My Baby She Wrote Me A Letter: PictureItPostage

Okay, 2.5 month old Raptor can't write yet, but she's already sending mail.

For Christmas we gave Grandma some custom photo stamps from PictureItPostage, and since then the Raptor has been appearing in mailboxes across the country (to great acclaim).

The stamps are a great quality material, so they don't easily get scratched, scuffed, or knocked off during mailing. With a display area of 2" by 1.25",they're larger than standard postage (which is great because the photos really stand out). The reproduction quality is very good (much better than my hasty, randomly lit photo suggests) and equal to a photographic print of the same size.

Shipping of the stamps was prompt, and they were packaged to prevent damage in mostly recyclable materials (only 1 thin plastic sleeve was non-recyclable).

Custom postage makes a great, practical gift for parents or grandparents or a great addition to mailings from your kids (Valentines, party invitations, thank you notes, announcements, etc.).

20 first class stamps (2- 8.5" x 5.5" sheets of self-adhesive stamps) cost $18.95. 20 postcard stamps are $15.95. Additional postage rates are available. Orders of more than one set qualify for discounts.

PictureItPostage is a fun way to send a little loveliness this Valentine's Day!

Retro Moment: Goodbye, Polaroid and Hello, Colorforms!

A couple weeks ago I dug out my 1990s Polaroid camera and film. It turns out Ranger is a huge fan of the technology. He LOVES snatching the photo from the camera and watching it develop (genetics, I think).

So I was soooo sad to get the news (from Jeremiah) that Polaroid film is being discontinued. In the face of an oncoming winter storm Ranger and I piled in the car to buy a small stockpile. While others crowded grocery stores for bread and milk, we hit the desolate film aisle of a warehouse store (before picking up some milk and forgetting bread entirely).

Meanwhile, a great item from the same era is having a comeback- Colorforms. And not the licensed-character driven ones, but the dignified geometric originals. Plus, they're currently [update: sale has ended and they're now only $5 off] $20 off list price at Amazon (Thanks, WantNot.net!).

Now I'm crossing my fingers for a Polaroid film comeback- soon!

***This is the unsolicited, independent opinion of the geek parents at Baby Toolkit. We have no financial interest in Polaroid, University Games, or Colorforms.

Youthful Perspective: Kids' Photography Contest

Is there an under-13 photographer in your house? If so, check out the "A Little Perspective" photo contest hosted by 3 great photo and family bloggers. Submissions are accepted through August 10th. I wrote a bit more about it on Parent Hacks.

Check out the contest gallery to see all the great shots being submitted.

Looking for a graphic, I plundered my photo albums from 1983. While this photo stands as evidence of my own limited photo skills, the album itself is a very cool time capsule of the 80s. I often think of that time as much like now, only with shaggier carpet and lots of bad perms. It was funny how much I'd forgotten.

Sketch Artist: Maggie Makes Her Mark

Remember the ineptly lit, poorly composed photo that I posted a couple weeks ago? Well, our commissioned drawing is already finished, and I'm so excited to share the results. Please click on the image above to see it in larger resolution.

Again, the original photograph:


Lamp, drapes, and codura chair are all happily vanished... Leaving only a sweet memory of a peaceful afternoon.

Interested in commissioning something yourself? Maggie charges $65 (including shipping and handling) for a drawing of a lone person on 9 by 12" paper. She draws from photos, so don't worry about making your toddler sit still. She charges $20 for each additional person. Email me for her contact information.