Vintage Paper

The Vintage Paper Fair came to San Francisco again this weekend -- kind of like a museum with things you can touch (and buy). Really heaven if you like paper ephemera.
And, I do!

Actually, this looks a little bit like my studio....
fun to sift through all the postcard folders.

SF is having crazy mild weather at the moment - almost 70'.

Passports for sale -- ok, I couldn't resist one of these.....

The one I picked has tons of stamps inside from all over the world...if I can bring myself to tear it up, the pages will be great for a collage.
The woman who held the passport sure did a lot of traveling.
Reminds me a little of the Correspondence Co-Op passport...
Any other ideas about what to do with it?

WHY do I never, ever see boxes of old letters or envelopes at thrift shops or garage sales?

25 Cents
for these stamped, first day of issue envelopes -- the stamps are still good so these babies are going into the post box to some of you (with additional postage, of course).

A little bit of shopping for some rubber stamps....

A bit scary, isn't it?
My work table today....fully loaded. I just seem to work better with a lot of stuff...I mean...inspiration around me.

Collaged Postcards
I was inspired and worked on a series of collaged postcards for a Chinese New Year Mailing.
I wonder when the USPS will put out the Lunar New Year stamps.
Love the red and gold combination.
After the gel dries I have to press these overnight to flatten.

Outing
A couple more collaged cards that went out to Stanislav in Russia and to Kirsten & Sally.

Playing catch-up after a super-busy December.
January is a bit busier than expected but I am able to spend more time
in my studio.
Next Vintage Paper Fair in SF is in April -- anyone coming to visit?

Send mail, everyone! And have fun doing it.....

2012 -- Short and Sweet

Happy 2012! Bonne Annee!
My sweetie and I stayed in to enjoy each other's company and share a bottle of champagne.
Lovely way to end 2011.

The start of a lovely brand new year -- thanks to all of you who have commented on and supported my blog. I have loved exchanging mail with many of you
and I appreciate your support and all the lovely comments.

January 1

Wishing you all a year of health, happiness and lots and lots of GOOD MAIL.

Imagine PEACE

My Mail Man

Merry Christmas presents from my mail.....male man....
He is the best -- red & black typewriter ribbons for my lovely Royal typewriter
(a gift from him last Christmas!) as well as some great old French ephemera.
He knows what I like.

And since I know you'll be asking, here is where he got the typewriter ribbon
Buy Your Typewriter Ribbon Here

He even changed the ribbon for me -- what a guy!

This isn't him....
but I love this French guy surrounded by  letters. I want to be covered in mail all year long.

More from my guy-- Washi and Dyno tape all stacked up and ready to use.
Some woman want jewelry or expensive gifts but I want mail art supplies.
(Sometime I will tell you about the taxidermy bat he gave me).

INCOMING
And of course I want mail -- and I was lucky enough to get all kinds of wonderful incoming mail all year long. Thank you to everyone who sent me mail (here from Isabelle in France and Stephanie in NYC and the fabulous Alice S of SF who sent me the red mailbox!).

My son is getting used to finding all kinds of crazy mail on the front porch and bringing it in saying "More Mail Art, mom"....he put the flag up on the mailbox and was outraged the letter carrier left it down. Funny.

INCOMING
Look at the rubber stamps in this from Peggy. I am just a little bit jealous...ok, more than a little....I want those postal stamps.

OUTGOING
To Tallie (thanks for the surprise)

OUTGOING (to Maureen)

OUTGOING (to Annejo)

OUTGOING (to Christine H)
Thanks for the French postcards!

OUTGOING (to Susan)

Thank-you note time for me!
 I am going to sit at my desk and write some thank you cards.
I hope it will come easier for me than it is for this girl...she may need a little help from above to think of what to write.

I can't wait to get into my studio and write some thank-you notes and type with that red ribbon and make some envelopes.
See you in the mail!

Merry, Merry and Lots of Mail

OUTGOING MAIL
This is a busy time of year but I am still finding time to send out lots of mail.
Sent out some vintage Christmas seals in clear envelopes. Maybe that cheered up the postal workers a little (as well as the friends who received them). 

OUTGOING MAIL
These little gifts all went out wrapped in red and gold Chinese paper.
Can't show you what's inside because that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it?

USPO
Long lines at the post office -- hard to believe they have no business when you see the
long lines and the stuffed mailboxes.
Too bad the USPS doesn't get this much mail/boxes being sent all year long.

OUTGOING MAIL
I did my share, believe me. I don't even want to think how much I spent mailing all my boxes and international letters out this past Thursday....
but it is worth it to cheer up all my friends!

INCOMING MAIL
Received this wonderful box from my father-in-law in LA --
AVOCADOS!
He has a tree in his backyard. The box arrived all dented in and banged up so I was a little worried
but the avocados all made it safe and sound.
They are green for Christmas, you know.

LUNCH
Lunch is always involved in the plan.
Caffe Puccini in San Francisco. My favorite place for cappuccino and lunch.

MAIL ART
The SF Correspondance Co-Op had a party last Thursday night at the Center for the Book.
There was a lovely display of mail art by Co-Op members.

Mail Art
I see a couple of my pieces on this one...

MAIL ART PARTY AT CENTER FOR THE BOOK
Of course there was Food!
Food and letter press fonts (can you see all of them in the background?)
Food, fun, mail art, drink, a typewriter raffle which I didn't win..drats...this was way too much fun.
I think Jennie may be posting about the party so I won't go into any more details.
And check out her blog for some great crafting for Christmas at the last minute ideas!

Air Mail Envelope
(photo from Andria's blog)
This is a wonderful tutorial from Andria's Drawing Near Blog for making
little notebooks from airmail envelopes. She has some other good ideas too - like make your own washi tape -- check it out..
I know I"m inspired to make some.

OUTGOING MAIL
Told you I have been busy!
All of this mail went out on Friday......

OUTGOING MAIL
..........and all of this will be on the way today as soon as I finish this post...
I have only gotten six holiday cards so far so I am sure hoping
my incoming mail picks up this week.

BONNE FETE
Or, maybe, like they do in France people will be mailing out New Year's Cards
instead of Christmas cards. A good idea since everyone celebrates the
New Year.

Hope all your mail boxes are fat and happy and you are sending out lots of mail
to cheer your friends,

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL

What's Old is New

The typists
I came across these old photos of typists in an antique shop last weekend.
Man, things have sure changed, haven't they?
See the typewriter on her desk? I wonder if she thought it was state of the art
at the time?
And wouldn't she be surprised to see how coveted old typewriters are today?
(in certain circles anyway)

Here's another gal -- that smile looks a little forced, don't you think?
Maybe her shoes hurt.

Now these gals look a lot happier, don't they?
They look like they might like to go out for a drink after work.
I just love the typewriter sitting on the desk and ALL those rubber stamps
on the left. I sure wish I could get my hands on them.....

Now here's some typists now (of the mail art persuasion). They look a little more relaxed.

Even guys can type now!

Here's my old beauty sitting ready to help me tackle my big stack of mail-to-answer.

Those typists from the 50's wouldn't know what to make of that big screen above the typewriter -
will wonders ever cease?

On a walk in my neighborhood, I saw this crazy mailbox. It's been there for a long time. I always wonder if it gets good mail. I think maybe I should send some mail art to it?

Vintage Christmas & Happy New Year cards -
vintage cards are quite popular these days too.

INCOMING
Got a couple of fun things in the mail this week -- I know my letter carrier is amused.
A bouncing ball from Kelly P and a tin from Millicent.

OUTGOING
I have been busy - I got to spend all day Sunday working in my studio and I sent all this out in the Monday mail.
Sent more out later in the week but forgot to photograph it.

HOLIDAY MOVIES FOR MAIL LOVERS
If you haven't already seen Miracle on 34th Street -- an old classic -- I highly
recommend it. It is a charming old film and the scene at the end that involves the US Postal Service is great!
Also recommended A Shop Around the Corner (1940) about two pen pals who fall in love (after
a rocky start).
Get out that popcorn and get cozy!

Cocktail Hour
I'd say it's cocktail hour here in SF right about now. Time to  wrap up the mail art
and sit down and relax.....

Hope you are all having a good December.

169 "Followers" -- Can we make it 170?
Some people dropped out and I wondered what did I do? Or not do?
Sometimes blogging can be a little nerve wracking......
...have fun you all!

Mail Art Party!

Holiday Event
The SF Correspondence Co-Op is hosting a
Holiday fete at the SF Center for the Book
 on December 15.

If you are in the Bay Area, come by for
a lovely evening of mail --
mail art, meet the artists, have some food and wine
and fun!

I'd love to meet you.
Hope to see you there.