playing with paper

Friday, March 25, 2011

Postcrossing Mail Art Received

Recycled vintage book cover illustrated by Dick Bruna from the Netherlands 22 March 2011

Elegant hand-drawn swirl over collaged text from Finland 28 February 2011

Lovely little watercolor scooter from California USA 1 March 2011

Fun stamp collage and drawing from Maine, USA 6 March 2011

Sweet hand-drawn card from Poland 14 March 2011

It's been a long week here. We all have the sniffles, and spring turned back to winter. Luckily, Monday was a truly exceptional mail day (I have to take some photos, so that will be another post.) I spent much of my spare time this week creating cards to fill an order from a local quilt shop.

Not too much mail outgoing, so I'm finally sharing the wonderful handmade cards that came to me through Postcrossing from the end of February into March. I love all Real Mail, but it is incredible when someone randomly selected takes the time to make a card just for you.

My letters-to-write pile is about to fall over, so this week I hope to answer some of the lovely mail I have received, in between baking cupcakes for two birthday girls and working out friends sleepovers and family celebrations!

P.S. Good news! My "Security Blanket" traveled safely to the Textile Mail Art Gallery!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

"Security Blanket"

"Security Blanket"

Textile Mail Art Project Submission sent 18 March 2011
Nine different security envelopes cut into 3/4" patchwork squares,
vintage cotton thread machine stitching,
bound with a tenth security envelope and mounted on cardstock,
postcard size, mailed naked

Thursday, March 17, 2011

The Mailing of the Green

Sent off to my brother Patrick


Sent off to Send Me A Million Postcards

I didn't get much mail art made in honor of St. Patrick's Day, but I did send a few other cards I had on hand to family and friends with a bag of Irish Breakfast Tea tucked inside. I enjoyed a cup this morning. The leprechauns visited the refrigerator last night: we found green milk, green Jell-o, and green pudding this morning.

My goal since I discovered Send Me a Million Postcards about a month ago is to send them a card every week. So far, so good. I'm alternating between store-brought and handmade. If you haven't sent them anything yet, join in the fun!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Outgoing Handmade Postcrossing Cards


Postcrossing to Netherlands 5 March 2001


Postcrossing to China 28 January 2011
(My first mail art to China; I hope it arrives.)


Postcrossing to Ukraine 8 March 2011


Postcrossing to Germany 8 March 2011

A selection of my handmade postcards sent through Postcrossing. Several of my recipients lately have stated no handmade, so I honor those requests with something from my box of store-bought cards, all tastefully artistic of course. Except for the vintage kitschy tourist cards of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, which are also fun to send to the right people!

I have had a great response to my handmade cards on Postcrossing. I always try to create a card to fit the interests listed. Sometimes I challenge myself to see how many interests I can collage on one card and still end up with a visually pleasing result.

March Mail Art: Incoming Like a Lion!


Watercolors and prints from Human Artist Vending Machine aka Brent in USA (IUOMA)


Joy Division watercolor postcard and envelope from Laurence in UK (IUOMA)


Art postcard "Calipatria Klick Klack" from Douglas Galloway in USA (IUOMA)


Lovely envelope, letter, and labels from new friend Bruno in Brazil

And these are just the treasures that have arrived in my mailbox since the beginning of March! I may have to backtrack a bit to show you some of the amazing art I received in February.