Typers!

Just thought I'd do a post as an Ode To Typewriters!
Share the love.

I find them irresistible.
I have resisted since I only have one. But that's probably because here
in San Francisco, I rarely see them for sale.

I mean, who could resist a turquoise typewriter?
It goes so well with red.

I would really like a script typewriter for my birthday.
In March. In case you are reading this. (Michael)
One can always hope.

The Red and Black ribbon is especially fetching, don't you think?

OUTGOING ENVELOPE
The typewriters (and manuals) have inspired many an envelope made by me.

INCOMING
And apparently inspired others - Rose P sent me this typewriter envelope from Australia.
Much appreciated.

OUTGOING POSTCARDS
And Karen sent me this beautifully carved typewriter stamp.
I am putting it to good use!

Ok, I doubt I will get a script typewriter for my birthday but I bet I  can count on lots of great mail!

Who else has a March birthday? Let's trade mail!
Mine is at the end of the month so there's time.
Aries all the way...

Hope you all have a good week of mail.
(And stay tuned for my next post -- there will be a "surprise" in it)

Fun in Town

(Fabulous) Incoming Mail
After a not-real-good mail week last week, today I got the most wonderful
mail from Karen who just can't stop carving stamps.
Check out her great post and prepare to get inspired!
I know I'm inspired but I'm even more happy to have received these two handmade beauties
to play with.
How lucky am I? Thanks so much, Karen.

INCOMING
Some other great incoming mail on Saturday...finally feeling cheerful...

Incoming
Thanks to Cecelia, Roberto, Kelly P, Alice & Catwrangler!

Lunch
(There's always lunch)
Ankake ramen at Hotei here in San Francisco.

SF SCRAP
How about a little afternoon visit to Scrap? This spot is like catnip to artists of all kinds.

SF SCRAP
Walk in and get ready to explore....

SF SCRAP
Is this making you just a little bit crazy?

SF SCRAP
Here is Jane showing off some of the packs of stamps at SCRAP.

OUTGOING MAIL
I have some things going out....
(Mr ZIP rubber stamps carved by Shelita W.)

OUTGOING

OUTGOING

OUTGOING
There it goes! Off to some of my postal pals (some of whom have been VERY patient).

Spring?
Hang on...it is coming. These tulips are at the Ferry Plaza Market Marketplace.
Very cheerful, don't you think?

Thanks for the great mail everyone.
Let me know if you all start carving stamps.
Special thanks to Karen.

Happy Mail!

                                                                         

Mail Art All Day

Enveloping-making time again!
A $1.00 1916 Kids book made for a lot of fun making envelopes (and that red embossed cover is find of fun too).
These fairy tale envelopes are ready to be filled up, decorated, taped, stamped
and sent off into the wild world of mail.

More Envelopes ready to go!
Just add labels and letters and stamps.

ENVELOPES
More from the same book -- for my friends who like birds (you know who you are).
That patriotic eagle on top kind of goes with the USPS logo, don't you think?

LUNCH BREAK
There always is a lunch break!

OUTGOING
A bit of outgoing on Friday....

OUTGOING
These will be mailed off first thing in the morning tomorrow because today is a
No Mail Monday.
No fun but this long weekend is allowing me to do some catching up.
I have outgoing to Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

OUTGOING
And, more going out tomorrow. Yesterday was Mail Art All Day.
Very fun.

From the Letter Writing Social last week -- Caroll W made his cool collaged card
and I love the typewriters and the flying fingers in the background.
Caroll made some really great hand carved stamps too.

MAIL BOXES
Fill 'em up! I got a postcard from a friend in a band saying he and the other band members
stopped at a thrift shop in their travels and found a great stash of old
postcards, which they snapped up and then all the band members sat around writing postcards.
He said I'd be proud -- and I am!

SPRING?
Looks like Spring is coming to San Francisco. Beautiful plum blossoms right in my own backyard.

                                                                               

I want these!!!!
Anyone (maybe from Canada?) who can send me a stash of these labels in French?
I will send you something back in exchange. I hope I don't have to wait to I manage to get to Paris
to get my hands on some of these.
In fact, I'd like to have them in as many languages as possible and I'm happy to trade.

This long weekend has been fun and productive--I have made a serious dent in my
huge pile "to answer".  Haven't gotten to all but I am feeling hopeful.

Hope you all had a good weekend ( either a long or short one depending on where you live).
May your mail boxes be happy.

Now, time for me to get back to work.......

Too Much Fun (Letter Writing Social)

Letter Writing Social at ARCH
 here in San Francisco.

If you want to learn how to make this valentine -- here you go!

All I can say is --

LETTER WRITING SOCIAL
.....thank you Annie and Carolee and Arch.

This was a great way for spend an afternoon, typing, pasting, stamping,
with so many creative people.
I take no credit in organizing this, by the way, just documenting with some photos.
Carolee & Annie did all the work.

Carolee supplied the typewriters...

and every one was put to good use!

And Sally W brought her script typewriter along and it had a waiting list...
I think it may have been the most popular typewriter there.
I tried not to hog it.

To have a social, you need a flyer!
And a welcoming space and a bunch of letter-lovers.

Typewriters are not absolutely necessary but they sure add to the experience.

That's about as far as I got typing my letter....it was just a little too much fun
and too distracting to concentrate on writing my letter.

Carolee & Annie supplied lots of cool stationery and rubber stamps.
And everyone brought things to share, washi tape and more stamps and Valentine cards...

Some incredibly nice person (Sally) even brought the new LOVE stamps to share.

Aren't typewriters beautiful?

A good time was had by all.....if you are wishing you were here, think about
starting your own Letter Writing Social.
Let's revive the art of correspondence and have fun doing it.

The letter writers came in all ages, as you can see! Start 'em young!

Happy Valentine's Day -- Happy Letter Writing!