mail bag

This has been another delightfully surprising week for me and my mail box.  Here's what I've received:

Through MMSA, Carroll in VT on the left, Karen on the right.

Perfect stitching all over this card from BonnieJeanne on left and an old book cover p/c from Andria on right.

These two are from the International P/C Swap - Laurie sent the sparkly top card and Colleen sent the one with the face drawing.  Thanks so much ladies.

Neesie in AU sent these two note cards with her amazingly detailed doodled art.  Talk about elevating a term - this is so much more than a doodle but I don't have the right word!  Thanks so much Neesie.

Finally, I received this wonderful print of a life drawing done by Jo Murray (another Aussie buddy), altered very slightly in her own inimitable way.  Title Body Piercings.  Lovely, right? :)

I can't thank you all enough.  One of the greatest pleasures I have as a result of starting this blog is joining the mail art community.  It's such a wonderfully energizing, sharing, supportive, creative group!  I love receiving bits of your art and staying in touch with new friends all over the world.  Thanks!

mail call

I'm sharing the wonderful mail art I've received this week.....

The top card is from Corrine at dosfishes and the Zentangle card is from Julia Winkler in the 2nd Flutterbye swap (now moved to Mail Me Some Art).  I love Julia's comment on the card that she's been doodling like this for years and wishes she'd thought to call in Zentangle and make buckets of money! :)  Probably lots of people think that.......

This creative card is from Gemma for the IA swap (my first of 5...) and the bookmarks below are from Tracey Fletcher King.  Aren't they gorgeous?  I just LOVE her botanical style and will treasure these bookmarks - she knows how much I read, so they'll definitely get some use!

This abstract, titled Moonscape, is from Jo Murray in Australia, one of my blogging buddies. OMG, I was blown away at the care and beauty of this piece - course I know I love her style and her beautiful work, but this postcard is really a mini-art piece and I adore it.  She wrote on the back that it has handmade paper, rust stained fabric, hand printed papers and paint.  Isn't it luscious?

This p/c arrived in the handmade envelope from the MMSA (mail me some art) swap - Thanks Lynn, both are beautiful and so appreciated!  And thanks for taking time to include the letter - hope you have a fun summer with your son.

I sent out some mail too:

Sent out for a swapbot exchange with yellow as the prompt: used some scrap papers, a postage stamp, and some paint.

I sent out 10 cards for Shannon's International Card Exchange and used a little of a lots of techniques.  I found some precut card stock in a range of colors so started with that and added paint, stamps, ephemera, a little collaging, etc.  I forgot to take a pic of the backs, but they're all customized and with a short message.  They are headed to the Netherlands, Australia, the US and Canada.  Hope everyone enjoys them....

BTW, due to my list making compulsion, I of course have an Excel list of everyone I've sent a p/c or swap to and have started numbering my postcards - a goal?  Not particularly, just a record.  These make 73 so far.  I have more on my worktable.....

mail call

I've received some lovely mail recently - isn't it great to go to the mail box and find something thoughtful and handmade there instead of all the bills and junk mail?  I just love that!

Thanks to:
Natasha May from the Flutterbye swap (many of you will recognize her delightful lady) Thanks Natasa.

Jenn McLean (how about that monogrammed bookmark - isn't it cool?!)  Thanks Jenn

a card from Nancy at IUOMA (this came wrapped in cellophane)  Thanks Nancy

and a card from a swap-bot trade for a 5x7 painting (isn't she lovely?)  Thanks!

Below is the 5x7 watercolor I sent to my swap-mate.

I'm always excited to share mail art and welcome others who want to share their creative endeavors with the mailman and with me!  Email me for an address exchange....  tpurk@earthlink.net