This gorgeous card comes from Susanne in the USA and really looks outside the box to find something that matches my love for ‘vintage map cards’. And I love it! It is so unique! Here you can see an old celestial map, dating to 1729 and the constellations as seen then. I love old paintings like this and the stars have always intrigued me. Thank you so much Susanne! It’s a hit!
I love this really cool map card of Britain, sent to me by Ina in the Netherlands. I have no idea when it dates to, but I am a huge fan of vintage maps and seeing how differently places were once depicted. I guess this one can’t be too old as it is fairly accurate, but that doesn’t make it any less special! This one shows the kingdoms in the times of the Anglo-Saxons. Furthest north are the Scots, a little further south (in what is now southern Scotland) are the Picts, then Northumbria, below which are (left to right) Wales, Mercia and Essex. Below Essex is East Anglia and below that (left to right again) Wessex, Sussex and Kent. Most of these are still county/country names in the UK, but the counties are now far smaller. So fascinating! Thank you Ina!
This amazing card comes from Asami in Japan and shows an old map of her country way back in 1595 – during one of the most turbulent times in Japanese history. Warlords had fought for centuries over territories, but by the end of the 16th century, things were beginning to become more peaceful and the country was starting to become the united Japan we know today. Fantastic card!
This beautiful card is one of my favourites! Sent to me way back in March, just after the amazing Sochi Winter Olympics, Nadya in Russia really hit the nail on the head with this one – AND even used a commemorative stamp! For some reason, this was the first year I really got into the Winter Olympics and I honestly got hooked! My favourite: the snowboarding! Amazing! And there’s no doubt about it – despite all their controversies the Russians can certainly put on a good show.
This cool card comes from the USA, of course and shows one place name everyone knows! Hollywood. Situated in California, it is of course an area famous for, well… fame! In 1870, however, it was just a small community and it wasn’t until after its merge with Los Angeles in 1910 that its film industry began to emerge, eventually dominating world films! Awesome card – and it also came with some of the new Harry Potter stamps too, which is even more awesome!
These three awesome cards come from Heather in the USA. The top two were lovingly designed by herself and the third, obviously, shows most people’s dream! Ben and Jerry’s! In case you have been living under a rock your whole life or live in a country unlucky enough to not have access to B&J’s this delicious snack is only the BEST ICE CREAM IMAGINEABLE! That being said, Heather tells me she once sent this card to someone and they replied saying “I don’t like ice cream.”. Maybe part of me (my waistline) wishes I didn’t like ice cream, but in reality, it is just too scrummy to ever give up! Thanks Heather!
This totally adorable card came from my good friend (and almost-birthday-twin) Hannah in Germany. Unfortunately I couldn’t read most of the back as it came in a delicious packet full of chocolates and Eastery-treats. Sadly, some of the chocolate creme-filled eggs hatched (quite literally) in the envelope en route and stickified the entire contents! However, I think the front gives the right vibe!
Another very belated update, this time from Ramona and her beautiful creative family in Germany. Easter in Germany is celebrated in a very similar way to the UK, on a Sunday in March or April and as part of a long weekend. And of course, who doesn’t love chocolate, eggs and cute animals?
This cool card comes from Hezzie in the states, expressing her love for the 6th smallest state in the USA but with the 3rd highest population density. Home to the famous capital of Boston, really, what isn’t to love about Massachusetts except trying to type the name quickly?
To celebrate International Women’s Day in March, Spanish Vero sent me this great card – my first of its kind. Created to commemorate historic suffrage, International Women’s Day is celebrated primarily in Europe to represent equality and was designed to raise both political and social awareness of issues surrounding sexism. A fantastic holiday for women, who, in the words of Vero, are “strong, beautiful, smart, skilled, fighters and lovers…”. Great card!
The World On My Doorstep 