27Nov2024 Scrap ATCs: Holiday Snow

  27 November 2024 Collage: Scrap ATCs "Holiday Snow" quartet, each 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Fabric, ribbon, recycled charms on cardstock

12 December 2024: Sent to Lynnda, Jeannie, Cherry, Georganna

That's all for now folks. Happy Holidays! Cheers!

26Nov2024 Scrap ATCs: Simple Elegance

26 November 2024 Collage: Scrap ATCs "Simple Elegance" quartet, each 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Handmade papers, metallic paper, rhinestones on cardstock

26Nov2024 Scrap ATCs: Measured

26 November 2024 Collage: Scrap ATCs "Measured" pair, each 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Handmade paper, metallic paper, scrapbook paper, puzzle piece on cardstock

26Nov2024 Scrap ATCs: Divided

26 November 2024: Collage: Scrap ATCs "Divided" pair, each 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Handmade papers, vintage book page, label on cardstock

24Nov2024 Scrap ATCs: Blue on Yellow

 24  November 2024 Collage: Scrap ATCs "Blue on Yellow" Series of 9, each 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Handmade papers, metal brad, button on cardstock

24Nov2024 Collage: Star Wars

 24 November 2024 Collage: "Star Wars" 5 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, vellum, vintage book page, slide, label on cardboard

13 December 2024: Sent to C.Z. in Massachusetts with "Simple Elegance" ATC #2

24Nov2024 Collage: Registered Postbank

24 November 2024 Collage: "Registered Postbank" 5 by 11 inches

Handmade papers, thread, metallic paper, vellum, vintage book pages, label on cardboard

13 December 2024: Sent to The Sticker Dude in New York with "Blue on Yellow" ATC #4

24Nov2024 Collage: Red Pepper

 24 November 2024 Collage: "Red Pepper" 7 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, ribbon, vintage book pages, receipt, label on cardboard

12 December 2024:Sent to Vermicious Knid in Alaska with "Blue on Yellow ATC #3

24Nov2024 Collage: Common Breeds

24 November 2024 Collage: "Common Breeds" 9 by 5 inches

Handmade papers, vellum, vintage book pages, label on cardboard

13 December 2024: Sent to Ed in Washington with "Simple Elegance" ATC #1 

and "Blue on Yellow" ATC #6

24Nov2024 Collage: Charcoal Paris

 24 November 2024 Collage: "Charcoal Paris" 6 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, metallic papers, vellum, vintage label on cardboard

16 December 2024: Sent to Bonnie in Illinois

24Nov2024 Collage: Blues Shuffle Rhythm

24 November 2024 Collage: "Blues Shuffle Rhythm" 5.5 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, metallic paper, vellum, vintage book pages, label on cardboard

12 December 2024: Sent to Box Holder in Washington with "Divided" ATC #2

23Nov2024 Collage: ZOYA

 23 November 2024 Collage: "ZOYA" 4 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, thread, glitter fiber, vellum, vintage book page, label

13 December 2024: Sent to Sharen in California with "Simple Elegance" ATC #3

23Nov2024 Collage: ULAZNICA

 23 November 2024 Collage: "ULAZNICA" 8 by 9.75 inches

Handmade papers, puzzle pieces, vellum, vintage book pages, ticket, label on cardboard

13 December 2024: Sent to Coco in Kansas with "Blue on Yellow" ATC #5

23Nov2024 Collage: Three

 23 November 2024 Collage: "Three" 4.5 by 7.25 inches

Handmade papers, puzzle pieces, vinyl number, vintage label on cardboard

16 December 2024: Sent to Deb in Pennsylvania

23Nov2024 Collage: Rembrandt The Mill

23 November 2024 Collage: "Rembrandt The Mill" 9 by 6 inches

Handmade papers, metallic papers, vintage image, label on cardboard

12 December 2024: Sent to C. in Ohio with "Divided" ATC #1

23Nov2024 Collage: Paint Swatch

 23 November 2024 Collage: "Paint Swatch" 7 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, paint swatch, vellum, vintage book pages, label on cardboard

16 December 2024: Sent of Elizabeth in Louisiana

23Nov2024 Collage: October

 23 November 2024 Collage: "October" 6 by 8.5 inches

Handmade papers, calendar page, vintage label on cardboard

12 December 2024: Sent to David in New Jersey with "Measured" ATC #2

Gratitude

 28 November 2024

“Two Hands Paperie One Pound Scrap Bag $28.99 (Currently Sold Out): This is the mother of all scrap bags! We call it "one pound", but most are well over that in weight. We put these together in our studio, and have a lot of fun doing it. You never know what you might find- paper of course (lokta, unryu, mango, banana, printed papers from Rossi and Cavallini, Japanese and Indian recycled are some you might find), envelopes, cards, photographs, slides, magnets, buttons, bags, ribbon, book cloth, and on and on. Anything is possible. Please note- each scrap bag is very unique and may not contain the item or styles pictured! But don't worry; you won't be disappointed with any of them!” (From their website)

I purchased one of these a year or two ago. It seemed like a spurge at the time, considering the quantity of various papers already in my collection. But I needed a treat, and paper is my dessert of choice! When it arrived, I sorted through it, probably several times, and was impressed with the quality and variety included in the package. A few items (a broken watch and half a metal latch) I added to my dollhouse miniatures components stash. All the papery bits went back in the bag and disappeared into a pile on my overflowing “work” desk in the basement. (If I ever get it cleared again, some work might actually get accomplished down there!) 

I recently had TWO WHOLE DAYS ALL TO MYSELF. I decided I would take them and use them FOR myself. I felt like I was in an artistic slump and thought just maybe that goodie bag of paper was just the kick in the pants I needed to spark creativity and restart regular creation. I challenged myself to use the entire package to make as many collages as I could artfully assemble in those two days. Our large dining table was completely covered as I arranged and rearranged the contents of the scrap bag into what became a total of 16 collages, 10 assembled on Saturday, six completed on Sunday, as well as some additions made to Saturday’s art. In spare moments the following few days, I used up the remaining scraps to create some ATCs: first a set of nine, then two pairs and two quartets. For the first time in a long time, I scanned and titled all my work. For the first time in a year and a half, I am documenting my work on my Piccadilly Post blog. I added very few supplies to the original contents of the purchased scrap bag, mainly various adhesives, recycled cardboard salvaged from the office for substrates, and the Registered Mail labels that I decided would tie the entire collage collection together, a “theme” if you will. (I also broke out my Christmas DVD collection to enjoy in my alone time!)

A dear friend recently gifted me a pound of assorted book pages. This may be my next challenge to myself, to keep moving forward, to keep creating, even if I don’t have two whole days to myself. Two whole hours to myself might keep me happily making paper messes, hopefully with results worth sharing! Thank you to all my generous mail art friends who continue to support my paper addiction and inspire me with their amazing creations delivered directly to my postbox. Expect an original collage and an ATC or two soon! It occurred to me while crafting this letter I may be a born-and-raised collage creator. I am the grandchild of a newspaper pressman and seamstress raised during the Depression, and the child of a photographer and cross-stitch crafter. My mom always gave us kids a paper lunch bag when we went on walks, for carrying our found treasures, some of which were later added to art projects at home. Sometimes it is difficult to be thankful for given family, but time and perspective can add to our appreciation and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!

23Nov2024 Collage: Morning Glory

 23 November 2024 Collage: "Morning Glory" 4.75 by 8.5 inches

Handmade papers, puzzle pieces, vintage book pages, label

12 December 2024: Sent to M. in Oregon with "Blue on Yellow" ATC #1

23Nov2024 Collage: Car of the Year

 23 November 2024 Collage: "Car of the Year" 9 by 6.5 inches

Handmade papers, ribbon, vintage map, book page, label on cardboard

12 December 2024: Sent to Mike in Illinois with "Blue on Yellow" ATC #2

23Nov2024 Collage: Ace of Clubs

 23 November 2024 Collage: "Ace of Clubs" 6 by 9 inches

Handmade papers, glitter fibers, playing card, vellum, vintage label on cardboard

16 December 2024: Sent to Kathy in Tennessee

23Nov2024 Collage: Abdominalregion Slide

 23 November 2024 Collage: "Abdominalregion Slide" 4 by 5.5 inches

Handmade papers, glass slide, vintage label on cardboard

11 December 2024: Sent to Anja in Finland with "Simple Elegance" ATC #4