Friday, October 25, 2019

Post Crossing Story 2 - Leiden



You never know what will happen once you step out to make a connection. I joined Postcrossing in March 2019 and have enjoyed every card sent and received, each a small conversation with a person from somewhere in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world. I don’t think this “small world” story will ever be topped for me.
     The recipient for my next card was named Anne--she was located in Leiden, Netherlands. I was even more thrilled when I recognized the street name.
     In November 2006 - December 2010, I worked as part of a management team for a computer project. The large international team was stationed in Leiden.
     This is the message I sent on my card: “Hallo, Anne. I designed this card to commemorate my wonderful memories of your country. It’s a small world! I recognize your street name. I’m certain I’ve walked by your place!
     I've lived in southern California my entire life, except for 4+ years, ending in late 2010, when I worked in Leiden. For two years, I stayed at the Holiday Inn,  before moving to a company-leased apartment down the street. When heading back from the bus stop, on weekends, I’d sometimes cut through your neighborhood—a prettier route than the pedestrian/bike path. Central Leiden was so pretty. I gave up my car and bought a bicycle, but preferred to walk.
Tot ziens,
Kristi”

     Anne’s response: “Hallo Kristi! Thank you for a most beautiful and wonderful card! It's not only beautiful because of its design, which is lovely, but unique, because I've never received a Postcrossing card from someone who has actually walked through my backwater-y street. Wow. We lived across the street from each other when you were staying at the Holiday Inn, and now your postcard has traveled so many miles to get here. Life is strange sometimes, no? I love your lettering, it's so precise and fine. You must have practiced hours & hours. It was lovely meeting you like this, my dear former almost-neighbor.
Wishing you all the best,
Anne”


Anne and I are continuing to exchang messages and postcards.


More cards designs on Instagram: @KADmiumDesigns


Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Postcrossing Story 1

In 2014, I took a wonderful 2-D Design class at Coastline College. For my class project, I cropped a single sunflower from a photo of an entire field of sunflowers, which I had snapped in the French countryside. I enlarged and manipulated the image to come up with this result, which is still one of my favorites.

In 2015, I had created an ATC, with this basic design, and this week, I finally recreated it as a postcard and sent it to my latest Postcrossing contact, Sara, in Ohio. I must have mentioned calligraphy, since she sent a lovely acknowledgement, telling me that she had recently purchased a book and was having a little trouble with her writing. I messaged her, suggesting she contact her local calligraphy guild--they specialize in low-cost education.

I love how, via Postcrossing, we sometimes connect, ever so briefly, with people who live far from us.

More stories to follow . . .