Mixed various

Hi everyone!
I wish I could show you everything I've been working on but some things haven't reached their destinations so I can't ruin the surprises.....soon...
I finished up my MARS passport and it is quite appropriate since I am an Aries and Aries is ruled by Mars.

I really had a lot of fun working on this and I'm actually thinking of collaging in another one since I still have lots more space stamps and ephemera leftover...

For some reason, I love these guys floating around inside the space shuttle....

Since I was on a space roll I had to make some spacey envelopes too. This went to Russia and is already there.

Couple more envelopes with a space theme...

I started prepping my travel journal.....and getting things ready for my travels...

There is sooooo much planning for these trips but it really is all part of the fun....gotta find the flea markets....and cool post offices and good restaurants....

Yep, I added tabs to my travel journal and divided it up into three sections...a week in each country...

And...Rome....last stop.....
pasta and holy cards!

I made two tiny books.....very tiny...

Of course there were lunches....this is one. Delicious potato-bacon soup so I  figured it out and made it at home....we have been having cold and rainy weather so soup is perfect.

The sun actually did shine a few days last week and I found a spot right in my neighborhood with a terrific view.
But I don't see any mail boxes from up there, do you?
It's raining again today but I kind of like it. Good for staying in and working on art projects. 
So many ideas.....so many projects...
And now I am taking up embroidery and slow stitching. I really need another project, right?
I do.
And what are YOU all doing? making?planning?
Let's hear from you.

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Let's Go to Chinatown!

With all the crazy weather we have been having here in SF, it hasn't been easy to get to Chinatown....but I have been determined to try..

You've gotta pick your days...
Things are rarely closed in Chinatown but Chinese New Year is the exception and a lot of places are closed for the holiday.

I went the day after (the first day of) Chinese New Year purposely...because I know what I will find all over the streets....

Lots of fire crackers wrappers and red papers and torn red envelopes. So many things to collage with....I only got a few odd looks while picking up trash...er...treasures off the sidewalk...
and I had to get there before it rained again and everything got soggy.

A lot of the paper displays are outdoors too so a rainy day wouldn't be ideal.

I'm sure you all know it's the Year of the Pig...
oink!!

Red envelopes with pigs on them are all over the place...I must have  red envelopes with all of the twelve animals on them...
I've been at this for a long time.

I love the joss paper shops -- inside the shop it is about 99% paper! Who doesn't love a shop filled with paper?

You need some new clothes?
Probably better to hang on the wall than try to wear though..

This paper outfit is quite fetching, don't you think?

Short on money? Here you go.

All kinds of pretty paper envelopes to choose from.

So, my rule is, if I bring it into my studio I've got to USE it. I have a vintage Chinese notebook and I am filling it with papers and photos from Chinatown...and...

I made a set of Chinese New Year artist trading cards and put them in a take out container a pal sent me...

I had fun using the papers I picked up and the fire cracker wrappers and even some pieces of the firecrackers I found...

So, today is a good day to post since it is pouring rain again...I'm glad I got to go to Chinatown in between storms...and now I have paper to play with on a rainy day.

Have you found anything interesting on the streets lately?
I'm always looking...

Gung Hay Fat Choy
&
Send Good Mail to Get Good Mail

Sweet and Short

Yes, I (too) send my love by mail.....
and tis post is short (for me) and sweet...

You in the mood yet?
Here are a few ideas to get you started....You could make a pocket folder with a Valentine theme ....like this one.

Make some handmade cards....I die cut some red envelopes and put a message in them...

I have a punch to make tiny, teeny little envelopes and I put it to work here.

Little envelopes need to be filled!

I made some postcards and mailed them off in see-thru sleeves.

Origami hearts!

Don't you love these vintage LOVE stamps?

The new love stamps are nice too....(but they aren't eight cents!).

Check out that Valentine postmark!!! So cool. This just came today from @PaperTams on IG.

And what would YOU like for Valentine's day? Forget the roses and candy, I'd like a big bag of old postage stamps! I'm easy that way.
Good thing my sweetie doesn't read my blog or he might see his Valentine.
So, there are a few sweet ideas for you -- now go cut out some hearts!
The World needs more LOVE!

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Best Laid Plans

Last week my plan was to have a busy week but that's not how things turned out...
I got a bad cold and was grounded all week. Lots of hot tea and books.
Not the worst way to spend a week.

Normally I am a coffee/cappuccino drinker but when you are coughing and your throat hurts....
I had picked up this book The Painted Journal at the library and enjoyed
paging through. I liked it but I'm not sure I'd buy it. But worth checking out from the library for sure.

More tea....and a look at an old autograph book I bought a while back. Why are they just so charming? I seriously think we need to bring them back.

Two Recommendations
I love The Collage Ideas Book. It is quite small and easy to toss into your bag and have with you to read on the streetcar or at a cafe....or waiting for the streetcar...lots of interesting pages.
And, I am a big fan of the collage magazine kolaj. (Just google it) You can order a sample issue to check out. It is kinda pricy but I think it's worth it. I enjoy every issue.

Can you resist this?

(This is a good idea for a couple of pages in a glue book.)

I know I couldn't....a friend showed me her copy and I had to have one. I don't really like the book design -- it is an oversize book and I don't like the layout with the image in the center and the binding down the middle BUT....it is still really fun to look at and pretty cheap used on (the dreaded) Amazon.

Just in case you need the info.....

THIS ONE!
I am pretty sure most of you know about the already (especially if you are on  Instagram) but just in case......
A fat and fabulous book of beautiful paper ephemera from Uppercase. And that's my pal, Michelle's beautiful Dennison ephemera up top.
I am savoring each page.

I finally managed to make it into my studio and had fun playing some wax seals. I know a lot of folks have been using wax seals for ages but I have only recently started and I love it.

I want to put them on envelopes in the mail but I don't think they will make it through the postal system...

Made up a small batch of mini collages on ATCs....

Don't you love his hair?

So, I am on the mend and hope to get out there and get busy this week. I also planned a trip to Chinatown to photograph but that got canceled due to pouring rain. I will try to get there soon to check out The Year of the Boar (sounds better than Pig).
SF Scrap may have been lonely without me visiting so I plan to go there. The Film Noir Festival is also happening and I need to go and get scared.
And I need to start working on my travel journal and plan my trip....

And what are you all doing this January 2019?
I know if any of you are in Chicago you are freezing. I can't believe what I'm reading about your crazy weather. Stay warm and healthy everyone and see you soon.

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