September 02, 2026
On Letter Writing...
Your Words are a Gift
Yesterday was World Letter-Writing Day, and following on from last weeks' reflection on Dolly's Parton's exemplary correspondence, here is some further inspiration to put pen to paper...
Is there something missing in your life? Do you fondly remember finding handwritten envelopes and parcels on the doormat, that lovely feeling that someone was thinking about you enough to send a letter or card, a physical object passed from hand to hand, across land and sea to reach you.
Marilyn Monroe famously received thousands of fan letters a week, and whilst this is perhaps more than even the most needy of egos would wish, if you would like to receive more mail, the most obvious thing to do is to send more of it yourself...
Something tangible in the post means more than any text or email ever could.
Kept & Treasured
Scribble & Daub makes cards for keeps. Letterpress printed onto Italian paper from a 700 year old mill and individually painted by hand, it's a hard heart that would throw one away.
Time and again people tell us that they framed theirs, and they are designed for exactly that - just tear gently down the fold to create a fourth deckled edge and you have a tiny art print to brighten a spot on the wall, your pinboard, or shelf.
Poppy from the Charleston Collection framed in the home of artist Kate Hawkins of Common Room.
Letters of Note
Three simple ingredients for noteworthy correspondence:
A Good Pen
Biro just won't cut it, real ink please, and a fountain pen ideally - a bit like a roll up cigarette, slightly more faff, but it's the process that makes it enjoyable (a distant memory of course, dear readers, obviously smoking is not encouraged).
Go with black ink for classic elegance, or choose a signature colour - J.Herbin has a rainbow of beautiful colours, or for film star levels of glamour, create your own bespoke colour with Kakimori's Inkstand.
Cards & Paper
My favourite people are paper people, those who keep a ready supply of cards, and a present drawer stocked with interesting things collected here and there. You are what you give, so send something thoughtful, fun, interesting and beautiful.
Creating and nurturing a stationery stash is one of life's great joys. After a trip to Japan and Korea earlier this year, my suitcase overflowed with gorgeous letter sets and postcards collected in some of their exquisite stationery stores, including our stockists Kakimori and Ito-Ya in Tokyo and Point of View in Seoul. Check out Roadbook's list for more global stationery shopping inspiration.
Over to You...
I'd love to add letter writing sets into Scribble & Daub's collection at some point, is that something you would like to see? If so, please let me know your requests in terms of designs, sizes & colours and perhaps we can make that happen...
A Surprise
For something really memorable, guaranteed to raise a smile and secure your place in their affections, tuck something extra inside the envelope - pressed flowers or leaves, a lottery ticket, temporary tattoos, hard cash - all slip easily into a card without affecting the cost of a stamp.
In our shop you'll also find a few small things to parcel alongside if you're feeling generous - amusing trompe l'oeil candles, a little pack of Kitpas crayons for your godchild, a delicious chocolate bar for the friend having a tough time, a fountain pen so they can write you back, a golden sheet of Dresden ornaments or a hand-painted decoration to brighten a corner of their home.
Buy any six cards and one will automatically be deducted free at checkout (no code required, no limit on use).
Now, What to Write...
Three inspiring books on letters:
The Healing Power of Korean Letter Writing by Juhee Mun (owner of Korean letter-writing cafe Geulwoll)
Write Wrongs
As well as bringing joy to loved ones, you can use your pen to show love and support to strangers. Earlier this summer I met a wonderful woman called Zina at a family party and was horrified to hear that her son, Michael has been imprisoned for months without conviction or trial for taking non-violent action against Israeli weapons factory, Elbit Systems.
She told me that he loves to receive letters, so if you would like to join me in writing to him, something he (and Zina) would appreciate enormously, please address your cards & letters to:
Michael Sackur A9340FK
HMP Wandsworth
PO Box 757
Heathfield Road
London
SW18 3HU
You can also email: mikeyisinprison@protonmail.com
Scribble & Daub donates fifty pence from the sale of every Watermelon card to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Save Christmas Post!
Finally, please take a moment to sign a petition by the great great great granddaughters of Sir Henry Cole (creator of the first commercial Christmas card, and founder of the V&A) calling on Royal Mail to introduce a seasonal 50p stamp just for Christmas cards.
As the price of postage continues to rise and the number of cards sent declines, they hope to revitalise a much loved tradition that is an important source of income for charities, and of comfort and joy to people who are lonely or far from their loved ones.
I promise that's the first & last mention of C******** for a while yet! I'm looking forward to introducing you to our latest card designs very soon, and revealing more about an exciting new product we've been working on, but for now, time to polish shoes and sharpen pencils, it's back to school tomorrow...
