Brown Paper Packages

Yesterday I was very surprised to hear the door bell ring. It was a postal contractor with his little notepad and a brown cardboard box!

At first I thought it must be for somebody else. But it was clearly addressed to me ... Who could have sent such an exciting parcel? And what could it be?

I did not wait for scissors to splice the tape. I opened it immediately in the hall. Inside the box was a note which said:

SURPRISE!

The toy(s) inside this box have been specially selected, ordered (and paid for) by someone you know. The name of the 'mystery' person(s) who have kindly and thoughtfully chosen you as their recipient ...

• Can be found on the card/label that's attached to the gift inside,
• Cannot be revealed or has wished to remain anonymous,
• Is ...........................................................................

(The first option was ticked. Then it said ...)

Please remember, these toys are intended for the person as indicated on the card/address label of the parcel so please do not remove any wrapping or open any envelopes unless you are the person for which the toys were intended.

... We hope you enjoy and have many hours of fun playing with your new toys.

How exciting!

I carefully opened the cute little card. The words on the front were just like the note:

Inside my benefactor was revealed!

My present, however was not. It was still wrapped in this beautiful paper which I later learned he had chosen especially.

I did not peek until every piece of sticky tape was undone. And look what I found!

Remember these? They were like maths and science and tech drawing and art all in one.

And look how the gears came. It reminded me of the little toys in cereal boxes which we pressed out and put together.



The template has been redesigned so that when you flip it over the teeth interlock under the lip, and the gears are more secure as you wheel them around.

And it also came with this stencil to accessorise your swirls!

Don't they look as bright and colourful as lollipops?

At first I made a space scene, then a sea animal collage, and later shared it with a young lass who made a flower garden.

Super-nova-licious.

Just like sending letters, I love receiving things in the post, but this was extraordinarily generous and unexpected, which made it all the more perfect.


xx

Paper Correspondence

Have I mentioned that I have a sweet spot for stationery? Over the years I have collected a fine array of postcards, notecards, paper and pens. They manifest as advertising media, holograms, B-grade films, designer ranges, patterned prints, stickers, felt, flocking and even cigarette tins (which probably doesn't count I guess).

Such a copious stash it has become. So much so that in these days of electronic messaging I do not think I could ever get through it while simultaneously maintaining my happy collecting. Last night at some strange and restless hour I decided to send them out to my dearest friends and family with little messages. I am not signing them yet, but would not be surprised if they guessed the author at Missive One.

So today I took the puppy for a walk, visited the post office and bought a score of stamps to send my first cards. Perhaps I should keep a little visual log here to remember my little paper darlings.

If you would like one, I would love to hear from you.

Contact me at pettichrome@gmail.com with your address and I will pop one in the mail.

But be quick, I am soon to be drawn back into the vortex of dedication. I have only a few weeks of frivolity left, and I would not want anyone to miss out.

xx