Welcome to the start of my new series – Bring Back Paper!
Now, I don’t hate technology, no, no, this isn’t what this is about. I would be lost and feel cast adrift if you took my precious iPhone 5 off me – I may even sob..! I think the advent of emails and paperless billing is brilliant, as who wants boring post like that, and what a waste of paper. And, quite clearly, I’m a big fan of a blog!
But, regular readers will know that I like paper. I’m talking about most kinds. I love letter-writing, and wrote about the fabulous #PostCircle here recently. I love my books, which I know I talk about from time to time, most recently in my My Fictional World meme (still open if you’d like to share!). I also make lists, use jotter pads, weekly planners, have 2 diaries on the go, and I always develop my best ideas with pen and paper in hand, mind maps on the go! Where would I be without paper, stationery and books? They brighten my days. Here’s a little glimpse at some of mine..
I’ve notepads and diaries on my desk, my letter-writing box there, a snippet of one of my bookcases and a little organiser box for some of the kids documents.
I love browsing pretty stationery and choosing books. Receiving them is a delight, and if you’re ever needing to buy me a gift, you won’t go far wrong with a book or a pen! And on the subject of books, I do mean books, not e-books. I’ve yet to submit to a Kindle, though I know there are plenty of positives to them as an avid reader, but for me, I want that book in my hand.
So with a love of snail mail, list-making, books and of course, cards and stationery, I launch #BringBackPaper.
What’s it all about?
Every Wednesday on the blog, I’ll be sharing something papery. This is all things for everyone – non-bloggers are so very welcome to join in 🙂
– I’ll be inviting guest posts where you can wax lyrical about your love of stationery, your reading habits, your scrapbooking, share your paper crafting, feature your paper business, whatever you like, please just get in touch with me at [email protected] to guest post here, and you don’t have to be a blogger to do so, everyone is welcome.
– Use the hash tag #BringBackPaper on Twitter and Instagram for any shares of old or new pretty stationery, book buys or when you receive a swap – see my next point….!
– There will also be papery swaps throughout the year – exciting! And to kick us off, we’ll get going with our first #BringBackPaper swap. It is to swap a novel. As simple as that. It can be any piece of adult fiction, and you need to be happy to receive any book in return, so adding an exciting air of mystery and anticipation, a little like my Blind Date With A Book post. To join in, email me with your name and address and I’ll pair you up for your swap. Do only join in if you are sure you can get a book sent, as it’d be disappointing for your swap partner if they receive nothing. All books are to be posted this month, and I look forward to being paired and receiving my surprise book!
– I’m also toying with the idea of doing a ‘Papery Peep‘ monthly photo linky – a shot of papery goodness! May it be your bookshelves, a new stationery purchase, something you’ve made, a stack of notebooks, your current ‘books to read’ pile, your monthly swap, stationery hoardes, letter writing boxes, washi tape collections, anything paper goes! I do like perusing pictures of pretty stationery and books, but would appreciate a little feedback on whether you’d want to join in with this one, please. I love looking at pretty paper, but perhaps not everyone does?! UPDATE!! Yep, I’m doing this! The last Wednesday of every month is now ‘Papery Peep’ day, so do come and share. I’ll post more about it later this month.
– To celebrate the launch, I’ll also offer surprise papery treat bundles from my shop. For £15, including postage, order a #BringBackPaper goodie pack – stationery lovers will not be disappointed! To order, simply tweet or email me. (Packs will vary, but all will have a retail value of £15, & I’ll do free P&P with them)
I want to get more paper enjoyed, more letter writing taking place, more happy post being sent, more books shared around, more news on beautiful products, and simply more indulgence in pretty papery goods!
What do you think? Will you join me on my papery quest?
You can read more #BringBackPaper posts here now, including stationery features, posts about journaling and paper crafting, and a wonderful letter writing circle…
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My name is Emily and I am a stationary geek. I love paper, books and I love this idea! I am also rather sad in that I love getting post so I love letters and parcels. The book swap sounds like a fab idea and I’d love to take part so ill be emailing you! X
We’re as sad as each other then, as I love it all, too! Thanks for your support, can’t wait to get going with this feature 🙂
What a lovely idea Jocelyn! I bought a heap of stationery yesterday funnily enough 🙂
Hooray for stationery buying! Share a pic with the hash tag ;-)!
I love stationary, at one point it took over a full set of drawers in my office so I’ve had to destash and give a lot to my daughter. I’m definitely going to be emailing as I love swapping books and finding new favourite authors.
I do love a good stationery stash! Be great to have you joining in, thanks 🙂
I am the same, I am obsessed with paper, stationery, notebooks, journals, real books. Always have been. I love writing on paper, making lists, writing my novels on actual paper first and ideas for my next novel. I love a good pen and stationery too, snail mail is still my favorite. Although does get expensive back and forth to the USA. But I love it still the same. Great post, we have similar tastes!!! Love your bring paper back idea. Thank you ever so much for linking up each week, supporting me and sharing your wonderful writings #sharewithme
Oh yes, I can imagine snail mail to the US would get costly. Still lovely to do, though. Nice to know you’re a scribbler, too! Thanks for hosting x
I’m totally with you on this one! I love a good bit of stationary, and sometimes my thoughts flow better in a notepad. I love the idea of craft using old books too! I’ve turned a copy of Jane Eyre into flowers! Lovely idea!
That sounds fabulous! Nice to hear from kindred spirits 🙂
Oh, what a great idea! I am absolutely obsessed with stationery too – I think it was a key factor in me becoming a teacher really, I was never as happy as when I was spending the stationery budget! And I get a tiny bit too much pleasure out of choosing a new diary, or cards for people too. Excited to see these posts Jocelyn! xx
Oh yes, I’m the same! Love choosing it all. Never happier than when I’m in a stationery or bookshop 🙂
I have a confession. I love everything stationery. So much so that my partner points out that I have so many super pretty notebooks, planners, and more that I don’t use half of them. My reply? WHO CARES! They are pretty! Don’t say mean things to the pretty stationery!! Followed by a hiss and protective stance in front of them no doubt.
Love this idea! Cannot wait to join on your papery quest!!! #BringBackPaper x
A wonderful confession in my eyes! And yes, who cares?! Lovely to have you on my papery quest! X
Fabulous idea!! I would love to join in, write a guest post, or anything really!
I’d be completely bereft if I lost any of my precious notebooks. Anything of any importance gets scribbled in these – typing an iPhone memo is NOT the same. :). Baby milestones, shopping lists, holiday packing, meetings, thoughts, general musings – it all gets noted in the relevant book!
#MMWBH
Brilliant! I’ll be in touch about the guest post then 🙂 I do love a good notebook. In fact, I’ve just started a fresh one for #BringBackPaper!
I’m a paper geek too, love the stuff! Carry note pads and books everywhere with me! #Madmidweekbloghop
Lovely to meet fellow geeks!
I am just starting to love paper I have too I am not clever enough to work out spread sheets or files on folders so everything is written down on paper! I think its turning into a bit of an obsession! this is a fabulous idea xx #sharewithme
Paper obsessions are no bad thing! Thanks x
You always have such fabulous ideas! I love stationery, cards and notebooks too. I have to admit to being a little bit out of practice with the letter writing but there’s nothing better than receiving a handwritten letter in the post, is there? Brilliant idea. I look forward to seeing it unfold…pardon the pun!
Thank you very much, lovely thing to say x I do love getting my letters, and clever pun 😉
Great post! I love paper too, I have two diaries and I’m obsessed with making lists lol I seem to function so much better in life when I’m working from a list 🙂 x #sharewithme
Yes, lists are totally necessary to life! x
Oh yes – completely agree! There’s nothing like a brand new notebook or a selection of lovely pens. I think the power of technology is brilliant, but there’s nothing like paper and books, especially for list-making. Ticking a box in a spreadsheet just doesn’t have the same feeling of satisfaction as a sharp line through a completed item on a hand-written list! #sharewithme
Nowhere near the satisfaction! I do love a new pad & pen 🙂
Fab idea! Various stationery items are the backbone to my life and I will definitely be looking upon all your papery activities! I am there on your paper quest!
Lovely to have you join me!
Oh my goodness, Jocelyn, you never stop! You must be blogging in your sleep to find such brilliant ideas. I love paper, too! In fact, the children are making cards for Easter as I am typing. I love paper, too! I have been writing a diary for years and years (the wooden box full of them is my most treasured material possession), I print photos regularly and do scrapbooking, make cards, write lists… Paper rocks! Fab idea, once again. x Mel
Paper does indeed rock! And thank you. I just couldn’t resist a little papery feature 😉
I love this, what a great idea! I still have all the letters me and my husband sent each other when we were in university, I love snail mail and I’ll never part with them! Looking forward to seeing more on this and I’ll email you for book swap too xx
Lovely to have you getting involved! How sweet to have letters like that, and yes, definitely keepers xx
I love paper! There is something so nice about it and especially books! I love flicking through a book and smelling it. I ave a kindle but I have given up on it for a while as I just wanted to feel a book in my hand! IThere is something so nice about paper!
You do need that book in your hand. don’t you? I do love paper and books 🙂
I LOVE paper and new notebooks – I feel like I’m a little girl again when I get a new one and write really neatly and even put the date on the top!! 😀
Love this! I’ve started a new book today, for #BringBackPaper, and am going to be really irritable if I have to scribble anything out!
LOVE THIS!!! I don’t understand how anyone wouldn’t love stationary!! There is definitely something more organised feeling about having stuff written down on paper too! x
Yes, notes and list make me feel totally in control, even if I don’t do anything on them!
I agree, totally fab idea and now all of us geeks have a place to share. You added a new idea or two-does your mind ever stop?! :)) I’m in with the book swap by the way so feel free to pair me up with someone x
It rarely pauses, to tell you the truth! Great to have you involved 🙂
Fabulous idea I do love good stationary although my daughter has a much bigger love of than I do!
I cannot get enough of it! Maybe your daughter should drop by for this one weekly, then?!
I love stationary and I love books. I hate Kindles and still need to make lists and have a proper date diary I can write in. This is right up my street.
#Sharewithme bloghop
Lovely! I do so love a good list!
I love stationery too. I am a fan of pretty note cards to write to people on! I love the idea of the swap too!
Wonderful! Drop me an email and get involved in anyway you like then! x
Oh I love the sound of this! Love my books and notebooks and my paper diary!
Do pair me up, I’d love to swap papery goodness 🙂
Lovely! I thought it might be your kind of thing 🙂
I’m a stationery fan too. Although generally to look at and not to use! I have 4 unused, but very pretty notebooks on my shelves and next to my living room chair that have been gifts. What I’d love though, is personalised address cards to send out to people as thanks. The ones I’ve seen are beautiful but so expensive, so probably will never have them, but I can but dream. #sharewithme
I know what you mean about not using them, though I think that’s just because I choose to buy so much of it!
Fantastic idea!
Will look forward to this. Trying to juggle things at the moment hence lack of blogging BUT have kept up with the ‘paper love’. Look forward to reading about and joining in!
Xx
Of course you have – I had no doubt you’d have kept up with that! And thanks very much x
What a fabulous idea. Much as we all love our technology, a bit of an antidote is good too isn’t it? Count me in. Will email about the book swap. PS. I love the smell of paper too, is that weird?!
Not weird at all – I wonder if there could be a whole feature on paper-sniffing 😉
I get laughed at by my work colleagues for using paper and pen when I’m writing and proof reading!! Love pretty noyebooks, diaries, address books… Book swap sounds fab too 🙂
No, ignore those colleagues! Yes, the swapping has already started, so feel free to join in 🙂
I still remember the thrill of a new exercise book at school, the excitement of writing my name so neatly, underlining the date and promising to keep it pristine. Then real life kicked in and it became a bit tatty with scribblings on the cover and doodles in the margins. I still loved them though and even at my advanced age get a kick out of the creamy whiteness of a fresh page and the beauty of a new notebook or card. I love ‘real’ book too although a Kindle is fab for holidays – I can take all my Dickens, Austen and Hardy with me without needing an extra suitcase! Would love to guest post if you need me and will certainly email about book swap.
There is something wonderful about the first page of a new notebook, isn’t there? I started one yesterday, and loved it! Great that you liked to get involved, happy to have you on board 🙂
I love paper and notepads and books so I adore this post. Wonderful idea!
Perfect post for you then! Glad you like it x
Oh yes, I’m a huge stationery geek, I could look at pretty paper and notebooks for hours x
Me, too! Do join in then 🙂
Dropping in from #BrillBlogPosts. I love e books and paper books, but the latter more. I especially like the smell of new books and browsing in a good book shop, but libraries too. Love the idea of your Blind Date With a Book, although not sure about having them wrapped in brown paper. One of the things I loved about our old reading group was the selection of books I wouldn’t ordinarily read…discovered too the joys of reaquainting myself with some books I’d read before (some at school) and hated but now could appreciate!
Oh yes, the smell of a bookshop – lovely!
We love paper in this house, and I’d still rather write a note than type one up
Great to hear!
I’m definitely in! Thanks for the heads-up. As you know, I love books (not a big fan of e-readers), journals (empty pages makes me giddy), love stationeries too 🙂 xx
Love that empty pages make you giddy! Enjoy your book swap 🙂
I love paper! Loads of great ideas here, will look forward to reading more and hopefully contributing! X
Brilliant! Be lovely to have you involved 🙂
my eldest daughter and I love a good bit of stationary 🙂 great idea #PoCoLo #sharewithme x
Lovely! I cannot resist it 🙂
This is a great idea 🙂 x PoCoLo
Thank you!
What a wonderful idea! I love paper, notebooks, diaries, all that type of thing. I think it is the writers in us! I love that letter writing box too – I have a recipe box which is very similar 🙂 Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
Thank you! I just can’t get enough of it all 🙂 Thanks for hosting x
Fab idea! I love paper too – all my books are proper ones and I always have a notebook or three on the go with ideas and to-do lists in it 🙂
Lovely! I do love a list 😉
Wow, I love every single idea! I am part of postcrossing and love getting surprise postcards from around though the world. I haven’t got very far with pheonix as I want to keep it all for myself!! I’d love to join in with swaps and posts and linkys. Am excited already 🙂 xx
Wonderful! Be so great to have you involved – love fellow paper enthusiasts!
Aww we love paper, think my daughter does a bit to much with all the old drawings she has just sorted out!! ha.. looking forward to reading your post, thanks for sharing at the weekend blog hop 🙂
Thanks & thanks for hosting x
Oh that lovely September feeling when it’s time to stock up on new school stuff. My fav time of year! Mainly cos I love a good bit of stationary. Books, too are a lovely papery thing – still can’t bear to move to Kindle. What a great idea for a linky. #pocolo
I love stocking up on stationery 🙂
What a great idea! I have to admit that I spend the majority of my time looking at screens. iPhones, laptops, iPads etc… All of my diaries, notes and work is on a device of some kind and I don’t really use pen and paper anymore. However there’s a certain special feeling you get from using pen and paper sometimes and occasionally I find myself missing that. What a great way of getting us all to appreciate paper! #AllAboutYou
Sounds like you do need some more paper in your life!
Ooh paper aeroplanes… #AllAboutYou
Oh, yes – fun!
I’m obsessed with stationary and love nothing more than sending a letter (OK maybe receiving one) or a card…such a lovely change to dreary emails! Thanks for linking up to #brillblogposts
Exactly! I do love spotting a handwritten letter in my post pile 🙂 Thanks for hosting x
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I’m with you! I love books, magazines, the feel of flicking pages between my fingers. I remember the sweet anticipation of waiting for letters to hit the mat, or the fun of cards. Great idea J, will email you now! #AllAboutYou
Fabulous! Nice to know you feel the same and lovely to have you involved x
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Bring back paper, hooray to this idea! I’ve tried numerous apps to help me organise, collect ideas, curate inspiration, even sketch. But I always return to good old pen and paper.
As an artist, there’s the ‘Art’ of paper that’s fascinating. I love simply drawing in my sketch book. Even my digital pieces get printed out and have paper collaged onto them. I’m also exploring calligraphy again.
I’d love to get involved too. Anything to express my geeky passion for paper!
Great to hear you love it, too! Yes, this week’s my ‘papery peep’ linky, to feel free to share anything papery and link up on Wednesday 🙂
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i just found this blog and i have to admit i became a little emotional(what sad sap i am)
i love crafting.i love paper.i love drawing.i love stationary.paperchase is my second home.i want to take all there cardsd and wrapping paper and papers and have them as my home wallpaper.just stationary everywehre!!
i have had some very tough years.art,craft,recieving letters.getting notes under my pillow.under my draw,left in a mug from my mum and family has kept me going more than enough times.
i used to have a penpal but sadly this art seems to have dried yup for many people.i would love to get and send letters.
so coming across this blog ive found a new place with people who share a love of paper.
my drawing keeps me going.i have my scrapbooks full of the things i draw or think of,doodles etc.
i love finding letter wirting kits and coloured card even gets me excited.
id love to be part of this little community youve got started.
and thankyou.it take lots to make me feel better.but this,today reading your posts has.for once.
thanks.
take care.
Ah, this is so lovely to hear. I’m glad you found us, and that I’ve managed to brighten your day a little. Every Weds will be a papery post, so do drop by x
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Hey Jocelyn. This is such a good idea! I was going to ask if you’ve heard of national stationery week, but you clearly have! lol. You could get people even more involved that week with all the hype around it. We’ll defo be giving your twitter a shout!
Just to let you know the link to your shop is either incorrect, or the shop doesn’t exist anymore. Just clicked it and it said lost trader :/
Bring back paper!
Isaac Grinsdale – TOAD Diaries
http://www.toaddiaries.co.uk
Oh yes, I have! Ah, I’m no longer a trader, thanks for pointing that out, though 🙂
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hey jocelyn, a lady called helena saw one of my recent blog posts and suggested sharing it with your snail mail linky but i’m not really sure how it works!? how would i do that?
oh, and i too refuse to join the kindle bandwagon as i would rather have a good solid book in my hand!
robyn xx
Hello! Yes, I run a linky very month called Papery Peep which is open for any stationery/books/snail mail posts. It opens on the last Wednesday of every month and runs for a week, so you can link up any time then 🙂