Monday, December 19, 2016

Out with the Old!

Every year I make a little datebook/planner and a couple of years ago I started making two -- one to record dates and appointments and the other to record art projects and ideas...
My 2016 planners are about ready to get tied up in ribbon and join the previous years.

It is really helpful to keep an art notebook.....

Vacation!


So, I started making my 2017 planners today -- got them covered -- but I have to rubber stamps inside and add bits and pieces...

Inside the cover of the larger, art planner...

and the inside of the smaller. They match!

I like to add vintage stickers and bits of washi tape and rubber stamp...you've got to keep life interesting, don't you?
They are little diaries of the year.



When the year is done, I tie them up and keep them all together in a cupboard....

Just in case Santa doesn't bring you all you want, here's a chance for a little treat for yourself!
I've made these for friends who don't use paper planners (what????) so this year I made an extra one and I am giving it away.
The only catch is -- please leave a comment on the blog -- and tell me some topics or subject matter you'd be interested in seeing on the blog in 2017.
I'd like to know what you all think would be interesting.
On the day after Christmas, I'll put all the names in a hat and pick one.
Sound good?
In the meantime, I have some more work to do on my two planners and the one I'm giving away so see you later!

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

54 comments:

  1. I'm always interested in seeing you blog about your book finds at the library (and other) sales. Plus of course the delicious meals you always seem to have when sending letters.

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    1. Hi FinnBadger -- and thank you for being the first to comment! Oh yes -- those library book sales. We love them! The next big one is Spring and I'll be there. But today I did go t the dump...er...recycle center and got some free books! And I had a great Burmese lunch too -- I will have to keep you posted!

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  2. These planners are super cute! Would love to see more pics of both planners through out the year. I always say I'm going to start one but I end up just doing a plain boring daily planner. Love the idea of an art planner for projects, etc. Next time you travel to NYC and I'll drive up!

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    1. Thanks, pmarti5!! You can DRIVE to NYC? So jealous. I'm sure I can manage to post shots of the filled-up planner pages as I go....but sometimes there are art secrets in there....

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  3. Golly, Pamela. I had one of those small planners last year and left it in my basement. It had to go to the trash with lots of other wet books and such. You make beautiful art, and great planners. I have a boring monthly calendar I use, so it would be nice to see your planner at the end of each month.

    I would also like to see you join us for T. After all you share a cappuccino with us since that's what your blog is partly about. And I always love your book sales and have encyclopedia and dictionary envy each time you leave with some. Finally, I would love to see more altered passports, although I realize they are very difficult to find.

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    1. Elizabeth -- Oh yes -- I am absolutely doing more altered passports. A friend gave me a bunch of them to work on and I was thrilled. I am looking for a French passport and Chinese passport in case santa is reading this....I will do more passports post this year for sure. And I never miss a library book sale......Thank you for the invite to T! I will try to take you up on it but I am kinda random in my postings...they are when the mood strikes.

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  4. Hi Pamela, Your planners are great! I have grand ideas every year to record something everyday...Maybe this is the year. I enjoy reading your blog posts (even if I don't always comment...) and I like seeing what you're up to. I'm always reminded of our Thai lunch during Ex Postal Facto....yummmmm! Have a wonderful holiday! (It's quiet around here too).
    Mandy

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    1. Mandy -- I remember that lunch on Valencia Street very fondly. You, me and Karen & GinaVisione -- so fun! That entire XPF was fun. Glad to know you still read the blog and thanks for checking in.

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  5. Wow, I love those! I also would love to see how you use them throughout the year. I love reading your posts about how you make mail art - I'm a newbie and fascinated by it. Still trying to find my style, but love the inspiration you provide!

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    1. Thank you, Emily! Mail art has no rules so just have fun with it. Welcome to the tribe!

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  6. The idea of using two planners is a great one - I always use a boring plain planner and I think I will decorate it and personalize it this year!
    Always love seeing what you are doing Pamela!

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    1. Thanks so much -- I can never leave things alone so, of course, I HAD to pretty up my planners, I find the art one really useful. I don't log in all my incoming and outgoing mail but I note down special things I send out so I don't repeat myself....

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  7. I love those planners! I really enjoy your tutorials & would love to see lots more.
    Elizabeth

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth -- I will try to think up more tutorials --so glad you enjoy them.

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  8. thanks for another year of snail mail art inspiration! Love your planners and thanks for the give away!! they are luscious

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  9. This planner looks lovely. I always like your inspiration how to decorate diary/letters, the all items... In this time I try to use my old postal stamps, so I am looking for some nice inspirations. And your blog offers it :) Thank you, Jolana

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    1. Oh yes - old postage stamps are one of my favorite things to use. I am so glad you enjoy the blog. Thank you.

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  10. I always want to see more of your art and the booklets you make. I cannot get enough. I would also like to know how specifically you are using your art planner and how it helps you with your projects. Thanks for the opportunity to win some of your artwork. I liked seeing your previous year planners. Great collages!

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    1. Thank you so much, Brenda. Very nice of you to say -- I will try to follow up with how I use the planners...

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  11. Your art planners are fabulous. I love your use of vintage papers and postage stamps. Have you ever carved your own rubber stamps? That's on my bucket list for 2017.

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    1. Miss Iowa--No, I haven't carved my own stamps but I probably should. I have seen some amazing hand carved stamps. I know there is something on IG called #Carvedecember showing posts of hand carved stamps. Check it out -- I saw some beauties on there. Knowing me, I would cut myself or do them all backwards but I'm willing to give it a try....

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  12. These are so much fun! The first one has my all-time favorite Cavallini paper - I have used every scrap of it and your cute covers reminded me that I need another sheet.
    I love to see your mail art and inside your journals.
    Happy New Year Journals.

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    1. Cavallini sure has some great paper, don't they, Deb? I have quite a stock pile from going to the warehouse sales so I love using it in various projects. Hummm....I don't think I've shown any of my mail art for a while......good idea!

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  13. My annual planner ends up in the bathroom to record my weight lol - no where near as fun as yours!!!! You've inspired me to do something different. I love going through your old posts and getting new ideas - I can't think of anything you haven't covered before....I am getting ready to teach a face to face Mail Art class in 2017 - any tips?

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    1. You're going to teach a 2017 mail art class? What fun! Tips? hummmmm well I definitely suggest bring show-and-tell mail art you've made and received and some good books like Good Mail day. There are some other good ones I can recommend if you're interested. Bring a handout with mail art blogs and resources. Talk about IUOMA......there's some ideas......

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  14. Your planners are great! I use a variety of simple notebooks - one for To Do's, one for art projects, one for recording everyday events, but nothing as pretty as yours! I love hearing about your get togethers with other mail artists and the projects you work on, also I enjoy hearing about your trips and seeing the food and mail related things you find, and I enjoy learning new ways to use postal ephemera and stamps. Your blog is always fun to read and I look forward to reading more of it in the future.

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    1. Thanks so much, cjsrq -- you are so nice -- and have been such a lovely, faithful commenter. I really appreciate it. Thanks for the ideas....

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  15. Your art is captivating! I enjoy all of your pictures and posts and am looking forward to what you will share with us in the new year. For subject matter ideas for 2017, I would like to continue to see things to collage that can be sent in the mail. I loved the idea you gave us of collaging the Altoid tins. Are the planners from an office store or are they the fancier kind?

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    1. Hi Michele! I LOVE to collage so I can definitely post about mail art collages. I am going to show the Altered Altoid tins right after Xmas too. The planners I buy are from The Dollar Tree -- $1 each and they work great. I have also seen them at Walgreens. Thanks for your comment.

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  16. pamela:: such awesomeness! & i have been the lucky recipient before. a treasure, nothing less. love every glimpse you share of the magic you create. xo, p

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  17. Pamela - I love the way you used the Cavallini paper as the cover! I enjoy your FB and blog postings, glad I'm not the only one who loves ephemera! LOL! - Pamela :)

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    1. Another Pamela!!!! hello!!! Oh nooooooo you are not the only one who loves ephemera....not even the only Pamela who loves ephemera......

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  18. Your planner - creative approach to your life...

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    1. Hi Virgo! Thank you -- you are very creative yourself. I loved that last mail from Russian and the wonderful collages. I will make you some good mail soon.

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  19. Oh wow! Thank you for the opportunity! I would like to see more of your art planner. I keep trying to use planners but always fail, maybe a good example will keep me motivated.

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    1. Thanks, TomoyoHime -- you have been such a loyal visitor to the blog and I really appreciate it. I don't really plan ahead too much but I write down ideas of things I want to make in my planner and I also write things I have made and given to people....

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  20. Thanks, Pamela, for your "give-away". I should be so lucky!! I am always inspired by your posts - especially when you generously give specifics on materials, instructions, sources, etc. I'd love to know more about the cyanotype class you took this past year but that's only the start - my list is long because your creative energy is so vast!

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    1. Hi Suzanne -- Thank you for your very nice comment. I will have to do more cyanotypes but it is too cold and rainy here right now. I just took a wonderful silk scarf dying workshop from another friend. I am so lucky to have such creative friends.

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  21. Love your planner sets, Pamela! I always start a planner and then somehow drift away from it at some point in the year, then go back to it! Maybe winning a set of yours will make me be more consistent 😊😊😊. Once again, another great blog post!

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    1. Thank you, Michele (I think I have been adding an extra "L" to your name).

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  22. Oh and what would I like to see more of? Your blog is always full of great ideas - so I would just say more of the same - your art, your travels, and your yummy supplies!

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  23. I would like to see you do some more posts on planners and how you approach "planning". Also keep up the other good content...its all great!!!

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    1. Pam -- thanks so much. I will try to update what I do with the planners -- maybe once a month.

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  24. I love the idea of using two planners and I think I may just try that this year. I love your stamp posts, your mailart and collage. Your enthusiasm for letter writing and mailart is infectious so I just want to see more of it.

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    1. Having two planners works for me, Linda. One is for personal day-to-day things and the other is for ART. I haven't really shown any mail art in a while, have I? Will have to do that. Thank you!

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  25. I'd like to see more tutorials that we can try at home!

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    1. Garci -- I will try! I just kind of randomly make things up sometimes.....

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  26. What a gorgeous project! These planners look fantastic!

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Pamela! Thanks for all your creativity and inspiration through the year.

    Hugs,
    Gaby

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    1. Well, aren't you nice, Gaby Bee? Thank you -- and happy holidays to you too.

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  27. One of the reasons I subscribe to your blog is because of all the inspiration, like THIS! I have had my share of planners in my day, and nothing even close to this masterpiece. Thank you, for the opportunity to win!!
    Merry Christmas!

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