Sharing Summer Memories

On a cold, rainy day, I think the next best thing to reading a book with a cup of tea (or coffee!) is receiving and reading heartfelt letters from pen pals. It’s been months since I organized the Summer Mail Swap but I recently read through all of them and how they made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The theme of the swap was “Best of Summer 2017” and we all shared with each other through words, pictures and artwork our favorite summer experiences.

The stories shared were varied — from out of town trips to making art projects at home, from finally watching their favorite band perform live on stage to more sobering ones like having to take care of a sick loved one. But all the same, these summer stories were enriching and I think it had a lot to do with their candidness and honesty in writing. Many of these people I have not seen in a long time, while some I have never even met. But reading their letters made me feel as if I’ve known them for a long time and that they are very close by.

Thirty people joined this swap and I did send mail to all of them too. I created five sets of different cards showing five different things that made my 2017 summer memorable!

VIETNAM ADVENTURES 
Brush pen illustration + Watercolor + Wooden inkprint

MORE VIETNAM ADVENTURES
Pen drawings + Watercolor

COFFEE EXPLORING
Rubber stamp inkprint

WINDMILL SIGHTING
Brush pen doodles + Watercolor PAINT DAYS (above photo, right)
Brush pen doodles + Spray paint

To be honest, I experienced the most set backs this time — A couple of letters were returned to sender, some had incorrect zip codes and others simply got lost. It’s a shame but those concerned were kind enough to resend and patiently waited. There’s an understanding that these incidents could happen, I just didn’t expect a number of them to happen at one time. But inspite of all this, I am not deterred. I will continue sending mail and encouraging swapping! I’ve experienced enough success getting my mail delivered to keep me going.

I’m happy to get to know these ladies who joined the Summer Mail Swap. Yes, these mail swaps are very much about making and sharing art but it has also become a lot about reaching out to others and making friends. I do hope to keep the conversation going with them and keep being a source of light and encouragement as they are to me.

A heartfelt thanks, Summer Mail Swappers. You have kept my heart warm on gloomy days. Our summer memories live on. ❤

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I’m starting another mail swap and the theme is HOPE. If you’d like to join, simply click on this LINK.