Writing and receiving letters is an exciting activity. How many times have we found ourselves running to the letterbox to check if mail had arrived? In how many occasions the arrival of a letter cheered us up in a grey day and put a wide smile in our face? Isn't it great to exchange written papers and envelopes coming from far away? Don't you feel how special letters and correspondence between two people are?
As the penfriendship develops and you start exchanging more letters in a regular basis you might feel like sending some special stuff to your penpal and try to make your letters unique. Anything enclosed in a letter won't and will never be a replacement of the written words, but still is nice to enclose special features in a letter.
The first point to be taken into account is that you do not need to spend a lot of money in any singular thing you will be sending to a penpal nor be a too elaborated gift. There is no need to. Most of the time are the simple objects the ones which make a difference and make us feel special because our pal thought of us! So, try to inspire yourself and be creative!
And now you find yourself thinking which are the possibilities to send something special in the mail, something which is not too expensive, fits in an envelope, and at the same time, is cute and eye-catching. Just use your imagination as possibilities are endless.
How to make your letters unique? First of all, maybe you are one of those people who like drawing. I used to draw a lot when I was a child and a teenager and really enjoyed it back then. When drawing be sure you are creating the most personal decorated letter you could ever send. You don't feel like drawing? There are still lots of possibilities to personalize a letter: you can use stickers, rubber stamps showing different motifs, glitter, glitter pens, colouring pencils, water colour pencils, colour decorative stencils, quotes...
Another possibility is to design and print your own letter-paper. You can work on a graphics editing computer program until you obtain the wished design. Remember typical features and symbols of your homeland to decorate the letter here. They will surely transmit the essence of your homeplace.
What else is it possible to enclose in a letter? Remember characteristic stuff from your country. Perhaps this is not so easy to think about at first. We are too used to our own stuff and it usually happens that features which are common for us might surprise a person from another land, just because that specific thing cannot be found in their place. Again, it is not about an expensive gift. Have you thought about natural stuff? For example, drying and pressing a tree leaf or a flower? What about sending sand from your favourite beach, dunes or from the shores of a nearby lake?
Some other items which can be part of a letter are: postcards, used stamps, pictures, stationery (letter paper, pens, envelopes, stickers, deco-tape...), newspaper/magazine-cuttings, magnets, key-rings, bookmarks, CDs/DVDs of your favourite music or favourite movies, transportation tickets, telephone cards, maps from the city/place you live, brochures, tea-bags...
Despite it is exciting to send and receive additional stuff by post it should never be expected or demanded. It is very ugly to request specific stuff and gifts to penpals in certain countries, simply because you cannot find such items in yours. If it is a fair swap, it becomes an agreement between two people, otherwise don't be greedy and thoughtless!
Make sure you are sending stuff because you feel like it, because it is your personal decision and you wish to surprise your penpal; not because your penpal is demanding stuff all the time and you don't want to lose this penfriend. Also, consider that if you are sending a gift because it is your penpal birthday or it is a special celebration, don't send expensive stuff through the post. Maybe your penpal cannot afford the same stuff back and might feel embarrassed when receiving your parcel. Also because some packages never arrive to destination...
Finally, be careful when sending stuff to certain countries and cultures different to yours. Maybe the item can be inappropriate or considered of bad taste by your pal.
As you can see the possibilities to send additional stuff together with a letter are endless. You only need a little bit of inspiration, imagination and creativity!
And here we have a new post featuring "The person behind the letter-writer". Penpalling & Letters special guest of today is Inês! Listen to her carefully because she will not only tell us about her amazing abilities and penpalling experiences. Inês has prepared a wonderful surprise for all Penpalling & Letters readers as well!
- Hello Inês! Welcome to Penpalling & Letters! It is such a delight you are participating in The person behind the letter-writer! We are really interested in hearing about your experiences regarding the world of letters and, of course, about your handcrafts!
Inês, would you like to present yourself and tell us about your experiences?
Hello! I am so happy and excited to be here participating in Penpalling & Letters! My name is Inês, a 29 year-old married girl from Portugal. I studied Journalism and I am working full time as a secretary at the moment. In my free time I love being creative!
As most of you can guess I am into penpalling for a long time now; sadly, not so much nowadays due to the lack of time, but it will always be one of my passions. I can affirm I have made true friends through letter writing! I started when I was sixteen. At that time my older sister was corresponding with a few people and I followed her steps. I found my first penpals in magazines and FBs (Friendship Books). Later, I found penpals on the Internet. The main purpose back then was to practice my English skills and talk about my favourite boyband at the time: "Boyzone"!
I also like postcards and I am registered in "Postcrossing". I love travelling through postcards, and especially seeing where my penpals live! I love swapping stuff, too, because it is a cheap way to get new things for my hobbies. I almost never use everything I buy, and soon I lose interest and want new stuff! I swap paper, ribbons, thread, fabric, tissues... almost everything you can imagine to do crafts!
- Inês, what do you like to create with your own hands? Could you tell us about some of the creations you usually work in?
I like to try everything! I started with paper crafts, then I got interested in cross-stitching and sewing, as well as decoupage. However, my biggest passion is cross-stitching! I love creating baby stuff like cloths or bibs and also small gifts like bookmarks, scented bags...
- How did you get started into handcrafts? What made you take the decision to start working on handmade stuff?
I have always liked to create things myself. When I was fourteen, I learned cross-stitching at school, at the "Handcrafts" subject. I don't remember if I stitched something in the period between 1995 and 2009, year in which my nephew was born. My mum had the idea of working on a handmade gift for my nephew (I stitched and she sewed): it was a little bag to put the dirty clothes of the baby when being born and while staying at the maternity. After this first work, many new ideas came to real, especially bibs. I, then, started a blog to show my work and some orders showed up! I also have always liked to make handmade cards for birthdays, Christmas, other special occasions... instead of buying them.
- How and where do you get the necessary inspiration to make every item?
Anywhere! Sometimes I am sitting in the train on my way home and suddenly I get a new idea. I also surf a lot on the Internet, especially on handcraft blogs.
- Which kind of materials do you use in your creations?
In cross-stitching/sewing I mainly use fabrics and threads. For paper crafts I use cardboard, every piece of cute paper I get, colourful papers, ribbons, applications, stickers... everything cute you can think of!
- Do you imagine the item you are about to start working in in your head or do you work on the item "improvising", you advance as inspiration and ideas come to your mind?
Most of the time I imagine everything in my head before starting to work. But it can happen I change some little details when I am already working on it because I notice it will turn out better.
- How long have you been working into handmade stuff by now?
As I said, I have always liked to make handmade stuff, but I do it more seriously for the last two years.
- How much time do you spend in every handmade item until it is finished?
It depends much on the item itself! I can create a row of handmade cards in a single afternoon while a cross-stitched item always takes longer. For example, a bib can take two or three days to be finished. It depends on the day of the week (I work more and faster during weekends), the complexity of the item...
- Would you like to present us your little corners in the web, Inês?
Yes, of course! "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" (Inês' Handcrafts Corner) is the blog where I show my work. It is a relaxed, casual meeting place with other people around the handcrafts world. I hope to be an inspiration to someone out there! I have a different blog, a kind of an online shop where I show the items I make with the intention of selling them: "Lojinha da Inês" (Inês' Little Shop).
- How were "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" and "Lojinha da Inês" born? When did you think about starting your own sites online?
My blogs were born quite at the same time that my passion for cross-stitching revived, so about two years ago. Meanwhile I changed to another server (Blogger) but the essence of the blogs is exactly the same. I used to visit other people's blogs and see their work, so I decided to have my own blog, too.
- Which kind of stuff is it possible to find when visiting "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" or "Lojinha da Inês"?
Well, I have a special passion for baby stuff, like bibs and cloths, so you will find many of these. I also like to create little items, like bookmarks for example.
- Which are the favourite items of your customers?
Baby stuff has been the most successful until now, specially bibs. I have noticed that customers love to order stuff with the baby's name on it.
- Will you be working on new designs and new items in the future?
Hopefully yes! I have some ideas, but time has not allowed me to make them true, yet, as I have a full time job which does not leave all the free time I would wish.
- Inês, would you create a specific design and item upon request and concrete wishes of a customer?
I'd definitely try, and hopefully it would turn out well!
- Could you explain us how purchasing, payment and shipping work in "Lojinha da Inês"?
I rarely have items ready for sale. People contact me to ask for the possibility of ordering an item. We agree everything by email and when the order is ready I send a picture. Customers have to pay through bank transfer and I send the item/s by registered mail. I charge some money due to postal expenses (depending on the weight of the package and the destination).
- Is it possible to find "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" or "Lojinha da Inês" in Facebook, Twitter or any social network?
You can find "Lojinha da Inês" in Facebook through the following e-mail address: lojinhadaines[at]yahoo[dot]com
- What is the aim of "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" and "Lojinha da Inês"?
The aim of my blogs is to show other people my work, share ideas, thoughts, doubts, everything related to this little and exciting world of handcrafts!
- Are there some thoughts, wishes or ideas you would like to share with us, Inês?
First, I want to thank Bea for this opportunity to talk about this passion of mine for handcrafts here. My wish would be to turn this hobby into a serious business, but it is a very difficult and risky thing to do in nowadays economic scenery. Everyone needs an escape for the stressful lives we are living and this is mine. It definitely helps and makes me happy!
And now, let's talk about the contest that Inês, and her blogs "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" (Inês' Handcrafts Corner) and "Lojinha da Inês" (Inês' Little Shop) have prepared for the Penpalling & Letters readers.
By participating in this contest you can win a beautiful cross-stitched bookmark, a cute cross-stitched keyring and a surprise basket with goodies offered by Inês! You can see part of the prize in the pic below.
How to take part in this contest?
1. Leave a comment in this interview and tell us (remember to leave a way to contact you):
- What do you think of this interview to Inês?
- Which items do you like the most in "Cantinho das Artes da Inês" (Inês' Handcrafts Corner) and "Lojinha da Inês" (Inês' Little Shop)?
Bear in mind that you should participate with a name/nickname. Any "anonymous" won't be taken into account. You can sign with a Blogger, Twitter, Facebook... account. Or at least, leave your name and tell us you are in Facebook, Twitter, any social network, website... If we cannot find you anywhere, we are really sorry but your participation won't be taken in. Sorry!
Please, notice that to participate in this contest, your reply has to be written here, in this same interview. Comments in any other place around the net won't be taken into account. Also, only one entry per person is allowed, so chances to get the prize are the same to everyone.
Taking part in this contest organized by Inês is very easy! Everybody is welcome to enter and if you feel like it, tell your pals and friends as well. It is a wonderful chance to win some cute handmade stuff made with love and care by Inês! Deadline will be the 10th April, 2011, at 00:00 GMT+1 Time Zone. The winner will be announced shortly after.
Good luck everybody and hope you enjoyed Inês' visit!
Inês, many thanks for participating in The person behind the letter-writer! It was such a big pleasure to work together with you to present this nice interview and contest to the readers! You know you are always welcome to Penpalling & Letters whenever you wish to be back!
If you would like to read more posts from "The person behind the letter-writer" section keep an eye on the links you can find at: The person behind the letter-writer.
If you are interested in being featured in "The person behind the letter-writer" because you have a cute shop, you are crafty and would like to present your creations, you have an ability and would like to tell us about it... contact me at: penpallingandletters[at]gmail[dot]com and we will work it out!
The fifth issue of the penpalling magazine edited and produced by Sandbook.Net Penpal and Swappers Site is finally online. As the previous issues, it is on digital format and you can download it as a PDF file at the Sandbook.net website: Sandbook Magazine - Issue 5. Have you never heard before about this penpalling magazine? Did you miss any of the previous issues? You still can download them at: Sandbook Magazine Archive.
On the 21st February, 2011 the second booklet of the Sandbook Booklet series was published as well. If you are interested in getting it you can download it at the following link (it is on digital format as a PDF file, just like the magazines): Sandbook Booklet 2.
As in previous occasions, issue number 6 will be online on the 11th April, 2011 at: Sandbook.Net Penpal and Swappers Site. The Booklet number 3 will be published on the 21st March, 2011. Don't miss them! You will be able to read many interesting articles, ideas... on penpalling and other different topics as soon as they are online!
Hello from Hrvatska! This is how the natives of this land call it in their language. We are located today in southeastern Europe, at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain, the Balkans, and the Adriatic Sea. Hrvatska is a young country although its origins date back to the early VII century; the area where Hrvatska is today has been inhabited since the Prehistoric period. Some of its symbols are the "karst", "Plitvice Lakes National Park" or its insular territory, which consists of over one thousand enchanting islands!
Hello everybody! As you already know my name is Maria and I come from Croatia. I started penpalling in 1997 when our teacher gave us addresses to write to people from abroad. I don't remember very well what we were learning that day or how many of us joined but I know I was really happy about it! Then I got my first FB (Friendship Book) and I met nice penpals through those, too. Due to family problems I lost contact with these first penpals of mine but I met new ones later on. I was also reading teen magazines and they were full of penpal and swapper ads. That is how I met my best penfriend Tanja and we have been friends for fourteen years now! I also like postcards and I like getting them from my pals as well as sending them back. I love stamps, too. I have been collecting them for a while now and my first album is almost full. I also love stickers. I use them to decorate letters and I like colourful ones, glitter pens and stationery but it is so hard to find those in my town... Recently, I also started a blog: "Fallen Angel".
Maria, are you looking for penpals at the moment?
Penpals are always welcome but I am only interested in females. Age is not important and I don't care if they write long or short letters as long as they don't mind that I usually type my letters. I do that because my handwriting is awful and I like my letters to be nice and understandable. I decorate letters by adding stickers or I draw something. Mutual interests are fine but that is not the most important, either. We are all different after all but what I like the most is that my future penpals are nice, caring and understanding!
Would you like to disclose now what are you going to present under the title "At the shores of the Neretva"?
Yes, of course! I would like to say that it is a pleasure to be here today sharing a story about my part of the world: a small place called "Metković".
- Where is your hometown, Metković, located? How is the area surrounding it?
My town is situated in the southeast of Croatia, in the valley of the River Neretva which flows through the town and separates it in two. Metković is not far away from the Adriatic Sea and very close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina (in fact, Mostar, the fifth largest city in Bosnia, is only 35Km far away from Metković). Lots of fields and mountains surround my hometown.
Location of Metković within Croatia
Aerial view of Metković at present with the River Neretva flowing through the city
- Can you describe Metković?
It is a small town with a population slightly over 15,000 nowadays. I live on the Predolac Hill, in the old part of the town, and I can see everything from my balcony: the river, the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the whole right side of the town, the fields around the city, the mountains surrounding it... If I go a little bit up on the hill, I even can see the whole city of Metković. It is really beautiful when you climb up and see the landscape and the whole Neretva Valley.
Metković in the 1900s. View of the Predolac Hill
- Do you remember when was Metković born as a city? Maybe you would like to share with us some facts about its history.
The city of Metković was first mentioned in 1422, in a file kept in the Dubrovnik archives: "in flumaria Narrenti subtus Metchovich" which means "On the River Neretva, Metković". It was born as a small agricultural and cattle-raising town. When Greeks began to colonize the islands on the Adriatic coast, they found a strategic position to establish the "emporium" (port) in Vid (it is an ancient settlement which was called Narona in the past), near Metković. Also, two centuries were filled with frequent clashes between the Ottomans and the Venetians. In the Second World War Metković was repeatedly bombed and also in the period 1991-1992, during the War between Serbia and Croatia.
Metković at present.
View of the southern slope of the Predolac Hill
with Saint Ilija's Church on top
- Are there some remarkable landmarks or features worth to be mentioned?
"Saint Ilija's Church" is the most important feature of the town and it is situated on the southern slope of the Predolac Hill. It was built between 1867 and 1874, and is a stone building with three naves in the type of a basilica in Romanesque and Neogothic style. There is a lovely view from it of the whole Neretva Valley and the city.
"Kula Norinska" or "Norin Tower".
Built in the XVI century by the Turks
"Kula Norinska" or "Norin Tower" in Krvavac II is close to the Metković-Opuzen road and was built by the Turks in the beginning of the XVI century. The tower was initially built where the River Norin met the River Neretva. The purpose was to keep the Venetians away from the valley and to have a stronghold where the Turkish possessions in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina could be defended from. The Turks did not quite succeed. Already in 1685 they had to give in to a Venetian siege and leave the tower. However, with the towers strategic importance, the Turks wanted it back and they got it several times. During the next centuries, the Venetians and the Turks succeeded one another in being masters in the tower. This rivalry came to an end when Austrian troops kicked them out. Under Austrian rule the river altered its course and the tower lost its strategic importance and was abandoned.
View of the Neretva flowing through
Metković in the 1900s. Mountains surrounding the city
at the background
- Which landscape can we found around the city and along the River Neretva?
There are fields and meadows in the near vicinity, as well as mountains which surround the whole Neretva Valley. The coastline is not far away from Metković: only about 20Km far from the city.
- How far is your hometown from the capital, Zagreb? And from the main Croatian tourism centres?
From Metković to Zagreb there is a distance of about 500Km, which takes around six hours by bus or car through the motorway. It takes about two-three hours longer if you go by "normal" roads. Split is around 140Km (around two hours by car) and Dubrovnik is around 80Km (around one hour by car) far away. There are islands and tourism centres along the whole coast of Croatia (from north to south), but the closer ones are Pelješac Peninsula (about 20Km by ferry), Hvar Island (about 60Km) and Brač Island (about 90Km). Perhaps it sounds far at first but you can get from Metković to any island in southern Croatia within two hours.
The same view as above at present times
- Which climate can we find in Metković?
The Mediterranean climate predominates in Croatia. However, sometimes, during winter and early spring frosts may appear as a part of the flow of cold air due to the opening of the continent. It can be really dangerous for crops as plants and vegetation start sprouting in early spring, already.
- What makes the city famous and well-known?
Picking mandarins in the field from October on as part of the tourism (agriculture has traditionally been the main activity in the Neretva Valley), great food (fish, eel and frog stew Neretva-style, Dalmatian prosciutto, fried frogs, grilled eel, seafood salad, boiled coot with sauerkraut, seashells...), the boat marathon and photo safari.
- What do people do for a living? Which are the typical jobs/works in the area?
The most typical jobs in Metković are those which take place in the office, at schools, shops... but also a lot of people work on their land, grow fruits and vegetables, especially mandarins. Almost everybody has a small piece of land with mandarin trees on, including me!
Ornithological Museum. Collection of bird species
- Which interesting features stand out in Metković at the moment?
There is the Ornithological Museum which has an important "Bird Collection". It contains more than 340 exhibits, among which are specimens of 218 bird species and 310 species recorded on the Neretva area so far. There is also the Narona Archaeological Museum in Vid (small place only a few minutes far away from Metković). Fifteen years ago they did an archaeological research in that town and found some remains of a Roman temple, the "Augusteum", and seventeen marble statues in natural height.
- If anyone who is reading this article is interested in visiting Croatia and maybe has the chance to go to Metković during her/his stay, what would you enhance about your homecity and the Neretva area so they think: "I should visit this charming place when going to Croatia next time!"?
There is always something to see and do when you come to visit Metković. Anyone who is visiting should have a walk around the city, especially through the old part of the city, its narrow streets and typical houses without forgetting Saint Ilija's Church; also along the shores of the Neretva. You can go for a hike to the Predolac Hill and see the beautiful panorama of the valley. It is always possible to visit the Ornithological Museum and the Bird Collection.
If tourists come in May, they can enjoy the folklore festivals. In July there is the "Brudetijada" (a gastronomic competition which consists of preparing "brudet") in Opuzen, a town only ten minutes far away from Metković. The Neretva-style fish stew, brudet, is an unique dish also because it is prepared in a somewhat different way in different parts of the Neretva Delta. The main ingredients are freshwater fish, eels and frogs and it is usually quite spicy. It is served with polenta. Many visitors taste the stew at the end of the contest accompanied by music and singing. In August it is possible to see the boat marathon "Maraton Lađa" or go the the beach and enjoy the sea in the not so far away Adriatic coast.
Snow over the Predolac Hill
- Which sports are practiced in the city? Do you have a well-known team in Metković?
Handball and football are the most popular sports in Metković, but also basketball and tennis. We don’t have a very famous team although several players in the Croatian handball national team are from Metković.
- Do you know about any personality/famous person coming from Metković?
The most famous people are those involved in sports: Igor Štimac and Darijo Srna (Croatian national football team); Patrik Ćavar, Ivan Čupić, Slavko Goluža and Nikša Kaleb (Croatian handball national team). There is also the poet Ivan Slamnig, the actress Vera Zima and the singer, Matija Vuica who were all born in Metković.
- Would you like to share with us any other interesting feature about your homecity, Maria?
One of the largest folklore festivals, "Na Neretvu Misecina Pala", is held in Metković every May. During two weekends the open stage of the town theatre hosts over a hundred folklore groups from Croatia and from abroad, which preserve the tradition of their regions through songs, music and dance.
There is also the annual amateur sporting competition called "Maraton Lađa". It is a 22.5Km marathon from Metković to Ploče where competitors race in old vessels native to the Lower Neretva River called "lađa" or "ladja" ("lađe" or "ladje" in plural). It is held on the second Saturday of August every year. The most exciting moment of the race happens to be on the starting line, with the lađe situated right under the bridge. More than three hundred competitors participate in thirty lađe, which together with the rhythmic beating of the drums by each team's drummer, makes it for a colourful and noisy spectacle. Around 50,000 viewers follow the marathon competition along the shores and banks of the Neretva and also important people in Croatia come to see it, even the president of the country.
Starting line of the Rowing Marathon "Lađa Marathon" under the bridge in Metković
Lađe have served for centuries as water vehicles which transported people, animals and farming products. Because of its narrow size, lađe are able to enter every tributary that flowed into the Neretva as well as the Neretva itself. It can be said that the lađe to the Neretva represents the same the gondola does to Venice.
To preserve the significance and history of the lađe, in 1998 the very first race involving these relics from the past was organized from Metković to Ploče. At the start of the inaugural race, there were a total of eighteen local crews. Ever since, a new record number of entries is received every year. As for the old lađe lying peacefully in the rivers, they were awaken from their slumber and repaired to live another day in the following year's race. Since the old lađe were all of different dimensions, and so that all competitors would race in vessels of the same size, in 2004 a new custom-made lađe were built, which would be used specifically for the marathon. Each rowing crew consists of ten rowers, a drummer and a cox. There can be a minimum of twelve and a maximum of eighteen people in each squad. Anyone who is willing to participate may be part of the crew. The competing lađe must be wooden, comprise a traditional shape and must meet the official competition rules as far as actual dimensions are concerned. That is, the length must be between 7 and 8.2 meters, the width between 2.45 and 2.8 meters, the depth is 70cm, with 23 spokes or wooden rods. The actual oars must also be made of wood.
Lađa built in 1895
A week prior to the actual marathon, the time trials for starting positions are held in Opuzen (individually over 100 metres). Depending on the trials, starting positions are assigned. The start of the race is in Metković under the main bridge. The course runs along the Neretva to the harbour in Ploče. Approximately, at the halfway mark, in the town of Opuzen, an interchange of up to six crew members is permitted (although it is not compulsory to change). Then, further down the river, we go through the small village of Komin, until the final destination in the harbour of the coastal town of Ploče. The winners normally achieve their goal in about two hours and fifteen minutes, following continuous, non-stop rowing. Spectators follow the race in cars on either side of the river, by train (the railway is parallel to the river route) or on board the many boats and vessels that accompany the lađe.
Maria also wanted to share with us some videos about the city of Metković, "Marathon Lađa" and the "Photo Safari", which you can see below:
If you are interested in learning and read more about the city of Metković, Marathon Lađa or the Neretva Delta area check the following links as well:
Thanks for presenting this interesting article about Metković in Penpalling & Letters, Maria! It was fantastic to learn so much from this part of Croatia! I am very much looking forward to hear from you again and share another interesting article with all of us. Hopefully your intervention here will attract more participants willing to take part!
I am always looking for people who would like to take part into Travelling around the World Section. If you would like to write about any feature or characteristic of your homeland don't hesitate to contact me at: penpallingandletters[at]gmail[dot]com and we will work on it!
