Make Something Monday: Going Batty!

This is the final installment of my Halloween projects and one I have had floating around in my mind for awhile.  It was nice to finally sit down and put them on paper!

I hope you are ready to glimpse inside my mind which is a blend of color, weirdness, and toss in some wryness.  I think this is why I love the Ballard Street cartoon so much.
I decided to make a series of cards and postcards that answer the question, "What happens when bats decide to dress up?"  Mind you I have limited artistic talent but a huge imagination!

This is an amazingly budget friendly project!

 Grab some plain white index cards.

 A glue stick and a bat punch (this one is a Martha Stewart from last year's clearance)
Add some sentences, I used my typewriter, but you could do whatever.  Finally kick your sense of humor into wacky!

I know Sydney is misspelled, but anything goes with names.

I don't think the sparkles showed very well!

And this is one of the things that keeps me up at night!  What sentences would you add for next year?
Happy Halloween!
-b

Make Something Monday: Monsters Everywhere

Hello all!  I was mulling over my Halloween supplies the other day and I remembered these amazing stickers I found.  I did not initially associate them with Halloween which seems weird, but I bought them last November way after the holiday. 

An amazing contribution of stickers from a variety of artists.   

 Then I added in this 6x6 paper pad of cool small print scrapbook paper.

 And some scrapbook sticker embellishments.  These three things equaled the below fun.

I liked this sticker so much I did not want to clutter it up.

 The artist who created this one did a great job at creating fantasy!

 One of my favorites! 

With that, I hope this gets you in the creative mood!

-b

How to Draw a Bunny

I know many of you talk of mail art and some know the origin, but how many of you have seen the documentary called How to Draw a Bunny?  This documentary is about Ray Johnson and his life in art.  He was one of the original mail artist.  The movie has great commentary from Ray Johnson and the folks that he mailed, worked with, and who "knew" him.  Apparently "knowing" him was not an easy task as he was a complex character and very private.
Ray Johnson was fascinated with what he could fit in an envelope, and tearing things apart and mailing the pieces one at a time to folks.  He was a terrific collage artist and was into using logos as part of his work.  Apparently Johnson and Warhol were friends for awhile and had big influences on each others works.
Johnson also enjoyed mailing a piece and having people add to it and mail it on.
I really enjoyed the movie and hope you will consider seeking it out on Netflix!

My Best,
-b

Still catching up!

hello all,
Let's not even pretend that the fervor I started the year with has lasted.  Once again life has conspired to throw my a few curve balls and I am way behind in my correspondence!  Here are a few more photos of the stacks of mail!
And at the bottom, a surprise: )
First off, some leftover Valentine's Day mail

The above and 2 below are all part of a super fun package I received from the Picadilly Post!

the pinwheel starts as a square

this is the very interior!

from LR - ever seasonal!

Another super fun piece comes from Lisa!  She participated in the recycling challenge last year and has stayed in touch since! Both the words and the mail box pop-up!  This was part of a Kleenex mailer to send people tissues.

On to some Postcrossing and other!

had made 3-D card from the Netherlands, it is a postcrossing too

one is from Derrick and one from Postcrossing

My first from Alaska!

A letter from MH

A postcrossing and an Annabell original!

And now for a surprise

I noticed this during inspection of a house that I am now under contract on!  Meant to be?  Keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!

Thank you for reading!

-B

Letters in the Box

Hello all,
This is another installment of what you folks send me.  I adore all the cards and postcards!  Keep them coming.

A wonderful pack of misc. from Aida who let me know that she stopped writing her blog.  You heard it here folks, Aida Goes Artsy is no more.  But the paper bits he sent will continue to give many of you pleasure!

a scroll letter! my first

Paul is a creative mailer from Sendsomething.  You can see more of his work on Rin's blog - Papered Thoughts.  He did a pop-up letter for her.

Above and below are all postcrossings

More postcrossings and a vintage postcard from a friend.

Above and below are 2 unexpected cards from 2 of my friends that do not usually write.  The above brought exciting news of a friend moving closer and the below was an amazingly perfect sentiment! 

one of the prepaid Hallmark cards

Above, a letter from Marion.  I definitely do not mind typed letters and for some people that works much better.

A nice note from Rachel who is in college and writes when she can.  Hope she got my letter okay!

Oh Kimi!  A really nice letter and some vintage uncancelled stamps that I will now hoard as I am terrible about that, so beware pen friends.  If you send me uncancelled stamps, I will probably tuck them away to use (maybe) in the far future!

Thanks and I cross my fingers that your mailboxes are remaining full!
My Best,
-b

$1 finds

I often get the comment from people that making mailart and being creative is expensive.  I grew up poor and can remember that some of my favorite toy were ones that I made, and it still holds true that I love to make and design all kinds of lovely craft projects.  I also like to shop as much as the next person (notice I didn't gender specify), but I am always looking for a deal.  I refuse to pay full price for stationery unless its for a cause or from Etsy. So here are some more things I found last year for a $1 or less.

all stamps $1 each

Why oh why I felt the need to buy these, I'll never know!  As I have too much stationery already.

the Beatles!  Yellow Submarine edition.  I left Bob Marley and Nascar where they sat.  Somehow I seem to find the randomness stationery.

Free!  Paint chips.  Gotta love free.

Remember, you don't have to spend a ton to make things cool- maybe I'll have to do a mailart post on freebies sometime, hmmmm  . . . something to consider ; )

Hope this finds you all creating and mailing,

-b

You Will Not Believe This Book!

I was not sure how to title this.  I have recieved many wonderful things in the mail over the last year, but the book I am about to reveal was the best book I got this year.  When I got the book and actually looked at it, well few items made me want to hug random strangers in the post office like this did : )
Malyss (her blog) and I have been corresponding for some time now.  We both had the same idea this year, show some love and send a book (expensive though it was).  She found this wonderous beauty! 

This book answers the question of what would happen if you gave a group of art students in Paris, France the assignment of making mail art.  They came up with some awesome paper crafts!  And many of the paper crafts are not too hard to reproduce.

One of the projects within!

Now after you pick up your jaw and shake off some of your envy, I have something great to share . . .ready . . .I feel as though the best way I can share this book with you,  is by recreating the mail projects within its pages step by step so you can see them for yourself!  Something like this, really should be shared with the world, (or at least our mail loving esoteric community).
The first project is the one pictured above.  I couldn't resist the drama, though it lacks practicality.  I thought one of my friends children would adore it, thus the butterfly theme.
First

Add caption

A blank card with some hand scrolling on the front of it. 

Second

Add layers and layers of cut outs.  It is best if you use thinner and lighter paper as cardstock is too heavy and weighted.  Unfortunately, mineis a wee bit flat because of the lack of lighter weight papers, but I am still very happy with the turn out!

Third

Thread bind it.  I used some old metallic thread here.  And finally, embellish to your hearts content!
I have no doubt that when this springs out of the envelope, the kids (toddlers) will love it!  And really that is what it is all about. 
My Best,
Becky