Ready or Not....

Christmas is coming....ready or not!
Cards to write and presents to wrap. It's all good, if a little crazy busy.
I made this pocket folder to hold my Xmas cards and postcards.

I really do enjoy wrapping gifts (all year round). And, I love a neutral palette....
I really like using books pages as wrapping. And after they are unwrapped, the recipient can use the papers for collage.
We're all for creative re-use.

I also love brown kraft paper. I wish I knew where I found this one with the white dots because I want more of it....

Sometimes I do like more traditional Xmas wrap -- especially if it has airmail stripes and a postal theme!

I even broke out the vintage tags this year instead of hoarding....er....saving them....

A little Cavallini paper slipped in there too....

I also love buying various sizes of these clear bags at Diaso and making little packs of cool things....doesn't that look nice?

When I'm traveling I always notice how beautifully things are wrapped in places like France and Italy....every day is a holiday.

So, what are you using to wrap? 
Hope you get a little inspiration from my ideas. Now put on that holiday music and sip a little eggnog and get to work!
Santa needs all the help he can get spreading happiness.
I'm off to the SF Correspondence Co-Op Holiday party tonight!

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SFO TO PDX

(I get to deliver these little surprises in person.....and I can't post this until they are given out so when you read this post, I will be happily ensconced in PDX already.)

Don't you love planning a trip?
That is all part of the fun.....and I have been looking forward to this trip to Portland for months...

I am prepared -- I collected lots of .25 cent vintage Portland postcards at the Vintage Paper Fair last time I went -- so let the postcard writing begin!

I have a nice little map of the metro and it goes right to the airport....

OK, I do have a PDX map but I am horrible at reading maps, I admit it....
Luckily there is a whole mail art posse and they are meeting me and showing me around...
lucky me!
And, there's Lyft.

I paid SPECIAL ATTENTION to packing my mail art kit. I usually travel pretty light as far as supplies go...and I figure I can borrow from my PDX pals as needed...and I had to save room for a little "show & tell". And my SFCC artistamp passport is coming along too. Who knows? I may get a PDX artistamp stamped in it. There are rumors. 

Always pack a coffee kit......I am dangerous without coffee as soon as I wake up....

If I paid as much attention to packing clothes in suitcase as I did in bringing things for show & tell and little surprises for my pals, I might look better...
the clothes are always a bit of an afterthought. After art supplies.

I certainly do have lots of wonderful zippered pouches to store things in, thanks to a certain, wonderful pal who knows who she is.......

A Bon Voyage card from my pal, Monica......
Hopefully no fog delays at SFO because I've got a whole lot to do up there in PDX. Like, go to a PDXCC mail art meeting and eat Russian food at Kachka and write postcards and........well.......you'll hear all about it next time, folks.
And below are a few more shots of the tins I made my friends.....
I hope they like them.

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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!

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