Why My Suitcase Weighed 51 Pounds

My first stop in Portland (after lunch and before even checking in to my hotel) was SCRAP PDX. I went with my pal Karen (Sewmanyinterests on IG) and we were so entranced we forgot all about the parking meter -- for two hours! Luck being with us, no ticket.

The PDX Scrap was three blocks from my hotel, did I mention that?
And -- I went back the NEXT day with Miss Polly & JJAlltheWay.....

I could have taken this guy home for $85.....he may have been handy for the Fast Trac carpool lanes but I passed. I would have had to buy another plane ticket for him.

Karen knew exactly where the boxes -- and boxes -- of rubber stamps were......

It kills me to say this but they had way more stamps I've ever seen here in Scrap SF.
These are only some of the bins...

And more stamps here....you can see why it took us so long to go through all of these...we didn't want to miss anything good.

My basket didn't look too bad -- at first. I forgot to take a photo of it at the check-out but it was considerably fuller.
Rubber stamps, two sizes of Rolo cards, blueprints of PDX, vintage magazines, some old photos, red letter stickers, large vintage index cards with tabs, a cigar box.....

I found the little WISH YOU WERE HERE stamp-- perfect for my PDX postcards (which I barely had time to write).

Postal themed stamps...

I wanted that file cabinet but it would have been a bit tricky to get home on the plane...

I loved the vintage office supply section....

They had loads of Rolodex files in need of some altered rolodex card love......I wanted to buy them all and give them good homes...but....the plane....

Maybe I should...

My SCRAP PDX cigar box with some of my rubber stamps....I was a very happy re-purposer.....
And I went back the next day with JJ and Polly and got in some more trouble.
All I can say is, paper weighs A LOT.

Google "center for creative re-use" and you might find a Scrap near you!

AND THE POUCH WINNERS ARE ---
Michele C (airmail pouch)
&
Bleubeard....I mean Elizabeth for the KITTY pouch....

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there may be more giveaways...

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Museum of Artistamps

Imagine taking a taxi ride in Seattle, going up a flight of stairs and opening up a door to find an magic world of  artistamps.
I have never seen so many artistamps in my life (and I've seen quite a few).
Robert Rudine the gracious host of the Museum of Artistamps (MOA) in Seattle and his charming wife, the writer Janet Yoder were kind enough to invite us to the MOA last week.
Or, maybe I invited myself.....

The world is Tui Tui Land and
this article explains it much better than I can
Check out the story and the video by Kathleen McHugh....Robert and Janet gave us free reign to wander around and oooh and ah over the vast number of beautiful stamps in the collection.

Bart Stamps

On the wall was a large wooden rubber stamp......

that opened up (both top & Bottom) to use as a writing table and for storage.
How cool is that?
(Hi Charity)

Absolutely everywhere we looked there were wonderful stamps....

Being a photographer by trade, I especially love these EYE stamps by Anna Banana.

And these...so cool....

Really nice storage case....hum...that gave someone an idea....

Really wonderful Harvey Milk artistamps at the MOA and just read today that
Harvey Milk to be Honored on US Postage Stamps
Pretty great. 

Here is our artistamp maker and host now -- Robert Rudine -- with Kelly P (left) and Charity (Right).
They look like they were having fun.

Thank you Robert and Janet for a wonderful and inspiring afternoon.

In a complete chance of venue....this is a shot of the artists on the trip in Portland outside of SCRAP.
They were all in such a hurry to get inside and see what was in there they made me wait to take photos till after the Scrap shopping. And yes, we all scored and there was no fighting. Not too much anyway.
Left to Right
Pamela, Tallie, Charity, Kelly and Millicent.
We look happy, don't we?

What's not to like? Artistamps? A road trip? An art workshop? Lots of dinners out?

Remember to put a stamp on it!

Love your comments. Thanks to all who post comments and keep me motivated to take time away from making mail art to work on the blog.