Freebie Friday Goes to the Dogs - and Cats

Well, this is a new one for me. A dog won this past week's Freebie Friday giveaway of all the frog-based stationery. The winner is Moose, who wrote: "Frogs forever! Tail Wags to All!" OK Moose, get your master to send me his shipping address to me at peter (dot) hopkins (at) comcast (dot) net.

So, it's Freebie Friday once again and to honor the occasion of having a dog winning last time, I'm giving away two pet-themed journals - one for dog-lovers and one for (sorry Moose!) cat-lovers.

I opened the journals up a while ago and the feel of the paper inside is spectacular. Upon further inspection, I learned why. The journals are filled with beautiful, white, toothy 24-pound Bond - Crane's Bond.

So, all you animal-lovers who would love to own these journals filled with Bond - Crane's Bond - leave a comment below. And good luck

It's Official: Global Warming is Upon Us!

Global warming is much more than "An Inconvenient Truth." It is now a reality - objectively confirmed earlier this week - not by Al Gore nor a bunch of European scientists. And it can not be denied by those who chose to ignore The Truth.

The Truth was proclaimed right here in Vermont at 2:46 Monday afternoon by the world's most respected ice observer - Homer Fitts. That's when the ice went out on Joe's Pond earlier than ever before in recorded history.

For those who don't understand the importance of this event, check out this news report from WCAX just days before the big event.

And remember, you heard it here first.

Hand Bordering Demo at National Stationery Show

There are some things I encounter in my job that I never get tired of: rotary boilers, paper machines, sheeters, bales of cotton and flax. But then there are the artisans - borderers, gilders, engravers - with skills honed from one generation to the next, from father to son and from mother to daughter. The personal pride,  attention to detail, and respect for traditional New England craftsmanship are the signatures placed upon every piece of stationery they touch.

Those of you attending the National Stationery Show in New York City in May will have the opportunity to see Crane craftsmanship first-hand.

Two Crane borderers - Deb Larkin and Sally Rice - will make a rare public appearance to demonstrate their craft in the Crane booth. Stop by Sunday and Monday, May 16 and 17, from 9 to 11 a.m., 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., and on Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m.

I wish I could sell tickets. I'd be able to retire.......

A Spring Salute to Stationery Frogs

We are having the most wonderful stretch of spring weather here in Vermont, and last night, as I was driving home with the window down after a glorious victory in the finals of the dart league (it's all good today!) I could hear the peepers for the first time. Yay Spring! The tiller gets fired up later today.

So, in honor of the arrival of Peepers, I'll put together a collection of stationery frogs for you:

The Brushstroke Animals Leaping Frog

The Paper Collage Frog Printable Cards

And then there's my favorite frog from the Crane Insider Archive: The Cocktail Frog. These imprintable cards measure about 9 inches by 4 inches, so they're perfect for a dinner wine list, menu card, invitation or just as a shopping list for your trip to the liquor store.

If you would like to own this fabulous frog collection, just leave a comment below.

And, the winner of last Freebie Friday's collection of Louie Award finalist stationery is: Brooklynchuck. Chuck, please send me your mailing address at peter dot hopkins at comcast dot net.

Good luck everyone!

Letter Writing and The Ethic of Reciprocity

The straw that broke the camel's back just happened to coincide with the beginning of National Card and Letter Writing Month.

How many times have I seen this lead sentence in a newspaper, magazine or blog:  "I can't remember the last time I got a handwritten letter?"  How many times do these journalists use the above lament to decry The Lost Art of Letter Writing or to pronounce the Demise of the Handwritten Note as if they were Medical Examiners for the written word.

I had to read that sentence once again today.

And every time I read that sentence, I shake my head because they've got it backwards, and if they got it right, there would be no story to follow.

Here's the proper lead sentence:

"I can't remember the last time I wrote a letter!"


I can't imagine why an empty mailbox surprises them. I remember vividly when I was a little kid, I would love to go to the box by the road and bring in the mail. After all, there might be a new Sears catalog in there!

I asked my Mom one day, "How come I never get any mail?"

Mom's answer was simple and to the point: "Because you never write."

So I did. I started scratching out notes in my horrible handwriting that Mom still shakes her head at. Now, I would go to the mailbox twice a day. The first to put the letter in the box and raise the flag, and later I would go to get today's mail.

And lo and behold, the letters started to arrive!

Even as a little kid, I learned pretty quickly about cause and effect and what I would come to know as "The Ethic of Reciprocity." If I write letters, I will receive letters.

Here's another version of The Ethic of Reciprocity:  "Treat others as you would like to be treated."

Has a familiar "golden" ring to it, yes?

So, if you find yourself beginning to say "I can't remember the last time I...." think about it a second. Then sit down with some paper, a pen and a stamp and see what happens.