Mailing those beautiful quilted postcards?

[KakeM]

I have been wondering about mailing the postcards that are quilted and embellished so beautifully. How are they handled at the post office? Do they hand stamp them or do you send them some other way? Don't they get scruffed up and dirty sometimes? I'd love to hear of some experiences with this! :?
Karen

[CHERIFFIC]

I am curious too. I know that blocks for swaps need to have some protection even in envelopes I have heard they get pretty beat up if you do not protect them say between cardstock or even the bubble envelopes you get at the PO

Cher

[Lorchen]

I post them in protective envelopes, but I have received them 'naked'. Some have arrived in perfect condition, some with bits missing, and a couple of times somebody between the US and the UK decided these cards were special and placed them in a postal service special envelope.

Lorchen

[Lorchen]

I did a postcard swap last year to USA, didn't have any mates in UK on the site then!!!! We posted ours so they were stamped, was good, as you got to keep the info from the senders. BUT, they were overly decorated, no beads etc. So I don't know how that type would fare up in the post! As for stamping them, if they are classic postcard size, it is fine, the PO manages those OK. So, pays yer money, takes yer choice!!! (Brit expression for you international ladies!)
Lynn

[Lorchen]

I stick mine in a regular letter envelope. They seem to get to where they are going in good condition. I do put my return address and the address of the person I am sending it to on the postcard.

[Lorchen]

The ones I've received were hand canceled and they didn't have any embellishments like beads, etc. They arrived in nice condition, sometimes dirty from their trip through the mail. Do be sure to put first class postage on them, not postcard rate.

JoAnne in southern California

[KakeM]

Thank you ladies-Cher, Lorchen,Lynn,JoAnne and Ritzy
I really appreciate the information. I think I like the idea of putting them in some sort of envelope....makes sense to keep them clean. I will get one done and off this next week.....Thanks again
Karen

[Mailmanldy]

Because of the size and thickness of the fabric prostcards, they can not be handled through the machines. (at least they "shouldn't" go through the machines). And they may require additional postage. So if you are mailing them, it would be best to take them to your local Post Office, and let the window clerk hand cancel it.
I have only made and mailed one, but I put it in a clear envelope and it made it to it's destination with out any problems.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[she-quilts]

I have been mailing mine with a regular 1st class stamp. I took my first batch to my little town PO and asked for them to be hand-canceled. She said no one anywhere will do that anymore. It is ALL by machine.

Was miffed! :cry:

The next time I made some I took them to a bigger town where we shop. Without asking, the worker immediately hand canceled all of them. I now take them all there.

The recipients are all pleased to receive one!

I only do piecing and quilting on them. No thick embellishments. This spring I sewed down a silk flower piece.

Joyce

[she-quilts]

Question: Regarding adding the postage stamp, do you sew it down so it doesn't come unglued?

'thann

[Margo]

I send mine "nekked"! Take them to the PO to be hand canceled and I take a bottle of Elmer's Liquid Washable School Glue that I add to the back of the stamp. One worker tried to sell me 3 (large!) stamps to cover the postage and I just paid the difference for the next denomination so there wouldn't be a jumble of odd stamps! Also... I like real stamps better than the bar-code kind.
Yes, they may get soiled in the mail, but the whole thing is a fun novelty. A couple of years ago I mailed fabric Christmas post cards to my mail carrier and the gal at the PO who enjoys seeing what I mail. They loved 'em!
When we vacationed in Hawaii several years ago, I mailed a coconut home to TheGrands!! No box.....just a coconut with a note written on the side of it!! They loved it!!

[KakeM]

Margo you are too hilarious...sending a coconut through the mail! I once sent a Casper's Hot Dog from Oakland Ca. to Anaheim Ca. to my best friend who just loves them....prolem was with the slow delivery time it was kinda green and moldy....she was not amused! We talk about the fact that despite that yucky hotdog incident we have remained best buds for the last 44 years!

[Lorchen]

You've got my imagination going now...... How about sticking a few stamps on Alex's or Ricky's forehead and send them to me here in the UK. I'd promise to send them back after a few days.

Lorchen

[pam7040]

Lorchen, You wouldn't send them back after a few days!!!! You'd want to keep them forever. :lol: Dont forget you'll need Justin and John too. You'd better start stocking up on maltesers.

[Lorchen]

But Pam, I enjoy sharing!

Lorchen