I Think You're Going to Want This

If you follow this blog I know you like postage stamps -- and mail and collage -- and looking at inspiring photos.
So, I must share with you, my friend Margarete's new and charming little book --
One Stamp at a Time.
I just bet you're going to want a copy too.....

This book is filled with lovely collages with postage stamps as a element.  That's right up my alley.
It's the perfect size to tuck in a bag and take with you to browse through on the streetcar or in a cafe...

I still can't get over Margarete found this giant BEE stamp at Scrap before me. Good thing I like her so much.

Aren't you getting inspired?

I love the faux postamrls she often includes too....if you have stamps you need postmarks, right?

The mail art and collages Margarete sends me are some of my favorite things. This a sheet of rolodex cards I haven't been able to bring myself to separate. I like them just the way they are.

Here are some collages ATC's she made me...also unseparated...

So, if you wan t to get your hot little hands on this cool book, here you go--
One Stamp at a Time
(you know you want it)
And, if you order, would you do me favor and tell her you heard about the book here?
I'd appreciate it.
And let me know what you think, ok?

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(and go make some collages too)

Let's Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is only days away (here in the USA). I think it is my favorite holiday. No gifts, low-key and pie! I mean, really, what's not to like?
Like I said...pie.
What is your favorite kind? I think the holiday also makes us think about loved ones who we have with us and whose who are gone. My beloved mother-in-law taught me how to make pie crust and pies many years ago, After we lost her, I made many an apple pie for my father-in-law who loved apple pie. (He was the 102 year old fire fighter many of you know about).
So, I can't make a pie without thinking of those two.

I made a Thanksgiving altered book this year....and a matching one for my niece, whom I'm spending the holiday with. I think it will be a nice souvenir of our visit.

I used a bunch of old papers for a lot of the pages....and we will add photos and menus and ephemera from the holiday weekend. Looking forward to a little art time after all the eating.
And a nice long walk too.

Don't you wonder what these two girls did for Thanksgiving back in the day? I wonder how many they got to celebrate.
I invited them along to my celebration this year.

Some French pumpkins to add a little international color. But I doubt you could find a turkey in France! OK, maybe a small one...

This page makes me think of my wonderful mom,. Every Thanksgiving she would set out a bowl of walnuts on the coffee table in the living room where they would sit and get dusty and mostly ignored. I have to do the very same thing myself now....(yes, they still get ignored and dusty...)

So, I am hoping all of you out there who celebrate have a lovely day. Be sure to have some pie and think about your loved ones and what you are thankful for.
I'm sure we all have many things to appreciate and be grateful for and celebrate.
How do you all celebrate?
Do you BBQ a turkey? Go to a movie and get Chinese food? Celebrate with a few or many? Go for a walk on the beach and eat crab? 
I'd love to hear.

HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Put some rings on it!

Not a lot of writing today -- just want to show you a book I made as a gift for a dear friend.
Every time I visit her studio I take a lot of photos because I love the way everything looks and this time I realized she might like to have some of the photos.

She liked it!!
And I hope you will enjoy a look too. It was a fun project to make....now I am working on a similar book for me of my summer adventures.
Next post will be Incoming Mail.....

Everybody keeping cool? If you aren't, you can always come to San Francisco to cool off.
I see a big fog bank out my window and it is a cool and breezy 62 degrees.

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

Send Good Mail

Send Good Mail -- Get Good Mail
So, I've been sending and I've been getting (next post). My PDX pal Michelle (@HoldDear on IG) and I wanted to trade mail and Michelle suggested an air mail theme....
I can do that.
I sent her an altered Altoid tin and a vintage air mail rubber stamp....

I put some cards on a ring and wound some air mail washi tape to share with her...

And, of course, I decorated a card to go along for the ride...

All tied up with some air mail stripe ribbon. She has received it by now so I can show you the pictures.

Some funny faces for another Michele (@mbcano1 on IG).

My pal Susanna posted about the mail I sent her and
you can see it right here
And, my other pal, Virgo in the Russian Republic also posted the mail I sent him and 
you can see that right here

Fun making envelopes
The top one envelope was made from a Logan airport map of the Boston transit system -- with some baggage claim washi tape to further the theme.
And the lobsters and corn are for a pal in Cape Cod who is torturing me with photos of all the lobster and corn she's been having.

Another air mail theme -- the stamps anyway -- went off to the wonderful collage artist Cuan Miles.

I sent Cuan a little pile of collages.

Summery beachy envelope on the bottom...even though it isn't summery and beachy here.

This is what happens when you find a book all about French kings in a little free library.....

For my special Aries pal Vizma in Australia.

A little thank you mail..

I like little folders where I can tuck things inside the pockets.
So, there you have it -- some of my out-going mail.....now I am hoping since I sent good mail I get good mail...
Even though I send some mail out almost every day, I am always scrambling to keep up and I have a lot of people to still respond to.

Next post -- INCOMING!
SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL