:: Etsy Love - Papered Thoughts ::

Back in March this year I was looking through my etsy activity and one of my friends had 'favourited' a super adorable packet of confetti that was labelled as a perfect pen pal gift. Well, colour me interested! I love things I can send my pen pals! I clicked through to the etsy store and that is where my obsession with Papered Thoughts began.

Papered Thoughts is the gorgeous etsy store run by Rin from the blog of the same name: Papered Thoughts. Rin is a creative genius and is always dreaming up the most adorable hand made items: from hand drawn stickers, to paint chip letter seals and confetti tape (it's just as awesome as it sounds).

I am in love with her hand-drawn stickers. I'm forever having an internal battle with myself: to use or not to use. I love them, but I didn't buy them to sit in my sticker box and feel unloved! Such a dilemma.

Papered Thoughts is a great place to go for creative, homemade items - including mail art envelopes! Rin's envelopes are amazing and she's selling some on her etsy store. My favourite is the Confetti Monster Envelope.

I think 2013 should be the year of the snail mail revolution! I urge you to sit down and put pen to paper and send something pretty to someone you love - maybe it's a postcard, maybe it's a thank you note. You never know what will come of it. Who doesn't love opening up their letter box and finding something gorgeous inside?

:: Finders Keepers Markets ::

This past Saturday I went to the Finders Keepers Markets with my friend, Halie. Oh my, it was wonderful! I love markets in general, but these ones in particular were fabulous. I restrained myself and only purchased a few things (even though I was desperate to break the bank!). They were held at The Old Museum which a beautiful old building that was once a museum and is now home of the Queensland Youth Orchestra, a rhythmic gymnastic club and a few other performing art groups.

I arrived at the markets just before opening time and was able to browse stores with ease as only a few people were there. Within the hour it was packed!

I love the blue, cream and tan decorations hung up around the three rooms. They added a really quaint feel to the markets.

I only took these two photos of actual stalls, because I wasn't sure if I was allowed. Does anyone know photography etiquette when it comes to photographing market stalls?

I was very restrained in my purchases. There was so much I could've bought, but managed to keep myself in check. Here is what I did buy.

This pack of sweet little cards from the Frankie stall.

This adorable scratchie card from a stall selling for multiple people, so I can't remember who made this one. Under the scratchie silver stuff it says 'Nt ll f the keys wrk but I'm gld this ne des xxxxxxx'. Cute, right?

This colourful card is from Able & Game. I love it's bright candy colours and cute print.

These lovelies are from Bespoke Letterpress Boutique. I may or may not be a little letterpress obsessed at the moment.

What did you get up to this weekend? Mr LG and I also put our Christmas tree up. Along with letterpress, I'm also obsessed with Christmas!

:: Snail Mail ::

I have definitely been spoilt this week with lovely snail mail. I received three packages, one letter and some beautiful flowers. These lovely parcels have come at a perfect time as I am sick once again. I can't wait for Summer to officially be here!

Incoming:

 This cute card arrived from Jess in New Zealand. Love the flowers!

This awesome 90s stationery arrived from Perth with two CDs of lovely French music from Jenn. We had been talking about the hilarous 90s stationery we still had in our collections and now I can't wait to send her a letter on some of mine!

Mr LG turned up at my place with these lovely flowers for me. Immediately my sister asked him what he'd done wrong, haha! I absolutely love them and even more so because they were 'just because' flowers. So lucky!

This absolutely adorable card and onesie arrived for my new nephew. Gracie, you are incredibly sweet! Thank you so much!!

I also received the most amazing package full of green goodness as part of Jess's 'Colours of the Rainbow' swap, but I will post about that next time!

It's raining here, so once again my plans for swimming have been foiled! I took Mr LG to his first ever scrapbook store experience ... I think he may be scarred a little, ha! I hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!

:: Snail Mail ::

This Friday I received my parcel for Gracie's 'Because You're Lovely' swap. My partner was none other than Gracie herself. Here is what she gave me:

As you can see, I was spoilt rotten! Gracie's package was full of so much lovely, my heart just about burst! I adore each and every single item she selected for me - I am an absolute stationery nut (just in case that wasn't already obvious!). I have already worn the darling necklace and can't wait to wear the earrings! Gracie, thank you so very much  - not only for organising such a fantastic swap, but for putting so much thought into my package. I love it!

Here is what I gave Gracie in return (pales in comparison, I am sorry to say):

In other snail mail news, here is what I gave some of my other pen pals as a first little gift with my first letter:

And here is what I gave Jess with my first letter (you can see what she gave me here):

I have also just been given my partner for Jess's 'Colours of the Rainbow' swap. My partner likes pink - I can't wait to start shopping for her!

In other un-mail related news (but very male related news, haha) my younger sister has started her minor contractions! I will have a little nephew some time very soon. I expect to be woken up at some ridiculous hour tonight, but if not she will be induced at 7am tomorrow morning as her water has already broken. We are all so excited to meet the little man!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!