Wednesday, August 24, 2016

More Mail Art

I love making envelopes almost as much as I love receiving mail.  Since I've never been able to keep a commitment to art journaling, making and decorating envelopes is a wonderful way to experiment with paint and collage.  Most go in the mail box, but when I go to the Post Office, it makes me smile to see my envelopes past around with "Did you make this?"

Still having trouble keeping up with blogging,
 but the envelope below went out to Penne nearly two weeks ago
in response to her letter.



Incoming

From Connie--
cool hand drawn address label!

From Limner--
I cracked up when I saw this!
Am definitely going to try sending 
something similar to the grands.
Roll it up and seal it well.  :)

Outgoing

Thank you note to Bryce Eleanor 
for the little decorated cat she brought 
me from her vacation.

To Limner with appreciation for the 
wonderful hand drawn cartoon 
and the beautiful stitched paper!

To Connie--
who added  some surprises,
and book and movie recommendations. :)

I love mysteries and detective fiction
and am in love with these stamps!
they do love creative philately!




 Issued in 2009,
Designed by Keith Robinson

14 comments:

  1. Fabulous mail art! That rolled envelope--the bunting on it is just too cute.
    The Sherlock Holmes stamps are interesting. Have you been able to match the stamp drawings to each one's story?

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    1. Isn't Limner's rolled envelope the coolest? She is so creative!

      The stamps are all from "The the Curious Case of the Alderney Bull." I'm entirely infatuated with Keith Robinson's designs. :)

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  2. BEAUTIFUL Mail!!! I'm a great fan of British mysteries. Here are my two favorite authors: Ann Cleeves - her stories are set in the Shetland Islands and PBS has a series based on her novels. Charles Todd with Inspector Rutledge which takes place right after the World War I --lots of history and always a really good plot.

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    1. Ann Cleeves and Charles Todd are two of my favorites, Penny! I like the Ian Rutledge series better than his Bess Crawford series, but I've enjoyed them both. I love the mix of history and mystery the Todds include in both series.

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  3. Awesome mail in both directions! I love your inspiring envelopes to Penne and Limner especially. I think it's such fun that you get your grandkids involved with mail art. Young people barely bother to even teach their children "say" thank you these days, let alone "write" it. Those are very cool postage stamps. Even though we complain about the cost of postage nowadays, it's still a fairly inexpensive way to keep in touch. Especially when it arrives in an artistic form.

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    1. I agree about the "thank you" notes--a little effort, but so appreciated. I never thought of stamp collecting much, but I can now see why people get so involved. Postage is expensive, but well worth it, and almost everyone loves a letter whether the envelope is decorated or not. I wish I could take lessons from you on making beautiful postcards and envelopes!

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  4. Each time I see there's a new post with mail art, I get inspired. It is so much fun decorating an envelope---there's no wrong way because there's so much freedom to do just as you please. Thank you so much. A quick question: For most, do you start with a plain white envelope? Oh, and what kind of paint? It looks thin-watered down acrylic?

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    1. I use all kinds of envelopes, but I also use plain computer paper, folded and sewn up the sides. I have had a paper cutter for years so I can trim to size if I want. :) I've also used paper bags, both plain and the decorated kind. I also use (like for Connie's above) a page from a magazine. And yes, mostly acrylic paints for plain paper, but for postcards I use water color paper and water colors a lot. So many ways to experiment!

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  5. Oh I do love the old Sherlock Holmes movies!
    Wonderful mail art!!!

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    1. :) Me, too! The old movies have a real sense of going back in time, don't they?

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  6. Try Ngaio Marsh and Margery Allinghma, for early 20thC mysteries...!

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    1. Yep! Inspector Roderick Allen, Albert Campion, and don't forget Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey. Oh, and Josephine Tey! The Daughter of Time is my favorite by Tey.

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  7. What fun getting the mail must be at your house! Better than bills for sure!
    I think I already mentioned The Rope by Nevada Barr to you...
    Recently I listened to the audio version of Gap Creek: The Story of a Marriage. Highly recommend! The gal that reads it it wonderful, you'll not soon forget her voice!
    Take care, Nancy

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    1. :) Definitely better than bills! I finished Nevada Barr's Boar Island recently, but haven't read The Rope or Gap Creek. Thanks for the recommendations, Nancy!

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Good to hear from you!