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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Some People Go for the Pasta......

I though you all might want to tag along to one of the Roman flea markets we went to. We went to two, plus a postcard market, so stay tuned. Today I am letting all this old paper beauty mostly speak for itself.

It's Roma! Of course there are Prayer Cards....

This one vender was practically giving it away....be still my heart...

Lots of letters folded into envelopes with wax seals...

It truly amazes me you can buy papers written in 1858 for less than one euro....

And, there are priests....

Yes, I had to go through every one...wouldn't you?

Look at that cursive!
They really knew how to do it back in the day...

After all the thrills and excitement at the flea market it was definitely time to grab an Aperol Spritz on the go!
And, can you believe that? You can't get cocktails to go here in the USA.
I love Rome.

OK-- I went for the pasta too. And the all the food and churches and beauty and outdoor markets and desserts and museums...
There is another post coming....

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Meanwhile back at home....

What have I been up to?
Well, cleaning my studio for one thing....and it is a BIG job! A little daunting but once you start you have to keep at it, right?
I am making progress....
I will show you pictures when I'm finally done...

And, I've been whining a lot. San Francisco has been crazy hot.  And it isn't normal for us at all. My house has been so hot I haven't been able to sleep, or do much of anything.
But I see some fog rolling in now.....thank God.

I took a collage workshop with Molly Meng at SF Center for the Book. Lots of fun. She is a delightful instructor.

I went to a Typewriter Jam at SF Center for the Book too. TOO much fun. People came and brought their own typewriters and what beauties they were.
I think the biggest hot of the evening was the large type typewriter my friend Monica brought. SOOOOOOOOO cool. I sure would like one of those but it seems they are very hard to come by.

I've been making weekly trips to Scrap SF (the main reason my studio is in such dire need of cleaning and organizing). I found these old photo booklets and changed them up a little to make them Ephemera Sleeve Booklets. Pretty nifty way to organize you small bits for collage, don't you think?

OK, another reason for my overloaded studio is my trips to the SF Public Library book sales....I admit it....I don't usually buy bibles but when I opened it and found that hair inside....well, I could NOT resist. Don't you wonder about the story behind this? I sure do.

More from the library sale....I am repurposing books to make altered books and collages....I just love old, old papers.

Altered Book Show
The show closed and my piece sold.....I went up to Marin to see  the show....

Another wonderful collage workshop at Scrap SF taught by the  amazing Sally Wassink. Just look at those tables! We had such a great time and the hours just flew by.

I dragged out my old Big Shot and have been having fun with some creative die cutting....

My collages made at Sally's ScrapSF workshop

Sending out some mail art of course....

More die cutting (easy to do on a HOT day). I love using very old papers like these for the little bags...

OK, now I think I definitely deserve a gin and tonic....it's HOT and I have been SO good.
That's my story and I'n sticking to it.

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And now to France...

It is nice being in France because at least I can communicate a little....I am always happy being in la belle France and it feels very comfortable being there....let's have coffee and then go out and see what's out there, d'accord?

A few blocks out and I spy a flea market...let's have a look...

I always MUST look thru the old postcards...

Old coins, old currency, postcards, stamps, letters.....
what's not to like?

If you see this guy, follow him....trust me....he knows ALL the best places to go...

Inspiration is everywhere....even the soap looks beautiful...

La Poste has bikes all over...I was tempted to take one for a spin but I thought better of it..

It wasn't easy to keep up the travel journal with all the excitement but I did it.
Needed a pastry for energy after all that walking...

Feeding the La Poste mailbox...

This was just a brief look at Strasbourg -- a really lovely city in France -- lots to see and do and much fun to be had.  Museums, great restaurants and bakeries, beautiful old buildings, outdoor food markets, flea markets, cafes, amazing churches....You might want to put it on your list!

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