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Wednesday
Feb192014

stamps are just all kinds of awesome

Novelty prints (hint hint).

I have a weakness for them ... at least the pretty ones ;)  ... which is why I included this love stamp print in my Blogger's Choice Bundle for Fat Quarter Shop.

I think it's especially cute because:

  • a) who doesn't love "love"
  • b) it's got my favourite mix of pinks & aquas with just a bit of red
  • c) the scale is small and
  • d) I collected stamps when I was a kid. 

If you are younger than ... say, 20 years old and reading this, let me just quickly explain that such banal activities as collecting stamp are what we did in the olden days before cell phones and iPads were invented. ;)

(Do people even DO this anymore?)

I remember playing with stamps for hours, sorting and resorting them by country, size, colour, value, subject matter ... I had a few relatives from England (Shropshire) and Switzerland so every once in a while I'd get an envelope full of cancelled stamps from overseas.  Words can't describe how exciting that was.  To this day, there is nothing I don't love about stamps. 

I got really good at soaking them off of the envelopes, too.  I think that was one of my early lessons in patience ... try to pull one off too early and it's ruined.  But wait until you feel it slide free under your finger ... that was pure satisfaction.

Each one is a tiny work of art, framed with that trademark perforated edge.  I love the diminutive portraits of royalty, heads of state, celebrities & historical figures, flora and fauna, commemorative issues ... lovely artwork of paintings, sketches, sculptures ... whatever .. all in colours and sometimes even sets.  Sigh!  Stamps are just all kinds of awesome. :)

This pencil case is based on my pattern - minus the round ends.  And instead of finger tabs on both ends of the zipper I added a longer ribbon wristlet (11" cut) to one end and a short ribbon tab (1.5" cut) to the other.  Kids love that.  This case has the "stamp" of approval from my almost 11 year old.  (Sorry, couldn't stop that one from coming out.)

So in honour of postage stamps and this cute fabric (available here in pink, aqua or white), I'm having a 5-day sale on my Round Pencil Case pattern for 25% off, so you can make one too.  I've already reduced the price in my shop so no code is necessary.  :)

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Reader Comments (16)

Hello from Jan @Sew+Sow Farm Blog with 5 DaysX5Giveaways, she is sending you HUGS and wishing you a neat 'stitchy' day !
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterLinda
Hello! While I don't collect stamps, I certainly use them. I'm a lover of the handwritten letter and write and send several a week. The first thing I look at (after the sender of the post) is the stamp! There are still great stamps out there. This is such adorable fabric, so I think I'd better get some! Thanks for sharing, and have a gorgeous day!
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterMelanie
i have my grandfather's old stamp book. it is a treasure i love seeing all of the stamps from all over the world.
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterErin
Yes, people collect stamps still! I'm 18 and I collect stamps! If you were ever to visit stamps.org you would see how many people collect stamps. :) I love this pencil case, it is super cute.
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterAutumn
such cute fabric and that case is so darling!!
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterStacey@Cottage Industry
So cute! I loved reading this post. Oh, and I'm 2 for 3 so far. :)
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterA Little Blue Dragonfly
I love your pencil case and feel exactly the same about stamps as you do!! I love how you have described your love of collecting stamps! I had started collecting because of my grandfather but lost track of my collection as I became busy with school. I still save the pretty stamps and have tins and tins of them. I love your little case and cannot resist !I love all your work especially your embroidery and your quilt with Liberty prints!! xo Colette
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered Commentercocoquilts
I have a very nice collection I haven't touched in years - late 1980's maybe early 1990's. But I always use commentating stamps when I send a letter to someone. And may even use a rubber stamp imoression to dress up the envelope just a bit. Hand written letters are an event these days - and very important to my elderly parents, aunts, uncles, etc. Just can't convince them to use e-mail. I really like the fabric you chose for your project. I can see the fabric in many items.
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterLinda
Are you on Facebook? I posted a picture today that includes your book, and I was hoping to share it with you.
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterLynda
Love this! And I have the pattern - can't wait to try it flat! Quick question - when I sew it flat, on the inside will the seams be exposed? If so - how do you finish them off? :O) Thanks for the tip!
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterBari Jo
I have that pattern and h ave made it many.many times! That is a sweet variation! Love that! I have not ccollected stamps,but I do understand why one would. Your blog is always interesting and informative!
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterBonnie Nyquist
Oh no my comment went ??? Who knows where?
Anyway please say layer cake
Thanks for your creating such lovely items
Prints yes that hint was my choice
Thank you
Colleen
February 19, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterColleen
What an adorable case, I love the pretty fabrics!
Pam
scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com
February 20, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterPamela Danner
My collecting-stamps-times are way in the past but I love to write letters and postcards to friends and have always some stamps in my wallet. But wouldn't it be cute if there was something as a fabric stamp? With this print? I would ask all my friends to send me letters and send them my way.
February 20, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterHildy
I used to collect stamps too! I enjoyed reading this. The pencil case is darling.
February 20, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterMachelle
Hi K! Have you ever found a good pattern for a postage stamp border? I've seen a couple of pictures of quilts with them, but have never come across a pattern...
February 21, 2014 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer Gwyn

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