Flat Marly is Back for Another Summer of ADVENTURE in 2023!

We are kicking off summer a little early because we are so ready for it here at the Marly Bird team! We have a lot of fun things coming to you this summer. Travel plans, beach days, hiding in the library to sit in the air conditioning…BRING. IT. ON! But the biggest thing is, don’t forget Flat Marly 2023 when you make your summer plans. If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, read on because you don’t want to miss out on this part of our summer fun!

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Travel is Back On – And Flat Marly is Ready

If you’ve been a fan/friend here for a while, then you probably remember our summer fun each year with Flat Marly. And we’ve kept this fun going every year, but, of course, people didn’t travel as much the last few years. So, we’re excited to see that a lot of people are getting out again, seeing their friends and family members and other parts of the country and the world. Travel is finally back on for a lot of people who have been missing out on it. And Flat Marly is excited to join in on all your fun!

So, What Is Flat Marly?

If you don’t know, or can’t quite remember how it works, let me remind you about the details. This fun summer game we play every year was inspired by the book series Flat Stanley. In the original book, which is over 50 years old, Stanley accidentally becomes flattened. The good news is this means that he can go on adventures that other people can’t go on, like being mailed to other places to visit his friends.

The Flat Stanley Project

Back in the 1990s, a teacher started the Flat Stanley Project. The kids read the book, colored their own Flat Stanley pictures, and wrote imaginative stories about their Stanley’s life. Then they sent Stanley and his story to someone through the mail. The recipient takes a photo of Stanley in his new life and writes a letter about his new adventures, mailing that back to the first student. Over the years, people have done many different variations on this. And our variation is, of course, Flat Marly.

How Flat Marly Works

• Download and print out this year’s version of Flat Marly. You’ll find it below.
• Pack this paper version of Marly with you everywhere that you travel this summer. The adventure starts on May 26, 2023, and continues through September 4, 2023.
• When you get to a new destination (even if it’s a local attraction during a staycation), take a photo of Flat Marly. Make sure it’s a family-friendly photo that we can share online. Your photo doesn’t have to have any knitting or crochet in it, but it’s great if it does!
• Share Flat Marly’s adventure with us in the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group. You can share just the photo, or you can add your story about what your paper Marly has been up to with you! Use the Hashtag #FlatMarlyAdventures2023.

Where to Take Flat Marly

You can take Flat Marly anywhere that you want this summer. If you’re going on a road trip or taking a bus, train, or plane somewhere, then definitely take her along. Photograph her all along the journey, on the ride, and at the destination.

You can also take her with you on local travels – if you visit attractions in your area like state parks, museums, zoos, and art exhibits, then be sure to bring her along. Flat Marly is up for anything! And this is the perfect excuse to visit as many local yarn stores as possible because she REALLY loves to go there!

We can’t wait to see where you’re going this summer, and we really can’t wait to go with you!

Summer Crafting

You can take your paper Marly anywhere. And you can take your knitting and crochet to most places as well. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Summer Crochet, our Ultimate Guide to Summer Knitting, and our Summer Craft Tips.