge, any wardrobes and many other furniture items, so finding clothes is often troublesome as they are in an assortment of huge travel bags. I was glad to find this coat and skirt after burying it several months ago in a bag for moving. Also, it has only recently occurred to me that I have extremely pale skin, like copy paper, #FFFFFF white. I think I need to pursue some vitamin D.

^ Jayme McGowan.




^ A fantastic package from Linsey in Oklahoma. She included a red Keel's 'Simple Diary' which I have been writing in each day. It's not a conventional journal and gives you (often bizarre) kind of mini-prompts, like in the above picture. It's certainly easier to keep than a conventional journal. I'm quite enjoying it. She also included a Le Pen and a bunch of other goodies. So generous! I loved it.


^ Definatalie sent me a bundle of her lovely Avantcard postcards in this beautifully decorated vessel.


^ An as always delightful little letter from miss Bella.


^ A thoroughly enjoyable, colourful missive from Debbie in Western Australia.


^ My sister sent me this apron and it made me laugh. I am so going to wear it every time I cook. Dungog is the town where I went to high school and where my sister still does. The cards are lovely too.


^ Molly sent me this gorgeous postcard and wrote some very insightful things. Totally lovely.


^ I think this tissue-letter is my pal Min's way of telling me my letter back to her is long, long overdue. Haha. Promise to write soon!


^ Just thought I'd include this envelope as it contained a cute letter from my Nanna.




^ For 'Snail Mail Aficionado', miss Jessica.


^ An envelope collage for sweet Fatima in Bahrain.


^ An overdue letter for lovely Angelia, a thoroughly enjoyable letter to write.


^ A bundle of bits for Canadian lass, Zoë.


^ This little package isn't actually from me, it's from C to Jane for the Mix Share Swap, but he was taking too long to send them so I made the envelope/cd decor. He did make the mixes though :P I tried to make the track listing look like a receipt.


^ Postcards for Lauren.


^ Postcards for Linda.


^ Postcards for Rusty.


^ Postcards for Corinne.


^ Postcards for Linda 2.


^ A long overdue letter for Ilona/Missive Maven. Hope she digs it :)


^ I included this postcard in my letter for her, however I'm not sure that I agree.


^ Book Depository took a bunch more of my money in exchange for these two lovely boxes of postcards - McSweeney's 'Greetings From The Ocean's Sweaty Face' 100 postcard box and 30 'Wanderlust' postcards. They're too lovely. There isn't a single postcard I don't like in either.


^ Some postcards from the Ocean's Sweaty face box.


^ Some of my favourites from the Wanderlust box.