Inside January Emerald Post

January is already behind us as we inch closer to Spring, to green, and to March throughout which I celebrate Irish Culture & St. Patrick and the renewal of the natural world. You can bet that the March Edition of Emerald Post will be extra special & Irish. For the curious, below are the contents of the January Edition: A lovely print of a watercolor cityscape of Dublin and it's architectural icons, a large notecard featuring a view from the Rock of Dunamase, and a small notecard of Bloody Bridge on the coast near Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Read more about Bloody Bridge HERE on my Traveling Chariot Blog.

5x7 Art Print of Dublin Icons
(left to right) Dublin Castle, Brazen Head Pub, Christ's Church Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, The General Post Office

Watercolor on Paper

Beneath Bloody Bridge, Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland

3.5x5 Notecard with envelope

View from Rock of Dunamase, County Laois, Ireland

 5x7 Notecard with Celtic Stamped Envelope

*Watermarks on artwork/photos are not present on actual items

Ireland of the Welcomes

Today I'd like to share on of my favorite magazines. Ireland of the Welcomes is one of the most exciting things to grace my mailbox. It's a treat that only arrives 6 times a year, but well worth the $33 (for US). This magazine is a gorgeous full color journey through Ireland's history, culture, & folklore as well as in depth pieces on the modern Ireland of today. The photographs are always gorgeous and the stories and articles top notch. Almost all content - only 6 pages of ads out of 65. You can read a free issue online HERE. And if you are so inclined, you can subscribe HERE.

Yuletide Contents

For those who are curious what treasures were sent out in the Yuletide Edition of Emerald Post, I am sharing the contents below. This collection should give you an idea of what Emerald Post is all about. Most editions will contain 3-5 items depending on size and intricacy of work. They come bundles as you see below and nestled inside of a cellophane sleeve to protect them. Then it's all put in a bright green envelope, decorated and artistically addressed to you. AND if you missed out, the Yuletide Edition is still for sale and discounted at $13. Also, you can purchase "Gathering the Greens" alone for $10. Swing over to the Emerald Post Shop to fill your mailboxes for 2017!

5x7 Print of "Gathering the Greens" a watercolor painting on paper

The backside of the print tells of the ancient and enduring Celtic traditions of decorating with Holly, Ivy & Misteltoe

Everything is bundled in a band of Gaelic text and sealed with an Emerald Postmark Sticker.

Here is the whole package that went out to mailboxes in December

Contents (clockwise from top):

5x7 Fine Art Print "Gathering the Greens"
Mini Notecard & Envelope - photo of green rolling hills
Note from me to recipient - my musings on this edition
4x6 Postcard - Red Door Edinburgh, Scotland
5x5 Photo Print of St. Columb's Cathedral, Derry, Ireland
Bookmark - Gothic Window from Chepstow Castle, Wales

Crossing Through

Entrance to Cong Woods at Cong Abbey in Ireland

Hopefully your Christmases were bright and full of good cheer. As winter sets in, may your hearth & home be warm and joyous. Here we are again at the doorway of a New Year, the threshold of new beginnings. May 2017 be full of adventures, wonder & good fortune!

My Celtic Christmas

Ornaments are some of my favorite things to bring home from trips as souvenirs. They are usually inexpensive, lightweight and small so they make the journey home easily (except that glass Guinness one). Every year as I trim my tree, I'm reminded of past journeys. Some of the ones below are from my trips to Ireland and Scotland, others are gifts given to me which are just as special. Nutcrackers hail from German culture but my collection of 40+ does, indeed, include a few from Celtic Lands.

email / snail mail

Obviously I love sending and receiving letters & mail. I love intriguing envelopes, the perfectly chosen stamp, handwritten notes. But occasionally, email has its place in the realm of communication - to reach a little farther, to arrive in an instant, to share websites and photos, to keep a large number of people informed. For these reasons, I have an occasional email newsletter - The Emerald Post Herald. Get interesting links, stories, Emerald post reminders & Sneak Peeks, travel photos & more delivered straight to your email inbox. Click HERE to subscribe to this free email Newsletter.

And they're off...

The first batch of Yuletide Emerald Posts are on their way to mailboxes near & far. I loved adding the stamps and other postal attire. I hope the recipients enjoy their parcels & share the green joys of Emerald Post. It's not too late to get yours (or order one for a gift) HERE.