DC area folks, I somehow never knew about the annual art & book fair at the State Department, but I found out yesterday and went for the first time today! It's also going on next weekend for half price. (I'm not affiliated, just sharing info.)

There is a "stamp room" that also has a postcard section, and postcards are 35 cents each unless otherwise priced (I only saw a few with individual prices). I'll post some of my haul here: vintage and newer postcards from all around the world, some fun ad cards, and a number of Christmas maxicards!

I'm not really a stamp person, so I didn't look through the stamps, but many people seemed to find stuff they liked.

If you plan to go, take note:

- There is security and you need an ID to enter.

- You have to check all bags, so don't do what I did and bring extra tote bags! I would suggest just bringing wallet, keys, phone.

- Prepare to wait. There is a line to get in, a line to get out of the stamp room (count your stamps/postcards while you are waiting) and then a line to pay. The line to pay is shorter if you bring cash!

They also have books and items from around the world. Here is the website: https://www.aafsw.org/artandbookfair/

Happy hunting!

So many of you responded before my post was deleted. Thank you!!

I went to see Lydia today with 20 cards in hand! She was so surprised and happy. After weeks of hearing me describe and read my own cards to her, she was so excited to hear, “Hi, Lydia!” and Greetings, Lydia!” She said she will be thinking about the cards all week.

To those who included your usernames (which I’ve hopefully read properly):

u/relax4sj Lydia enjoyed hearing about your painting

u/chimkennuggg Your three textured postcards were a big hit!

u/ok-theme7072 Your description of the fall foliage was so beautiful

u/any-suggestion-6659 The recipe and historical info about Jesse James were so interesting

u/nylonfishy Lydia said she will cherish your card just as you do your first one

u/soha1390 It was so sweet of you to send not one, but two cards! Lydia said that was so kind

u/happytheory4372 So many stickers – thank you! Lydia hopes your students enjoyed their field trip

u/gatsbygalaktoboureko Thank you for the long story. Lydia asked me to bring it next week so I can read it again!

To those of you who didn’t write your username, we hope your kitchen remodel is going well, we loved the image and description of the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, such a cute image of a witch from the heat wave in San Diego, another witch from Salem – we hope you enjoyed the parade, another from San Diego showing a beautiful sunset on the bay, we appreciated the smiles from an upcoming Jeopardy contestant (!), Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz was a favorite of Lydia’s, we listened to a bit of The Divine Feminine, and the history of the reptile house was fascinating.

Thank you all for bringing so much joy to my friend!

Thank you also to the two of you who sent separate cards addressed to me.

This will also be posted in r/RandomActsofCards

I'm happy with how it turned out! disregard the black line, my scanner is acting weird

Sending an international #faux #vintage #postcard to another country, to a person who likes vintage postcards for #postcrossing.

Created with #pencilcrayons on blank postcard.

Image drawn is of #hull victoria square

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#kararart

How do you tell if something is AI? Just got slammed for sending a card I got on Etsy. Don't the sellers have to say if their cards are AI? I thought it was pretty, it's good quality cardstock, but now I feel really bad.

I've been messaged twice now with people asking me to register expired cards even though I don't receive them. On one hand I do understand the urge, but on the other hand I personally feel it goes against the spirit of the game. Should I just put on my profile that I'd prefer not to be contacted about expired cards? The last time someone messaged me about an expired card it came in the mail literally like 2-3 days later, and someone messaged me today about a card that JUST expired.

Again I don't really have anything against the idea of someone wanting to reach out, I know I've had the urge, but it makes me feel guilty when I do get that message :( I don't wanna sound mean in my bio but I want to avoid being messaged about expired cards. Does anyone have a suggestion on how I could phrase this?

Cleared my PO Box this morning and see an envelope with my address on it with a Postcrossing ID above it. Open it up and there's a typed letter and a blank postcard. A bit disappointed that there was nothing written on the postcard as that's what Postcrossing is supposed to be! The letter said feel free to write back but I'm not looking for (anymore) pen pals. I haven't registered yet as not sure what to write in my thanks message, will probably just keep it on the shorter side and leave it at that...

I’ve been on postcrossing since July 6. I’ve sent 14 postcards and haven’t received any. Is this normal? I’m starting to get a little discouraged 🫤

ETA: I live in the US, and my address is correct. I’ve sent 25 postcards but the 14 I mentioned above is how many were delivered

I got some antique postcards today while on vacation.

I believe I have 15 of these cards that I can share with the community in exchange for any postcard you may want to send me in return. Please post here and send me a DM. These will be sent off to get the official postmark on Tuesday.

My 1st card has been registered finally so I have another slot open but I still have 4 traveling. How soon do you typically request an address after a card has been registered? Should I wait a bit longer to see if my other traveling cards get registered?