Brown paper packages tied up with string; from your mailbox to mine.

Since I’ve recently begun renovating the blog, I’ve decided that I would really love to connect with the readers. Back a million years ago, when I didn’t have a social life and my blog friends were some of my only friends in college (the actuality of my first semester), I had pen-pals: Olivia and Marie. We sort of fell out of the habit of writing to each other (probably my fault, to be honest) but, guys, I would really like to start a new thing: Project Mailbag.

Project Mailbag would be fulfilling two of my favorite things: getting mail and surprises.

The idea is this - care packages.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to wrap up confetti and postcards and candies in a decorated paper envelope and ship it across the country - or world - to forge a real connection with Internet friends? I think it’d be fabulous.

I mean, some bloggers and readers I’ve literally known for years.

Inspiration for Project Mailbag came from this article by Rookie Magazine entitled “Heart-Shaped Box.” The author suggests packing stereotypically girly things (hair barrettes, kooky socks, nail polish), although I’m fully open to getting creative.

Think of it - confetti, stickers, local maps, zines, Polaroids, postcards, notes, single-serve hot chocolate packets, candy, recipes, mix CD’s, small toys, etc. It’s like a Christmas stocking that comes in the mail from a distant friend.

I seriously can’t get over how awesome this could be.

And perhaps the most fun part - I’d promote photosets for the “unboxing” of each one and feature them on the blog.

And to be clear - this would be an equal exchange, not just people sending me stuff. Part of my enthusiasm for this idea has been fueled by an adventure I took today to Paper Products off North Lamar. It’s the most magical and magnificent find, a veritable kaleidoscope-hued treasure trove: notebooks and papers floor to ceiling, stamps, pens and pencils… even drool-worthy wax seals. I’m a journaler (something I hope to share in the future) and a mixed-media artist (out of practice, I’m afraid), so paper-based supplies of any kind really get my creative juices flowing.

But one thing they had that really blew me away was an assortment of envelopes; in any color you could conjure, they ranged from a span of inches to nearly a foot across.

And you can imagine my train of thought. It didn’t take long to make the jump from gorgeous envelopes to fabulous surprise packages.