Hi Ami,

Welcome to letterboxing to you and your daughter! What part of Michigan are you from?

In answer to your question about the store-bought versus hand-carved stamp. It is acceptable to put store-bought stamps into letterboxes, however most letterboxers prefer looking for hand-carved stamps. This is not to say that nobody will look for the box, just that it is the preference.

A first finders prize is something you leave in the box for the person who gets there first. This is completely optional and not expected, but always a nice surprise. This can be anything your heart desires -- a hand-stamped or computer-generated certificate, a trinket or hand-made item, a gift certificate/card to a local establishment (i.e. coffee house, craft store), money, a WOM clue to another letterbox -- there is no wrong or right, although it is a bad idea to leave food as this attracts animals. Also items that would be inappropraite for children (i.e. lighters, adult material, etc.) are not acceptable.

If you are interested, feel free to join us over at the Letterbox Great Lakes Yahoo! Group -- a regional list made up primarily of letterboxers in the western GL states (MI, OH, IN, IL, WI, MN). It is a good place to keep in touch with what is happening in letterboxing on a regional level and meet other letterboxers in your area.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LbGLK/

SpringChick




----- Original Message -----
From: aclipfell
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 8:39 AM
Subject: [LbNA] New from Michigan


I too saw the article in the FamilyFun magazine. My daughter and I
found our first letterbox that day! Now we're P0F1.

I have found a site for planting a box, I got the clues written down,
but I don't have a homemade stamp. Is it alright if I use a store-
bought and then trade it for a homemade one later? Also I've heard
about having a special prize for the first one who finds it. Any
sugestions on what that should be? Is there anything else I need,
(got the line-free logbook and a box)? I am so excited to place a box
I'm not sure if I can wait until I have made a stamp.

I love letterboxing!! I had no idea I would get so trilled finding
that box. I can't wait to place my own boxes!! I love trying to
write clues. I'm not sure which I love more: finding or placing.
--- Ami in Michigan





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I live in Burton, which is Southeast of Flint.

Decided I should spend the time making a homemade stamp, so I bought a box of erasers and a few logbooks. I'm going to try my hand at carving tonight.

I joined the Great Lakes list too. Thanks for letting me know about it.

Spring Chick: I took the clues to two of your letterboxes with me when me and my friends met last week and we had a blast trying to figure them out! I am going to the Sugar Shack as soon as I can find it!! I really loved your clues! The only down side is that now the pressures is on to make challaging clues like yours.

--- Ami in Burton, MI




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