CappuccinoAndArtJournal

Typers!

2012-03-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd do a post as an Ode To Typewriters!
Share the love.

I find them irresistible.
I have resisted since I only have one. But that's probably because here
in San Francisco, I rarely see them for sale.

I mean, who could resist a turquoise typewriter?
It goes so well with red.

I would really like a script typewriter for my birthday.
In March. In case you are reading this. (Michael)
One can always hope.

The Red and Black ribbon is especially fetching, don't you think?

OUTGOING ENVELOPE
The typewriters (and manuals) have inspired many an envelope made by me.

INCOMING
And apparently inspired others - Rose P sent me this typewriter envelope from Australia.
Much appreciated.

OUTGOING POSTCARDS
And Karen sent me this beautifully carved typewriter stamp.
I am putting it to good use!

Ok, I doubt I will get a script typewriter for my birthday but I bet I can count on lots of great mail!

Who else has a March birthday? Let's trade mail!
Mine is at the end of the month so there's time.
Aries all the way...

Hope you all have a good week of mail.
(And stay tuned for my next post -- there will be a "surprise" in it)

Fun in Town

2012-02-27T18:33:00.002-08:00

(Fabulous) Incoming Mail
After a not-real-good mail week last week, today I got the most wonderful
mail from Karen who just can't stop carving stamps.
Check out her great post and prepare to get inspired!
I know I'm inspired but I'm even more happy to have received these two handmade beauties
to play with.
How lucky am I? Thanks so much, Karen.

INCOMING
Some other great incoming mail on Saturday...finally feeling cheerful...

Incoming
Thanks to Cecelia, Roberto, Kelly P, Alice & Catwrangler!

Lunch
(There's always lunch)
Ankake ramen at Hotei here in San Francisco.

SF SCRAP
How about a little afternoon visit to Scrap? This spot is like catnip to artists of all kinds.

SF SCRAP
Walk in and get ready to explore....

SF SCRAP
Is this making you just a little bit crazy?

SF SCRAP
Here is Jane showing off some of the packs of stamps at SCRAP.

OUTGOING MAIL
I have some things going out....
(Mr ZIP rubber stamps carved by Shelita W.)

OUTGOING

OUTGOING
There it goes! Off to some of my postal pals (some of whom have been VERY patient).

Spring?
Hang on...it is coming. These tulips are at the Ferry Plaza Market Marketplace.
Very cheerful, don't you think?

Thanks for the great mail everyone.
Let me know if you all start carving stamps.
Special thanks to Karen.

Happy Mail!

Mail Art All Day

2012-02-20T15:58:00.000-08:00

Enveloping-making time again!
A $1.00 1916 Kids book made for a lot of fun making envelopes (and that red embossed cover is find of fun too).
These fairy tale envelopes are ready to be filled up, decorated, taped, stamped
and sent off into the wild world of mail.

More Envelopes ready to go!
Just add labels and letters and stamps.

ENVELOPES
More from the same book -- for my friends who like birds (you know who you are).
That patriotic eagle on top kind of goes with the USPS logo, don't you think?

LUNCH BREAK
There always is a lunch break!

OUTGOING
A bit of outgoing on Friday....

OUTGOING
These will be mailed off first thing in the morning tomorrow because today is a
No Mail Monday.
No fun but this long weekend is allowing me to do some catching up.
I have outgoing to Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

OUTGOING
And, more going out tomorrow. Yesterday was Mail Art All Day.
Very fun.

From the Letter Writing Social last week -- Caroll W made his cool collaged card
and I love the typewriters and the flying fingers in the background.
Caroll made some really great hand carved stamps too.

MAIL BOXES
Fill 'em up! I got a postcard from a friend in a band saying he and the other band members
stopped at a thrift shop in their travels and found a great stash of old
postcards, which they snapped up and then all the band members sat around writing postcards.
He said I'd be proud -- and I am!

SPRING?
Looks like Spring is coming to San Francisco. Beautiful plum blossoms right in my own backyard.

I want these!!!!
Anyone (maybe from Canada?) who can send me a stash of these labels in French?
I will send you something back in exchange. I hope I don't have to wait to I manage to get to Paris
to get my hands on some of these.
In fact, I'd like to have them in as many languages as possible and I'm happy to trade.

This long weekend has been fun and productive--I have made a serious dent in my
huge pile "to answer". Haven't gotten to all but I am feeling hopeful.

Hope you all had a good weekend ( either a long or short one depending on where you live).
May your mail boxes be happy.

Now, time for me to get back to work.......

Too Much Fun (Letter Writing Social)

2012-02-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

Letter Writing Social at ARCH
here in San Francisco.

If you want to learn how to make this valentine -- here you go!

All I can say is --

LETTER WRITING SOCIAL
.....thank you Annie and Carolee and Arch.

This was a great way for spend an afternoon, typing, pasting, stamping,
with so many creative people.
I take no credit in organizing this, by the way, just documenting with some photos.
Carolee & Annie did all the work.

Carolee supplied the typewriters...

and every one was put to good use!

And Sally W brought her script typewriter along and it had a waiting list...
I think it may have been the most popular typewriter there.
I tried not to hog it.

To have a social, you need a flyer!
And a welcoming space and a bunch of letter-lovers.

Typewriters are not absolutely necessary but they sure add to the experience.

That's about as far as I got typing my letter....it was just a little too much fun
and too distracting to concentrate on writing my letter.

Carolee & Annie supplied lots of cool stationery and rubber stamps.
And everyone brought things to share, washi tape and more stamps and Valentine cards...

Some incredibly nice person (Sally) even brought the new LOVE stamps to share.

Aren't typewriters beautiful?

A good time was had by all.....if you are wishing you were here, think about
starting your own Letter Writing Social.
Let's revive the art of correspondence and have fun doing it.

The letter writers came in all ages, as you can see! Start 'em young!

Happy Valentine's Day -- Happy Letter Writing!

Seeing Red!

2012-02-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

RED
It seems to be that time of year -- no, not Christmas -- think Red Hearts and lots of chocolate,
maybe some champagne or a bottle of wine by the fireplace....
you know...

RED
I am in a Valentine swap with members of the San Francisco
Correspondence Co-op.
(if you're in the swap -- don't look at the rest of this post or you won't be surprised!).
I was having a little trouble getting inspired but once I set out the
sheets of red and paper paper and the vintage heart doilies and those
cool old vintage hearts I started getting in the mood....

Vintage photos
A pal gave me a box of old photos that were inspiring too.....

RED

RED/PINK
I got busy and cut the paper into postcard size pieces....using my vintage, deckle
edge paper cutter...

RED
Check out those edges!

Et Viola!
The finished edition of 2012 Valentine postcards...fun to make and (I hope) fun to receive..

Vintage Valentine Cards
I think these old cards with a kid typing and a postman are quite charming.

PINK
Looking out my back windows I see -- PINK! Even nature is in on this.

Yes, someone has been playing with her apps....

Now if you haven't already made some Valentines, better get busy.
Valentine's day is coming right up, February 14.
If you don't want to make an edition, make just one for someone very
special to you -- your mom, grandma, best friend -- make someone happy!
You won't be sorry.

And take at look at Red Letter Day (on the left). Jennie H is very inspiring for Valentine's Day too...

Have a sweet one!

What Came First? The letter or the envelope?

2012-02-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Handmade Envelopes
I've been on an envelope-making binge lately.
It's so much fun to cut and fold and paste.

Many times I design an envelope around whatever it is I am mailing.
But sometimes it feels good to have a big stack of
cool envelopes ready to go.

OUTGOING MAIL
Handmade envelopes heading out into the big bad postal system.

Handmade Envelope (with vintage stationery)
I like to try to match the stamps to envelope if I can...
silverware stamps on this food envelope and bird stamps on the bird envelopes.....

Handmade Envelope
This one is sitting on my mail-scale. A necessity for a mail artist in my opinion.
I weigh 'em all and so far none of my envelopes have been returned "postage due" (knock on wood).
This scale started off as a food scale but I find it much more useful to weigh my envelopes.

OUTGOING
More handmade envelopes

OUTGOING
The postal workers at my favorite PO are so incredibly nice -- they let me
photograph my outgoing right at the counter after they stick
all the various labels, stamps and customs stickers on.
I'm sure the people in the line aren't as thrilled as I am. I make it very quick!

OUTGOING
This is a surprise for someone!

Lunch!
A country drive on an incredibly beautiful day here in the Bay Area. Yesterday I went to
Point Reyes Station.
Oyster Po Boy for me and chili for my pal.
We will most likely pay for having this mild winter weather and no rain
so we may as well enjoy it.

INCOMING
The fabulous mail from Alice S just keeps on coming. She is too much.
I need ideas on what to send to her.
Anybody?

INCOMING
Another extremely cool idea from Carolee GW .

Post Boxes

Make someone happy today -- make some envelopes.
Send some mail art!

Next Saturday (February 11) is the Snail Mail Social at ARCH
from 1-4 PM.
See any of you there?

Mail Art Highlights This Week

2012-01-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

Thursday Night
January meeting of the Correspondence Co-Op.
Kelly P -- see anything familiar on the table?
And, for those of you who have asked, yes there are guys in the group too.
They seem to be a little camera shy but three were there on Thursday night.

Thursday Co-Op Meeting
There is always lots to share and then there is show-and-tell
and food....and a little wine..
not a bad way to spend an evening.
In fact, many of us look forward to this every month.

Thursday Night
Miss JH--Red Letter Day and the fabulous Alice S sharing a moment.

FRIDAY -- the Tables of Content show opened at the Berkeley Museum
with a noon talk by Robert Warner.
A bunch of the Co-op members trooped over to hear the lecture
and look at all those tables of content...

FRIDAY
The thirteen boxes Ray Johnson gave to Bob Warner filled with all kinds of things...

Some think Ray Johnson was the father of mail art
Ray Johnson

...including loads of envelopes he worked on and saved...
and mail Johnson received...

Bob Warner (left) with a table of contents of boxes...can you see all those envelopes?
And there is JH herself on the far right....I understand she will be writing a blog post on this event so check her blog Red Letter Day in the next week or so to see it.

FRIDAY
Warner with audience and some of the contents of the boxes on the tables.
Very interesting talk - I was told a video of Werner's talk will be posted on the museum website so you can see it for yourselves....
Berkeley Museum

SATURDAY
(that would be today)
WHO would ever think of deconstruct an airplane and MAIL THE PIECES?????

SATURDAY
Claire Healey & Sean Cordeiro: Par Avion (American debut)
This was really amazing -- I have never seen anyone mail pieces of plane before.
And from Australia to San Francisco. They mailed them directly to the gallery.
Frey Norris Gallery

They are selling the whole set of mail art plane pieces if any of you want to buy them!
I'd sure like one but you have to buy the entire set.

SATURDAY
I read a review of the show in the newspaper this morning and also read it closed today.
I raced right downtown because this I had to see. What a shame I didn't know about this earlier and pass the word to my mail art pals in SF.
At least you get to see the photos!

WHEW!!!
I need to sit down with a cappuccino and relax after seeing all this mail art this week.
I have Incoming and Outgoing Mail photos to post but I think I will save those for the next time.
If you live in the Bay Area, check out the Berkeley Museum show.

Send some Mail Art this week.

Dragon Mail

2012-01-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

OUTGOING MAIL
I had fun sending this out to Kelly P. and it was a huge hit at the post office from
where I sent it out. The woman working at the counter loved the pouch and wondered where
she could get one. She told me with the postage sticker she put on it, it didn't have to be cancelled so it would go through better than using stamps. Here it is on the
PO counter in San Francisco waiting to wing it to Chicago!

OUTGOING MAIL
A typewriter inspired envelope went out for the MILK Gallery's mail art call.
Hope someone there likes it.

OUTGOING MAIL
Some birds on this handmade envelope to Shelita W.

This wall inspired these cards...........

OUTGOING MAIL
Some Lunar New Year mail going out....and today's the big day...
Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Yes-- darling -- what WOULD the post master say?
What will those crazy mail artists think up next?

INCOMING MAIL
OoooOOoolala last week was a good one! Wonderful letters and postcards and a fabulous painted
Altoids box/collaged card from Karen (who does some amazing things with paint and imagination)
and a funny box with a great surprise inside from the Kelly P (once again).
Thank you everyone.

INCOMING
The painted Altoids box with cool clips stashed inside.

INCOMING MAIL
And finally -- after two long weeks traveling -- the handmade envelope from Annejo in the Netherlands with the
Post Crossing stamps! So cool.

OUTGOING MAIL
I sent out three things this afternoon -- a surprise for GinaVisione and two Lunar New Year
envelopes. Marjorie has been VERY patient waiting for me to respond....hope she isn't disappointed.

DRAGON COOKIES -- outgoing!
Dropped this box of Ginger Cookies off to the people who work the counter at my favorite
post office (shout-out for the Diamond Heights PO here in San Francisco!)
They are so friendly and nice and deserve a treat, don't you think?

Wishing you all a happy Year of the Dragon and hope your mailboxes are filled all year long!

Re-Visiting My Mailbox

2012-01-16T17:44:00.000-08:00

Incoming Mail
Since today is another no-mail Monday, I thought I would
revisit the mail I was lucky enough to receive this week.
Check out this great mail -- and that handmade envelope from the fabulous ----

Ms. Kelly P!!!
I am so very happy to be on her mailing list.

INCOMING
And another fearless and wonderful mailer -- Ms. Alice S. --She sent a beautiful calendar and book by a woman artist from Japan - Makiko Azakami - who makes amazing art out of paper.
And I just happend to be at a party at Alice's last Friday night introducing the
artist.
Domo arigato.
Here's Makiko's website -- Paper Toy

INCOMING
Yes, there is even more...from Red Letter Day, Miss JH herself as well as Sally W, CJ and Shelita.
Do you think I need to get busy and send some mail out?

LUNCH
Yes--I do--but first some lunch. Ramen in Japan Center always works.

OUTGOING
Getting busy -- a looooooong letter to Kelly P.

OUTGOING
.....Stuffed into this envelope ....

OUTGOING
They aren't going anywhere quite yet but I worked on a bunch of collaged
postcards over the weekend.
These are pretty time-consuming with having to wait inbetween layers for the paint and ink to dry.

OUTGOING
More collaged cards -- by now everyone knows how much I love all the papers from Chinatown. My dry-cleaner gifted me with a Chinese Calendar and I am loving ripping it up and using all the pages.

Do you even have to ask?????
Of course I do! And I bet all of you do too if you are reading this blog.

Cappuccino and Art has a Facebook page.
If you're there on FB, check out the
52 Weeks of Mail
page too. There are a lot of letter writers, mail artists and postally inclined people like us
out there.

Some of you are waiting patiently (I hope) to hear back from me.
I seem to answer various people as the spirit moves me so I appreciate your patience.

Keep the Post Office busy!

Vintage Paper

2012-01-08T16:48:00.000-08:00

The Vintage Paper Fair came to San Francisco again this weekend -- kind of like a museum with things you can touch (and buy). Really heaven if you like paper ephemera.
And, I do!

Actually, this looks a little bit like my studio....
fun to sift through all the postcard folders.

SF is having crazy mild weather at the moment - almost 70'.

Passports for sale -- ok, I couldn't resist one of these.....

The one I picked has tons of stamps inside from all over the world...if I can bring myself to tear it up, the pages will be great for a collage.
The woman who held the passport sure did a lot of traveling.
Reminds me a little of the Correspondence Co-Op passport...
Any other ideas about what to do with it?

WHY do I never, ever see boxes of old letters or envelopes at thrift shops or garage sales?

25 Cents
for these stamped, first day of issue envelopes -- the stamps are still good so these babies are going into the post box to some of you (with additional postage, of course).

A little bit of shopping for some rubber stamps....

A bit scary, isn't it?
My work table today....fully loaded. I just seem to work better with a lot of stuff...I mean...inspiration around me.

Collaged Postcards
I was inspired and worked on a series of collaged postcards for a Chinese New Year Mailing.
I wonder when the USPS will put out the Lunar New Year stamps.
Love the red and gold combination.
After the gel dries I have to press these overnight to flatten.

Outing
A couple more collaged cards that went out to Stanislav in Russia and to Kirsten & Sally.

Playing catch-up after a super-busy December.
January is a bit busier than expected but I am able to spend more time
in my studio.
Next Vintage Paper Fair in SF is in April -- anyone coming to visit?

Send mail, everyone! And have fun doing it.....

2012 -- Short and Sweet

2012-01-01T12:03:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012! Bonne Annee!
My sweetie and I stayed in to enjoy each other's company and share a bottle of champagne.
Lovely way to end 2011.

The start of a lovely brand new year -- thanks to all of you who have commented on and supported my blog. I have loved exchanging mail with many of you
and I appreciate your support and all the lovely comments.

January 1

Wishing you all a year of health, happiness and lots and lots of GOOD MAIL.

Imagine PEACE

My Mail Man

2011-12-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas presents from my mail.....male man....
He is the best -- red & black typewriter ribbons for my lovely Royal typewriter
(a gift from him last Christmas!) as well as some great old French ephemera.
He knows what I like.

And since I know you'll be asking, here is where he got the typewriter ribbon
Buy Your Typewriter Ribbon Here

He even changed the ribbon for me -- what a guy!

This isn't him....
but I love this French guy surrounded by letters. I want to be covered in mail all year long.

More from my guy-- Washi and Dyno tape all stacked up and ready to use.
Some woman want jewelry or expensive gifts but I want mail art supplies.
(Sometime I will tell you about the taxidermy bat he gave me).

INCOMING
And of course I want mail -- and I was lucky enough to get all kinds of wonderful incoming mail all year long. Thank you to everyone who sent me mail (here from Isabelle in France and Stephanie in NYC and the fabulous Alice S of SF who sent me the red mailbox!).

My son is getting used to finding all kinds of crazy mail on the front porch and bringing it in saying "More Mail Art, mom"....he put the flag up on the mailbox and was outraged the letter carrier left it down. Funny.

INCOMING
Look at the rubber stamps in this from Peggy. I am just a little bit jealous...ok, more than a little....I want those postal stamps.

OUTGOING
To Tallie (thanks for the surprise)

OUTGOING (to Maureen)

OUTGOING (to Annejo)

OUTGOING (to Christine H)
Thanks for the French postcards!

OUTGOING (to Susan)

Thank-you note time for me!
I am going to sit at my desk and write some thank you cards.
I hope it will come easier for me than it is for this girl...she may need a little help from above to think of what to write.

I can't wait to get into my studio and write some thank-you notes and type with that red ribbon and make some envelopes.
See you in the mail!

Merry, Merry and Lots of Mail

2011-12-19T12:14:00.000-08:00

OUTGOING MAIL
This is a busy time of year but I am still finding time to send out lots of mail.
Sent out some vintage Christmas seals in clear envelopes. Maybe that cheered up the postal workers a little (as well as the friends who received them).

OUTGOING MAIL
These little gifts all went out wrapped in red and gold Chinese paper.
Can't show you what's inside because that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?

USPO
Long lines at the post office -- hard to believe they have no business when you see the
long lines and the stuffed mailboxes.
Too bad the USPS doesn't get this much mail/boxes being sent all year long.

OUTGOING MAIL
I did my share, believe me. I don't even want to think how much I spent mailing all my boxes and international letters out this past Thursday....
but it is worth it to cheer up all my friends!

INCOMING MAIL
Received this wonderful box from my father-in-law in LA --
AVOCADOS!
He has a tree in his backyard. The box arrived all dented in and banged up so I was a little worried
but the avocados all made it safe and sound.
They are green for Christmas, you know.

LUNCH
Lunch is always involved in the plan.
Caffe Puccini in San Francisco. My favorite place for cappuccino and lunch.

MAIL ART
The SF Correspondance Co-Op had a party last Thursday night at the Center for the Book.
There was a lovely display of mail art by Co-Op members.

Mail Art
I see a couple of my pieces on this one...

MAIL ART PARTY AT CENTER FOR THE BOOK
Of course there was Food!
Food and letter press fonts (can you see all of them in the background?)
Food, fun, mail art, drink, a typewriter raffle which I didn't win..drats...this was way too much fun.
I think Jennie may be posting about the party so I won't go into any more details.
And check out her blog for some great crafting for Christmas at the last minute ideas!

Air Mail Envelope
(photo from Andria's blog)
This is a wonderful tutorial from Andria's Drawing Near Blog for making
little notebooks from airmail envelopes. She has some other good ideas too - like make your own washi tape -- check it out..
I know I"m inspired to make some.

OUTGOING MAIL
Told you I have been busy!
All of this mail went out on Friday......

OUTGOING MAIL
..........and all of this will be on the way today as soon as I finish this post...
I have only gotten six holiday cards so far so I am sure hoping
my incoming mail picks up this week.

BONNE FETE
Or, maybe, like they do in France people will be mailing out New Year's Cards
instead of Christmas cards. A good idea since everyone celebrates the
New Year.

Hope all your mail boxes are fat and happy and you are sending out lots of mail
to cheer your friends,

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

What's Old is New

2011-12-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

The typists
I came across these old photos of typists in an antique shop last weekend.
Man, things have sure changed, haven't they?
See the typewriter on her desk? I wonder if she thought it was state of the art
at the time?
And wouldn't she be surprised to see how coveted old typewriters are today?
(in certain circles anyway)

Here's another gal -- that smile looks a little forced, don't you think?
Maybe her shoes hurt.

Now these gals look a lot happier, don't they?
They look like they might like to go out for a drink after work.
I just love the typewriter sitting on the desk and ALL those rubber stamps
on the left. I sure wish I could get my hands on them.....

Now here's some typists now (of the mail art persuasion). They look a little more relaxed.

Even guys can type now!

Here's my old beauty sitting ready to help me tackle my big stack of mail-to-answer.

Those typists from the 50's wouldn't know what to make of that big screen above the typewriter -
will wonders ever cease?

On a walk in my neighborhood, I saw this crazy mailbox. It's been there for a long time. I always wonder if it gets good mail. I think maybe I should send some mail art to it?

Vintage Christmas & Happy New Year cards -
vintage cards are quite popular these days too.

INCOMING
Got a couple of fun things in the mail this week -- I know my letter carrier is amused.
A bouncing ball from Kelly P and a tin from Millicent.

OUTGOING
I have been busy - I got to spend all day Sunday working in my studio and I sent all this out in the Monday mail.
Sent more out later in the week but forgot to photograph it.

HOLIDAY MOVIES FOR MAIL LOVERS
If you haven't already seen Miracle on 34th Street -- an old classic -- I highly
recommend it. It is a charming old film and the scene at the end that involves the US Postal Service is great!
Also recommended A Shop Around the Corner (1940) about two pen pals who fall in love (after
a rocky start).
Get out that popcorn and get cozy!

Cocktail Hour
I'd say it's cocktail hour here in SF right about now. Time to wrap up the mail art
and sit down and relax.....

Hope you are all having a good December.

169 "Followers" -- Can we make it 170?
Some people dropped out and I wondered what did I do? Or not do?
Sometimes blogging can be a little nerve wracking......
...have fun you all!

Mail Art Party!

2011-12-05T17:53:00.000-08:00

Holiday Event
The SF Correspondence Co-Op is hosting a
Holiday fete at the SF Center for the Book
on December 15.

If you are in the Bay Area, come by for
a lovely evening of mail --
mail art, meet the artists, have some food and wine
and fun!

I'd love to meet you.
Hope to see you there.

Beginning To Look A Lot Like You-Know-What

2011-12-01T16:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, it is December 1st and we know what's in the air....
I am not a person is loves Christmas. I get into the holiday spirit about a week ahead of time.
But I do like vintage......and paper ephemera.....and playing with it to
make mail art.

All I want for Christmas is a stuffed mailbox like the ones above!

Holiday Stamps
I can break out my stash of holiday stamps......

and my vintage holiday mailing labels.....
(I swear, the old ones are so much more charming than the new)

And, of course, there are the old and very fun Christmas seals....

The colors have changed from (Halloween and Thanksgiving) orange to
Holiday Red!
I can't show you all the secret holiday projects I'm working on....because some of you will
be getting things in the mail.....
if you've been very, very good and sent out lots of mail this past year.

INCOMING
You know who you are (the good boys and girls). I have been so happy to receive
such terrific mail and make lots of new mail art pals here in SF and all over.

INCOMING
See what I mean?

You can get those cool Write to Me Please Postcards and really fun letterpress
bookmarks made by my pal Nina here
Nina's Neon Sprinkles Studio
Highly recommended!

INCOMING
Handmade envelope and letter on cool paper from SW.

INCOMING
The fabulous Kelly P -- as always, the most fun mail. This took about
eleven days to travel cross country from Chicago to SF but it finally made it.
I have driven cross country a lot faster but that's neither here nor there.
The day this arrived in my mailbox, I ran into my letter carrier earlier in the day, and she said
"You've got something interesting in the mail today".
YES.

INCOMING
Love the collaged and stamped cards from JU.

OUTGOING
From me out into the world....some "chicken mail", chocolates in the mail,
collages, letters....
I have been working hard to catch up but I have a lot left to do
so hang on if you are waiting to hear from me.

Listening to: Snow Angels by Over the Rhine
Working on: secret paper and ephemera projects to surprise friends
Eating: no more leftover turkey
Drinking: red wine and coffee but not at the same time

Don't worry if you don't see your mail here, I don't have time to post everything I
send or receive.

Now, what's everybody else up to?

SEND ME MAIL!

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-23T12:37:00.000-08:00

What could I be more thankful for on Thanksgiving than all the wonderful mail art I have been receiving all year?
I hope you all have been having good mail days too.
A happy mailbox is a stuffed mailbox -- better for the mailbox to be stuffed than all of you on Thanksgiving!

OUTGOING
Some of my outgoing Thanksgiving mail.....

Vintage Thanksgiving cards
I had a stash of vintage cards and decided to send them out into the world.
Quite charming, wouldn't you say?

It seems people used to send more cards - Thanksgiving, Easter, Get Well - I think we should resurrect that and start making and sending more cards out.

These cards even had the original price stickers on them - 10 cents? 20 cents?
No wonder folks could afford sending cards.
I like to make almost all of my cards now rather than pay $4 or $5 for a card.

OUTGOING
Collaged postcard to Corrine at Dos Fishes

OUTGOING
Outgoing to Kelly P
Maybe she will enjoy an "Every Burger" for Thanksgiving.

OUTGOING

OUTGOING
I have been busy this week.
I sense a holiday slowdown coming upon me since I am the
"designated chef" for all the Thanksgiving cooking --
turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, and pies!
I'd rather be making mail art but everyone ganged up on me so it looks like I'll be in the kitchen all day tomorrow and not in the art studio.

OUTGOING
This went out yesterday....hum.....what could be inside?
I'm not telling.

Happy Thanksgiving Flowers for all you faithful readers!
Your support of reading and following and commenting on the blog is very much appreciated.
And, all the great mail has really been a pleasure to receive, so--

THANK YOU on THANKSGIVING!

(I know a lot of folks read the blog from other countries that don't celebrate Thanksgiving but thanks to you too and bear with me on the turkey.......)

Wishing everyone in the USA a Happy Thanksgiving
and
Wishing you ALL very Happy Mail days!

Stay tuned.

Envelope/Stationery Making (part one)

2011-11-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

So you want to learn how to make envelopes?
I've been asked a number of times lately
so here we go -- an envelope/stationery tutorial.
This was harder to explain than it actually is to make the envelopes themselves.
Here is an array on my work table...
for inspiration.

Nothing is sacred -- I re-use, re-purpose everything I can get my hands on --
catalogs, cooking magazines, calendars, sheet music, ledger paper,
take-out menus, vintage magazines, old books, maps, comic books......
any paper ephemera that you can possibly think of.
You can also buy big sheets of decorative papers at art supply stores.

Free form envelope making
I prefer making a tri-fold envelopes. Very fast and easy. You don't even have to measure anything.
Cut a piece of paper and fold down about an inch for the "seal", then fold in half and use invisible tape to seal up the sides of the envelope. You can use decorative tape over that if you want.
Just be careful not to get over-zealous with the taping. I try to leave a small place at the top of each side to stick a knife or letter-opener in so people can get my envelopes open.
I have had to really tear some beauties that were sent to me because there was so much tape
and no little opening..

Handmade envelopes from a Japanese cooking magazine and a comic book.
It's fun to design the envelopes with the person you are sending to interests in mind.
And if you are sending them to someone in another country, chances are they
will enjoy seeing things you take for granted.

After sealing up the sides, adding decorative tape if wanted - just stuff the envelope and seal.
Et viola!
Slap a mailing label on the front, address, stamp and you are ready to rock and roll.
Or, take a walk to the post box.....

Templates for envelope making
If you don't want to do free form envelopes, you can buy clear, plexi envelope templates from Amazon
and, here in the USA, from The Paper Source. The advantage to the clear templates is that
you can position your template just the way you want it and see what will be showing on your envelope.
You use position template, trace with a pencil and cut out. Then tape or glue together.
This one was $1.50 from the Japanese Dollar Store here in SF.

Thanksgiving envelopes - catalog arrived today and I have a couple of envelopes ready to go out for Thanksgiving.

And here's a look at some great envelopes made by my pal
Corrine
These are very cool - there is no end to ideas for envelope-making.

Edible SF magazine - a freebie. After reading it's envelope making time...

Stationery
A lot of folks like to buy stationery and there are lots of places to do that - but I love re-cycling and re-purposing (again). I find old pads of paper in thrift shops and at
SCRAP
(think Korean Airlines stationery).
If your friends and family know you are into mail art and re-using they may clear out their basements or attics and offer up old hotel stationary or postcards that have been stored away.
Use rubber stamps to decorate.

Stationery
I got a hold of some very old copy-right free designs and went to the copy center and got 100 great pieces of stationery.
If I wanted to get really crazy I could get out my colored pencils and color some of these in.

Charming, don't you think? And cheap!

Handmade cards
I like to make all kinds of cards as well....I found a stash of old romance novels at the thrift shop for 25 cents each and cut the covers off to make cards and postcards.
Anytime I can I pick up cool vintage photos and use them in the window cards...

These are just some of my ideas -- I will do another post about the subject (collage cards, postcards) after Thanksgiving --so if you have any questions, please leave a comment.

And if you have any helpful advice to add, please do.
Making cards and stationery and envelopes is a lot of fun and also very "green" if you are re-cycling.

Send Good Mail (in a handmade envelope) to Get Good Mail!

Comments are always appreciated and welcome.

Mail Holiday

2011-11-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

OUTGOING MAIL
Some of my outgoing mail from this week.

Today is a very dark, rainy day and a holiday. Well, not really a holiday for me because there is no mail delivery today.
But, on such a dreary day what better to do than bake something that made the kitchen smell wonderful and linger over yesterday's beautiful batch of mail?

INCOMING
These all came yesterday and it was a very good mail day indeed.

INCOMING
And look what else arrived this week? An entry for the Call for What's In Your Mail Art Kit --
a mail art kit itself!
Send very kindly by Daisy
What a fun surprsie. More about Daisy's kit in the post about mail art kits that's coming up.

INCOMING
Always exciting to see an envelope from Miss Jennie H
of
Red Letter Day Zine

and yesterday I got two! And I am so going to that rubber stamp shop in New York City
when I go (read her post).

INCOMING FROM RED LETTER DAY

Lunch Break (you knew it was coming)
Since it is so dark and so dreary I decided to make a pot of Thai Chicken, Lemongrass and Coconut Milk soup to heat up the afternoon.
Came out great. Tossing in those Thai red chilies certainly heated things up around here.

INCOMING
LR sent some lovely fall leaves inside a handmade envelope featuring the same.
Lovely to get the leaves.
The only other person to mail me leaves in the fall was my mom so this was a treat.
And, a letter tucked inside too.

INCOMING
Mail Art/Postal/Travel zines from a series by Alice So. Every time I see an envelope from Alice I am immediately cheered up knowing another fabulous zine is most likely inside.
Thank you Alice!

OUTGOING
I don't just GET fabulous mail -- I make mail too. A perfect project after
baking and making soup is to
MAKE MAIL ART.

OUTGOING

This has been a great week for incoming mail (which helps the pain of no delivery today).
I am very lucky to be in the circle of so many lovely people
making and sending mail.

Planning some future post - the Mail Art Kit post and one about stationary, envelopes, ephemera
(that's for you Pocci).

What else would you like to see here???

MAKE MAIL ART ON RAINY DAYS

Travel, Snow and some Mail Art

2011-11-04T17:58:00.000-07:00

Post Office on Charles Street, Beacon Hill
Boston, Massachusetts...
Taking this shot on Friday, I saw the Snow Emergency sign but didn't
expect to see actual snow the next day on
October 29th!

SNOW
Well, I was wrong. New England got a blast of snow the next day in a freak snowstorm and this
California girl was in a state of shock
(and underdressed).
This was taken on Sunday morning in New Hampshire.
In October. Before Halloween.
Yikes!

Back to Beantown -- I saw lots of lots of mailboxes all over Boston.
Do you think people write more letters there?
I mailed some of my mail art in these babies.....see them?

A friend sent me to this one in Lewisburg Square so I had to stick a couple of postcards
in here too.
I was loving the brick and cobblestone streets and all the pumpkins on the steps of the
homes surrounding the square.

After just about freezing to death, I mailed the last of my cards
right inside the hotel lobby in this old beauty.
The hotel staff was quite amused by the crazy woman taking pictures
of a mail box.

Laconia, New Hampshire Post Office
in the snow.....
36 degrees at 1 PM.

LOBSTER
It certainly wouldn't be a trip to Boston without lobster
(and a lobster roll and clam chowder).
This just about made the whole thing worth it!
YUM.

INCOMING
I came back to sunny, 74" San Francisco, and found some great mail waiting for me.
Ok, I am behind.....
Probably why I didn't get anything but one little postcard in today's mail.
I have my work cut out for me.

INCOMING
From Asta in Finland - a lovely message inside a bottle.
Thank you so much, Asta. What fun to get this (yesterday).

What's In Your Mail Art Kit Entries
Well, November 1 has come and gone and the entries are a bit weak in
quantity but really great in quality.
I loved them all and will be working with them soon.

Thanks to all of you who sent me an entry.
Will post some on the blog and send documentation to all.

OUTGOING (In progress)
I am working on this booklet to send out. This weekend I have some serious mail art
time planned.
So, in my next post I'll show you what I sent out.

Our weather in SF has just gotten colder and I am happy to spend some
time working in my studio on making mail art.

Have you sent out some mail this week?Just got a message that Google Reader no longer supports the blog. Have no idea why but my guess is some of you won't see the post. You can subscribe by email if you want.
Have a Good weekend, everyone.

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

HappyHalloween

2011-10-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!
Don't you wish you could go trick or treating and have people put those
Halloween stamps in your bag?
This a quick post to say hello and Happy Halloween after a week away. I got SNOWED ON! You heard about the big snowstorm on the east coast? Well, I was there.
Another post soon with the mail that was waiting for me when I got back
and some postal pictures from my travels. Snow covered mail boxes, anyone?

Left 36' weather for 70' weather here in SF.

I'm not sure which I like more -- the Legend of Sleepy Hollow stamp or Mr Zip.
Damn, he's cute!

I just love these little messages on the sheets of stamps
(but I digress).

OUTGOING
I love my series of typewriter envelopes (if I do say so myself).
And of course orange is a Halloween color -- this one heading off to
The Netherlands.

OUTGOING
I whipped up a couple of Day of The Dead Envelopes -- very big in SF.
(And of course, in Mexico)

INCOMING
I just love to get mail from Tallie.
This one took a while in transit. I guess the USPS got a little confused by all the writing.
But, it got here.

INCOMING
I just get the best mail -- thank you, everyone! Keep it coming.

INCOMING
Double treats from GinaVisione -- grazia.
Love the orange envelope and the keyboard on there.
And a Mail Art Kit submission -- yes!

Halloween Skull...well...at least I think it is....
Happy Halloween everyone.

And, I leave you with lunch (miso ramen). You should eat well before going off and eating all that Halloween candy that you know you are going to eat.

Did you get any Halloween mail?
candy?

Send Good Mail--Get Good Mail

Mail Makes the World Go Around....

2011-10-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

OUTGOING
I have been on a typing kick lately and I think my handmade envelopes are reflecting that. don't you?
Check out the Halloween stamps too.
Nice and creepy.

OUTGOING
One of these went off to France and the other to Brazil.....
(Hi Bruno)

Ever since I got that bracelet made from old typewriter keys I have been typing my heart out...
go figure...

I really like cursive writing too...
working on a letter to Annejo (The Netherlands) today in cursive..

Correspondence Co-Op Meeting
6th month anniversary meeting last night -- so much fun.
Jennie is such a wonderful host.
And SOMEONE showed up as a flight attendant.
(Don't ask)

STACK
A pile of my stuff...passport (mais oui!), mail art kit, address book.....

Time for a new Passport at the next meeting...I am on the last pages...
Aren't these cool artistamps?
(Stamps by Gina Visione, Red Letter Day and Annie)

I'm going to pack up my Mail Art Kit and Passport and hit the road (so to speak) for a few days...

Have you sent me your entry in my call for entries?
What's In Your Mail Art Kit?
No jury/no returns/documentation to all
Due: November 1

Mail to: 3934 25th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114

Your kit can travel on a plane anywhere in the world, go on a road trip or just to the local coffee shop.
Or, maybe to work in your car or to the doctor's office.
Where do you work on mail art?
What do you bring?

Traveling Address Book
I whipped out a little travel address book to pack in my kit. Nice, isn't it?
I was supposed to fill in all the addresses I want inside last night
at the Co-Op meeting but (ahem) I seemed to be a little too busy (chatting).

Maybe you will get a postcard?

I hope I will be getting a lot of mail art kit entries -- and of course a lot of mail!

Send a Letter Today!
Help save the US Postal Service and have fun doing it.

The Week Around Town

2011-10-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

Mail Art Sunday and Mail Art Monday added up to a lot of mail
to be sent out on Tuesday!
I put twenty - count 'em - twenty pieces of mail in the mailbox on Tuesday.

Off they go.....
I promise I am doing my part to help out the USPS.
Sent more mail every day this week.

This little beauty went out to Kelly P.
Hope the washi tape held together and kept all the enclosures tucked inside the folding San Francisco envelope.

Postboxes
We want to see these babies filled up so I hope you are all working hard to do your share.

I am still waiting for my FIRST What's In Your Mail Art Kit?
entry....so far nada. Come on people -- it will be fun. ***This just in -- first entry arrived today and it is lovely** Thank you to Jennifer.

These cards were handed out at the Snail Mail Social (via Missive Maven's blog)
and they were even pre-stamped. How cool is that?
So I sent some out, adding a few additional stamps of my own.

INCOMING from John Tingly --
How cool is this? Can you see how he put my address in the different candy jars?
This is his second attempt to send me mail, following in the footsteps of
Reginald Bray - The Englishman Who Posted Himself

So glad John tried again (after the first one never showed up).
Of you haven't read his book, you should!
This time his very creative postcard arrived from England without even a postmark.

MAIL
What We want!!!!!!

Vintage Supplies
I came across a box of these vintage erasers today and had to snap them up.
Stationary/mail art kit supplies are very difficult to pass up.

Instant Collection!

LUNCH
There is always lunch if you are hanging out with me...
mail and lunch and vintage and letter writing and exploring SF and putting things into big blue boxes.....

Save The Post Office One Letter at a Time!

Cappuccino and Art is on Facebook and so is the Englishman Who Posted Himself.

What's In YOUR Mail Art Kit?

Social, Supplies & So Much Fun

2011-10-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

You know I must like cappuccino because of the name of the blog.
(Actually I wish I picked a better name but too late now)
Cappuccino and a little postcard writing at Caffe Puccini in San Francisco.

Yesterday was the Snail Mail Social organized (brilliantly) by
Annie and Carolee
All I did was just go and have fun.
Typewriters, supplies, people who love mail -- what"s not to like?

Art supply shop ARCH hosted the event.
If you are in SF, stop in and check it out. Lots of great art supplies.

Annie watching the magic fingers of Carolee on the typewriter keys.
Someone has to understand typewriters and it seems to be Carolee.

(And there seem to be some mail art kits on the front of that table -- don't forget my
Call For Entries for "What's In Your Mail Art Kit?")

I love how well-used these rubber stamps are.

You've gotta have supplies if you are going to have a Snail Mail Social going on.
There were press-on letters, typewriters, rubber stamps.......

Lazy Letters and specially made stationary

So many things to create with.....

It is possible I did more socializing than actual letter-writing.

No worries -- I declared today
Mail Art/Letter Writing Day
and I have been working in my studio all day long. And since tomorrow is a
a holiday in the US I declare tomorrow a mail art day too.
Here's a letter booklet for KP.

A Drive-By Mailbox in Mill Valley, CA
I just don't see many of these in San Francisco. I'd like to see a
Bike-By mailbox.

October 10 will be a No Mail Monday
(no fun) so I guess I won't be going to the mailbox like this lady
but you can bet I will be working on some mail projects.

Send a Letter -- Help save the USPS
(and have fun while you are doing it)

Hope you are all having a good weekend and getting your mail art on.

Did you send me your entry for the Mail Art Kit yet?

Communiqués From Red Letter Day: Have Kit, Will Travel

2011-10-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Communiqués From Red Letter Day: Have Kit, Will Travel

OK, this is what I am talkin' about, people!
Check out Miss Red Letter Day's mail art kit.
Now get busy with your entries in my Call For Entries for
"What's In Your Mail art Kit?"
(previous post)

Two Calls for Entries - Fun in the Mail

2011-10-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

Write!
We better send mail while we still can.
Let's have some fun.

What's In Your Mail Art (Travel) Kit?
I love mail and I love travel and I seem to have a thing for zippered cases.
Tell me what's in yours.
Draw pictures (like Carolee) or make a list (like Donovan) or take a photo
or...???....do something creative.

Carolee did it.....

Annie doesn't seem to travel light...
but I bet she doesn't take this one on the plane.

Alice travels all over
and I wonder what she brings with her. She always sends great mail.

I try not to take too much stuff with me...but I must have my good pens and
some labels....

and of course, glue sticks and post card stamps (if I am traveling in the USA).

Here's what Donovan brings with her.....

Washi tape is always handy for the traveler
and maybe a tiny stapler?

I love my Yosemite address book.
Do you bring a suitcase? Zippered pouch? Cigar box?
paints? watercolors?
what?

Please send your entries to me at the above address by
November 1, 2011.
No jury/no returns/documentation to all (maybe a zine?)
I will post some of them on the blog and share the notes about what
everyone is packing in those travel kits.
I bet there are all kinds of things to travel with that I haven't thought of.
Or
maybe you all travel really light?
(I have never been accused of traveling light)

And here is the second Call for Entries from my mail art pal, GinaVisione.
Theme: "YUM"
Please Place this word on your MailArt somewhere...
*What is your favorite food, drink, snack, indulgence, concoction, recipe,
childhood food memory, or restaurant at home or abroad --
and why?
*For my project send me all postal objects that deal with any technique.
*No jury/no returns/documentation to all.
*Please send all MailArt entries to:
GinaVisione
165 1/2 Chattanooga Street
San Francisco, CA 94114-3438
Contact for questions: ginavisone@yahoo.com
DEADLINE: November 30, 2011 (someone's birthday....when's yours?)
Tell Gina I sent you!
(that is the backside of one of my entries)

OK, everyone -- get busy. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Happy Mail Day to all.

Big Fun at the Library Book Sale

2011-09-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

Things have been busy around San Francisco this week. Tuesday was the annual
Library Big Book Sale.
I went with a mail art pal and we had fun wading through all the books.
Score!
That is most of my loot above (not including all those foreign language flash cards I
posted in the last blog post).

The Library sale is at Fort Mason in SF, set right on the water. It is in a great spot especially if you have to stand in a long line to get in.

I scored an old Atlas to tear up for mail art (if I can bring myself to actually tear it up),
old stationary, typewriter book plates......

California
from the old Atlas

Scored an old how-to-type book and a book of paint samples that are
perforated like stamps -- oh joy.

I have been out running around a lot all week. The Correspondence Co-Op met on Wednesday night
and that was great fun, as usual.
But I stayed home on Sunday and got busy on mail art -- thirteen pieces went
out today. Here's a stack of outgoing.

OUTGOING
On my desk with my new favorite pens.

OUTGOING
The airmail set, vintage envelopes from Chinatown (More about that in another post)
and vintage air mail stamps.

OUTGOING
This envelope came to my husband and when I saw that "Warning" on the
bottom on the envelope I just had to re-use it. And I knew exactly who to send it to.

OUTGOING
A see-thru envelope of stamps went out to Annie.

OUTGOING
The "Menu" envelope is out-going AGAIN -- I sent it at least a week earlier to a
friend in Australia and imagine my surprise to see it back in my mail box.
For some it got returned to me. The address seemed totally clear so I added a couple of "TO"'s and the pointing finger and tried again.
Let's hope it gets to Australia this time around.

OUTGOING
To my bike riding pal, GinaBella.

Also went and visited the beautiful Dahlia Garden in Golden Gate Park, got some great incoming mail
and had a few lunches to share but this is long enough for today.

That's it for now folks. Remember to write those letters and help save the USPS.
Cappuccino And Art is on Facebook
and I add extra links about mail and events on the page.
Welcome to the new "followers" on the blog.

Who will be number 150?

Send Good Mail to Get Good Mail
and Help Save the US Postal Service!

Stacks

2011-09-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Stacks of papers for mail art making.

OK, so this morning I was reading a few of my favorite blogs
when I came across this
Stack Attack
A call for entries (of sorts) for photos of the stacks in our art studios.
Well, I DO have stacks.

The Altered Page
is a really interesting blog -- I just signed up! (Hello Seth)

Stack of my handmade envelopes all ready to fill up and mail.

Stack of (only a very few) of my journals. Top one has French muslin (used)
tea bags attached.
I have kind an an indoor/outdoor studio space.
After a chilly, foggy cold SF summer, we are having a lovely heatwave.
(80" in SF is considered a heat wave and the locals are swooning).

Stack of Chinese Boxes in my studio.

Stack of out-going mail.

Stack of incoming mail (collected over the years).

Stack of vintage books on studio work table.

Stack of vintage language flash cards. I love these things. I keep thinking if I sleep with the cards under my pillow I might absorb the languages. It hasn't worked yet.

Stack of inspiration books.

Check out my pal Corrine's blog for some cool stacks
dosfishes
I was reading dosfishes this morning with my coffee and found out about the Stacks!

More stacks on here
I am Rushmore

So, thanks to Seth and The Altered Page for thinking this fun project up.
Now that I see all the stacks I have sitting around I wonder if I should have gone to the Library Big Book Sale yesterday to get more?

Next post will be outgoing mail, results of the Big Book Sale, a score in Chinatown and some shots of the Correspondence Co-Op meeting happening here in San Francisco tonight.

Keep sending mail, people.

A Beautiful Post Office

2011-09-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

Walking around Palo Alto, California over the weekend my husband spotted this beautiful old post office. Of course, I had to go check it out. (He may have been sorry he mentioned it because once I was inside I didn't want to leave).

I wish my PO in San Francisco looked like this.

The windows even open. I think I'd like to set up shop here and settle in and write some letters.

Fill 'em up!
I want the BIG PO Box.

Ok, these little ones are pretty sweet too. But with all the mail I get I still say I need the big one.

Cool and dark and loads of post boxes. My kind of place.

There are always rules.

Happy to see this -- protected by the Register of Historic Places.
A great example of California/Spanish architecture.

OoooOOooo and right outside I saw these babies.........

Drive-Thru Mailboxes? Three of them? Too cool.
I don't see anything like this in San Francisco.

I think the editorial comment is mis-spelled.

A nice sunny California day with good mail.

We can't lose our post offices and our mail boxes.
Send out as much mail as you can!
We need to help keep the USPS in business.

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

Spread the Word

2011-09-08T16:52:00.000-07:00

I went to the SF Zine Fest over the weekend, ran into a bunch of friends there. Some were
buying and some were selling. And some were buying and selling.
I came home with lots to read and enjoy. Lots of creative people out here.
I highly recommend a visit next time, if you missed the Zine Fest this year.

Zines, zines and more zines. These are the archived ones from the zines library.
And for those who live in the Bay Area -- did you know you can visit the
Book Arts & Special Collections
room at the SF Public Library (main branch on Larkin Street) and sit down and look at
the zines they have in their collection.
It is a terrific resource and a great way to spend a few hours.

Red Letter Day Zine Table
You can get into some serious trouble here.

Incoming Mail
I am having a good mail week too. Maybe because we had "No Mail Monday" I was
extra lucky on Tuesday.
A LIFE magazine from Tallie J -- with a letter tucked inside. This was really
fun to see in my mailbox. And a red inter-office envelope from the
fabulous Kelly P and a great envelope and letter from Stephanie R in NYC.

Kelly P does it again - strikes one out of the ballpark with a letter booklet
made inside a coffee cup. (She is doing better than the SF Giants but don't tell anyone).
She knows I like a good cappuccino but one with a letter inside is even better.

Inside the cup....

Incoming Mail
And even more good stuff the next day -- I could get rather spoiled.
(But sadly today I just got one lovely but lonely postcard)
I guess you can't score every day.

A little break with a special friend on Tuesday afternoon
(you know who you are)
before working on some outgoing.

Outgoing Mail
A group of out-going from me. I spent a lazy (but productive) Sunday mostly working on mail.

Outgoing
On the hallway table ready for a walk to the post box.
We have to send mail to help save the USPS and also our corner post boxes.
Did you read on that link I posted last time - a corner letter box must have at
least 25 items mailed from it or it will be removed?
Get mailing people!

Take a nice neighborhood walk and drop some letters in the box.

This is what we don't want to be seeing (in downtown San Francisco).

Now this is just sad -- an old battered post box covered in green moss!
I may have to go give this one some TLC.

Send some letters -- save a Post Box!
You've got to give good mail to get good mail.
Spread the word.

Mail Artists can save the Postal Service
(or at least we can try).

A Week in Mail

2011-09-02T18:58:00.000-07:00

This week's mail

Outgoing Monday

A lobster for a friend who just returned from a week on Cape Cod eating lobster!
She had the real thing -- now she got a paper lobster in the mail.
And, I didn't get any lobster so I am a bit crabby.

OUTGOING MONDAY

Some giant forks, some washi tape, handmade envelopes....

OUTGOING TUESDAY

Love those old Life magazines for cutting up and collaging.

I didn't get one single incoming piece of mail on Tuesday -- I couldn't believe it!
That hasn't happened to me in years.
We were not amused.

OUTGOING FRIDAY

Some handmade postcards and envelopes, Chinese red envelopes and one for SuperHero.

OUTGOING WEDNESDAY

A typewritten letter went out -- among other things.

OUTGOING THURSDAY

More handmade postcards (including one for Maureen who has chickens).

INCOMING THURSDAY

A nice recovery from a pathetic lack of incoming on Tuesday.
Thanks, everyone.

INCOMING

Burning Man Postmarks by James Cline, postmaster extraordinaire of Burning man.
(Thanks Alice and Phyllis)

INCOMING

More of the wonderful food stamps from La Poste in France.
I can never get enough of these.
Merci beaucoup, Isabelle!

A Mail Artist must always take time for lunch -- garlic noodles, imperial rolls and five spice chicken at Perilla here in San Francisco.
No, I didn't eat it all.

FRIDAY
An afternoon walk today and a lovely letter box.

POST BOX -- Read this and weep --
Mailboxes Disappear

I posted this link already on the Facebook page for Cappuccino and Art but think it is important to post it on the blog too. Use them or lose them, people! Get out there and mail some letters. I am doing my part. We may lose our post boxes and six day delivery one of these days and that is just sad. I am wondering if the postal services in other countries are having the same problems as ours (anyone know?).

This is a long holiday weekend in the US. Things are hoppin' in San Francisco.
We have the SF Zine Fest this weekend in Golden Gate park and the farmers markets are fully loaded. And there is a party with my namer on it on Monday so things are looking good. You all have a festive and safe weekend and SEND OUT SOME MAIL ART!

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

Artistamping!

2011-08-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

At the last Correspondence Co-Op meeting the lovely and very talented
Ms. Red Letter Day herself
gave a demo on one way to make artistamps.
And, believe me, she knows how.

We all paid close attention (much more attention than we ever paid in school).

Miss Jennie whipped these babies out in five minutes. I swear!
Some of us may need a little more tutoring.

I know I have mentioned Good Mail Day before but if you are looking for Jennie's instructions on how to make artistamps it's in the book.

Another happy stamper!
These Co-Op meetings are just too much fun.

And now, another mail artist, Mike Dickau shows how he makes artistamps

How I Make Artistamps/Mike Dickau

Check out his great video by clicking on the above link.

Some of the artistamps Mike has sent me -- a very talented and generous mail artist.
And, man, he knows his stuff.

Snail-Mail stamps are popular.
Left are some snails by GinaVisone and right are Mike's.

Burning Man Postmaster, James Cline, made these Burning Man stamps.
Pretty cool, don't you think?

These blue beauties by Maureen Forys -- love 'em.
She put one in my Co-Op passport -- which I unfortunately forgot to take a photo of for you guys.
Imagine it.

Mail It!

Hope you enjoy seeing an assortment of artistamps and Mike's video. I am still working on figuring out how to make them myself.

A little note to all my pals and blog readers on the other coast -- I have been thinking of you all with first an earthquake and then a hurricane. Hope everyone is dry and safe. Take care.

Anybody else have any tips on making artistamps?
Feel free to leave comments and share.

Write A Letter Today!

More About Mail

2011-08-22T18:41:00.000-07:00

More About Mail
The previous post got loads of views and I got lots of questions and e-mails
so I am adding a couple of ideas about getting mail.
Or giving mail.

You would probably like to have a glorious pile of letters like these on your desk, right?
If you would like some German correspondents,
try this
Letternet
This "pen pal club" is sponsored by the German Post Office.
Can you believe that?
I really think the US Postal Service ought to do this too.
Support your local Mail Artists!
I have had tons of requests from people in Germany (Hi Heidi!) to correspond
and recommend this site if you are interested.

Paint by Number Vintage Postcards --
need I say more?
Score!

Incoming
A Decca record from the amazing Kelly P
and a lovely fan from a Cappuccino and Art fan.

Incoming
A couple of beauties...ok...maybe not a beauty but another fabulous envelope from Kelly P (bottom) and from Julia in Germany, an envelope with a bow (!) and coins glued on.
Two out of the three coins made it to SF, Julia.

Typewriter keys for sale.
Did I mention I went to a fantastic flea market over the weekend?
Typewriter keys and paint by number postcards
and some old card games with great graphics and old photos.

Humm.......see that bracelet made of the typewriter keys?
I could not resist all those "P's".
My husband said "Just think how many typewriters had to die for your bracelet".
Sorry guys.

A Mail Box on steroids -- I have never seen any mailboxes like this before.

Outgoing
More mail tips -- be sure to write your return address very clearly on the envelope and inside.
I get a lot of mail and if I don't see a return address I don't have time to hunt for it. And sometimes, the address on the outside gets postmarked and isn't legible so it is a good idea to write it inside too.
After I know I will be corresponding with someone, I add their address into my special mail-art-only address box.

Outgoing to the famous Kelly P

Another tip, if you are doing a lot of mailing, invest in a scale to calculate postage. I got a food scale as a gift and use that. The USPO has a lot of rules about postage - more postage if the envelope doesn't bend (I don't ask why) and more for odd shapes. I always add extra postage after weighing my mail and so far -- knock on wood -- it seems everyone has received everything.

Outgoing

I am back from a little tiny mini vacation and came home to find some lovely mail waiting for me. Almost takes the pain out of coming home so thanks for that everybody!

Back in SF in time for the next Correspondence Co-Op meeting.
The Zine Fest is coming up and summer tomatoes are at the Farmers Markets.

So, people - get out those pens and start writing to each other and have fun!

Write a Letter to Get a Letter!

You Want Mail?

2011-08-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

Quite a lot of people have been e-mailing and writing letters to me and asking about getting pen pals or how to get more involved in mail art.
So, I decided to write a post about it.

Everyone who reads this blog knows how much I love to get mail.
To get good mail you really have to send good mail.
I've been writing letters and corresponding with people all over the world for just about my whole life.
It takes some effort to get started and some people won't write back but just keep trying.

I know it's been said already, but people just don't save email like they do letters.
Look at these old beauties.
These letters weren't even sent to me but I love reading them.

And you don't get gorgeous stamps like these on emails.
But I know I am preaching to the choir.

If you are looking for mail artists and/or pen pals, get yourself over to Carolee's blog
right this minute and check out all the folks who are doing the same --

Make Every Day a Good Mail Day

It will take some effort to read through all those blog posts but I guarantee you will find people who love mail on there.
I have gotten quite a number of wonderful correspondents from that post.
My suggestion is, write some letters! Don't just add your name to the post and ask people to write to you.

Mail Art Received
If you are interested in mail art, you might try joining IUOMA -
International Union of Mail Artists or join up with the Mail Art365 group -- a great bunch of people who are committed to making and sending a mail art card every day for a year.

Mail Art 365

Another thing to try, how about writing letters (and asking questions) to members of your own family? Moms and Dads and grandparents would most likely be thrilled to get letters and if they write you back you will have a lovely stack of family history to save and share.
I treasure all my letters from my mom.
This envelope is from her -- every time I see that rubber stamp giving the finger I laugh. (I wish I had it)
You could say she was kind of anti-establishment.

Try to make your mail interesting. Enclose some extras things inside the envelope - photos of your town, a great recipe, bookmarks....anything local and interesting to share. As you write and get to know people you can send them things you know would be interesting to them - a book or a movie review etc.

Another site to check out is

Send Something

There are some mail art blogs on the left side of this post and a special favorite of mine is
Make Every Day A Red Letter Day. Go over and click!
I hope you all know know about Jennie and Carolee's book --

Good Mail Day

You can look online and google "mail art" for ideas and stimulation, start your own mail art/letter writing group and meet up every couple of weeks or one a month to exchange ideas and write letters or
make art, check out Pininterest and search for mail art, join the

Letter Writers Alliance

read letter writing and mail art blogs, write a whole lot of letters, keep trying, check out mail art on FaceBook.

You can leave comments on this blog post if you are looking for others to write to -- you can leave your name and address (if you are OK with that) and write something about yourself or an email address and maybe some new mail art connections will be made right here!

If you have any ideas about getting mail, please add them to the comments!
I bet there are some more really good ideas out there that I've missed. Remember, Cappuccino and Art Journal is also on FaceBook and I post "extras" on there - links and photos - so check it out.
******
Let's make every day A GOOD MAIL DAY!

Updated News
Some nice comments from Missive Maven
Missive Maven

and another link to this post on
Good Mail

Finds from the Paper Fair

2011-08-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the Vintage Paper Fair here in SF.
Way too much fun.
Some of you will be seeing these SF vintage postcard folders in your mailboxes.

Aren't these fun?
I found some old cards relating to letter writing. I am going to have fun with these.

Another find -- Handwriting Analysis Game!
Who wants to come over and play?

Lunch followed after the Paper Fair --
Shanghai Noodle House.

Hum.....came home to find this in the mail.
What is the USPO trying to tell me?
I don't think it's good news and the mail didn't show up on Saturday till almost 5PM.

OUTGOING
Mail going out to SuperHero, Julia in Germany, Barbara W, Shelita and Christine H.
Ripping up those old Life magazines is so much fun
(thanks Fast Eyes)

OUTGOING
To Russia, to Phyllis and to Stephanie R in NYC

OUTGOING
(this will be a surprise)

A letter inside a book

My Photo Studio (one of them)
Lovely, flat, filtered San Francisco light in the morning under the arbor -- this is one of the spots where I set up a little photo studio.

Paper Fair treasures, Chinese noodles, Outgoing mail -- a good weekend in SF.

Happy Mail Day
Send Good Mail to Get Good Mail

Supply List

2011-08-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

I keep seeing "Back To School" ads everywhere.
What's on your list?

Some cigar boxes for storage?
Cut-outs?

Certainly you'll need a pencil case and some scissors.
And maybe a really old book to tear up,
or doodle in.

Why would you put plain old tape on your list when you can get
washi tape?

Of course flash cards are always very handy.
Math wasn't my favorite subject in school but I love math flash cards.
Some language cards are good to have too.

Beautiful old wood rulers?

And, of course, you know you need to cover all your books like I covered mine.

The teachers aren't the only ones who can have have rubber stamps.
Ink pads in lots of colors on the list?

How about a date stamp?
Handy for homework, n'est pas?

Back-to-School is so much fun, especially when you don't actually have to go back-to-school!
And for mail artists, it is a great time to get pens and pencils and glue sticks and all kinds of stuff really cheap.

Some of my outgoing mail.
Hope everyone got them -- I found out you are supposed to put twenty cents extra
on see-thru envelopes. Who knew?

Outgoing postcards

Incoming
All nice and neat in an old wire bin I found lurking in my closet.
And, now to answer......

Hope everyone is having lots of good mail days.

Don't forget to tell me what is on your list?

Amazing Mail

2011-07-27T16:03:00.000-07:00

Would you just look at what I found on my doorstep on Monday?
My postal pal Kelly is really out-doing herself.
The photo really doesn't do it justice.
Even my son and his best friend were impressed and trust me, they are not easily impressed by anything.
I just love this sushi bento box.
Arigato Kelly!

And from Julie --- all the way from Germany -- just look at those hearts and decorations.
Every one of them stayed on. I can't believe it.
The USPO and the Deutch postal service working together.
How cool is that?

This is only SOME of the incoming I have been getting this week.
Now, you ask, what have I been doing?
Well.................

Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk beckoned......

You can't blame me....just look at those beautiful blue skies and that blue ocean.
And it was about 75'.
Perfect.

And there was lunch.
Chowder and a crab sandwich.
What is a mail artist to do?

Ok, I did finally get down to work and here are just a few of my outgoing.

Yes, I did take them to the post office and get things into the mail.

Going out to Texas.....hope it gets there. A vintage Texas apron in a zip lock bag.

Bye Bye

Send A Letter to Get a Letter!

What did you do this week?

Incoming/Outgoing/Too Much Fun

2011-07-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

In France, sometimes birds deliver the letters.

A happy lady reading a letter from a loved one....

More fabulous incoming.....

Some of my outgoing hanging out on the post office counter.

Outgoing
I have really been working hard this week trying to reduce my pile of
"To Answer".
A postcard series came to me in the middle of night....

Took a short break from mail art to make up a batch of lemoncello.
If you don't know what that is, you should (trust me).

I particularly liked this one. Hope it has already arrived and I am not spoiling the surprise.

Ok, one more break for a Vietnamese lunch at the PPQ.

Oh boy, all this arrived yesterday, I guess I am not catching up at all.
But I am NOT complaining.
Keep sending me mail (please).

Has anyone read the rumor that the USPS wants to deliver mail only three days a week?
My letter carrier just told me that.
I hope to God it is a rumor and not true. This could be very painful for mail artists and snail mail lovers.

Last night was our third Correspondence Co-Op meeting hosted by Miss Red Letter Day herself.
These meet-ups are just too much fun.
There was an appearance by the Burning Man PostMaster himself -- James Cline.

Busy, busy - socializing, working on mail art, trading supplies and stories. Everyone has so much to share.

And traveling to Mail Art Land, you need a passport, of course.

With special visas and artistamps.
I have got to learn how to make artistamps. Put that on my to-do list.

Just look at these amazing beauties -- made by Sally W -- San Francisco vintage Muni (bus) Fast Passes.
These are just too cool for words.

I guess that's a wrap, folks. Love to hear if anyone knows about the postal delivery cut-backs. And, I hope all of you mail lovers in the sweltering parts of the US and staying cool.
You could always visit the Cool Gray City, San Francisco, if things are too hot.

Remember, you can also "Like" Cappuccino and Art Journal
on Facebook. I am going to post more photos on he page so check it out.

Happy Mail Day to all.

Really Great Mail

2011-07-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

OK, right after I do this post I am going to go sit at my desk and start working on some
mail art.
I am so lucky with getting the best mail ever -- and I am so behind in responding.
(It might help if I would stay home more but there are just so many great things to do in San Francisco)

After that I'm going to go to the mailbox and mail off everything I make today.
Hummmmm....see that wet stuff on the top of the mail box?
That is "fog"....no, not rain......

This has got to be my favorite mail art received this week, sent by my pal,
KP. She is just so talented and creative. The letter is a book made from recycled security envelopes
and all kinds of other things (including some joss paper that I sent her).
Little pockets and windows and a whole interactive thing going on here.
I just love this.

Then, this arrived from her on my front steps. I just know my letter carrier was smiling.

A letter on a plate!
Who can resist this?

And from Tallie, three French postcard collages. Very cool. She was inspired by the French homework SuperHero and I sent her for the Homework Show at Mindport.

Uh-Oh...
All the mail wasn't good though. See that REWRAPPED by the US Postal Service tape on there?
I tried to buy a camera from a friend and this arrived, insured, but no camera
inside. Very disappointing. Did someone steal it? Or did the envelope open and the camera fall out? We'll never know.

And this areogram from Catwrangler also arrived open - but I think it was just a matter of "old glue" on sealing well. Great typewritten letter inside so no harm done here.

A little something from Alice written in the special room just for writing letters at a Canadian Post Office., Toronto's First Post Office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
"Quills even" according to Alice and that terrific post mark.
I want to go.

I promise to be hard at work all day on catching up with my outgoing.
But I reserve the right to go have some sushi for lunch.

And check this out --

Daily Postcard

My pal Christine H. has a great daily postcard blog and she posted two cards from my collection. Plus a little story about cyber-pals.
Check out the post and Christine's great blog and enjoy your day!

I'm going to go write a letter.........

and I'll have some shots of my outgoing next time.

To Get Good Mail -- Send Good Mail!

Inspiration Books

2011-07-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

I was just reading a favorite blog of mine by Mary Ann Moss called

Dispatch From LA

and she writes about her Inspiration Books. Well, I have Inspiration Books too
and here are a few.

(Be sure to check Dispatch From LA - it's really great)

I am a photographer in my real life and very visual so I have always loved to cut out
images that I like.

Anything that catches my eye......

I love to cut and paste (and glue).

You can make your own Inspiration Book by cutting and pasting anything and everything
that looks interesting to you. It's really fun to leaf through the books and get inspired.

Beautiful roses, pink and green china....

Beautiful food.....

That third book from the top is my LUNCH inspiration book. My long suffering
husband has to stand by while I take pictures of all our lunches out.
(Sometimes he just wants to eat)

Inside cover

Inspiring lunch at Shanghai Dumpling

Tostada lunch with the chips container glued in....
I like the books to be bulky and have a lot of texture. I add menus, business cards,
napkins, chopstick covers and anything else I can glue down.

Besides cutting, pasting, glueing and eating, I did get all the stamps mailed out
yesterday to all the winners of the USS stamp give-away (so watch your mailboxes).
Also made up a set of collage postcards and sent out to the the folks who attended the
Letter Writing Social.

Playing catch-up now (I owe a lot of folks mail).

Hope the Inspiration Books inspire you to make one too.

Send Mail to Get Mail
(and have fun doing it).

Till next time.......