MMSA

Mail Me Some Art - if you haven't found this site yet, it's time.  Click the link and explore the wide world of mail art.  It's the best kind of participative art:  it's quick, easy, no-pressure art; it goes out into the world and brightens someone's day; it makes you smile when you check the mail; it can be as elaborate or as simple as you like; it connects you with other mail artists all over the world.  Many of us use bits and pieces from other projects so there's virtually no cost - how can you beat that????

Karen, the tireless, spirited, totally supportive hostess of MMSA continues to come up with creative themes to pique your interest and creativity each week.  Pick and choose the topics or timeframe that suit you.  Make one postcard per theme or make a half dozen.  You get back as many as you send to Karen.  I love that she posts a month's worth of themes at a time so it's easy to plan ahead.....

Green theme - due 3/18

Here are the 4 cards I'm sending for the green theme....

Jean's Collage Sheet - due 3/25
This is a challenging way to make mail art.....someone (in this case Jean) submits a 8x10 sheet of scanned or photo items and we're to create collages using ONLY images from the collage sheet (made bigger or smaller if you want). It can be embellished with mark making, but no more images.  I find these challenging, but that's sort of the fun of it too.

I'd love you to join in and discover the pleasure of mail art!  Visit the site to see the other themes for March.

collages and mail art

I was so busy with Dan's book, my other art endeavors took a bit of a back seat.  But, the incoming mail didn't falter!  And I did get a couple of collages (using my motif of the month, hearts) and mail art collages made.....so here goes:

Collage #29, Purple Love:

Collage #30:  Crossed Hearts

Mail art out that I'm also claiming as 365 collages:

#31:  a postcard from a provided collage sheet for a MMSA swap.

#31 is the bottom collage - using just one element from the collage sheet enlarged and reduced for graphic effect.

I also sent out 3 cards for the AIB (Artists in Blogland) swap - all versions of this style:

Then, on the receiving side, my mail box is very happy - cards have been coming in from Shannon's international swap:

From Lena in Germany

From Zafaran in India - the leaves and bird wings are highlighted with a sparkle pen

From Karen - a mail art buddy....getting cards from blogging buddies is bound to happen every now and then as we all love to join in swaps.  Love her touch of whimsy....she makes me smile.

This beauty from Jean in Hawaii.

AND, the riches haven't ended.....I received these two from the MMSA blue theme:

From Amy (using a sun print of the leaves)

From Ellen ( a very time consuming mosaic)

I'm thinking I missed posting a few.....I'm sorry.  My piles got mixed up.  Know that each and every postcard is MUCH appreciated.  I even have Dan trained to say - anything cool in the mail today?

delicious mail art

I'm SO behind, but gradually catching up.  One happy day recently I checked the mail and had a STACK of incoming mail art.  STACK!  I can't believe how uplifted and smiley I felt after looking through all that artistic goodness.  Some were from a MMSA swap, some from IUOMA, some from blogging buddies.  What a haul!  It'll take me a little time to catch up, but I will get some art out soon!

The mail art joy continued throughout the week with a birthday packet or two and more postcards. You guys are the BEST!

Here goes:
Four great 'trashpo' cards (made entirely from recycled stuff that would otherwise be in the trash) from the MMSA swap (you get one in return for each one you send).

The top one is from Sherry H. who lives in AK and her card is filled with AK info; the lower starry card  is from Nydia in CT.  She recycled a dental p/c and added stars everywhere, even on the back. 

The top card is from Connie T. in NY and is all about snack food wrappers - what an excellent idea! The bottom card is from the always creative Corrine at Dosfishes.  Where did she find that cow stamp?

Above, a beautiful piece of digital art on a card from Michelle at Brain Angles - if you haven't seen her work yet, it's worth a visit to her blog. She combines digital effects with mixed media pieces for some stunning pieces.

These two cards are of each sender's personal art on a glossy printed card!  Sherry's intricate zentangled piece has so much movement and the little bits of color really add a lot.  Lorinda's (Everyday Endeavors) postcard features a close up of one of her mixed media pieces (just look at all those layers). I love them both!  Thanks ladies.

The garden notes card is thickly covered in paint and papers making this impressionistic floral card - stunning! It's from Lee K. in Alberta Canada - her blog is Defining Me (though she's taking a break this summer).  The lower card is from Barbara D in NC and she wants to join the mail art fun - something will be going her way soon!

This dimensional postcard didn't scan well - that sunshine is actually bright yellow and made of fimo clay (?), a butterfly sticker, ribbon and layered cutouts for the design at the bottom. What a beautiful card from Debbie at Craftymoose!  The handmade envelope actually goes with Gina's card below (got 'em mixed up).

The top stunning botanical drawing is from my Aussie buddy Tracey Fletcher King - it arrived in a packed filled with lovely goodies that I just love. The bottom card is from Gina V. - check out her flickr account.  Gina has an ongoing call for mail art that you can read about here.

Karen at I am Rushmore sent me a delightful packet of goodies including this postcard and just amazing bookmark.  I am gathering an embarrassing wealth of gorgeous handmade bookmarks.  Never fear, they are used with great pleasure!

Then, I received my first ever zine!  What a welcome surprise! April at April Cole Studio draws the most amazing faces and her little 8 page zine is filled with bits of them. I'm so inspired, I want to try it too.  I'll add it to the list!  Thanks so much April - I just love it!

Last, but not least, cards received just today - from Corrine and from an IUOMA member in OR.

Top one, IUOMA, bottom one - a stylish one from Corrine.....I can always recognize her cards...doesn't she have some great washi tape?

Thanks to every one of you for making my last couple of weeks so filled with yummy art even when I haven't been able to make any myself.  You all inspire me.  Now, I'll be getting my creative hat on and making some return mail!  I tried to give links to everyone that I could....hopefully I didn't forget anyone.

Outgoing - just a small mailing for now to make sure Karen gets it in time for the swap:

snail mail

I've rediscovered the pleasures of snail mail.  I've made new friends; I've made and sent art; I use recycled papers, cardboard and more to make postcards; I look forward to checking my mailbox every day.  I'm sending out some snail mail love tomorrow (none of these are my IA cards....they're going out soon).

If you'd like to send and receive your very own mail art, watch for the occasional postcard swap or ask someone whose blog you follow if they'd like to trade mail art and exchange addresses privately.  Also, you can explore and join IUOMA (international union of mail artists - it's free) which is a site that's been around for years connecting people who enjoy the art of mail art.  Flutterbye is another site that will have occasional art/postcard mail art swaps (generously managed by Karen at IamRushmore), so register and join the art swap group there.  Currently you can join a postcard swap, an ATC swap and/or an art tag swap - sign up by May 25.  I always love sharing mail art (from anywhere in the world) and if you're interested in swapping, email me or leave a comment and let's exchange addresses.

ED:  I've also shared this with Artists in Blogland - no challenges here, we just want to see what you've been working on - easy, easy!

mail art

Sent:

All the above cards are made on cut up cereal type boxes and bits and pieces from my paper and stamps stash.  Most went to new IUOMA contacts in the trashpo group - trashpo means that the cards are strictly made from "trash", from ephemera, leftovers, recycled from things that would normally end up in the trash. Fun idea, right?

Received:

Received from IUOMA and swap-bot contacts.....and lovely surprises from buddies Corrine and Karen - thanks you guys!

Mail art rocks!  It's SO much fun to receive unexpected postcards or envelopes stuffed with goodies - like a little touch of Christmas......every day I'm eager to check the mail box, just in case something pretty is in there for me.  And I really like making mail art cuz it's quick and satisfying and a chance to play in a small format.  Try it, you'll like it.

happy mail

Yesterday's mailbox was a delight - in addition to the couple of junk mail pieces (saved those envelopes), I received postcards from Corinne and Karen.  Both so springy and pretty.  Thanks Corinne for sharing one of your washi tape sources from ETSY (see PrettyTape) and thanks Karen for sharing all your techniques.

Then, I was the prize winner at Marilyn's at Rock Art and she sent me this beautiful piece of art (gorgeous layers and collaging in the dress) wrapped in this scrumptious toile tissue paper, AND a set of 12 markers (can't wait to use them) as well as a beautiful card and envelope.  There's a wealth of future collaging materials here and all so pretty, I just have to look at them for awhile.  The art goes on my inspiration wall immediately!  Thanks so much Marilyn (hope your hubby is out of the hospital soon!)

I'm just now putting out feelers and trying my hand at sharing mail art (postcards or envelopes of little goodies) with some of my blogging buddies.  If you'd like mail from me (and you'll return mail to me), just email me your address (or comment to me and I'll return by email) and I'll add you to my Happy Mail list.

All this delicious mail came at a perfect time since I seem to be coming down with something and have a serious case of the blahs!  This definitely lifted my spirits.