We Are In This Together

Hello friends,
I have been thinking of you all and hoping everyone is doing ok. These are difficult and trying times, aren't they?
The situation seems to change every day. San Francisco is locked up -- museums, libraries, concert halls, schools,  etc are all closed. Supermarket shelves are empty.
People are anxious.
If we were to try to be kind, stop hoarding and share what we have, things would be better.
Kindness goes a long way.

We need art and beauty more than ever in our lives. Put on some beautiful music. Make a pot of tea. Sit down and write a letter to someone you love.

I am very lucky I know...I have loads of art supplies and a studio to work in.  No small children who are locked out of school. Many small and large businesses are suffering and people who cannot afford to miss paychecks are out of work. My heart goes out to them.

I cancelled two trips already and was feeling a little sorry for myself until I started thinking about the folks who are really suffering. Those who are sick and those who are out of work. Now I am trying to think of ways to help out.

What are you going to do?
I am going to try to be calm and live my life and wash my hands a lot. Make a lot of art so I will actually have something to show for this time period. I am still seeing friends one on one. Being isolated isn't good for the soul.
When I heard the SF Public Library was closing, I raced down to get a big pile of books to read
since I'll have more time at home. I may take an online art class. Work outside in my garden. Do some embroidery and slow stitching.
Make some Irish soda bread and cookies and deliver them to my neighbors.

It wouldn't hurt to work on cleaning up my studio a bit either.

I don't hoard and I hope I can find simple things like milk and vegetables.
I am happy to have a supply of Peets coffee and some gin, just in case things keep on getting worse.

Keep your sense of humor. Look for beauty. Find the grace notes. Help each other.

I thought I would try to post on the blog more to keep in touch with you all. I think a lot of us are feeling a little lonely these days. 
I would really like to invite everyone over to my house for a nice meal.

Let's keep in touch, ok?
By the way, if you have trouble commenting in the blog, just clear your cookies -- clear history -- and you should be able too.
I need to hear back from you friends.
Stay stay out there.

ART SAVES LIVES!

Making

Happy 2020!!!
Ok, a little bit late but it is still early in the year. And, a long time since I've posted. But I do post regularly on Instagram....
Of course I am busy making things.....like these fun gusseted folders made from old legal files I picked up at ScrapSF and covered with pretty paper.

They are very handy to pack up with letter writing supplies to take to a SF Correspondence Co-op Meeting or to a cafe on the chance you might want to make some mail....

I put a bunch of velum packets inside to organize things.....and they look good too. I find these folders really useful -- I had a Christmas one with all my Christmas supplies supplies (cards, stickers, stamps etc) so when I had a few minutes I could grab it and write a card. And I have some for putting travel ephemera in for each country I may visit on an upcoming trip. All ready and waiting when I want to make a travel journal.
Speaking of travel, I have plane tickets to Beijing.....and, given the circumstances, it sure doesn't look like I will be going....

Made some little pocket folders from the Cavallini Sale postcards I had sitting around...

...and I gave them to the pals I stood in line at Cavallini with as a little souvenir.....

I collect pressed souvenir pennies. Any of you want to trade pressed pennies with me???
Just let me know. I'd especially like some from New York City but anywhere would do...

Of course there is cappuccino.....and Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. The BIG Lunar NY Parade is this Saturday here in San Francisco and if you are looking for
fire cracker wrappers to collage that is where you want to look (down)....

Made my 2020 datebooks. Old school. I like pen and paper.....I had a Japanese theme going on but I'm not sure I will be going to Japan this spring with all the chaos going on....we'll see...

That didn't stop me from working on an altered passport from Japan....
work in process....

Here's one of those gusseted file folders at a SF Correspondent  Co-Op meeting in action....and Italian pouches with mail art supplies made my my pal Dori.

I've been making ephemera packs too....

I'm not sure what I will do with them...trade them? Sell them? 

I'm having a love affair with fabric scraps......These beauties and that gorgeous pin cushion came from ScrapSF. No, I really can't sew but I am determined to hand stitch a fabric book or two so stay tuned...

See? There is a seat at my table just waiting for you. Who is coming over? We could have tea....or coffee.....and I almost always have something around that I baked. And, we could make things....
I was happy to have the holidays over with and a brand new year but it is zipping by so incredibly quickly.....How can it be February already?
And, what are you all doing and making?
Let me know...and also let me know if you want to trade pressed pennies....or ephemera?
HAPPY 2020!!!!!
SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

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!

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

Catch Me If You Can

Ooh! Things are busy around here -- and I am guessing it is a busy time for all of you.
Making, cooking, holidays, friends, family, wrapping, eating......
standing in lines?

Yup, I did it again -- stood in line at the wonderful Cavallini Sale.
I got up at
5AM
Can you believe it? At least this year it wasn't raining. My pals and I got there at about 6:45AM and the doors opened at 8AM and the wild stampede began.
Cavallini is really a wonderful local business. They supply PEETS coffee (the best!) and boxes of fresh donuts and the employees working the sale say
"thank you for coming"
(as if wild horses could keep me away).

My two bags filled with treasures. I wish I could show you what's in the bags but Santa would be mad at me if I did....
Let's just say I got a lot of Xmas shopping done and some things for myself as well.
Who needs Black Friday when you have Cavallini??

I am also picking up bits of fabric and lace for my slow stitching projects...In the meantime the little fabric piles look so pretty. And that flower needlepoint -- I got it all finished for $5!
It is so pretty...I want to cut it up and use pieces in my creations but I am still working on the concept.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the studio too......I usually refuse to do anything before Thanksgiving but since Thanksgiving is so late this year I realized I better get this party started!

I love those Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes and Padded Mailing Envelopes.
Thanks USPS! 

I picked up the art studio for my special Thanksgiving guests (you know who you are). Hung some things on the wall.....

....and yes, there will be wine and cheese......
You all are welcome to come over for a little party!

The town square near my house has a little light show going on...such a pretty spot.

UPDATE on the POCKET BOOKS
Thank you to all of you who bought books! They are all sold out except for two and I really appreciate your suppose and interest in the books. And for your patience!
I've been told people had trouble commenting and the Contact Me Form wasn't working. This was not Bloggers finest moment. I'd like to switch my blog to a better platform but right now the thought is daunting. I may sell on Instagram. Loads of people do it and it seems easier, so stayed tuned.

So, now our thoughts turn to food -- and family and friends -- here in the USA.
I am thankful for all the lovely comments and support I get from the art community on social media. And I am also thankful for all the inspiration.
I hope you all enjoy the holiday.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

Pop Up Shop! (An Experiment)

Want to buy a pocket book or three?

There was a lot of interest when I asked the question in my last post so I am trying an experiment.
This is kind of a free form pop-up but you guys are all cool, right? We can do free form.

These are cute little books with pockets that can hold money or  gifts cards or ephemera or travel souvenirs.
They make nice little gifts or maybe you'd like one for yourself?

I even made some Christmas inspired books with red pockets inside...

Top Row middle Santa SOLD

Santa is SOLD

And, some are of Vintage European postcards....

New York is SOLD

SOLD

THESE ARE SOLD

SOLD

Both Roses SOLD

You could get the pink and yellow rose one or the pink rose on green background.....
or, both...
SOLD!

SOLD

Coming to San Francisco? Or maybe you've been here already? A nice little souvenir for you with some Chinese joss paper tucked inside...I have multiples of this one...

So here is the free form plan...

Little books are $20.00 each plus $2.50 shipping

THREE books are $50.00
plus $5.00 shipping

Only USA Orders please

Comment below on which books you would like -- maybe what photo the book is in and a description e..g. "French Postcard book in first photo, bottom right"

Leave me a message with your email and I will NOT publish the comment. I will email you to see what books you are interested in and we can go from there...

So, that's the plan.
It would better if you all could just come over to my studio and pick them out and hang out a while.
I don't want to open an ETSY shop so I am just trying to make this work.
You blog readers are getting first pick but if I don't sell them quickly I am going to put them out on Instagram.
I"m just saying.

So, thanks for all your support and encouragement.
UPDATE:  
I discovered that messages from Contact Me are NOT going through. I am so sick of Blogger. I need a new platform for my blog.


Happy Xmas Shopping!SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL.