Welcome to Day 19 of the 2016 #sendcardsspreadlove challenge for National Card & Letter Writing Month!

We’re so excited and full of gratitude that you’ve joined us. As a reminder, make sure you sign up to receive all the info and special bonus content that won’t be shared on the blog. PLUS, there have been some fabulous FREEBIES – one of which is these awesome stickers (see them in use here and here) that Christina made.

Day 19 Of The 2016 #sendcardsspreadlove Challenge

If you’re just joining us, you can get all the details for the Week 3 challenge info here AND don’t forget to check out Weeks 1 and 2.

As a reminder, we’re asking you to send 4 cards out into the world this month based on the 4 weekly prompts we’re providing. Totally do-able, right? Our intention with this challenge is for you to connect with the ones you love in a fun way, while bringing back the joy and beauty of real communication…that still fits into your fast paced lifestyle.

In continuation of the third challenge, “Thank you for being a…friend, pal, confidante, etc.”, we’re finishing out the week with Sarah Schwartz of The Paper Chronicles. You can check out the other fabulous guest post on Monday from Ryan of Silver Mountain Solutions, on ways to say thank you.

I have a huge girl crush on today’s guest, Sarah. Not only is she the ultimate authority on all the paper things, but she’s also the founding editor of Stationery Trends, a magazine devoted to all those paper things. Sarah is sharing her Letter Writing Campaign and offering you a chance to win some gorgeous stationery. I’m drooling . . . just a little.

Hi, I’m Sarah Schwartz. Some of you may know me from my day job editing Stationery Trends, a design-driven trade quarterly — or from my passion project, The Paper Chronicles, a little blog dedicated to keeping letter-writing, card-sending and invitation-using alive.

One way I do this is through my Letter Writing Campaign (LWC). Its premise is simple — you send me a letter on your favorite stationery, telling me what makes it so, and I send you some free stationery swag (typically about 4-6 cards) from one of my many generous sponsors. It is really fun to try and match each writer up with stationery that I hope they love.

Since I started it in the fall of 2013, the campaign has been personally rewarding on so many levels. I love a surprise, and I love never knowing just what will be waiting to dazzle me in my post office box. I save every letter, each of which I consider a tiny testament to the art form.

So when Danielle asked me to share a few favorites, the choice wasn’t easy, as I love each and every single one. I keep them all lined up on a shelf by my desk, and there they quietly reassure me that there’s hope for the stationery industry yet.

That being said, some stick out more than others. Given that my post office box is usually filled with junk mail, discovering a fancy envelope within is like stumbling on a diamond in the rough.

On that note, I love the letter I received in October 2013 from Bailey at Antiquaria. It was the first fancy envelope I received with the campaign, and it accordingly knocked my socks off.

I wasn’t familiar with Antiquaria at that point — and I’m proud to say I’ve become one of the range’s biggest fans! Receiving such a gorgeous missive (with such kind sentiments enclosed) seemed to give my campaign credibility, and accordingly filled me with confidence.

Check out this gem that Giova Brusa at One Bunting Away sent me last April. She has meticulously decorated the envelope, and sealed it with coordinating washi tape. Love it! Interestingly, I sent her a bunch of Antiquaria stationery for her efforts.

Finally, this envelope from Miss Polly in Portland proves you don’t have to spend a lot to make an impact … you just need a little ingenuity! It is a fancy flyer that has gotten new life thanks to a little washi tape … those strawberries looks so lifelike!

Apart from a stamp, you don’t need spend much to be part of my Letter Writing Campaign. Just send me a letter on your favorite stationery (which is probably gathering dust) and tell me what makes it so. My address is: P.O. Box 22133, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.

[Tweet “So don’t hesitate, as you can’t win if you don’t write in!”]

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A chance to win something utterly gorgeous? Yes, please!  Thank you Sarah for sharing a few of your faves and for helping to motivate everyone to stop hoarding that stationery for some day…

Stationery is meant to be loved and written on. Don’t hide it away! Get yours out now and share it with someone you adore.

Sarah Schwartz is the founding editor of Stationery Trends, an award-winning trade quarterly magazine devoted to all things paper. She has traveled to trade shows around the world to spot emerging trends. Sarah is a frequent industry speaker who has been quoted extensively in the media. After graduating from NYU, she worked in various editorial positions in publishing including a stint in HarperCollins’ illustrated book division. Sarah now lives in Ohio with her husband, young daughter and small dog.