Ideas for InCoWriMo this February

Are you making plans to participate in this year's International Correspondence Writing Month, more commonly known as InCoWriMo? If you visit the official website, you'll find a list of hundreds of names and addresses from all over the world, as well as ideas on how to make the most of InCoWriMo.

If you're on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, you can search for #InCoWriMo and see who is talking about what they'll be doing for this annual, month-long, self-designed adventure. It's great to get some new ideas and find others just as interested as you in sending and receiving mail.

I came up with a list of 28 ideas of possible recipients for the writing challenge. Of course, the easiest way would be to pick a different name from the address book on the InCoWriMo website. You can state in your card, letter, postcard if you're looking for long-term correspondence, or just a one-time "How do you do".

1.  Movie Star
2. Sport Figure
3. Newscaster
4. Television star
5. Author
6. Politician (local or national)
7. Penpal (current or previous)
8. Someone from incowrimo
9. Someone from sendsomething,net
10. Valentine to someone
11. Someone you admire
12. Family member
13. Old friend or co-worker
14. Musician/band
15. Someone from armed services
16. Someone who lost a spouse/child
17. Someone you've never met
18. Nursing home resident
19. Stationery enthusiast
20. Public figure you admire
21. TV show writer or producer
22. Favorite product/company
23. Local animal shelter or cause
24. Letter to south pole
25. Someone in another country
26. Sympathy card
27. New homeowner
28. Someone pursuing a dream

Of course, you can always write to Yours Truly! I'll be glad to write back.

What are your plans for InCoWriMo? In my next blog post, I'll show how I've begun my special preparations so that I'm ready to roll on February 1.

Postage Increase on January 21, 2018

The cost to mail a 1 oz letter increases from .49 to .50 on Sunday, January 21, 2018. The postcard rate will increase from .34 to .35. There's something soothing/correct to have the stamps at rounded numbers and not at odd/unusual numbers like it seems they have been for a long time. I have always missed seeing the denominations on the stamps. Ah, the good old days.

An additional ounce stamp remains at .21 and the cost to mail an overseas letter or postcard (1 oz or less) also remains unchanged at $1.15.

With the introduction of the Forever stamps (2007), it does make it convenient when the stamp prices increases to not have to go out and purchase more stamps or additional postage. Still, I miss having the amounts on the stamps. How about you?

A Visit to the Paper Patisserie

Welcome to the Paper Patisserie store in the Cathedral Hill area of St Paul, Minnesota. It's a beautiful area of the capitol city with tree lined streets, wide sidewalks and wonderful coffee shops such as Nina's Coffee Cafe which is just a few steps from Paper Patisserie.

 

The welcoming front door to the building greets you with old, well-worn brass and wood. Once you're in the building, you will still need to enter the store which is immediately to your right.

Welcome! Isn't this quaint?

The first thing that caught my eye was this book lamp. Don't you love it?!

I'm drawn to the desk with it's small drawers and inviting space.

How about this massive collection of Clairefontaine notebooks? Small, medium, large- they've got them all!

So this owl was there and tried to talk me into taking him home. Maybe next time!

Who doesn't love a collection of waxes and seals? I have some of each but just do not use them enough to go through them very quickly, so they last a long time.

Pens, pens and more pens.

This lovely typewriter pencil holder was one of my favorite finds

The wall of gifts and, more importantly, paper!

New file folders, anyone? Yes, please.

This aisle is bordered by the large glass windows that let in the Minnesota sunshine.

Here's a view of the front door from the inside.

Looking back before I leave, purchases in hand, ready to go outside and brave the Minnesota winter.

Goodbye, Paper Patiserie, until we meet again!