Monday, May 30, 2016

What's Been Going On

Same old, same old.....making a mess on my work table and having fun making things.
I decided to give blogging a little rest.
Did anyone miss me?

I've had fun going to Scrap and finding some old books and rubber stamps and various things to create with....as if I need any more....

I had a most pleasant gelli printing day and made lots of pages for my various altered books. I love using paper with tabs (found at Scrap).

I printed book pages, tags, envelopes, cards, paper bags....once I get into something I'm all in....

I like the thick texture of the gelli printed pages...


An altered book page for my favorite little Texas gal....and a road map envelope too...

My very talented pal Monica (you know, the Artful Recrafter...) showed me how to make little books without using any glue/staples or sewing...just my type...so I got busy making a bunch of them with collaged pages...

Very true.




Wouldn't you like this? I know I sure would...forgot going into business -- I just want to make myself lots and lots of rubber stamps...

Making up some sweet little folders with treasures tucked inside...


These books were in the FREE bin at Scrap. You know I will think of something good to do with these old beauties...


I am kinda thinking I will spend less time blogging and more time just making...
When I started the blog I was really hoping for more of a dialogue -- you know, some back and forth -- so I'd know what you all are making and thinking and enjoying (or not) about the blog.
It is hard to keep going without that.
I took a little break and we'll see how it goes.
Hope you enjoy seeing what I've been up to. I'd like to hear what you have been up to too.

37 comments:

  1. Wow, you've been so productive! I wish I was half as creative as you! If there's one thing I've learned from your blog (but I've learned more than that :) it's that creativity--and creating--begets creativity.

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    1. Cindy -- I agree -- the more you create the more ideas you get to create more....it works for me. And you have been a wonderfully loyal blog reader and commenter -- many thanks to you.

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  2. I guess having a true dialogue through the comment section of a blog is pretty difficult. I love your feedback every time though!
    Your messy worktable is wonderful to look at. And your work is inspiring as always.
    I got my first mail art yesterday from Dawn who I "met" thanks to your "exchange mail art" post!

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    1. TomoyoHime -- I'm so very happy you and Dawn are trading mail. Hope you both have fun with it. She has sent me some lovely mail. I'm glad you like my messy worktable. It sure is a mess right now.....but somehow I always work better with stuff all over....I see something and I get an idea...thanks for commenting. You have been lovely in commenting so often and I really do appreciate it.

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  3. Yes, I definitely missed your blog...you are always a source of inspiration. I may not always jump in and try what you are doing at the moment, but I do go back and refer to your posts when I'm looking for ideas. (Wish they all stayed in my head, but they don't). This past week I have been practicing my watercolor skills in an online class with Tracey Fletcher King, working with my gelli plate to create some backgrounds for upcoming post card swaps, doing my weekly correspondence, participating in the Colour Me Positive journaling challenge,and working on some rolodex cards and paper wallet for a certain someone. Oh, and looking at and posting images to Instagram. And, listening to books while I play. And, checking the mailbox....

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    1. cjsrq -- you sound like me -- we multi-task! And Rolodex cards for a certain someone??? I can't wait. I am loving the gelli printing too. Too bad you can't come over and pull some prints with me....Today I went to Scrap and that is a whole other story.....I am checking my mailbox too. I didn't get a single thing on Saturday (there was whining) and yesterday was a No Mail Monday so i feel mail is due!

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  4. Well, i'm glad to see you blogging again. I know that many have stopped - it must take so much energy to do the photos and writing, I would have no way to fit it all in. Thank you for the post and sharing your crafty ideas. I can share the compulsion to keep getting cool paper and having no where to put it and not enough time to use it all :)

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    1. Oh yeah...If i don't stop going to SCRAP and buying $1 used books I may have to move out...and real estate is very expensive here in SF so I'd be in a lot of trouble.....

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  5. Isn't that a cup of tea (or coffee) in that first photo? It looks like it to me.

    I am glad you took the time to write a blog post today. There are those of us who really enjoy seeing what you have created. I realize I sometimes want a break, but when that happens, I miss visiting people who not only visit me, but people who I meet along the way via THEIR sideboards.

    Your work is always so creative and unique. One of these days I'm going to TRY to be as creative as you always are. Thanks for coming back to us. We've missed you, whether you realize it, or not.

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    1. Elizabeth -- you are always making things too! And, yes, i know what you mean -- when I don't blog I do miss the connection with others I've "met" .... That isn't actually coffee or tea but I guess I could have pretended.....thank you for all your lovely encouragement and kind words.

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  6. Holey smokies...yes I missed you. I always read, but don't comment as often as I should. You make the coolest things, always a delight to see. I love tabbed pages too, I sometimes cut up old file folders to make them. Now you've inspired me to get out the gelli plate, the one I HAD to have over a year ago, and have not used yet! I haven't been "making" much, just gathering more stuff. I have signed up for a journal/painting with gouache class with Mary Ann Moss(dispatchfromla) so I'm readying my supplies for that.

    Love the Texas stuff. There is a new huge billboard here with the Don't Mess with theme.. It shows a gorgeous Texas landscape and says "Keep your trash off my lawn"

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    1. Barbara -- oh yes -- get out that gelli plate and have some fun. It may take a few tries to get in the rhythm of mixing colors etc but once you settle in the time just speeds by and it is such fun....I saw that new class Mary Ann is doing. That looks really good. have fun and let me know how you like it. Mary Ann is pretty amazing. Thanks for taking the time to comment this time. I really do appreciate it.

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  7. I did! Miss you, that is! Your blog is one of my favorites to lurk for inspiration on mail art and art in general. Your use of cast-off and vintage materials never fails to delight. Thank you for blogging, even if it's "as the spirit moves."

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    1. Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoy the blog. I really do appreciate it. I have a bunch of new cast-offs that I will be tearing up so now I need to think up some new projects.....If I bring it home I've got to use it up! My rule...

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  8. I missed you! Are you going to show us how to make those wonderful little books with no staples, glue or sewing?

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    1. OK, tammy -- I will try to do a tutorial on the books. It is super easy but always tricky to show in photos...I'll give it a try.....and thanks for commenting.

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  9. Hi Pamela,
    MANY times you are listed on other people's blogs as a favorite, and yours is one of the few RSS feeds that I added to my homepage. It seems like the world of blogging is getting a little muddled due to all of the other social media out there, but know that there are many people who enjoy what you post. I agree with the comments above--your photos are delightful and inspiring. Also, I met a mail art buddy through your blog which has been lovely.

    You asked what we are up to....I am taking an art class to work on drawing and colored pencil techniques and I'm enjoying it very much. Also participating in mail art swaps...Fun!

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    1. Michele -- yes, with Facebook and IG there are many other social media outlets. I always put different photos/articles/links on the blog's FB page and i try never to post the same photos on FB and IG. I like the blog because rather than just a photo I can get into more depth about projects...Are you taking the art class online or in person? It sounds delightful. Thanks for your input -- and I am so glad you enjoy the blog and subscribe to the feed -- thanks!

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  10. I am taking the class in person. One on one, too!

    Another note about social media--I enjoy blogs because I'm not on Facebook. So since you have both, you are reaching different people. BUT--it is a lot of work, I'm sure! Especially since you make the effort to put different things on each one.

    One other thing (I'm usually not this chatty!)...I sure wish we had the places here in Tampa like you have in SF to find $1.00 books. The Scrap place you mentioned sounds so neat!

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    1. Michele -- the $1.00 books are from our wonderful library book sales -- every week outside on the library steps and twice a year there is a HUGE one. SCRAP is a Center for Creative Re-use -- if you google maybe there is a creative re-use center in FL. There are a number of them around the country. Ours is like a giant flea market for artists...it is really pretty great....And your art class is one-on-one? That sounds wonderful. What a great way to learn --enjoy!

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  11. I love your blog, so I hope you don't abandon it. Your style is similar to mine (in terms of using vintage books and papers, old postage stamps, rubber stamps, etc.), and I feel as if you're a kindred spirit. Still, you need to do what your heart tells you to do and what brings you joy.

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    1. Thank you Miss Iowa -- I'm glad we think alike. I love working on the blog -- but I like to hear from the folks who read it -- that's the catch-22. Thanks for the comment.

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  12. Looks like great fun to me. I received your rolodex cards and will be doing some collage this week, so expect some mail from me - I know long time. I did read your facebook no photo post, but did not comment. Come visit the blog sometime, the new site is lonely. xox

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  13. Yay! Thanks Corrine -- looking forward to it. You know, your blog kinda disappeared on me -- something changed. I will look on FB for the link to it and check it out....

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  14. Welcome back Pamela. I find breaks are a necessary thing, they allow you to reassess things and to start again even better, refreshed. And maybe with new ideas, new energy. Especially before the summer season. It's all good and I see plenty of goodies here! Keep up the great work!

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  15. Oh I am so glad you have returned to the blog. I KNOW people read it even if they don't comment cause they tell me! Thanks for the shout out about the no sew books I showed you. I love the one you sent me! How do you produce so much beautiful work day after day. Very inspiring Pamela. Thanks for sharing it will all of us!

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    1. ......same as you do! You are an amazing artist and vey inspiring. I love making the books and I am very glad you liked yours, Monica.

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  16. I missed your blog posts, but have been stalking on Instagram. There's something about the stories that your blog posts tell that make them so special .... the sequence of pictures and words are always awesome. But.. you're not the only one, it seems that blogs are going to the wayside more often these days. I know for myself, no matter all my good intentions, I haven't been blogging OR making lately. I need to fix that, soon!

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    1. well...hello..tamdoll....haven't heard from you in so long and it is very nice to see your name pop up here. Thanks for stopping by and checking in. I sure am busy making. Hope you get back to it too.

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  17. I missed you! great post... all beauty and eye candy!!

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  18. I love your work!!! Keep sharing!!

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  19. Pamela, I enjoy looking at your work space. It's fun identifying and wondering "what's that," and asking myself "What's she making?" You have some good stuff, girl!

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