Do you want to express your love and appreciation to someone special in a unique and beautiful way? If so, you might want to consider using the Love Flourishes stamps. These stamps are the latest addition to the popular Love series by the U.S. Postal Service, which began in 1973. They feature a fanciful garden of colorful flowers surrounding the word “Love” written in cursive script. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about these stamps, such as their design, designer, release date, usage occasions, tips, and where to buy them.
The Design of the Love Flourishes Stamps
The Love Flourishes stamps are designed by Anna Bond, a Florida-based artist and co-founder of Rifle Paper Co., a stationery and lifestyle brand. Bond is known for her whimsical and vibrant illustrations of flowers, animals, and people. She hand-painted the original art for the stamps with gouache on paper. The flowers on the stamps include stylized roses, peonies, and dahlias in pink, coral, and yellow, with pale blue-green berries and gold fronds and leaves. The word “Love” is written in a flowing script that complements the floral motif. The result is a romantic and cheerful design that evokes a sense of joy and warmth.
The Designer of the Love Flourishes Stamps
Anna Bond is not only an artist but also an entrepreneur. She started Rifle Paper Co. with her husband Nathan in 2009, after making her own wedding invitations and receiving positive feedback from friends and family. Since then, her company has grown to offer a wide range of products, such as greeting cards, calendars, notebooks, phone cases, wallpapers, and more. Her products are sold in over 6,000 stores worldwide, and she has collaborated with brands like Keds, L’Occitane, Puffin Books, and Paperless Post. She has also been featured in publications like Vogue, Martha Stewart Living, Oprah Magazine, and The New York Times.
Bond said that she was honored and thrilled to design the Love Flourishes stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. She said that she wanted to create something that would make people happy and inspire them to send more mail. She also said that she loves flowers and uses them as a way to express her emotions.
The Release Date of the Love Flourishes Stamps
The Love Flourishes stamps were officially released on January 18, 2018, during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the CREATIVATION conference held at the Phoenix Convention Center. The conference was organized by the Craft & Hobby Association, which brings together the global creative products community from designers to manufacturers. Maura McDevitt, vice president of the U.S. Postal Service, dedicated the stamps and said that they would help people send their love with a special touch of affection.
The Love Flourishes stamps are Forever stamps, which means that they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price. They are sold in sheets of 20 for $13.20 per sheet.
The Usage Occasions of the Love Flourishes Stamps
The Love Flourishes stamps are suitable for any occasion that requires a message of love and appreciation. They can be used for wedding invitations, anniversary cards, birthday cards, thank-you notes, Valentine’s Day cards, Mother’s Day cards, or any other greeting cards that express your feelings. They can also be used for personal letters or packages that you want to make more special and memorable.
The Love Flourishes stamps are not only beautiful but also versatile. They can match any style or theme of your mailings, whether it is elegant or casual, modern or vintage, simple or elaborate. They can also complement any color scheme or envelope design that you choose.
The Tips for Using the Love Flourishes Stamps
If you want to make the most out of your Love Flourishes stamps, here are some tips that you can follow:
- Use high-quality paper and envelopes that will enhance the appearance of your mailings.
- Write your message by hand or use a font that matches the style of the stamps.
- Add some embellishments or decorations to your mailings, such as stickers, ribbons, lace, or wax seals.
- Include some personal touches or extras to your mailings, such as photos, confetti, dried flowers, or tea bags.
- Mail your mailings early enough so that they will arrive on time and avoid delays.
The Other Related Stamps and Where to Buy Them
The Love Flourishes stamps are not the only stamps that you can use to send your love. The U.S. Postal Service has issued many other stamps in the Love series over the years, each with a different design and theme. Some of the most popular ones are:
| Other Related Stamps | Design | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Love | Red letters LOVE and tilted O | 1973 |
| Love Birds | Blue love birds and heart-shaped leaf | 2015 |
| Love Skywriting | White smoke writing LOVE in the blue sky | 2017 |
You can buy these stamps and other related products from various online and offline sources, such as:
| Where to Buy | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| The Postal Store | Official website, reasonable price, quality guarantee | May have shipping fee and delay |
| eBay.com/stamps | Can find different sellers and auctions, have more choices and opportunities | Need to check seller reputation and product quality, High risks and frauds |
| Etsy.com | Can find handmade and vintage items related to the Love Flourishes stamps, have more creativity and personality | Need to check seller reputation and product quality, High risks and frauds |
| Forever Stamp Store | Can buy stamps at discounted prices($0.55), have more savings and benefits | Less of latest designs |
| The USPS Stamps | Can buy stamps From $0.33 – $0.60 discounted prices, 3-5 days fast delivery | Less of latest designs |
Each source has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as price, availability, shipping, quality, and customer service. You can compare them and choose the one that suits your needs and preferences. We recommend Forever Stamps Store and the USPS Stamps, you can buy disocunt forever stamps, enjoy Free shipping and save your money.
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