OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Kitty lives outside of Amsterdam and sent this card showing sheep grazing. Love how the sheep dog is off to the side, on my first quick look I thought it was a panda!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Marina wrote me a lovely note sharing some details of where she lives and the day she had when she wrote the card. The image shows a stained glass window in  St John's Cathedral in 's-Hertogenbosch. The piece is titled "The Woman and The Dragon". I can only imagine how beautiful this would look with the sunlight streaming through.

Merry Christmas from Annemieke

Can you believe it has been less than a month since Christmas! It seems when there is less than 4 weeks to the date there is all the excitement and merriment in the air, after, nothing. It is just back to cold and gray with no lights or tinsel to try and make you forget you are in winter. Annemieke and I had swapped a few times through 2014 and I loved this sweet greeting card she sent me. Marjolein Bastin is an artist I really like, kind of different than what I might hang on the walls of my home but for cards and stationary over the years she has been one of my go to lines. I can't believe I never knew she was Dutch until now! The text translates to say "Merry Christmas" and on the inside lovely wishes from Annemieke. I just love the little birdies - thank you and all the best for 2015!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This card has piqued my curiosity. It was sent by a lady named Puck. The view shows the Empire State Building and she tells me about her trips to New York City. The message on the back as well as the stickers are all printed on. The kicker for me is it is prepaid, and the company info for the card is a Dutch website. I can't make it all out as the airmail sticker is covering it and it isn't an easy peel off. I don't think I have ever some across a prepaid card from Europe. I will have to do a little bit more digging.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Today's card was sent to me by Brigitt and has a great photo of former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and her granddaughters. A beautiful trio of girls that I have showcased in cards before. Super Christmas stamps too!

Random Act of Smiliness - Meet-ups from LyndaC

My friend Lynda has been travelling on a trip of a lifetime through Europe the past few weeks. I have been following her adventures on her blog, and as we are friends on Facebook I also get to see the pictures each day. She has been really diligent in keeping both up to date while being so busy. One of her goals for this trip was to attend the big annual meeting in Bielefeld, Germany. It is a HUGE Postcrossing meeting - 50 or 60 people rent a house and it runs over 3 days. Wowza! Before that she had a mini meet up with a few Postcrossers while she was staying in Amsterdam. I was lucky that she sent me cards from both meet-ups. The 3D Hallowe'en card she made herself and it arrived on my birthday - icing on the cake! Thank you Lynda for thinking of me on your travels, truly appreciated and totally envious.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Henneke took a day trip to Arnhem the week before she sent this card to me. She writes that it is a nice place for a day trip to see a museum. Sadly, it suffered much destruction during World War II. She chose a Europa stamp for me which is always a nice surprise to receive.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Trudie lives in the small fortified city of Grave in the Netherlands. She sent this wonderful card of sheep enjoying the snow. She too is thankful that hasn't started yet! She wrote to me about Autumn and it was as if I wrote the words myself - exactly the same feeling and thoughts. You know what they say about great minds!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This is pretty much the image I conjure up in my mind when I think of The Netherlands, minus the tulips! Thank you Maud!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Sometimes I think I take for granted where we live and the many beautiful things around me that makes our corner of the world unique. I know that the spot I live in is very pretty - rolling hills, lots of trees, the occasional farm with animals....same old, same old to me as I drive by it every day. When people come to visit us, especially those who live in the city are "taken back" by the beauty. I'm like, "ya, it's a tree".

Rachel sent me this very typical and iconic view of her village - a windmill. She writes that it "might not impress but it is gorgeous view". It was built in 1772, however is no longer in use. I totally agree with her, sometimes it is the small treasures that don't seem like a "big" thing that make our corner simply wonderful. Kind of like that tree I should pay more attention to.

Thank You Card - Annemieke from Netherlands

Annemieke has a friend who is moving to Vancouver. She was collecting cards for her as a send off gift. I sent a few and in return Annemieke sent me these two wonderful card cards showing the various species of Forest Birds and Birds of Prey and Owls. Thank you Annemieke for the thank you!

Greeting from Netherlands - Direct Swap with Amy

Amy is another connection I made on the Postcrossing Forum to swap for this series of cards. I couldn't believe The Netherlands export that many tulips or had that many bikes! Love the tidbits I am learning from these cards. Thanks Amy!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Harry sent this great multiview to me showing views from Groningen. He likes to travel and tells me he visited Vancouver Island a few years ago. That would be quite a trip! This series of stamps is new to me - love the design!

OFFICIAL CARD - Netherlands

Louise sent this fun card to me from Holland. I must say it is the only card I have ever recieved written entirely in gold ink! Some cute sheep stickers and drawings and this card sure put a smile on my face!

Random Act of Smiliness - Annemieke from The Netherlands

Annemieke and I have exchanged cards in the past, somewhere in our conversations it came up that my daughter loves owls. She so kindly offered to send her a few owl cards and lucky for me she included a few sheep too. Such a wonderful gesture on her part. Love being part of simple acts of kindness like this. Thank you Annemieke! She also used more of these neat braille stamps.

Postcrossing Name Stickers

I have long admired the various personalized name stickers people use for Postcrossing. I found a group via Facebook where you can order them. I decided to take the plunge and place an order - some for me, my kids, my sister and a friend who joined in. The hardest part was deciding on the design, which you can see wasn't one I made easily as I ordered several! Honestly, compared to other sites I have seen these were super reasonable! Can't imagine I'll need more in the Fall when the next one takes place but I am sure I will find something new. Plus, lots for my nieces for Christmas! Andrea, the lady who put all this fabulousness together used the most amazing assortment of stamps on the envelope.

It doesn't really show in the scan but all my stickers either have an iridescent shine and/or a glittery background.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Aleid sent this card and wrote these are images from where she lives in the northern region of the Netherlands. Loving the little sheep!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Sandra lives in Zeeland and writes that there are many beaches in her area. Again, something my mind just doesn't naturally think of when I think of that part of the world. This card looks like it could be sent from Florida or South Carolina just as easily. How cute is that seal?!?!

Thank You Card - Annemieke from Netherlands

I had a card that fit one of Annemieke's collections. As a thank you she sent me this fun owl card. She wrote that she often sees them in her area. She she was so kind as to send my owl loving daughter some cards too. Very sweet! Love the stamps she chose for me, the upper right is in braille - neat!