The Paper Trail Diary turns 1!

paper trail diary turns 1

Happy birthday to my pretty little blog!

I can’t believe it’s been a year of blogging about my favourite things: books, zines, snail mail and crafts.

I started The Paper Trail Diary for a few reasons: I wanted to ‘justify’ my spending habits (heh), tap into online communities for these categories in order to connect with others, and I wanted a place for my yapping about paper things! It’s done so much for me in this year already, and I have a lot of plans for how to take it further. I’ve met many amazing people online and offline because of it – people who want to nerd out about paper with me. I get giddy just thinking about it!

Because of that, I recently made business cards of my Instagram posts that represent each category!

paper trail diary business cards

Some highlights from the year, for me:

On meeting Rainbow Rowell and another great TCAF (TCAF is this weekend, I am excited!)
The Chain Letter Short Story Project (coming soon: the full story in a zine! 2nd story will happen soon too!)
A Toronto Favourite: Mr. Pen
My first book review (for the blog): The Rise & Fall of Great Powers by Tom Rachman
Check out some of Vancouver’s fabulous paper places
Want to learn about mental health? Read zines
My pen pal mini zine
The November Notebook & Pen Swap!
(Which will happen again!)
Book Review: Not that Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham
Making envelopes
Outgoing Mail: Snail Mail Swap
Book Review: Boo by Neil Smith

So, to celebrate the blog and you guys for inspiring me, talking to me on social media, sending letters to me and so much more, I’ve decided to do a giveaway! It includes a book (Boo! Thank you Random House Canada for the donation!), The Pressure to be Happy zines, a snail mail goodie bag of stationery, handmade envelopes, a scrap paper pack and some tiny bunting.

Because Instagram is the place that inspired me to start the blog, is where I’ve made so many friends and is where I generally do most of my blog-ness rather than the blog, that is where the  contest will be!

In order to enter the contest, you must do all four:

1. Head over to this picture on Instagram.

2. Like the picture.

3. Follow me on Instagram.

4. Comment with a friend’s handle, they could get a zine and snail mail goodie bag.

5. Repost the picture on your Instagram account and tag it #papertraildiaryturns1.

Your account must be public and not an exclusive giveaway account!

I will chose a winner randomly tomorrow, Wednesday May 6, and 8 a.m EST.

Good luck, and thank you so much for everything!