A Lost Art

I recently discovered an interesting new blog which I've enjoyed perusing, and I wanted to mention it to anyone who hasn't become acquainted with Mrs. Wilt. The Sparrow's Nest focuses on homemaking, decorating, family, modest dress, and gardening.

Actually, what interested me initially was her post on Reviving the Art  of Correspondence. Mrs. Wilt recommends this book by Alexandra Stoddard which she is reading now. I'm going to check our local library to see if it's on their shelves, and if not, I've already put it in my Amazon shopping cart.

Here are a few suggestions she says the book includes:

• Write from your heart.
• Use a variety of different-colored inks and stationery.
• Always put the day, month, and year on your letter.
• Letters are intimate. Be intimate.
• Keep your stationery box open; it makes starting so much easier.

I just wrote a three-page letter last week...well, actually, I typed a three-page letter and printed it out on three different colors of bright paper--yellow, lime green, and wild pink. So it wasn't truly "old-fashioned" since it wasn't written in my own handwriting, but I think the recipient won't mind. It will be a letter she can keep and read over again.

My stationery, cards, postcards, and stamps are all arranged in three different drawers. Most of the cards are purchased, but some are Hannah's watercolors, calligraphy, and photography cards. So I don't "keep my stationery box open," but I do have everything together in one spot for easy access.

I just need to recopy my addresses in my new address book. Then I'll be all set. Who shall I pick first to find a letter in their box? :)

~Deb

Comments

[Chris]

Pick Me, Pick Me! :)

That book sounds interesting. With all the "new fangled" ways to communisate... email, instant messaging, cell phones, text messaging.....letter wrting truely has become a lost art. It has also become more of a treasure, just like most things that are hard to come by. Thanks for that motivating post! I'll have to get out my colored paper and I even have some wax and a special stamp, hows that for old fashioned! :)

[Courtney]

I have a few snail-mail buddies, but I now rely on the convenience of e-mail for most of my friends.
Momma got me this really neat greeting card set for my b-day. I think there were 52 cards in this really cute box. We got the set on clearance Wal-mart for $4. The cards are SOOO cute and I'll really use them!!

[Susan]

Me! Me! Me!

I do better at keeping up with folks via e-mail and such, because it's so easy to type up a quick note. But I do love to get mail, and to get mail, you usually have to take the first step and send mail. I don't know what my friends would think if they found a fancy letter from me in their mailbox - maybe that I was dying or something?! LOL

[Susan]

I wish letter writing hadn't fallen by the wayside :(. There is nothing like getting a handwritten, thoughtfully-written in the mailbox from a dear friend :). I have two snail-mail pals, both of whom have e-mail. We just prefer to write each other the old-fashioned way! E-mail does have its advantages of course. . . Thanks for the interesting post!

[Deb]

Chris and Susan, I hear all those "pick me" requests. :) Well, just you wait and you might be rewarded! You never can tell. :)

Courtney, hey, at $4 a box for 52 cards how can Hannah ever sell any of her handmade cards?? But I like Walmart too much to boycott them! :)

Susan G., I thought you seemed like the type of person who would absolutely love an old-fashioned letter. I'm glad some folks still stick with snail mail for some special correspondence.

[lisa]

I recently sent my mom a treat bag. I crossstitched a towel (for Christmas but then couldn't wait lol) so I decided to send it as if it were an exchange like I see so many pictures of. I haven't heard from her yet but it's been a week and she should be getting it soon. I included a card in which I wrote that it was for no special occasion; only that I love her and miss her. After reading Mrs. Wilt's post and now yours, I am so happy that I did that. :)

Your pictures of Cass Railroad bring back so many memories. I am from WV and have lived in Roanoke, VA for 20 years (last November). When my boys (who are 16 and 13)were 3 and 1 we went to Cass with their paternal grandparents. I have a picture of the boys in one of the old houses we stayed in. My older son holding himself up in the top of a doorway and my younger son running underneath him. lol How I worried! Anyway, thanks for the trip down memory lane.

You asked if I have any pictures of finished stitching. I do on my blog www.groggyfroggy.blogspot.com. At the bottom I have pics of different things I've done lately. I do it for the joy of it..not for the results. That is a good thing lol :)

[Dorothy]

Is it too late to get into the "pick me" category? I could sure use a pick me up these days! I miss you and would love to have tea, play Scrabble, and chat...even on a rainy day. :-)