The Wild Stamp Chase

Stamp description sheet with postage stamp and first day cancel

My unofficial Lancaster County postage stamp first day of issue activities officially began yesterday morning at 7:45am, when I received a call from my friend at the Rohrerstown Post Office confirming that the stamps were only available at the Harrisburg Pike Main Office. I arranged to meet the photographer from Lancaster Newspapers there at 9am to purchase my first sheet of stamps and request some first day of issue hand cancels on postcards to send and stamp display sheets I created to give and keep. I stopped off at the craft store for a frame before heading over to the Rohrerstown Post Office to present them with a framed sheet as a thank you for all their help and encouragement. I left a few of the goodie bags I made for them to give to anyone asking to purchase the new stamp.

Quilted Postcard from Naomi (nhigh) Mailart365 #10/366 Quarter Wheel

I arrived home to find this beautiful card in my mailbox! I tucked it in my Letter Writers Alliance bag to use as an example during the rest of the day's activities. After a few phone calls and some lunch, the little one and I were off again to pick up my dad and head over to the Lancaster County Visitors Center to investigate the mysterious Facebook post I discovered late Thursday afternoon (http://www.facebook.com/events/321045844602407/) The women at the desk were very helpful, but knew nothing of a ceremony and were unaware of the stamp's release. One of the women was a retired Postmaster from Gordonville, PA, and she made a few inquiries by phone to her contacts but was unable to get any more information. I shared what I knew and gave them a framed copy of the display sheet to share with visitors. Another stop at the craft store for more frames; this time I just bought all the black ones they had!

Home again for naptime and a few moments of quiet, so I could write up my remarks for the LancasterHistory.org lecture. I knew I needed to have something in front of me so I could share my thoughts coherently. The big girls had an early dismissal and my dear husband came home from work early so I could arrive at the lecture before 4pm for the social gathering. The women from LancasterHistory.org were very accomodating and many of the attendees were interested in seeing the stamp. My parents stopped by to congratulate me and snap a few photos.

My "Write Letters, Write History" display table at the LancasterHistory.org lecture.

Me (sporting my LWA Penpal Award) and my display

The lecture itself was very interesting; I feel like I haven't attended anything like that since college! I gave my little speech at the end, and it actually fit surprisingly well with the topic, as the lecture ended with a discussion of the speed of communication. (You can read my remarks in my previous post.) The framed stamp sheet went back to the LancasterHistory.org office for display to promote the stamp and their February First Friday "Love Letters" event, where I will again have the opportunity to share my postal passion.

One final stop at the Harrisburg Pike Post Office to request a few more first day of issue cancels; I gave away more of those display sheets than I originally planned, but I am grateful I had the chance to share it. I arrived home around 7pm tired but happy with the events of the day.

Next week, I will follow up with the Lancaster Public Library about hosting a letter-writing social and make sure Lancaster Creative Reuse has enough mail art zines and labels to last them through February First Friday. I anticipate a story in tomorrow's Lancaster Sunday News. On my to-do list this weekend? Relax, play in the snow, and get some more mail ready to send!

If Friends Were Flowers #16

I am not feeling very social this week, but I am thankful for my friends.
I am glad I can make and send unique cards to let them know I care.
A simple layout with everyday objects can make a quick but sweet card.
Quilting flower pins, grosgrain ribbon, and Dymo labels.

Sometimes what we chose to see is not what we need to see to grow.

Two great sites to check out it you haven't already:
Save America's Postal Service
The USPS brings the world to my front door.
I love Real Mail in my mailbox, and real people at my local post office.

The World Needs More Love Letters
It's beautiful. Let's send more love letters.

Quilt Museum Card #13

Another quilt-themed card headed for the Museum Shoppe.
This is a slight variation on Just Off Centre from Sheetload of Cards.
I incorporated two different vintage trims and some machine stitching.
The focal point is another postage stamp; this time a 34c Amish Quilt.
Time to make more cards!

Quilt Museum Card #12

A good friend introduced me to the buyer at The Quilt Museum at the Old Country Store, and every once in a while she surprises me with an email order for some of my handmade cards. I created a line of quilt-themed cards especially for the Shoppe. I received such an email this weekend, so this week I will be working to fill her order and sharing some of those cards before I ship them off to the store.

This is one of my all-time favorite layouts, the very first sketch (I'm aware of) from Sheetload of Cards. I really like the colors on this one. It features a postally used Gee's Bend Quilt stamp with some more lovely K & Company papers.

Mail Art Sent

I am so far behind in my posting here, but remember, that means I've been busy creating and sending! I will try to post all the lovely mail I have received recently, as well as some more I've sent, but be patient with me, as I am trying to be patient with my children who are now home on summer break! For tonight, I hope you will enjoy these few images.

Four pages of a 16-page letter-book sent off to Carolee in reply to some of her amazing zines

Shadowbox of mounted paper butterflies cut from a 1950's children's book inspired by this INtangible blog post and sent off to the lovely Donovan

Postage Patchwork on vintage linen Lancaster PA postcard sent off to Angie & Snooky of IUOMA in reply to Corgi Feet

Dimensional postcard? Sure! Actual colored pencils glued to cardboard and mailed off to Emma (I hope this one arrived safely!)

Postage Patchwork Card Set

Postage Patchwork 1/2
Contrary Wife quilt square created from vintage stamps with machine stitching mounted on vintage linen postcard of Lancaster County Courthouse with Dymo name label and mailed naked

Postage Patchwork 2/2
Churn Dash quilt square created from vintage stamps with machine stitching mounted on vintage linen postcard of Lancaster Public Library with Dymo name label and mailed naked

My final submissions for the Textile Mail Art Project. The first is my favorite of the two. I am a big fan of puns, wordplay, and irony. I was unable to find a quilt square with a name that played as well on the library postcard. I love creating something new from something old.

I shipped these cards out today with a stack of postcards to college friends and Mother's Day cards to family. Unfortunately, only catalogs incoming today.

Proper Postal Form

"To Insure Timely Mail Delivery

Always include complete ad-dress label,
complete return ad-dress label, and
the proper measure of postage"
- Postal Guidelines

Textile Mail Art Project Submission sent 7 April 2011
Silkscreened dress form background paper, die cut paper labels, stamps and dresses, fabric care tags, machine stitching, rubber stamping, mounted on cardstock, postcard size, mailed naked

I really like this project, it combines two of my favorite things, so I'm sending off another card. I hope there's no limit; I made some postage patchworks as well. What can I say? I had a brainstorm, and now I have to create! (Those barcode labels that get added to my mail always remind me of ruler markings!)

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!

"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