Now I HAD to share this shocking story with everyone, since I’m still recovering from the possibility.
This card uses Gina K’s new stamp set for a cause-How Sweet it is. I love this floral image.
Notice my lovely clear button embellishment-courtesy of Foo-Fa-La. Well THAT button could have cost me $16, to mail this card to my friend Alli Miles.
Now you are probably wondering HOW a button could add enough to a card to make it cost $16 to mail.
Well, Alli lives in Canada.
I was sending her a little string of Target $1 spot ribbon-inside the card-very FLAT.
When I took this to the PO they weighed it, and made sure it would fit through the slot. I dont know, its this paper rectangle, that if your letter is too thick, it costs extra to mail, or if it exceed’s 1 oz, the price hikes up.
Well I passes on the “weight”-JUST BARELY!
Then she went to “cram” it into the rectangle tester slot-NOPE! Too thick.
Here is the KICKER! Now when anything is over these requirements, you have to ship PRIORITY to Canada, starting at $16!
She said I’m sorry- it has to go Priority for $16.
I said WHAT! For a freakin card?
Yes, Ma’am.
I said-Give me that for a minute-I ripped it open and CAREFULLY removed the button. YEAH! You’d never know it was there. I then asked for tape to re-seal the envelope-THEN it passed!
Is that NOT an insane policy?
The moral of the story is-if you mail something to Canada WATCH OUT! AND limit your friends in Canada! LOL! ————Just kidding. But I do have a bunch of fellow Canadian stamper friends.
I also just sent my friend Dawn ( also from Canada) some $1 spot Target Yummies (should arrive soon), and didn’t notice that it cost almost $18 to ship it. OMG! That is more than the stuff inside cost.
Anyway-onto a FLAT card.
This is a good ole fashioned 0.42 cents to mail kind of card
This weeks blogger’s challenge was to use the layout on 37 of the NEW! SU! Catalog.
So this is what I came up with.
Its going postal on Monday for a good friend. It’s pretty flat so, it should mail easy (wink).
I kept it pretty clean and simple. Its really a great layout.
I got these birds at out LSS. Not sure “who” makes them, as I am too lazy to go look right now :C
I think they are so pretty though. I love the sketchiness of them. Whimsical and elegant. I colored with my Copic markers (of course), then added some sparkle with my Atyou clear glitter pen. Its a subtle bling, but pretty all the same.
I used rub-on’s that my secret friend sent me. It was a really great pkg of stuff. I love rub-on’s.
The paper is from the Target $1 spot
As is the paper in the card above it. Love that place!
Now for some tagging.
My PSF Dawn M tagged me yesterday-
I am suppose to tell you 7 -unusual things about me.
1) I HATE sports, ALL sports, and despite being a cheerleader in High School, I know NOTHING about them, nor do I care. The only sports I like are the one’s my children are in
2) I LOVE “cheap” sterling silver jewelry. LOVE IT! You know, like the $16 sterling silver bracelets or $9 silver charms. It does HAVE to be real silver though. No expensive gems for me
The only expensive things I wear are my wedding rings, diamond earring’s Jason bought me for a wedding gift (which I never take off-only to clean them) and a Sapphire ring, which was the first piece if jewelry he ever bought me, and its Alexa’s birthstone so I love Sapphire’s. Another thing-I often forget I have lots of cute pieces so I never/rarely wear them! LOL!
3) I LOVE waffles. Homemade waffles. Everytime we go out to breakfast (mainly pre-2 more kids, and vacation), I would ALWAYS miss the waffle time cut off. I would be so upset! Jason bought me a Krupps waffle maker last year for Christmas (the ONLY acceptable kitchen appliance as a gift) so HE can make me waffles. He makes them for me every Sunday! Which leads to another WEIRD factoid-I cannot cook breakfast! I can bake, and cook awesome meals (when I want) but cannot make a decent edible breakfast. Unless, you consider scrambled eggs. Who can screw that up?
4) My hair was blond and straight as a board till I hit 12 or 13. It then, got natural curly, and has been that way ever since! Curly hair runs in my family, on both my mother, and father’s side -everyone has it-except for my mom. She is the ONLY one who wanted it, but didn’t get it. She puts hot rollers in her hair EVERY DAY! When I was a kid she would make me sleep with “rags” (cut t-shirts, tied into your hair to make it curly/wavy-like back in the old days) in my hair or sponge curlers. So MY hair would also be curly. I HATED it!!!! When it turned curly she was ECSTATIC! In high-school, I would STRAIGHTEN it, everyday-I wanted straight hair! LOL! Until I was about 19, I did that. Then I accepted the fact that my hair was curly, and people pay big $$$ for hair like that. Plus when I became a nurse, it was easier/faster to just let it be. Can I tell you how much she LOVES the fact that Amber has my curly hair? She is always like-You should twist it to enhance the curl. While I admit-she looks adorable, I am NOT putting her through that torture I went through as a girl! Alexa’s hair-when she had it (or long I should say) was straight as a board! I LOVED it. It was so gorgeous, soft and silky.
5) We have caller I.D. When some annoying telemarketer calls, I let the kids answer the phone and chat it up till the people hang up. After they call and this happens no more than 4 times, they stop calling! Its pretty funny to watch.
6) I do my make-up EVERYDAY. No matter what. Even if I’m not going anywhere. My mother (again) taught me that. She said you NEVER know WHO is going to show up, or if there will be an emergency, and you have to leave the house. I HATE the days I get the kids on the bus before showering. You need to always look “made”. There have been MANY times I was so grateful for that advice. I will NOT leaver my house without make-up. Sorta like the “always wear clean underwear in-case you get in an accident thing”. NOTE: I don’t wear a ton of make-up, and its NOT caked on my face!
7) I have TONS of cards (which I donate alot of) and never send a pre-made for no reason one to anyone. I have to make it special for them everytime. I will often be late, or end up NOT sending one at all! How awful is that? I don’t know WHY I do this. I have attempted to change that about me, but can’t.
Well now that you know all that, and definitely could have lived without it, I tag YOU! If you want to play, place it in the comments section!
Otherwise, say whatever else you wouold like (if anything).
Thanks for reading/commenting. I’ll see ya back here tomorrow!
I think today I may work on some fellow blogger’s sketches! That is something I never get to do. We shall see.
41 Responses for "$16 to mail a card, a Blogger’s Challenge-and a tag!"
Wow! That’s crazy! To mail something equivalent to that size from Canada to USA is only 2 US stamps, so it’s under $2.00. Then anything over those requirements jump to over $10.00. Although everything is pretty slow mailwise, here.
Lauren. I enjoyed reading all the little tidbits about you!!!! The challenge card is lovely as well!!!
Vicki
I am SOOOO glad that didn’t cost you $16 *lol* unbelievable!!!! I didn’t need that button anyways *lol* Thank you soooooo much Lauren–you are just the sweetest thing. From the potential price of sending a card you’d think they’d have to deliver it to an igloo or something.
Mmmmmmm homemade waffles. I like those too. And as for telemarketers, we do the exact same thing.
What a lovely card. So very cute and such nice colors. Great job!
Absolutely GORGEOUS! Oh my word! Love how the birds are so soft and sweet! Oh my! And where is this blogger’s challenge? I always read about it at different blogs, but can’t find where it’s posted.
Super cute card! Love it!
$16 for a card! At least you can open it and take off the button. I’d have done the same. Both of these cards are so pretty. I love the little birdie stamp.
Both of your cards are just gorgeous, Lauren!!! Glad you didn’t pay the $16 to mail the first one!
Hi there… I think the birds are from Magenta… Both cards are gorgeous. I love in Canada and I know the heartbreak !!! I have to pay a customs charge on top of what I paid for my product more aften than not. Drives me crazy !!
Sorry I do love in Canada but also live there !!!
I don’t understand this, because I mail packages of wood mounted stamps to Canada for just a few dollars. Obviously, it depends on the weight of a package, but I’m sure your card didn’t weigh more than several wood mounted stamps. Things do not have to be mailed priority to Canada — insist on international first class.
Glad you figured out a solution without paying the $16!
The more I learn about you, the more I think we’re long lost twins (never mind the age difference thing). I “get ready” everyday – hair and make up everyday – no matter what. I think there has only been two days that I can recall that I didn’t. Plus there is the vacuum quirk we have, oh and the house cleaning. Yup, twins.
I can’t believe the post office and amount to Canada. I’ll remember not to have any large embellishments on my cards when I mail there. That’s ridiculous!
Gotta run, Chickie! Talk to you later!
Hugs,
Renee
Your challenge is precious!
rofl! Wow that seems a little excessive don’t you think? Wonder if the post office lady was having a bad day and didn’t want to give you the other cheaper options? yikes! You paid THAT much to mail my stuff? Girl you are crazy! Sorry that it cost so much…wowzers!
I know here in Canada to mail anything that doesn’t fit through the slot it’s not just double postage anymore it is a 1.10. To the States I just try and stick on two US stamps….but they are going up this week by 3 more cents…haha! So it costs around 2.00. Flat cards are cheaper to mail…but boring to make…at least for me!
Your card is gorgeous! Those birds are cute!
I feel crappy today and haven’t stamped yet…but I will get your sketch done soon! It’s a MUST here! lol
Have a great day…I’m off to lay back down.
In Canada if the knot on the ribbon is too big we get hit for extra postage. But it is a government thing and they like their money from us. But if you think about it we can walk into a emergency room (possibly wait half a day) we don’t pay!! Just wanted to have something positive here about my wonderful country. Also about the buttons, get some acrylic sheets and punch out your own clear button–I know not the same but thinner and cheaper.
Lorri
Beautiful card Lauren!!
And I gotta tell you, something is wrong with your postal outlet! If that was the way it was, then I wouldn’t participate in ribbon shares from confessions of a ribbon addict. Jody sends big boxes full of ribbon to me, and they usually dont cost over 6 or 7 dollars to mail.
They do not have to go first class, and she will still probably get them within a week. I think you should do some looking on the internet, in Canada we go to the Canada Post website, and can find out prices for boxes and envelopes. Why don’t you look on the website that you need, for prices there!
Hope this helps! I know we all love to get mail, and don’t want to see you not sending something to Canada because of this!!
Trina
Beautiful cards Lauren! If you put a card & ribbon in one of those brown envelopes, you can mail it cheaper, thats what I do & I also put a few other things in there. I have also sent out cards in reg. envelopes & went down to the PO & paid a little extra (around 75 cents or just under) & told them not to put it through the machines because of the brads & tied ribbons…works for me! I have also sent stuff to Canada but put it in brown envys with a little added something in it. Just a little tip! I couldn’t believe it when you said $16…wow, I would have taken the button off to!
Love the cards! I would love to know the maker of the birds stamp when you get a chance. Your watercoloring on them is absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for sharing.
Kim
The maker os the stamp IS Magenta as Janine (above) said.
You are really making me want to go to Target…you always seem to find such great deals there, but when I go I usually don’t find anything!
Thought it was fun that we share sterling silver jewelry in common, but I wear it because I am allergic to nickel, which sterling doesn’t have in it. Not deathly allergic or anything, just annoying little rashes where the metal touches my skin. If you have a Kohl’s they have a great variety of sterling silver, and good sales alot of times too!
Great cards Lauren! I love those sketchy birds you used in your bloggers challenge card. The colors are so soft and inviting!
I can’t believe your $16 postage card! That is just crazy!!
Oh those stamps are so cute, and as always your coloring just makes it adorable!! ♥
Believe it or not, my Target doesn’t have the spotz!
…
Loved reading the tidbits about you, I have been tagged too but i don’t know if I can find 7 things about me without scraing my readers out of my blog! LOL.
I have to remember your trick with the telemarketers. Somebody told me to just speak french and that would do it but I can’t do it, I wouldn’t be able to stay serious and not laugh!
I meant “scaring” not scraing!…
Lauren I work for the Post Office serving customers on the window and I can definitely tell you that the window clerk is wrong you don’t have to send it Priority mail it could go first class international. The clerk probably doesn’t understand the new rates. Ask to see it in writing why it has to go Priority Mail. Also, if you go on to USPS.com you can learn more about it. Hope this helps. Love your cards and all the stories of your kids. God bless all of you.
I have problems with my local PO and I wonder if they are related to yours. was it because it was an envelope as opposed to a small package? I bought a postal scale for home use and know upfront what my postage is before I drop a large envie or package off. I mailed a collectable coin to Nova Scotia recently and it was less that 2.00 with padding etc. so I am suspect of the price you were quoted.
$16 for a card is just plain nuts. Good thing that button came off easily.
I can so relate to your post. I sent something to my friend in Ontario and the postage was MORE than the item I sent. At Christmas same thing. So, I am very sad to say that from now on, she will only get what will go in a flat regular card size envelope. That is the dumbest, most insane postal regulation I have ever heard of. They apparently don’t need our business.
Such a cute card for the BC – love the colors
Hi Lauren,
Love the cards and I agree with you about using stamps in your own style not necessarily the manufacturer’s style ‘cos, yes, it IS meant to be fun and creative. Had to laugh about the ‘rags’ though, my Mum did that to me and my sisters! However she used old cotton sheeting, this was a loooong time ago and she never wasted a scrap of fabric. I think it was a hang up from the War years in the UK where rationing was a way of life for most of her formative years. She certainly passed that on to us girls and I still try to get every last bit of use from anything I have to buy lol! By the way, my hair went curly after the chemo I had for breast cancer so possibly Alexa’s hair will curl when she’s finally finished with her treatment.
Cheers from hot and sunny Western Australia,
Sharon
As other commenters have said, that’s crazy!! (The postage, not the rest of your post, LOL!) I have mailed a couple things to Canada (including a 8.5×11 padded envelope FULL of chipboard letters – so it was pretty heavy!) and it has never cost me more than a couple bucks. And it never has to go priority. I’d say check with them again!
I love when you say that you NEEDED the new stamps. Now if I could just get my husband to understand this, I can stop hiding my LSS purchases in my children’s room!!!
LOL!!!!
I have just read saturdays blog and had to go and see if I could buy one of thr Spotz here in the UK and I got one .Yipppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
OMG you never send out those beautiful cards!!! I know my kids always get on me for that too. I am making it a priority to send out more handmade cards. I do however give them in person to friends…Hugs to you
Lauren, She told you the wrong thing. You could have stuck it in a flat rate priority envelope for $9.00! I’ve shipped several stamp tins and more in those envelopes and it’s all you can fit in it for that flat rate. Just an FYI. Your cards are as beautiful as ever!! Love the way you create!
Hugs,
Gina K.
OMGoodness – that is crazy about the postage!! I swear that is a racket – half the time mail is lost or damaged, yet we have to pay ‘top dollar’ to get it there!! Not something I should get started on!!
Love your challenge card – the birds are super cute and love the color combo! I’m sure your friend will love it as well!!
My Target has a wonderful dollar spot too! Every season they have wonderful new scrapping items, i just got the pastel flower brads and the silk flower brads. The ribbon spools have the prettiest colors too. I also stock up for my mom. Their paper punches aren’t the greatest though. THe card is so pretty!
Beautiful card for Bloggers Challenge, Lauren! Loved reading about you as well!
Anita Van Hal
http://www.anitastamps.com
Love your blogger challenge card. The color palette you chose is beautiful and the bird image is a perfect fit for the layout.
OMGosh! I’m the friend! Woo-hoo got this card in the mail today. I think my mailman must have been holding on to it to torture me – it took way longer than usual to get here.
I have to say, the bridies and their glitter are so pretty IRL. I’ve never seen rub-ons before, but I have to say I didn’t even realize they were rub-ons till I took a very close look. Hmmm….might have to try some of these myself.
Thank you thank you Lauren! I love you too!
How did I miss this one?!?!?! You know I love birdies! Is this one stamp? Super sweet and lovin the way you colored them!
Insane, right???? I found out the hard way, too – my friend Andie was looking for some metallic apple green nailpolish and I found some for her and thought it’d make a fun, inexpensive birthday gift. The bottle was five dollar. Shipping from one coast to another (in Canada) would have cost twice the price of that bottle! It was a teeny tiny padded envelope, but like you said, the bulk and not the weight is what made is so much.
I kept the polish for myself.
Cindy
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