I love the idea of the pubs that host letter writing nights. Beer and letters. Not sure how that would work for me, but an interesting concept. :) They even provide the stamps!
On the other end of the spectrum--
Workshops for children to make mail on Viva Snail Mail!
A great way to start a generation of letter writers.
Melissa's post about a young man who started Love for the Elderly (an anonymous letter writing project to send mail to senior citizens) is a favorite. More about Jacob here and a FB page for the project here.
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Who can kids write?
Grandparents, cousins, friends, teachers, authors...
and even better, writes some personal letters back.
Altered my hibiscus photos,
then printed on tea bag.
Adhered to a water colored teabag.
(lines are because printer is almost out of ink)
This one has already been pasted on an envelope.
And this tea bag adhered to a postcard.
detail
I've continued experimenting with tea bags. I used some of my photographs (altered) on some, drawn on some, stamped on some, and sewn on some.
Free motion machine drawing experiment.
Uh, will need more practice;
haven't done any free motion stitching in a while.
then printed on tea bag.
Adhered to a water colored teabag.
(lines are because printer is almost out of ink)
This one has already been pasted on an envelope.
And this tea bag adhered to a postcard.
detail
On a visit to Marna Lunt's blog, I found a statement about embroidery being a treatment for shell shocked soldiers during WWI. After a little research, I found this article in Craftism.
I'd never heard of Louise Pesel before, but I'm full of admiration for her work. Many of us find embroidery meditative, and I love seeing how it benefits others.
and
Embroidery and quilting have been used as therapy in prisons, too.
Have a great weekend!
Hi Jen! I'm taking a break from saluting my asparagus to see what you have been up to. Hmm, beer and letter writing. I see why they are willing to provide stamps. I'm sure I wouldn't get a single letter written. LoL. It's so great to see kids learning to write letters. And that they get to be creative with their letter writing I'm sure helps to make the task fun and hopefully life long. Your play with tea bag art is very fun to watch! I'm pretty sure I need to see this art form in person. I need to come over for a play date.
ReplyDelete:) I do love asparagus, and it certainly does deserve saluting! In fact, in future, I will substitute "salute" for "saute" and grin each time. I may even make a recipe card (copying your creative ones) for one of my favorite asparagus recipes.
DeleteWouldn't it be fun to have a play date? If you would come, I'd even make lunch. Maybe even bake.
There's a book I've read called "Stitching for Victory" that even had pictures of some of the designs used as therapy by soldiers. And there is an organisation called "Fine Cell Work" in the UK that does fantastic work with prisoners...
ReplyDelete:) I knew you would know! Your history in stitching came to mind as I was looking for the articles. I looked at "Fine Cell Work" after I published the post--there work with prisoners is amazing!
DeleteI LOVE your tea bag stitching!! Stitching can be very soothing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Penny, I'm enjoying experimenting with the tea bags. Most people who embroider (or knit) find the process soothing. Maybe if more prisons used embroidery to help prisoners pass the time with something creative, prisons would have fewer problems.
DeleteYou know, it makes so much sense. Imagine watching an episode of Lock Up with those big dudes sitting around stitching. I met a veteran who had been injured in a parachuting accident several years ago. He learned to cross-stitch as part of his therapy and, wow, he creates some beautiful work. I've seen only a few pieces, but they are pretty amazing and all very masculine--military, vehicles, forest and desert scenes, etc.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many advantages to including arts in rehab and therapy. Embroidery has long been considered a pastime for women, but the process allows for meditation and creativity for anyone. I remember how happy I was to realize that Rosie Grier, the famous football player, loved to do needlepoint. This article shows that he enjoyed many crafts that are not considered "manly." And few people would ever have questioned Rosie Grier's masculinity!
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