January to Ming - 2023 Flintstone house

 

I saw that saying, in that style and layout somewhere - and made a rough pencil sketch - but didn't keep the original so I can't give anyone credit. I have no idea how faithfully I appropriated whatever it was I was looking at. I wrote in gold gel pen first and then layered that with light colored markers. The space that was left for a name seemed like a good fit with Ming's name. I didn't have any stamp in mind and because the rates were going up - I figured I would just use an international stamp. 

This envelope really needed one more thing - but, I was running out of time and had to send it along looking like this. It's OK. As I keep saying -- maybe I'll find my groove next month.

***

One of those things I pondered that is not going to happen was having a list of 30 different add-on topics so that I maintained appropriate variety. I still love that idea - and now I'm thinking that I could keep a log and review which topics might be popping up too often. I know that I gravitate towards a lot of house/home images and videos - so I make sure to not put an endless stream of *OhMyGoshLookAtThisHouse.* 

But this one is in Ohio - and it sorta knocked my socks off. A while ago I shared a *Flintstone* house that was on a British Isle -- and was ancient. This is a modern *Flintstone* house (although the Flintstones did not live in a cave. IMHO - the gothic touches are a strange combination with all the rock. But the way they integrated contemporary features with your basic rocks seems nice.

And -- it's an AirBNB - so our dear pen-pal-friend Finnbadger could go check it out and report back. There are lots of places to hike, too.

LINK to cave-house

The guy's channel has a lot of tiny house tours - if you are into tiny houses.

Dismal work from Jean to Jessica, Lauren and SMash - Hell's Canyon postal delivery

Grab your barf bags - my January envelopes are wretched. I hesitate to even post them - but for some bizarre reason I feel like I should at least share so you know I am trying. These three are just boring - because I needed so many stamps - and it is really hard to get that many stamps affixed in a centered and level manner

I will show two others tomorrow - that are slightly better. I was only on one list in January. Maybe February will be better. Clearly there are no inspirational features on any of these. I guess you can draw a gremlin saying *Grrr* if you are not happy with your design. 

 And I guess the way Susan's name varied the wide and narrow letter is something to try if you have never done it - or to remember it - if you have done it before. It's a really fun technique.

***

This article is from 2021 - so we won't know if anything has changed - but it's a fun article about a couple who delivers mail (and more) in a very remote part of the country - a canyon on the Snake River - between Idaho and Oregon.

LINK to article

I looked for a map - but did not find a good one. Picture the area on the west border of Idaho - that is pretty straight up and down - and then think of the mid-point - right where the Oregon-Washington border runs into Idaho and the Hell's Canyon area is probably towards the Oregon portion. It's a huge area and pretty remote. Maybe my Idaho pen pal who has a name that starts with M will augment my sketchy information. Apologies for not remembering your name -- or maybe I'll do a quick search. <pause> Well that was interesting. I did a search for *Idaho* and found an envelope from her offspring, Jesse. There was another envelope to someone named Bug in Boise. Mejaka is the only thing I can find.

Dang -- I knew there would be an envelope to the Idaho pen pal - and I could not extract myself from looking - and came up with Janna M. H. - So - I'm not sure - but maybe we will hear from her. I think she still had 3 or 4 boys at home - so, it's possible she's just curled up under a blanket. That's where I would be if I had 3 or 4 boys.

Dec 2023 from Lynne - essay on using creativity

 

There were at least 3 of us who were in the mood for light on dark poinsettias in December. These are from Lynne. The PO sent it through without any barcodes or cancels. Or - there might have been a sticker barcode. Peeling off stickers is not something I would ever recall doing. My own version ran way back in Dec and the third one (from Smash ran a week ago. As fun as it would be to save the Dec envelopes and run them in Dec 2023 - we're going to have to put up with out of season ideas - and just think of ways to imagine that these are hearts.

***

This post is way out of order - it got lost in the drafts folder. Feel free to ignore the add-on unless you need to fill/kill some time.

*

I ran across this essay that is much denser than what I usually put on the blog - but - it resonated with me in a very interesting way. I am 100% on board with what it talks about - but streamlining it into an edited version probably won't work. 

On the surface it talks about coping with loss - specifically death of loved ones - and that is not a topic that needs more attention on this blog - but I am including it because everything it says about coping with loss of loved ones correlates to my adjusting to the changes in my brain. So, I am linking to the essay - with the warning that it isn't light and fluffy - but - it might be interesting. 

Here's the one liner that probably explains why this essay struck me as share-worthy: 

"...to better understand why learning to live with loss is a creative pursuit."

LINK to essay

Chuck's gnome and Christmas tree

This was Chuck's January exchange envelope. I've seen his March gnome, too. I go back and forth on whether to do gnomes. They're so cute - and it's fun to think of a monthly activity for them. I do not recall if I posted this gnome that I saw in Chicago. It's an actual tree - or mini-tree. What do you call a tree that's not exactly a tree? A sapling? Is that term appropriate for conifers? Any botanists reading the blog who want to weigh in?

I've also lost track of which Dec envelopes have already been posted - so here is Chuck's. It's the Charlie Brown tree -  very nostalgic. 

It seems like I commented on the lettering -- it seems like it's one of those styles that you could just make up the whole alphabet based on seeing just a few of the letters. Is this a specific font, Chuck? Apologies if we have already had this conversation.

 

From Mary to Janet - Sue Greenseth

I said there were a couple - but there are actually 5 envelopes from Mary - so, I'll tuck the other 3 in a folder and go back to the Dec envelopes. This looks like it was *mixed media.* It ties in with the stamp very nicely. I made a new folder - !!UNBLOGGED - that should show up at the top of the list. Maybe that will help me not lose it. 
 

***

Today's add-on is a link to some superb Neuland -- and more if you know how to explore rabbit holes.

Sue Greenseth has a ton of work online. 

This link will take you to the page where I found this image LINK to Neuland

And this link will take you to her portfolio with 11 more topics. LINK to portfolio

Here is her IG handle:  @sue.tangomango

I hit 1.5million views on the blog within the past couple days.

Bonus post

Scroll down past this for today's regular post

Here is a poster of all the LOVE stamps.

You may download your own PDF at

https://theportlandstampcompany.com/love/

 

From Mary to Grace - Origami

Thank you to Mary for sending a couple envelopes that she did for the Jan exchange. I appreciate having extras and there are more from Mary - but, it was easier to just grab the ones that had not gone into a folder - where they tend to get lost. Such a nice circle-design. I wonder if she uses Copic markers. They look like they blend nicely. I need to see if my friend Jan still has a bunch of Copics and invite myself over to try them.

***

Origami - one of my favorite off topics - and this one is longer and more technical - but if you love origami you will probably enjoy it.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDwPXRy9IFc

Dec 2022 from Leslie

If you need an idea for Valentine's Day, flip those trees upside down and turn them into hearts. I wonder where Leslie got the kraft envelope with a window. Note to self: buy more celebrate stamps. This particular design has been so versatile. 

For some reason, this post was devoid of jabbering - so this is a real time post. I just sent out the lists for the February exchange. The numbers were up - so I found myself on all 5 lists. I *pulled a Chuck* which means I have already started 20 envelopes and should be getting them in the mail promptly. They are not swoon-worthy - but not exactly wretched.

Instead of putting my name on the list, I put the name Jennifer - and I will be collecting all the envelopes to pass along to Jennifer who is the lovely USPS employee who mentored my son when he showed up. I figured she would enjoy a stack of fun mail.

I didn't offer any suggestions for themes for envelopes for Jennifer. Obviously anything postal themed would be fun. Or if you wanted to make it mushy/love/valentine themed - that always works - because we love the USPS. If anyone loves to embellish the name Jennifer and did not sign up for the exchange - feel free to send me a bonus envelope for Jennifer -

at my address - 420 44th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.

I was so tempted to have Jennifer's envelopes sent to the main post office where she works - but was somewhat nervous about whether or not they would get to her. Obviously - it would be a very good way to *test* the post office - but, you never know - there could be people who are not as lovely as Jennifer who might frown on Jennifer getting personal mail at work.

Oh.My.Gosh. The head honcho. I bet I can get his name. The postmaster of Des Moines. That would be interesting to send some fan mail to him......or her.

 

Dec 2022 from Lauren and Jeri - ¡ay, caramba!

Well this is interesting -- Lauren's envelope went through the cancelling machine sideways. And and I can understand why a postal worker felt the need to *cancel* with a pen - but what's with that big, ol' question mark to the right of the name and address? The lettering is perfectly clear. Are they confused by the DUH instead of DES? 

I like that arch of snowflakes -- a steal worthy design. Below is another white on red design - nicely centered. I have a good name and address for centering. I often wonder what Jeri (below) does on her list of mailings. She is a scribe friend, not an exchanger - so I'd have to do some persuading to get her to show me the rest of her mail.

This was inside Lauren's:

***

 ¡ay, caramba! is an informal exclamation people use to show surprise, anger, excitement, pain, or annoyance. This expression is close in meaning to: Damn, Oh my goodness, For crying out loud, Good heavens (this is a copy/paste off Google)

I have been away from the blog for a couple weeks - first cat sitting and then grandkid sitting. The ¡ay, caramba! is because I did not do a good job of keeping track of which envelopes have been posted. It is Jan 15th and I'll just have to proceed with the usual mish-mash and hope that some of the topics are interesting. I have not forgotten about posting more fonts - so that could happen.

Shout out to people (non-exchangers) who read the blog daily - and sent me surprise mail. It's so much fun to hear from people from way back. Thanks, Eduardo and Stella - your envelopes will pop up pretty soon because they are on the top of the stack.
 

Dec 2022 from Mary - crunching snow

Mary does some adorable drawing on her envelopes and this one included some lovely winter photographs. As I write this in early January - I have been enjoying all the snow photos from Tahoe. Nine-ten feet of snow. The rest of California is not enjoying their weather. Maybe there will be a silver lining in the form of water to reduce the drought situation....

***

Here is a fun off-topic add-on for anyone who grew up in the far north and is now living in the deep south - or those of us who grew up in Minnesota and only moved one state south - but are still nostalgic for the sound of crunching snow. 

Three and a half hours of crunching snow -- the scenery is pretty. I think it was filmed in Washington. No time (at the moment) to do a deep dive - but, hope to come back. I seriously doubt anyone would watch the whole thing. But if you ever enjoyed crunching through the snow - it is very nostalgic.

LINK to snow crunching video

 

Dec 2022 from Smash - vintage USPS

Isn't this gorgeous? Smash gets an A+ for remembering to send me a photo of all her envelopes - which she did right before she mailed them. I noticed that she had 240 instead of 420 for my house number when she sent the photo. I didn't mention it to her at the time and was hoping that it would show up. I think my letter carrier is paying attention - because there is no sign of any bar code or cancel. 

Here is a nice photo of all of her envelopes. I don't know why I blocked out my own address.

On the same day that this one arrived, there was one addressed to me at 430 - 44th. I did have my studio at 430-44th - but we sold that property 10 years ago. I appreciate that my letter carrier is looking at the names on the mail - especially during the time these two were delivered - during that intense cold spell when it was double digits below zero.

Here is a good add on to go with my appreciation of current postal service. Thank you to Chuck for finding these fun vintage USPS photos.

Xmas Post Office Cart, Washington DC, 1919

This might be a repeat - but, in case I am just confused, I'll run it again. I remember my mailman pushing one of these through the neighborhood where I grew up in St. Paul in the 60s - although the caption says 50's.  

Oh - here's another one I just found in my download folder. Maybe my new method of posting fun things will be the minute they come in - I post them - and then I won't get confused. It's worth a try. 

This one reminds me of those freestanding kiosks where you took film to be developed. Fotomat? I think that was the name. [pause to Google] Yes, that was the name - and - there is additional useless information on Wiki if you are interested. I recently watched something where a group of 20-somethings were politely listening to a 70-something tell a story - and it has inspired me to be extra careful about talking about the olden days.

I'm pretty sure there are very few - if any - younger people stumbling across my blog any more. 

Sharon's card - and lovely response to my questions.

Here is the Uber-lovely card that came in the envelope I posted two days ago - by Sharon. I am also going to include a lovely email from Sharon. Back in Nov or Dec I started jabbering about including conversations that I had been having with people - and Sharon was one of them. I think I mentioned that these conversations would be coming up. So here is one --- 

You may review the Dec 15 blog post that she mentions HERE -- where I pondered how much time she has to devote to her envelopes. She kindly answered my questions in an email saying this:

In reply to your December 15, 2022 post, I can assure you I am a regular person with regular “obligations”! LOL!

After working full-time for 30+ years (25 in public service), in late 2019 I retired. I highly recommend it! LOL! If you figure that it takes at least 10 hours per day to get ready for work, get to work, do the work, and get home again, by signing retirement papers I freed up around 50 hours per week! What to fill it with? How about art?! (Not, of course, that I get all that freed-up time for art!)

I find I’m happy (happier? happiest!) when I do some art every day. I like daily calligraphy practice. Sometimes it’s Copperplate, Italic, Uncial, even architect’s printing with markers; often it’s only one page. But practicing daily keeps me improving.

So, the issue isn’t of how much time is spent, but a rather one of prioritizing.

WHY I LIKE THE EXCHANGE:

1.      My goal in the exchange is to give recipients 30 seconds of enjoyment as they walk from their mailbox with my envelope to their stack of bills -- like Susan, Cathy, Rachael, Maggie, Janet, Jean, Leslie, Kate and many others do for me.

2.      While I appreciate that some exchangers make a different envelope for each recipient, everyone on my list gets the same envelope (see Short-Cut below).

3.      I can try new art techniques every month. I like that mail art is low risk; by that I mean nearly anything can be turned into an envelope. After retirement and before joining the exchange, I explored watercolor, which I find to be a tricky medium. But it did yield some envelopes. Earlier this year while recuperating from knee replacement surgery, I tried pen and ink, (which folded into my experience with Zentangle that I found 7 or 8 years ago). That technique yielded the August sunflower envelope, the September Giving Tree envelope, and the October Raven envelope. I find pen and ink so darn fun!

4.      Like fellow exchanger ChuckM, I ready envelopes for the next month, adding names and addresses once the list comes out. Sometimes “obligations” take up my time, so knowing the envelopes are mostly ready makes me happy.

5.      In the beginning, I worried that I wouldn’t find enough ideas to keep me going. Now I find the more I see others’ art and the more art I do, the more ideas that come to me.

6.      It’s fun! Who doesn’t like giving and getting pretty mail?!

SHORT-CUT: For my pen and ink envelopes (except for the sunflower envelopes which were all original), I start with an initial drawing, sometimes in pencil, sometimes in fine-line pen, and usually sized to an A7 envelope. I scan the drawing. I drop the image into a Word envelope document that’s the size of my envelopes. I feed envelopes through my printer and voila! I have a consistent start. All that’s left is finishing touches and addresses. Sometimes I add pen marks and sometimes watercolor (like on the raven) to give it a boost. I don’t have a robust photo editing program, so this is somewhat less successful for watercolor images. The colors look more flattened out than I’d like but I have used them on envelopes, too.

***(from Jean)

Thank you, Sharon, for taking time to write this. I can see that we have a very similar perspective and am guessing that several other people are nodding their heads in agreement. Maybe *everyone*? 

 

 

Dec 2022 from Patty - Feb Exchange sign-up

Apologies to Patty for mangling the envelope when I sliced it open with an Xacto knife. The card is so cute - it reminds me of the Rifle Co designs. I've been trying to find a rug for our sunroom and was surprised to see how many rug designs they have. I wouldn't have thought that a stationery designer would branch out into rugs - although they might have been putting their designs on a ton of other stuff - so maybe rugs are the logical next-step for them. I remember when some car company came out with an Eddie Bauer design for their SUV. Why don't car companies come out with custom designs catering to people who like stamps and trips to the PO?

 Sign up for the February exchange is Feb 1-4 and I'll send lists on the 5th. Details for anyone who is new to the exchange are here. LINK to details about the exchange

My email is PTEnvelopes@aol.com. I send a confirmation that I have your sign-up. If you do not hear from me - send another email.

I need this info in this format please and thank you.

John Doe 
123 Oak Street
Town, State ZIP
Country
john.doe@gmail.com
(BIRTHDAY) (2 LISTS)

Include your birth date - if you wish to receive optional birthday themed envelopes. (2 LISTS) means you are willing to be on two lists if I need to even out the lists to 6 names on each list.

Dec 2022 from Sharon - Alleluia or Hallelujah?

This is a splendid piece of pointed pen work from Sharon. Those stamps are so nice. I might post her block printing again when I get back to that topic. It's taking a lot of self control to not pull out some nibs and ink and make some of those sprigs of pine needles. I will post the card the day after tomorrow. She said this envelope was inspired by Phyllis Macaluso. Here is a link to Phyllis's IG. LINK to Phyllis's IG

***

On Nov 16th, I was on a huge *up swing* because I had finished my Nov mailings, I had resolved to skip the Dec exchange and those two accomplishments were boosting me. Then, the proverbial frosting on the cake arrived when I found a video that is so wonderful on so many levels. I have no idea if anyone else will enjoy it. I INSIST that my BigHelpfulBrother watch it because there is some information that is essential to us maintaining our cosy sibling relationship. 

It has a lot to do with fonts - and even if you skip through the first part - I think it is around minute 19 when he explains why we use the word font - when, technically, it is not the correct word.

LINK to the story of fonts - 30 minutes

I started this blog post thinking *Hallelujah* but autocorrect changed it to Alleluia. I had a brief dip in my good mood because I did not want to research and figure out if one of those words was better than the other in this situation. And then ReasonableJean spoke up and said: It doesn't matter. 

I don't even know why I thought that was a good title. I don't really feel like it is - but, I do not want to take time and energy to come up with a better title. 

Dec 2022 from Leslie - Troy and rambling

 

I love the subtle green dots - to complement the stamp. If I were to use those stamps, I'd definitely use that much red in proportion to the green.

Below - is an impressive envelope with stitching and sparkle. Very festive.

And the frosting on the cake -- another scribble tree.

Yesterday's post was getting long - so I didn't say anything about his closing remark that he had rambled on enough. I'd have to say it was just the right amount of rambling. These are stressful times. I'm having a burst of energy with these conversations with readers. I've always had some personal chit-chat going on with people - but it's never gotten to be too much. 

As I have mentioned previously - it's been an adjustment to switch from teaching and running the studio to  whatever it is I am doing now. Little by little - there are a ton of styles that will get posted - and if I forget to cross post them on a separate blog - PUH-LEEEZE remind me. It will be so much easier for all of us - if we can just go to one place and search for something fun.

***

Eye-rolling add-on.  It's been a while since I wrote that previous paragraph. There's no way I'll remember to cross post or label anything. Entropy wins.

Dec 2022 from Mike - Troy and stamp selection/pondering

I met Mike through the Flourish Forum and we've corresponded a bit. He has been to IAMPETH and I keep forgetting to ask him if he is going to IAMPETH in Chicago in 2024. Obviously, that is a ways into the future and none of us can predict what might happen within the next 30 seconds to possibly prevent travel. I could have (would have) met up with him in person in Omaha - except I had that close encounter with the edge of my kitchen countertop which has altered quite a few things. I am going to pencil in IAMPETH in Chicago - since it is easy for me to get there. Even if I only attended that one Round Robin event in the evening - it would be worth it to sign up and show up. 

I'll jabber more about it - when it gets closer. When they meet in Chicago - it is often times at some college campus that is way the heck out in the suburbs. The thought of being that older lady who is all about penmanship appeals to me. There used to be the sweetest older lady - and it annoys the heck out of me that I can't remember her name. She was sooooo sweet. Not that I am anything like her in terms of sweetness - but, it would be nice to be one of the *elders* in attendance. [quick edit - her name was Irene Calendo]

***

Troy was keeping an eye on the new stamps and was only interested in half of the cat/dog love stamps - and wondering if I might be interested in whichever one he was less interested in. I was sad to report that while I love cats and dogs equally - I found those particular cats and dogs a little creepy. They remind me of the Keene big-eye portraits. I suggested that even when I do not like an image on a stamp - if the colors are fun to work with - I am oblivious to the subject matter.

He went ahead and ordered some dog/cat/love stamps and was considering more of the George Morrison stamps - which I agree are fabulous. Great colors - and abstract. It doesn't get better than that. 

I have to copy/paste his exact words about letting the colors guide the design because he chose one of my favorite words - and wondered if there was a better one. Nope. That word is perfecto.

TROY'S WORDS:

I’m starting to adhere to your admonition (I couldn’t think of a better word. If you have one let me know) of matching color with color. That may be the saving point with the Love stamp. 

One question I’m becoming more and more curious about- how many of us spend 5 minutes or more at times debating on what stamps to send to a particular person. 

I think there are ways to do polls online. I’ll look into it. 

Anyway, enough rambling for now. 

BACK TO JEAN'S WORDS: I think it would be fun to poll the readers about how much time is spent deciding who gets which stamp. Oh.My.Gosh. You can't imagine what I go through -- trying to guess - and sometimes I get feedback - for some very random reason -- and it's always fun to find out when there was some serendipity going on. 

I actually think about emailing people to ask about stamp preferences - but - they are fleeting thoughts - and I doubt I would ever go that far. 

Feel free to forward stories about yourselves and the gyrations you go through with stamp decisions.

From Patty - Oct 2022 - Lettuce incident

I guess my new *thing* is to have every post goofed up.

This one is very late.....

<sigh>

 Patty took advantage of that really good idea of doing a block of art (in this case collage) along the left border and then respecting the USPS's request for a clear address and a properly placed stamp. I'm writing this on Dec 13 - during the week where there were several emails with pen pals about the USPS and I said I would be tracking down a live postal worker (other than my son) to get to the facts about how much conformity is required vs requested. If I am reading this - and have not done anything towards tracking down this info - this is a reminder. 

I will refrain from extending this discussion into all the other areas where we are emphatically preserving our *freedoms.* The whole concept of freedom can get complicated. Nuf said.

***

Here is a quirky little article that I found in a pile of emails that I had let pile up. It's well written even though it addresses that topic that I probably bring up too often. It probably wouldn't come up that often if I would stop looking at the obituaries every day and seeing so many familiar faces. But - if I stopped reading them, I would be in the awkward situation that a friend of mine told me about -- running into a mutual friend of ours - and having no idea that she has been widowed for two years. The widowed friend was quick to reassure her that it has been pretty normal to run into people who were oblivious to the death of her husband because it happened right when covid hit - which was at a time when a lot of people were very distracted.

I do like how the article reminds us that covid is not the only threat hanging over our heads.

Also - I do not know if these links work indefinitely -- I guess we will find out.

LINK to article about a near death experience

Dec 2022 from JeanR --- Library story

If you read the blog really early yesterday (prior to 7 am CST)- there was a huge mix-up - so you might want to scroll back to see if you missed anything. I'm on the verge of grrrring at myself - but, saw some -12 weather in the forecast. That's 12 degrees below zero. Heading into survival mode here on the prairie.

Something about this design says *mid-century modern.* Maybe the shapes or the colors or both.

The envelope has the barcode but no cancel on the stamp. And I think I said something about scribbling - and that's a nice scribble-tree.

 Here's a little 3 minute, feel-good, video about a boy who literally grew up in a library.

https://aeon.co/videos/ronald-grew-up-in-a-new-york-city-library-it-was-as-strange-and-wondrous-as-it-sounds

***

It's Dec 20 - I'm close to getting January filled up - and GRRRRR - I have managed to skip some dates and get confused. So - the new plan is to be on track starting in February. LOL.

3 for Ellen - 5 pricey fabrics

I did it again. Messed up the post -- and there was an earlier one today that has been bumped back to where it was supposed to be. Eye-rolling at myself (instead of grrr) 

There was also a new one -- so this was a double mess up -- 

so scroll down to see the pretty in pink triangle trees.

 These were three that arrived for my daughter's birthday in November - and didn't get photographed with the others - so I ganged them in a hurry as I was getting them sent off. The top one is from Kate - and the leafy one is postmarked Sacramento - so that must be Sharon? But the flowery one - from Capitol District is a bit of a mystery. She enjoyed all her mail very much. Thanks to everyone. 

***

My folder with bookmarked items to use for add-ons has 165 items. I'm going to slog through all of them and then delete them as I go, so that hopefully, I will not repeat things. Of course the first one is a fairly recent finding and I don't think I posted it, but my memory is so sketchy. Apologies if this has already been posted. 

There are a number of readers who are interested in textiles - and this is 50 minutes - but you can flip past any of the ones that are not interesting. I enjoyed all of them - but my favorite was the vicuña. I had heard of vicuña but did not know anything about it. It is the last 10 minutes of the video. 

LINK to video about 5 very pricy fabrics 

Muga silk, Japanese denim, lace, hand-painted silk kimonos, vicuña. Those are all 5 fabrics - in case lace, silk, or denim are more your *thing.* 

It seems that both pricy and pricey are OK with the gods of spelling.

ooops -

 I messed up again --

today's post will be up shortly

Dec 2022 from Paula - Dull Men's Club

It was so much fun to hear from pen pal Paula - in NH. A nicely coordinated envelope design and card - and they go with the stamp. Paula's message on the back cracked me up. She claims she can only draw triangles. I'm guessing she could do perfectly proportioned rectangle or square. But, even if a person stuck to triangles - there are infinite options with any shape. And - there are small circles and one larger circle -- so she's got plenty to work with. Little by little - I am enjoying simple shapes in place of more complicated motifs.

Ed Emberley has certainly spent an entire lifetime on basic shapes with some extra doo-dads. So, if it's good enough for Ed, it's good enough for anyone. Finding cards like this one are a perfect way to spin an idea.

***

This just in from the BigHelpfulBrother - a 15 minute video about men who live in England and have declared themselves *dull.* Not in the intellectual sense - in the simplify your life sense. There is an impressive collection of milk bottles, a so-so collection of old style bricks, and the one that he knew I would enjoy - someone who wanders around collecting photos of the red British mail boxes.

LINK to Dull Men's video

IMHO - anyone who is keen on stamps and mail art would fit in very nicely. 

Mia's Oct 2022 - Jurgen Vercaemst

Mia sent the top envelope inside the bottom envelope - and there was probably a note with the reason - but, it is one of those stacks that be-devil me. Is 2023 the year that I get my stacks ordered? Or is 2023 the year that I stop thinking about AND stop talking about the stacks? I vote *yes* on both of those. I started talking about all the good conversations that would be coming up in January and here it is - the 25th - and they are still in a folder. Yikes. What if I can't find that folder? I promise I will look for it today (which is Dec 10) which is a Saturday - a good day to stay home and work on the blog.

I like your clothesline caps, Mia. It's nice to have one dangling letter in each name.

***

It is always fun to find a new calligrapher - especially one with contemporary leanings that allow for all kinds of looseness and wonkiness. Not that being loose and wonky is the secret - he still has a skill level that is beyond most of us. But there's some good stuff on his IG. It was hard to choose just one image - so I chose two - but they are just the tip of the iceberg.

https://www.instagram.com/jurgen_vercaemst/

 

Oct 2022 from Leslie - Jessie Chorley

Leslie had this to say about the card below:

Ugh, this insert didn't turn out. It was an attempt with resist and my folded pen. Still need practice with it, I guess. 

Back to Jean's comments: I have a jar of resist that I've had for a really long time -- I wonder if it has expired. <sigh> It might have to move to the *Maybe Never* box of art supplies. <double sigh>

***

While I am on my wistful, sighing loop - pondering all the things I either can't/won't/shouldn't be doing - here is a younger person who is doing exactly what I would be doing if I were in my 20s. Since my work on paper/envelopes is not turning out as I would like it - I'm leaning towards more textile based stuff.

https://www.jessiechorley.com.  Jessie graduated from university in 2005 - so she is way out of her 20s. 

https://www.instagram.com/jessiechorley/. A quick scan through her instagram does not reveal any spouse or kids - so - that might be a clue. 

I spent too much time looking for an image - and they were so varied - I couldn't settle on just one - so if you like stitching/collage/Welsh countryside/charming studios/and more -- maybe peek at the IG first - and if you like her vibe - the website is very nice.