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)

Pocket Folder Tutorial

OK,  you asked and I'm answering. Here's a little tutorial for these pocket folders.
Warning: They are addictive to make
I just keep coming up with different ideas for them. They are such fun to make and so easy.

And , I think it's such fun to fill them up. I always love themes so I like to make the folders with different themes in mind...For that French folder in the first photo I filled it with teeny tiny vintage French envelopes I bought in Paris...Can you see them?

Here we go with a horse theme.......

This one might be nice for a little girl, don't you think?

What about for a birthday? You could put dollar bills inside the pockets and little notes to the birthday girl. I bet even a BIG birthday girl would like that.

What papers can you use?
My personal favorites are book pages. I used an old postal stamp stock book here . I like when both sides of the pages are interesting. But you can use any paper you want....I have used origami paper and old airmail envelopes and some of those paper pads from Tim Holtz.

And why five?
I like odd numbers and I like five. You could easily do this with three pockets. Seven would probably work ok too but these are just paper and not really strong so I think that would be pushing it...

Step 1
Start with FIVE pieces of paper and fold each piece in half as shown.

Step 2
You need to decide what piece will be your cover and which will be the last  page. These are really the only two that count since most of what's on the other pages will be hidden. 

Step 3
Trim off the rough edges.
Also, if there is a lot of while space this is the time to trim the pages down if you want to.

Step 4
Now you put double stick tape on two sides of each page and close it up. Each page will be a pocket -- open at the top.

Step 6
Now you put a piece of double stick tape right down the center of the pocket you want on the bottom of the folder with the opening at the top and press the next pocket down on top, lining up the tops.
Continue doing this with the rest of the pockets till you get to your front cover.

Viola!
You now have five really cool pockets and you are almost done.

At the very bottom, put a piece of decorative tape to reinforce the bottom. I used masking tape here which wasn't a great example because you can't really see it. I love masking tape and couldn't help myself.....

Now you can decorate the cover as little or as much as you'd like. I was thinking vintage math flash cards would have been great in here but I couldn't find my stash. 

Fill 'em  up!!!!

Here are four pocket folders I whipped up in just a few minutes.  You can see the tape at the bottom of these better. You can use wide washi tape, masking tape, decorative duck tape.....
I was thinking it would be great to put recipe cards in that Green Salad folder...
You could put zines in these folders....or ATC's or decorated rolodex cards....or a letter.... Really, the possibilities are endless.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU
to all of you who answered my questions in the last post. It is very much appreciated. And, for ALL of you (and you know who you are) who haven't yet weighed in, I would still love to hear from you.
Let's keep this blog going -- and fill it with things you are interested in. But, I can't do it alone. You've got to tell me what you like seeing.

I'm off to the Vintage Paper Fair on Saturday and you KNOW I will have something to post about that. If you're local, it is this coming Saturday & Sunday (Jan 6 & 7) in Golden Gate Park.
Look for me there!

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&
Happy New Year!!!!

Long Weekend -- Why Not Come On Over?

It's a long holiday weekend for a lot of people here in the USA -- I cleaned up the studio and I'm inviting you to come on over for a visit.
It's nice and cool here in San Francisco and the sun is shining.

See? Cleaned up? (well, for the most part....)

You are welcome to look around all you want -- go ahead and open the cupboards....

There's art on the walls...

And lots of things on the bookshelves that aren't books....and there are loads of books too.
We can cut and paste.

And, if there is a container, you can bet it's filled with stamps or some other treasure...

What's inside these cigar boxes? I guess you will just have to come over to see for yourself.

I love to have an afternoon with friends playing at the art table. With enough warning I can actually clear it off so there is room to work.
Here's a little ATC and tag session that just happened...

And, my Portland Altered book is 99% finished! You can look at it if you feel like it...

Rolodex and ICad 2107 cards

Maybe you'll leave with a small gift bag?

I wish you could all come over and hang out with me. I've got snacks. And drinks. And lots and lots of things to look at.
I post on the Cappuccino And Art Journal page on Facebook and on Instagram (PamelaArtsinSF) and here and I try to post all different things to keep it interesting. But it can be a little tricky to keep track of everything so just come over and we'll talk.

Here's a question for you -- are there any mail artists in the Washington DC area who would be interested in a mail art group like the ones we have in Portland and San Francisco? I am trying to help an artist friend set something up. Let me know if you're interested and in that area.

OK, fire up the grill, chill the drinks and start cutting and pasting.
Happy Independence day to the USA.

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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....

LEAVE YOUR ADDRESS in a comment (I will NOT publish it) OR send me a message using the Blogger Contact Form on the top right of the blog and I will mail those off asap.
And, everybody else, thanks for reading and commenting and stay tuned...
there may be more giveaways...

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