Pass The Book & Mail Art

I have "The Writing Life" by Annie Dillard up for grabs from Melissa's Pass The Book - Year Two.  Dillard writes about what it is like to be a writer.

I struggled to finish the book but was glad I did.  The real gem is in the last 16 pages when she describes a stunt air show she watched.  Seriously, true poetry in motion!  If you'd like a chance to read this book, leave a comment. I'll draw a winner on Sunday and mail out Monday.

I'm participating in Ginger's Mail Art Exchange.  In addition to the person I was assigned, I chose three others from the list whom I had never sent Mail Art to.  These are the envelopes I sent out, before addresses were added:

I've heard from two of the four that their art was received, so hopefully by now everyone has it!  Mixed media and envelopes are such a happy pairing!

About Smash Books

E.K. Success Smash Books and Fancy Pants Brag Books seem to be all the rage this Summer!  But the idea is certainly nothing new... I think the big companies are just cashing in on something scrapbookers were already doing on their own.  In fact, Tangie Baxter posted a series of videos on You Tube on how to create a Junque Journal back in January of 2010.  I picked up on the idea from Kai and created my own back in March of 2010 and blogged about it here.

My own Junque Journal:

has become the repository for the ephemera of every day life that I wouldn't normally create a scrapbook page about.

Such as Happy Mail, ticket stubs, stamps...

More Happy Mail, thank you notes, quotes that move me, etc.

As you can see, my pages are often very simple and bereft of embellishments.  I don't put things in order ... I just open up to a random page and add stuff. And I don't worry about mixing stuff on a page either! Which makes it even more eclectic and fun.  And this little gem is great to flip through when I need a quick pick me up. When you start adding happy mail and such... it gets quite fat quickly!

Thank You

First, my thanks to everyone who weighed in on my class decision. FUN ended up being the order of the day (it really was so obvious once you all pointed it out!) and I signed up for Creative Color... hope some of you will join me!  I'm sure I'll be missing out on some really good stuff with the other two, but both time and finances dictate that I limit myself right now... and you have NO IDEA how difficult that is for me!

Second, a belated, but very heartfelt thanks to all of you who have kept my mailbox (and me) feeling happy, uplifted, and remembered lately:

I had two from Beverly at BeGlorious.  Absolutely wonderful!  Thank you for thinking of me Beverly!

And a postcard from Rinda at Gallo Organico.  This is the second time Rinda has favored me with a bit of her art and I just love the saying on this one... "Art is an adventure that never ends."  So me right now! Thanks Rinda!

And Mel at I Speak Melsh, sent me this little pillow ... one of her inspiration pieces from the book "Where Women Create" which just happens to be in my possession right now!  Thanks Mel!

Project 64 {23 & 24/64}, Picture Color 6/12, and a Mystery

Last weeks color for Project 64 was "Timberwolf".  After looking unsuccessfully all week, I found it today, right under my nose:

Yes, my trackball mouse (that in my opinion looks more like a fish on a hook than a mouse) was a perfect match!

This week's color is Olive Green and I had the perfect thing sitting on my desk:

This lovely mail art from Rinda! With a beautiful card inside made from repurposed ATC cards. Loved the Artspiration - thanks Rinda!

Yesterday's Picture Color prompt "Seeing Spots" had me photographing this plant:

And this Daylily - the first to bloom this year!

Last, but not least, I have a mystery to solve. Today in the mail I received this adorable envelope:

Obviously posted from somewhere in the U.K.

But no return address... Inside, this gorgeous card that doubles as a CD holder:

But no note, no signature. Now the style screams Jacky to me. And I remembered this post with some strikingly similar papers and style... so did I solve the mystery? Is this beauty from you Jacky??

Good Mail Day

received this delightful little card and gorgeous envelope from Sian earlier this week.

Yay, bring on the sunshine!

Thanks Sian!

Coming Soon

to a mailbox near you...

A while ago I received this lovely little giftie from Melissa as part of Pay It Forward.  It is the cutest little (3" x 4.5") purse size notebook.

I decided that rather than do a lottery on my blog, I would just choose some people to receive a Pay It Forward from me.

Here's a sneak peek at what I made:

Sorry, that is all I'm giving away for the moment. I want my recipients to be surprised!

But here's the catch.  You see I'm also participating in Mail Art Exchange with Ginger.

So those little gifties went postal last Friday in these:

And I purposefully took the photo BEFORE I addressed the envelopes, so  I would not be giving away any secrets!

Now here's the final kicker.  When I started this, I only made ten envelopes. :(

I had the darnedest time choosing just ten people to send out to.  Some regular readers, some newer ones. Five here in the states, five abroad.  But there were so many others I wanted to send a pretty envelope to... that I've already decided to do a round two!  Cause I just can't stand leaving any of my bloggy friends out.