Oct to Cindy - Danish paper museum

There is a BONUS POST today - probably after this post. The order keeps switching. The USPS has released a few of the 2025 stamps designs.

Does everyone recognize where this idea came from. It's one of Rachael's designs that's been done several times with variations by me as well as others. Since my favorite thing to do with the new opaque Sharpie markers is the tap-tap-tap flowers and leaves and because those markers go so well with the stamp - I figured this would be hard to mess up. I like it - but it seems like it is in the wrong season. It looks like springtime.

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Our add-on today is on-topic. Paper. 

Where would we be without paper? Obviously we all have a thing about mail, but maybe some of us have a thing about paper as well. I wonder how many people take paper for granted. 

Paper people have banded together in Denmark to build a paper museum. I can't imagine anything that would have been better than this design - a giant sheet of *paper* with a single fold - for the roof.

Lots more photos at the link - LINK to paper museum

 

BONUS post - 2025 USPS Stamps

Sorry - no images - you will find them at the link.

LINK to USPS 2025 stamps

The USPS posted a sneak peek of some of the 2025 stamps and I found out about it yesterday through a comment left by *Bull Terrier's Mom* - I'm so curious as to who that is... I'd love to know - if you'd care to email me. I won't tell anyone else - unless you want credit.

Bull Terrier Mom was curious if I was excited about any of the new designs.

YES!!!!! The new international stamp is a compass  - I LOVE it. I LOVE the new LOVE stamp because it is black/white/red - one of my most favorite color combinations - plus it is Keith Herring which is joyful and bold and inviting to the free-er styles of lettering. I LOVE the leaves and flowers - always beautiful and perfect for any style of lettering. I LOVE the baby animals - adorable, nice colors - can't wait to use them. The year of the snake and the green moth stamp are both beautiful. Betty White will be useful if anyone needs a purple stamp. The winter scenery and Appalcian trail stamps include good colors - they are more photographic - so don't really have little drawn details that I find useful - but the colors are good. Allen Toussaint will be great to have on hand because we always need some nice basic black options.

I think that's all of the Forevers. I clearly like them all and am looking forward to seeing the rest of them. 

I guess I ignored the flag stamp. There have been so many flags over the years - it's hard for them to come up with anything that's as good as the ones that were wildly exciting. I seldom do flag themed envelopes. This one is generic. Now I want do some research and figure out which one is my favorite flag stamp. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.

***

Well, that took 2 minutes - there is only one flag stamp that appeals to me at all.

I like the look of it - but, I've always wondered if the flag was unfolded if it would be the right proportion. It looks like it would be way too wide for the height.

Oct to C, Carolyn and Christy

This is an alphabet that ran in a Better Homes & Garden's publication during the same time that they were buying content from me. I can't remember the name of the woman who designed this style. Maybe I can find it. I believe this is the first time I have tried it and if I do more I will make the letters larger. It's highly adaptable. You don't have to use a witch hat and a broom. You could use a Christmas tree and a candy cane.

Below are the envelopes that I couldn't find and decided that it was better to have lost them - but here they are - so I am tempted to delete them - which I will do - if I find something better to insert here.

***Real time add-on: I might have to change the name of the blog to Grrrrrr. 

That's an overstatement. And I am just writing this at an annoying time - 4:12 a.m. I've been waking up too early and having a heck of a time getting back to my schedule. The people who see me in person - thank you - the people who read the blog - for letting me whine on the blog so they don't have to listen to me. 

I wonder if there is a place on the internet where a person can just post their whining. If there isn't maybe I should start one as a public service.

 

Oct to Mary

The concept on this one is everything I look for in a concept. The execution does not hit the mark. A certain amount of sketchiness is OK - but this is way too sketchy. Overworking a drawing is at the other end of the spectrum. There's a sweet spot in the middle - which is not where this one ended up.

And how many times have I said this --- it's very hit or miss if your first time on any design is going to be a keeper. I always do a rough draft on scratch paper - and probably penciled this. The markers are the new opaque Sharpies - and they are tricky. They don't make sharp corners - which sometimes is not a problem but other times it is. The non-sharpness on the party hat is OK - but the non-sharpness of the M is a real problem. 

I know what I should have done. I should have masked off the M shape with non-stick tape. Post-It makes tape - which I love - but I also save all those strips that the USPS sticks on our. mail. They are removable and perfect for masking.

I deeply regret that I did not do a better job on the confetti - no excuse whatsoever. Another fun touch would have been the balloon float up a little higher so that it was just. barely off the edge of the envelope. That would have been adorable.
 

Maggie, Jackie, Lynne and Jessica - coffee pot buildings

Four more - that seem a little drab. I really like the Underground Railway stamps - and will continue to look for better designs that complement them. 

I didn't add any white to this one - and wish I would have.

These two show that the lighter marker is drying up. 

I don't prefer one over the other. It would be nice to get three tones.

And now, after all that drabness, here's something to perk things up - 

Chuck sent more coffee pot buildings.... 

I like the one on the top left with the window. There's something about serving through a little window that goes well with the whole concept.

 

Oct to AmyG and Nanski - 2024 Graceful Envelope winners

GOOD NEWS

I finally discovered that there was a button to flip to allow everyone to leave a comment on the blog with ease. Even I was unable to leave comments - and I had no idea why - until I found the button.

I had Mary give it a try - and it seems to be working just fine. So, if anyone has been frustrated by the comments not going through, please try again -- and hopefully it is now working.

Keep in mind, you will not see your comment, instantly. I still have to OK the comment before it posts to the blog.

***

These two were somewhat inspired by that one to Phillip (yesterday) which had designs on the lettering done with nibs and white ink. These are done with gel pen and they are OK. Seems like they could have used a little somethin' else.

The add on today is a reminder to go look at the 2024 Graceful Envelope winners. Maybe I already posted this - but - it's still in my to-do file - so, I'm going to err on the side of maybe-repeating myself.

This one was third place - I would have given it first place. I love the first place one, too. 

LINK to Graceful Envelope 2024 winners

 

Oct to Phillip and Amy - stamp coordination

The envelope to Phillip had been in a stack for a very long time. It was supposed to inspire me to get my nibs and ink out again. That might be a lost cause. Then there is the quest for a coordinating stamp. I think the one I put on Amy's envelope would have been better. I liked the softness of Amy's and colors on the stamp look nice with the name but the stamp is just soooo heavy compared to the name. Adding big chunks of black to the name seemed too dangerous. 

What's the opposite of being a drug addict or an alcoholic. That seems to be the generic word for someone who keeps doing something that is destructive. I do the opposite - don't do something that should have been done - coordinate the lettering and stamps from the very beginning. What's the deep disturbance behind that lack of foresight? It reminds me of my dear friend Jackie whose artistic skill was way ahead of mine. After we had exchanged mail art for a while, I found out that she created beautiful envelopes AND THEN went to the PO to find a stamp. I had one of those *head-exploding* moments when I learned about her process. She said that part of the enjoyment (for her) was walking up to the clerk at the PO and asking for a stamp to go with her artwork. To me - that's the same as those people who have those crazy suits that look like a flying squirrel and they jump off cliffs and *fly* down to the ground.

I guess I am a plan-resister-holic. There is a plan that would work - but I am addicted to not following the plan. What do you call a plan resister? Rogue?

 I'm editing the first 2 weeks of Nov posts - on Nov 3rd - and pondering the Nov exchange envelopes that I will be doing. I am going to be vigilant about choosing the stamps first and we'll see if there is a better outcome. ***Spoiler alert: I did manage to choose all the stamps first and it is definitely the way to go.

Oct to Juliana - Ann Carrington & Cheekwood

Lynne was the name I found that worked out beautifully in horseshoes. The next name I tried was Juliana's and I'm pleased. I'm still looking for something else to pull off the stamp to make it more interesting without being cluttered. Some of those green leaves might have worked

Apologies for the redundancy - here's a 4.5 minute video featuring more found object art. Flowers made out of spoons - by Ann Carrington. Once again, I feel like I already posted this - but I can't find it on the blog -- you'll just have to put up with me as I slog through the place where I file things to add on when I don't have much to say about the envelopes. The artist had an exhibit at Cheekwood.

LINK to spoon flowers, etc

The video is just one of several about Cheekwood - which may have a ton of stuff that interests some of you. Here's the blurb off their channel. 53 videos that I would watch if I had nothing to do.

Cheekwood is a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum located on the historic Cheek estate. Originally built as the home of Leslie and Mabel Cheek in 1929, Cheekwood is one of the finest examples of an American Country Place Era estate. Since being converted into a museum of art and botanical garden in 1960, Cheekwood has presented world-class art exhibitions, spectacular gardens and an historic estate unlike anything else. Each year, Cheekwood welcomes over 300,000 visitors, making it one of the city’s top cultural attractions, with over 20,000 member households. Visitors enjoy family activities, programming for all ages and year-round festivals celebrating the four seasons. From 250,000 blooming bulbs in the spring to one mile of holiday lights in the winter, there’s always something to see at Cheekwood.

 

Oct to Hadley, Alex and Chuck - lost Cornwall artist

I was generally pretty happy with the September envelopes and figured I could sustain the momentum into October. It's a month with endless ideas. Too many ideas turned into chaos - or maybe just loss of focus. That candy-corn-bat to Hadley was fun to do and I like the lettering on her name - but the cornbat wasn't enough fun that I wanted to do it again. 

Trying a variation on the candy corn, I did this one for my granddaughter as practice. But I knew that the candy corn would be hard to curve - so I tried something different on Chuck's. Not pleasing. I think I tried a couple more names - and they were equally disappointing - and I can't even find the images which is probably a good thing.

***

Oops. I check the pre-written blog posts right before they pop up - and discovered that I did not add the link to this guy's work. I've done a bunch of searching and found out that the amount of plastic on the beaches in Cornwall is distressing - so there are several people making art out of it.... rather than keep searching - I'll just let this post run --- sorry. If you need to surf - Google *Cornwall England beach plastic artwork* and there are many examples.

***

Apologies if you think posting another artist off Instagram is making my blog too predictable. This guy is not a calligrapher or lettering artist. He caught my eye because he makes things out of found objects and many of his works feature a huge number of items. He mostly gathers plastic on beaches near Cornwall, England. It can be discouraging to ponder the situation with plastic....so if it troubles you, don't click on the link.

Now I am having the feeling that I already posted this guy and featured Easter Island heads (Moai) recreated out of plastic cigarette lighters. Sorry if this is a repeat --- I am behind schedule on my postings.

Stonehenge recreated out of disposable lighters (above)

(Below) His collection of Lego flippers from the famous Tokyo Express container spill, harvested from the sands of Tregantle Beach Cornwall 25 years later. Again - you can Google and read all about the famous LEGO spill. 

 

Oct to Janet - Julia B Silbermann

 

Janet said she liked this one. I thought it was wimpy. It could be larger or bolder - probably not both. It's Oct 18 and every day I look for an announcement of the new stamp designs for 2025. So far all we know is that it's the year of the snake and there will be a new Love stamp. There will be another Black Heritage stamp in that series..... 

Here's another scribe on Instagram. Her work covers a wide range. I chose a link that goes to a very unusual alphabet constructed on graph paper. It's not the most visually exciting thing on her IG - but it intrigues me. You can click on the > or the < to see other things.

LINK to Julia B Silbermann

A lot of her work is very muted. There are a couple bright things - and this is somewhere in the middle.

Sept from Maggie - pencils and other stuff

 

Maggie's envelopes remind us how far we can take things when we sign up for classes. Once again, I can tell she's taken some classes - but how many? and over how many years? Maybe I should send out a survey with all these questions. My preference would be for that grand tour of the US where I meander in a big loop and visit all my pen pals and grill them  interview them in person. That is a genius idea, but, I'm probably not going to get a MacArthur Genius grant to fund my expedition. Maybe I should get a budding filmmaker to do a documentary and launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund the two of us showing up at your front door. 

Here's a video on why yellow was the go-to color for pencils and also a link to the master-rabbit-hole of videos about how many things are made - a topic that is endlessly fascinating to me. If you scroll through the master list - you may learn about the difference between the No. 1 pencil and the No. 2 pencil as well as where those pink erasers came from.

LINK to yellow for pencils

LINK to the history of all kinds of things

A rerun from 2012. The stamp is a pencil sharpener.

Sept from Cathy - Icelandic horse video

A good example of how simple and straight-forward can be sublime.

I've corresponded with Cathy long enough to know that Cathy's skills have been honed in quite a few lessons with the rock stars in calligraphy. The style on the insert is quite different from the uber-disciplined italics on the envelope. I would have to dig through my file to find the card and try to figure out if the card is something Cathy did or if it is a commercial card. But, figuring that out won't make a difference. Since I am on a binge of delving into people and the types of classes or workshops they have taken - I can't really think of examples of Cathy's work that are loose. So my guess is that this is not her work.  As a reward for getting 5 more posts written, I will do a search on the blog and see if there are loose examples from Cathy that I am forgetting.

Of course that little *initial* in the corner might be a clue that this is not Cathy's work...

***

Real time update, I did not get around to doing that search.

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An off-topic add-on - for people who like horses and/or Iceland

Link to video

Sept from Juliana - math/font topic

Juliana sent this in Sept. I am writing this on Oct 17. Her October envelope arrived yesterday and it had a note enclosed that was block printing that looked like Juliana was/is an architect. But, I think she's too young to have been studying back in the day when architects had to letter everything beautifully on the blueprints. So - maybe Juliana will fill me in on whether she's had training as an architect or graphic designer or sign painter. Her lettering skill could be entirely self taught.  I'll report back if I find out.

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Two add-ons today - first one is for stamp nerds afficianados - people are posting the new 2025 stamp designs. USPS should be announcing theirs very soon. You may see stamps from other countries here.

https://community.postcrossing.com/t/new-stamps-issued-in-2025/915513/3

We'll be adding a snake to our Chinese New Year series - aren't these from Singapore wOnDeRfuL!!!!

***

And here is an add-on for the math nerds afficianados -- although I have no idea how many we have....there is a tie in with fonts - and we probably have a few of those.

Perhaps there is math+font nerd afficianado who reads the blog. If you are neither, your gift for the day is that you will not be tempted to click on the link and will get going on the stuff that truly needs to be done today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSzaC7CgHtI

If you watch the video that shows how the special math characters were invented with a typewriter, here is the new-fangled way to to get them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShOJYrZaMJU

Sept from Amy and Irene's insert - left-handed video

Amy is another person who encloses notes in her envelopes and I have the impression that she was not an art major but since she found the exchange she has enjoyed trying out some of the things I jabber about. If I'm wrong about that - Amy can email me a clarification - and I'll edit this. I am scrambling like crazy to get a bunch of posts filled but the one thing that I seem to be able to do is check my blog and make prompt edits when necessary.

This was tucked into Irene's envelope which I posted on the first of the month - 

Idea from Traci Thompson - LINK to Traci Thompson's Instagram

This is a link to just one Traci's posts. For some of you it will be hard to wrap your head around. She is left handed and the way she positions her paper makes it almost upside-down - which looks hard - but - it is the most perfect video I have ever seen that illustrates how a person needs to position the paper to correspond to the way they hold their pen. With left-handed people - there can be a *hook* where their hand is curved around. My younger son is left handed and I delved into all the details of how left-handed-ness works. I found it fascinating - but will not go any deeper here. 

LINK to left handed penmanship

 

Sept from Lynne - Folly Tree Arboretum

These colors look so nice on the kraft paper. The close tone of the petals to the background make them look so delicate and then the contrast with the centers give them dimension. The variations in light and dark add to the overall effect. Part of that might have happened when Lynne started at the top with a loaded brush - but if it was intentional - it's a very good technique to notice and then use in your own work. 

***

Add on today is an article from the NYTimes - they usually allow one article before putting up their firewall. It's a very aesthetically pleasing arboretum - LINK to article 

If you can't get to the article - here is a link to the arboretum. https://follytreearboretum.com

It was hard to choose photos - they are all so interesting - plus, each has a story. Caution - do not enter if you have a long to-do list for today.

Japanese Umbrella Pine

Munchkin Ginko

 

Sept from Sharen - pause or end of the design topic

Sharen's envelope illustrated what I have been jabbering about - design - and the choices we make when we are composing our envelopes. I think she made this envelope out of a page from a coloring book so she had to decide where to make the folds. The image was going to be cropped. And she might have considered how the stamp would fit in. Other choices were colors and the placement of the address label and then the little bear-sticker. It's always fun when the USPS appears to be contributing to the design. Choosing to put the cancel in the lower left was perfect. Although we have to stay sane and acknowledge that it was just random.

That thing from yesterday that I was going to continue to jabber about was the hierarchy of the various kinds of art - commercial or *fine* --- and IMHO - the whole debate is a non-issue.  People love to debate - but - it's a deeply personal perspective. It's like snowflakes. Each one is supposedly unique and when it comes to *art* - it's so personal. It took me a long time to accept that if a person prefers Bob Ross paintings to Rembrandt -- that's fine. I need to respect that they have their preferences and I have mine. 

I just picked Rembrandt out of thin air. I don't mean to put him on any pedestal. If the Louvre called me up and asked me to come choose one thing to take home - it would not be a Rembrandt. 

Abrupt halt to this train of thoughts. We might come back. Feel free to send me your own perspective - as this is IMHO a very fun topic - but not one that's going to go very far if I am just talking to myself.

 

Sept from Janet - more art talk

 

Janet went with collage for September. The line under my name says:  The imaginative use of space and weight in this alphabet makes it delightfully elegant and subtle. 

I keep forgetting to ask Janet for details on her educational background in art. I suspect she's had some classes in design. She's skilled at drawing as well as composition - or design. Design is such a broad concept - which is why I am continuing with the topic. 

Everyone has heard of an interior designer or fashion designer - so I think *design* is often associated with 3D. But, we've all heard of graphic designers - and that's 2D - but it is also very much associated with *commercial art* - and to some people, if it is *commercial* it's not *fine art.* 

When I was in college 1969-1972 - the major for graphic design was called commercial art. I do not recall when the label switched over to graphic design. Either way, it will never solve the debate over whether art that is created for commercial purposes is *less than* fine art. Enough for today - will continue this topic tomorrow.

This eyeball was on the back of the postcard - and is a reference to the words on the front of the postcard about the woman who has done *half an eyeball.* That is one fine eyeball, Janet.

Sept from Hadley - 50 States Song

 

This envelope is from a. new exchanger, Hadley. She patiently drew a cable stitch which brought back fond memories of my knitting days. I loved doing the cable stitches and still have a small stash of yarn and a medium stash of needles. I'm saving them as a reward when I get my hoard reduced to perfection. It was fun to ponder a question that a friend asked me quite some time ago: When will you know you have reduced the hoard to perfection? Good question. I have designated zones - and everything needs to be condensed down so that I have an exact measurement of the volume of stuff. 

***

An off-topic add-on that is something I would have enjoyed getting my grandkids to learn, but I missed that window when they were learning the states. Maybe some of you with younger grandkids can get them to learn this song....listing the 50 states.

LINK to The 50 States in Rhyme

Sept from Leslie - Zonkers assignment

This second idea, inspired by the Calder piece is a much looser interpretation. It reminded me of a truly memorable assignment I had as a freshman art major. It was homework for my class in design - to do while we were home for Thanksgiving. The snack food, Screaming Yellow Zonkers had just come out and our assignment was to create 5 drawings inspired by the package. It would be fun to see those drawings - but all my student work is gone - except for one thing that I will post next time I see it.

Of course I had to do a search to find an image of Screaming Yellow Zonkers. There was a long article about how they were way ahead of their time in the concept of frequent variations in the packaging and a design that stood out from all the typical snack foods. 

As I have said many times - unless you went to art school, you might not realize that learning to draw is only 50% of your degree in art. The other 50% is *design* - which is how you compose (or arrange) the elements. 

I've said it many times --- I was/am mediocre at best in my actual skills at drawing or lettering when compared to the true rock stars in art and lettering - I'm better at the design - or cleaver ways to present the mediocre elements - so that the mediocrity of the lettering is less noticeable.

This was just one of many different designs I found when I Googled to see if I could find the original package. One of the features of the package was that it was constantly changing. Now I wonder if it was a trail blazer in the world of marketing. 

 

Sept from Leslie

Leslie was inspired by a Calder piece she saw while on a trip to DC - pictured below. Above is the front of the envelope with the stamp - below, she repeated the image. Leslie is one of the growing number of people who puts the recipient's address on the back to insure that the USPS only has one option for delivering. I like how Leslie came up with a very creative design - but it still allows for the address to be clear and scanner friendly.

She also mentioned that she came home with a ton of ideas for envelopes - inspired by other works of art - and sites she saw in DC. 

This is the inspiration piece. She sent a second envelope that we will see tomorrow.

Sept from Irene - November exchange sign-up

 Holy cow - this is spectacular. Irene signed up for a class with Kathy Milici. I've met Kathy a couple times - long ago at conferences. It's been fun to watch her presence in the calligraphy community grow. From time to time I have conversations with people who started in traditional calligraphy and now find it difficult to loosen up. I always forget to mention Kathy as someone who seems to have figured out how to do it. She's also skilled at teaching it.  LINK to Kathy's Instagram

Time for the November exchange sign-up.

Today through November 4th is the window to sign-up. Lists are sent on the 5th.

If you participated in the October exchange - just shoot me an email that says: SIGN ME UP - you do not need to retype your address and info.

Let me know if it is your [Birthday] month or if you are willing to be on [2 Lists].

If you were not on the October list - or only sign up occasionally - or are a new exchanger - please send your information in the following format:

Jane Doe

123 Oak Street

Ames, IA 50010

janedoe@aol.com

[Birthday]  [2 Lists]

If you are new - here is a link with details about how the exchange works.

LINK to how the exchange works

June/July/whatever - from Janet and Carolyn

This was the post that I bumped on Oct 7th when I decided to talk about Halloween stamps.

Once again - I think I missed some envelopes when I was doing them by month. The one above is from Janet. She said she finally found something that worked on shimmer envelopes - Tombo markers and then you smudge the ink with a tissue. Of course, when I find images that I forgot to post - I can't always find the stack of envelopes in which they reside - so - my new thing is to photograph the messages. We'll see if that works.

Carolyn sent some fun Legos - or maybe they are tiles or bricks - or something else. I wonder if I have stated that I am as fond of grids as I am of dots? If not - consider it stated. I guess this isn't a grid. It's rows. I like rows. Ooooooh - time to revisit the posts on Knolling - that *thing* where people line things up. So satisfying.