A Wall Pocket, A Hair Cut and Mail Art

Greetings Friends, Today is the first day I've been able to actually say I almost feel normal. Whatever normal may be, but I feel it. I just might have beat back the bronchitis. I went to Wal Mart today for the weeks groceries and got my hair cut. That salon visit made me feel so pampered. I almost fell asleep at the hair washing station. I've finished 1 antibiotic and the prednisone. I could easily stay on the prednisone to loose my excess weight as it kills my appetite. But that is not a good thing (steroids) and I very much doubt the doctor would be pleased if I suggested it, so I won't. It took me 3 hours to get the hair cut And do the shopping as I was moving rather slowly. (I left hubby at home to nap now that he has bronchitis too.) But I did enjoy being out of the house. The weather is calling for more snow tonight and tomorrow so I wanted to get it done.

Over this past week of being sick I have managed to get my OWOH packages ready but did not get up in time to make it to the post office today so they will go in the mail on Monday. (I had a restless night so hubby let me sleep in.) I also put together a Random Act of Kindness package and it will be going out to a very nice blogger friend. I had so much fun with the OWOH event even though I was sick through much of it. I won a gift too. I'll post picks of it later, maybe tomorrow. But for now I wanted to share the new Wall Pocket I made. I used Mod Podge, denim, paper, ribbon, lace, needle and thread. This is a fun, easy and quick project too. It uses up lots of scraps and can be as decorative or simple as you wish. I've filled the pocket with a few special surprises and am sending it off on it's way. I love giving and receiving R.A.K.'s, don't you?!

I received my newest Somerset Studio magazine in the mail Friday. I love that magazine so much. I really enjoyed For the Love of Mail by Roben-Marie Smith and Collaged Correspondence by Colette Copeland. I can remember a time when my mom and I sent letters to each other written on strange things on purpose. I once sent her a note written on the envelope the cheese comes in for Kraft Macaroni n' Cheese. Who knew then that we were sending each other mail art? Not us, we were just being silly and having fun. The articles inspired me to decorate up a couple of the little packages I will be mailing out. The articles and the fact that the envelopes are recycled. (See below)

I used gesso, paint, paper, mod podge, ink, stamps and those wonderful caran d'ache crayons Tristan sent me to add some color and fun to the envelopes. Lisa Bebi might recognize one of these envelopes, maybe. So next time you are in need of a mailer don't head out to the store, just grab a used one and get to playing. With your imagination and a little bit of tape you'll be reducing, reusing and recycling with an artistic flair.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Yourself,

Tess

A Gift from Nancy

Look what I got in the mail this week.

I had forgotten that Nancy requested my snail mail address. I was surprised and delighted to receive such a wonderful piece of artwork from her for no apparent reason. A just because she wanted to "Random Act of Kindness".

I had so much fun holding the package and guessing with my Mr. what could be inside.

And then the unwrapping and unveiling of the most inspirational and beautiful painting.

Prayer has been constant in my life lately as I suppose it should be.

This angel, a guardian angel I am sure, will remind me to pray in the good times also, not just the bad. I must remember to send up thankful prayers too. I have decided Nancy's gift will be that reminder for me. A reminder to pray through the good times and the bad. To pray with a quiet mind and a thankful heart.

This piece is so beautiful. I believe the term is encaustic. It feels smooth to the touch and the image seems to be sitting on top of the paper. She is real, it's the feeling I have when I look at her.

I have so many questions to ask of Nancy or any who may know the answers. How do I care for this wonderful piece of art? Can I frame it? Can the glass touch the wax or should the glass be above the art? And if no glass what about dust, cat hair? Will it melt? I love it so and I want it to last forever.

Thank you Nancy for this beautiful and inspirational gift. I do promise to pay this generous Random Act of Kindness forward one day. If you haven't lately please visit Nancy's blog. She is always posting such wonderful photographs and lately has been making some really beautiful new pieces of jewelry.

I am wishing all of you mothers, step mothers and "surrogate" mothers out there a very Happy Mother's Day tomorrow.

Tess

Another Postcrossings Update

Remember my past blog about postcrossings.com? If not read it here in my September posts or at my AC site here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1013602/post_crossings.html?cat=4

I had sent out about 10 cards and only received 3 myself so I was beginning to feel discouraged. Not any more! This week there has been a surprise in my mailbox everyday. I even recieved a postcard and my 1st Christmas card this year both on the same day from kind postcrossings members. It's been lots of fun and even my husband is starting to get excited about it.

I love the red roofs on this card from Leiden.

We both found this card very comical. I want to believe too, how about you?

This is a homemade card from Italy.

And my very first Christmas card this year. It's a bit early I know but hey, it's from the Netherlands. She even included a couple bags of tea and a nice little tree pin in the card. Thanks Karin and Merry Christmas to you too.

Well that's my update. I have more cards and have added them to my postcard wall at my postcrossings site. You can view them there and if you get bored and want something to do check out all of the cards that have been downloaded at postcrossings. There are cards from many different countries, some beautiful, some inspirational and some downright comical.

Enjoy the rest of your week. Hey it's almost Friday, I better get some sleep.

night night,

Tess

Post Crossings

Greetings September,

It's cool and cloudy here in the land of Oz today. We may get rain. I won't mind, we need it and I am ready for cooler weather. I was up late browsing the internet one evening as I sometimes am. The season's changing cause me stiff joints and head allergy symptoms so sometimes I wake often during the night. Anyhow, I found this great new site, new to me anyway, called postcrossings. The concept is really neat. You sign up for free and request to send a postcard and you will recieve an address from just one of many different countries or your own. Once you request an address yours will be added to the system and someone else will recieve it and send you a postcard. There is a profile page where I was able to enter my interests and hobbies to help the sender with an idea of what type of postcard to send. I really liked the idea of recieving postcards from around the world so I signed up and have requested 4 addresses, the system allows up to 5 postcards to be traveling at a time. Today I will mail a postcard to a young lady in Finland, a young man in Croatia, a young man in Germany and a young lady attending college here in the good ole' USA; PA to be exact. I wanted to get started right away and since all had interests in nature I decided to create my own postcard to start. I must remember to pick up some postcards showcasing my town next time I am out shopping. Here is the website address if you'd like to try out postcrossings, I think it would be a great venture for homeschooled kids, college students and the home bound. As for me, I just like getting snail mail.

http://www.postcrossing.com

Enjoy your day,

Tess

Update: The postage for an International postcard was 94 cents. I bought a few 10 cent stamps so next time I can send off postcards with pretty stamps on them, atleast until or postage rate goes up again next year.