Mail Art: Time Capsule

Mail art inspired me so much. I loved opening my mail to find interesting things and thoughtful notes from other artists. That was when I was most productive.

I came across a book about mail art. Good Mail Day is a great source. Also, International Union of Mail Artists website. I recommend checking them out if you are curious about mail art.


A couple of weeks ago I opened my box of mail art. I haven't touched it since before I moved. I had a stack of post cards that were never sent and a stack that needed response. It went quickly once I got started.




I cleared some space on my desk and set out different stamps and inks. I hope to stay on top it this time. I also got some addresses from Post Crossing. I picked up some great cards to send out last time I was in Banff.




Lets take a step back and look at the chaos of my crafting. Clothes to alter on ironing board, shirts to stencil on the table, mail art album plopped on top of that to be updated, and shirts to be fitted in a big pile. I got a lot on the go, I have also been sketching some jewelry displays that I hope to build soon.

Yep, big to do list and lots of ideas. Isn't that how it always is?

What projects are on your to do list?



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Keeping Busy

I haven't posted in a while, but don't worry I have been keeping busy. There has been a lot of roller derby going on lately, I will elaborate on that later.

Ah, summer time. Mosquito bites and tan lines. I am starting to feel it, along with the heat. I am not complaining, its a wonderful time. I find I am having a hard time hanging out indoors when its so nice.

I wanted to grow some herbs on the windowsill of my craft room. I started them from seeds. The window faces south east and is quite sunny. The ones in plastic pots and cups seem to be growing a lot faster. I am having a bit of trouble with the mint.

Apparently, herbs weren't the only thing I was growing when I noticed a little fungus pop up over night. I set the pot outside in the sun and it shribbled up.

Although it was a cute little mushroom, he had to go.

I was so happy when I finally made it out the the lake. My dog loves running wild on the private beach. She doesn't enjoy swimming, but she can do it. I sometimes take her in when its hot. She is mad at first, but I know she feels better.

FITNESS UPDATE!

So far, since my last post I haven't lost any weight. BUT I have been keeping up with exercising 3 or more times a week. I haven't measured lately, but I am assuming its because I am gaining muscle. (Trying to stay motivated) Lately I have been roller skating outside. I go down the bike trails because I don't have to avoid cars, just dogs, children and bikes. The city put in a bunch of exercise parks outside. They are pretty nice. The trail leads to one and I have used it a couple of times. Outdoor skating is working my core a lot more than skating inside. I have been going out the past 4 days in a row and getting up in the morning, I could feel it. Awesome! Even more of a reason to keep it up.

I have been working on my art journal and mail art a bit. Look at the big pile of art I need to address and send. Eek, it piles up so quickly. Now that the strike is finally off, I am more motivated to get on this.

I will try to post once a week, sorry for the delay.

In my mail box, this month

I am a bit behind on posting the art I have received. Its so awesome! Getting lots of add and pass' lately.

Sorry if the images come up giant.

Add and Pass: Started by Pinky, Sent to me from i'm a superhero i can like fly and shit

From Strelnikov

From Mary Has Sound

From Lindsey

From eepy

And (as usual) Lots from Janet!

Her mail art is always so great! I have been getting a lot of it too. She must be really busy creating! Guess who is getting the add and pass' next! ;)

Mail Art 365...

I am quite behind on my mail art sending and creating. So many thing on the go. I am determined to keep going. I do view the blog quite regularly, I find it so inspiring.

In my mailbox, this week

From Julie

From Positively Postal

From SPL884

From I'm a superhero I can like fly and shit

Today's Mail Art...

Check Out #95 to #103 of my Mail Art 365 project!

Art Journal

Since getting into mail art, I have been neglecting my art journal. Since I have been spending lots of time exercising in the sun, it has given me time to reflect. It gave me the urge to record these thoughts in my journal. I decided to combine it with my mail art. I have scanned and used pages from my last journal in the past.

To get this effect in my pages I squirt water colour paint directly onto the page, I used a large wet brush to spread it onto both pages. When I was happy with it I put a piece of wax paper in between the pages (to prevent sticking)Then continued with the next set of pages.

This is the page with some stuff added. I ripped out pictures from magazines, pages of an old well read book and scrap book paper. I like the torn edges. Cut edges have a different effect, try both. I put gesso on the pictures lightly then went over the edges again. I used paint all over the page to blend it into the background. I set a dye cut onto the page and stencilled paint around it. I saved the cutout for a future project. I used pens and markers to highlight and trace areas. I even used my fingers to apply paint. Get into it, Get Messy!

Here are some backgrounds I started that you can print and use in your art. I love the veiny look from the wax paper.Thank you :)

In my mail box...

3 From Janet

Test From Sue, I am not good at tests...

From Orange Bunny

From Louise

From Gabby, I love that image on the envelope! Is it a stamp? Where can I get similar ones?

From Dewi

From Bris Chris

Mail Art 365!

I am determined to catch up with Mail Art 365. I am not quite sure how far behind I am, but its around a month or so. I am slowly getting there. I love mail art. I hope it is enjoyed by the people I send it to. Here are the rest of my postcards on the 365 blog. Let me know if you want some art from me! I am always needing more addresses.

If you want to get into mail art check out IUOMA. Great place to network!

Craft Room Relocation...

Here are some before pictures...

My incomplete desk and packed closet...

Since we are getting 2 more room mates, I gave up the bedroom I was using in favour of the basement. I do share my new space with the laundry washer and dryer, but I can handle that. My bedroom and bathroom are also in the basement, so now I officially inhabit the entire basement! I kinda feel silly that I hadn't thought of it before. Maybe thats because it was filled with storage boxes, an extra washer and dryer and lots of other things. I cleaned and sterilized the room and moved right in! I think it flows a lot better and its easier to get to everything.

AFTER:

Two big windows let in tons of natural light all day! Love it. See the fish in the vase? He's a Beta, no name yet. Suggestions?
The desk is now complete! Perfect for my sewing machine and serger!
Storage is a bit cluttered looking, I am putting the empty boxes that are on top of the shelf into the crawl space soon. Then I plan to put a curtain up on the shelf to make it look a bit better. I am not in a hurry, it functions well as it is.

Thats my new space and all of its awesomeness. Now to get back to crafting...