Hello Again after a Long Time...

Hummmmmm....
I've been gone for a while, haven't I? You wonder what I've been up to? Too many things to catch you up with everything but how about catching up with the last week or so?
I've been making things (of course!!) and I am just back from a very fast-very fun trip to to LA.

Little Pocket Folder Books
I've really been into making lots of little pocket folder books.They are just so charming I can't stop making them.
I have a big stack of them just sitting in my studio keeping me company.
The first ones I made were all from vintage postcards of Paris. Then I got the  bright idea to make a set from each of the places I have visited and tuck small souvenirs from my travels inside the pockets.
So, there's that.

ROSES
Then I got the idea to use beautiful old rose postcards on a set so now I am hoarding these too.

Here is the question:
Would you be interested in buying these little books for Christmas presents? I was thinking of having a pop-up sale on my blog.
Let me know if the comments what you think, ok?

 These are the pockets inside......

Then, I had a trade with a wonderful Instagram artist and I made her a few things. Since she just received them I can show you....

French General in LA
So, this past weekend I went to a couple of things at French General in LA. If you don't know about French General, you should.
Check out the workshops on the website -- some wonderful ones and I sure wish I lived closer so I could take them....

Did I mention they have a SHOP????? I bought a present for myself.

I bought several...ahem....vintage French cahiers filled with beautiful cursive writing.....I will show you more if you ask nicely.

Ann Wood's Needle Book workshop
The reason I planned the trip in the first place was to take Ann Wood's workshop and make a needle book.
SO MUCH FUN.
She is a wonderful instructor. I have ideas for these little fabric books. Little postal themed (fabric) books? Very likely.

Books from our workshop -- aren't you inspired?

French General

The Getty Museum
Made a stop at the Getty Museum and it was wonderful.If you're in LA, there is a lovely Manet Show there now and a show also of his MAIL ART! Did they know I was coming?

Nice spot at the Getty to sit outside and write postcards.

A Manet
That dog! Yes, I know it is sideways but actually it works this way too...

And, of course, I had to alter some postcards in my five minutes of down time at the hotel....I picked up a bunch of FREE cards at a restaurant supply shop but they were way too boring so I HAD to alter them....I like them now.
So, that's the last week from here. Hope you will all comment and let me know what you think about the the post and the books etc -- please do -- or I think I am just talking to myself here.

See you soon!

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL 

LA Story

Always happy to be on-the-road....even if I have driven up and down Highway 5 about three million times.
Hello LA!

The road trip might be getting a little old by now but I still love hanging out in a hotel room with my art supplies and a bunch of tourist brochures to tear up and play  with....it never gets old....

Breakfast of Champions
Hotel buffet (delivered to my room by the cool guy I travel with and happen to be married to).
I can collage and eat breakfast and drink coffee all at the same time.
I even get up early just to have time to work on mail art.
I'm dedicated.

What's Your LA Story?
I can't really tell mine here because the trip didn't go as planned but this is a mail art blog,
not my life story. 
Let's just say being in an LA ER on a Saturday night isn't for the faint of heart.

A few art supplies traveled with me -- very few -- mostly I need a glue stick.
There is a whole set of ABC rubber stamps in that Curious George Altoid tin -- pretty cool, huh?
It is nice when it's a road trip because you can bring along MORE STUFF.

OUT GOING MAIL
No hotel stationery but there was a fun place to stick my outgoing mail art.
The desk clerk did look at me funny while I was photographing this. But, by now, I'm used to getting looked at funny.
I kinda wanted that sign....

Off to explore Olvera Street in LA. -- right across from the cool Union Station.
It is a tourist place for sure but you can really have fun there if you like mail art and postcards.
Trust me.

Postcards -- and lots of them. They have tons of them including lots of vintagey ones for 25-cents.
I get really fed up when I go to places with no postcards.

This one stall always has these cool embroidered postcards -- my favorites! And this time they gave me an idea for some mail art.......

Need a giant Mexico pencil?
Lots of the Lotteria games/cards which are always great for mail art. they even had a day of the Dead set this year (for 3x more $$) (yes, I got it)

More postcards....I am too cheap to pay $1 though...

Day of the Dead stickers?
Yes, I think they will work for Halloween mail...

Philippe's (Home of the French Dipped Sandwich)
Philippe's is right there too -- a block away from Olvera Street & Union Station.
A fun spot with sawdust on the floor.

A good place to finish up writing your postcards while waiting for food.....and I just happened to have made a Philippe's postcard to send to a pal....

There it is now -- the French Dip!

Philippe's gives you FREE postcards too. Always a plus in my book. And you can buy tee shirts and Philippe's mustard too.

Should I wear this for Halloween or Day of the Dead?
What do you think?

One last breakfast and collage-making session and I was back on that  darn Highway 5 for the drive back.
SF to LA
LA to SF
SIX HOURS

So, if you are heading to LA, I suggest a stop at Olvera Street for some fun supplies, lunch at Philippe's and check out the cool Union Station.
It's all good and once you get there, there is no more driving. We parked for $4 all day.
No driving is LA is a good thing.
And mail is a very good thing.
What are you been making and sending?
Halloween mail?
I am working on bunches of things, as always, including Thanksgiving mail-art and prepping a small travel journal...

Say hello!