Here’s your task:  Enclose at least five items in an envelope that define you.  Nope.  This is not a bridal shower game, but it was the subject of a swap I recently completed–“Me in an Envelope” hosted by “isabellasnow” on swap-bot.  The swap required that participants send an envelope of items that would give the recipients an idea of who we are.  What did I include? My partner and I have very similar interests and tastes, so I sent her things that I thought she would use:

• a book of poetry–I’ve loved poetry since I was a little girl and I am thoroughly enjoying teaching the British Romantic and Victorian poets this semester.
• a couple of tourist postcards–one from New Orleans (home) and one from Alabama (where I live now)
• a third postcard–robots (guess why)
• peace, hearts, and flower stickers–the ideology of “Flower Power” is still so appealing to me
• inspirational quotes–Don Miguel Ruiz (“The Four Agreements”) and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (“Nine Requisites for Contented Living”).
• some of my own nature photos
• Paris notecards–Paris is on my bucket list.  I did spend a few hours in a Paris airport once.  I don’t think that counts.  🙂
• teddy bear postage because it was easier to send the postage than it was to send an actual teddy bear
• washi tape samples–my latest “crafty” obsession

There were many other things I wanted to include, but I forced myself to exercise a little discipline.  I’m not sure I would say these things “define” me.  They certainly hint at some aspects of “me,” but a package that “defines” me would probably be much more difficult to put together.    Besides, even though the swap was “sender’s choice,”  I try to send people items they can/will actually use.

I think “Metruis,” my “receive from” partner took the same approach.   We have some similar interests as well, and she sent a fun package of goodies.

Her note was written on this far too cute panda postcard.

Christmas all year long, I say!  I love these pandas.  Isn’t the one hanging from the tree simply adorable?

Metruis is a freelance writer and an artist.  She even drew a picture of herself on the back of the postcard, “sort of.”

She sent fabric swatches from the last quilt she made.  These will be great for making a collage postcard!

She loves loose tea, so she sent two of her favorite teas and recipes.  Here’s one of the recipes:

She paints, so she sent a paintbrush.  She “always” paints her nails and her favorite color is green, so she sent green “nail glitter.”

She loves steampunk, so she sent a “steampunk dude.”

And a compass charm because she makes maps for a living.

Along with a receipt from one of her favorite restaurants and a library checkout receipt, she sent a bookmark advertising one of her web comics.

If you’re into graphic novels, check out Between Places, a fantasy novel with scifi elements, and Stargazer’s Gate, a fantasy graphic novel about gates between worlds.

What would your 5 items be?