Showing posts with label mail art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mail art. Show all posts

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Happy Halloween! My Card for 2024

 
I think that I probably enjoy making and sending Halloween cards more than any other card that I send throughout the year. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy sending Christmas cards as well, but there is something about Halloween that makes creating cards fun. I don’t have to limit myself to the holiday exactly; I can choose anything that I consider suitably spooky to share by way of my card. I have found so many strange, unusual, and downright bizarre things over the course of the past couple of years that I have my Halloween cards planned out for the next decade.These cards went into the mail over the weekend, and I’m pretty pleased with this one. When you first look at the front of it, my guess is that most if not all of you would not have the painter Vincent van Gogh popping your head first thing. But it should, and now it probably will, because this is an early work by van Gogh. I loved doing the research on this, the details of which are contained on the interior of the card.The envelopes are something I enjoy doing as well. Truth be told, it is a rare day that an envelope goes out of this house without some sort of embellishment, even if I’m paying the tax man. I just can’t let a plain envelope go. As a consequence, I have accumulated a lot (an embarrassing amount) of Halloween rubber stamps, largely those produced by Tim Holtz, because his are among the finest, cleverest, easiest Stamps to work with. 

Those that I used on the envelopes include:

Framed Frights

Unraveled

Sketch Manor

Mini Blueprints #7

I was disappointed that the post office didn’t come out with a stamp with a Halloween theme this year, so I had to stick to those from years past. I know that with each passing year, it gets more and more expensive to mail things, but that’s not going to stop me. I love doing it, and I do believe the recipients are pleased as well.

Happy Halloween!

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Cow Pies

This post contains affiliate links.

With the kids now largely out of school, or very near, you are going to be looking for ways to keep them busy. This last year has been a real test of endurance and family love, so I’m going to help you out here. One of the most important things is to keep kids busy and entertained. This recipe will do both. It’s one that I have shared via a rather whimsical envelope that I made years ago, and revisited them the other day. 

These are easy, fun for the kids, and full of that chocolaty goodness that we all so deserve. I made the envelope sometime ago, but since then revised the recipe to do away with the double boiler and make use of the microwave. That makes it easier, faster, and safer for the kids. 

Cow Pies

2 c. milk chocolate chips
1 T. shortening
½ c. raisins*
¼ c. slivered almonds**

In a microwave safe bowl (invest in a set of Duralex bowls, you will never regret it), melt chocolate chips with shortening at 30-second intervals, stirring after each. Fold in raisins and almonds, and drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper. Allow to set up and store in the fridge. Dole out as needed. If you need one for breakfast, I won’t judge.

 *Not a fan? Any dried fruit will do.

**Any nut will work here.


 

 

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Happy Valentine's Day!

 I generally don’t post on weekends, but I thought I would share this picture of the Valentine cards that I put into the mail this year, as well as the lovingly collaged envelopes.

Consider this my virtual Valentine card to you. Have a lovely and romantic day, and if you live anywhere near the Mississippi Valley, as I do, stay warm!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Monday, December 21, 2020

My 2020 Christmas Card


 

In addition to this blog, I also have an  Etsy shop where I sell mystery and literary jewelry. Someone asked me once what made me decide to make mystery jewelry. My answer was simple, because no one else did. I have been an avid mystery fan for as long as I can remember, and was always keenly interested in wearing jewelry that reflected this lifelong interest. Unfortunately, there was none to be found. That’s when I bought a book, some tools, beads and charms, and set out to make myself a bracelet. The rest is history.


It is for the same reason that I started designing my own Christmas cards. Christmas is a special time of the year. A time for us to reflect on what we have, and what we may have lost during the past year. I have shared a number of those cards with you here and here.


This year’s card is one that I have been formulating for some time. I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan for decades and, as such, it has long been an interest of mine to create my own unique Sherlock Holmes card. I came up with the text first, and then the graphic. 

Unfortunately, Shutterfly enlarged the picture making it too big for the cover of the card. Because I procrastinated (as I am wont to do) there was no time for a do over. Here, for your amusement, is my 2020 holiday card. The fact that it didn’t turn out the way that I wanted it to pretty much sums up the entire year, doesn’t it?


 

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Now on to 2021!

 Pattie

 

 

Monday, December 23, 2019

My 2019 Christmas Card

Last year I shared my 2018 Christmas card with you. If you didn’t see that post, you can read about it here. 
Because this year I, yet again, designed my own Christmas card, and people continue to be interested, I am sharing it as well. Last year’s card was all about the late Mr. O-P, and his legendary fruitcake. This year’s card is about family, tradition, nostalgia, and sentimentality, with a nod to my dad.
The envelope this year was extra special, I think. I decided to take it a little bit over the top by collaging and rubberstamping the front. It was very satisfying to do while I binge-watched murder mysteries (nothing says Christmas to me like a good murder), and put to use some of the new stamping toys that I bought myself this year, including Tim Holtz's stamping platform, that is one of my new favorite things.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but in my younger days, I would look ahead to the New Year with great anticipation. As I have gotten older, that anticipation has turned into trepidation, as I wonder if we’re all going to make it another year. That was meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but you have to admit, there’s a lot of truth to that.
Please enjoy my virtual Christmas card to all of you, along with my well wishes for the holiday, and thanks for your readership, kind comments, and support.

Pattie



This post contains affiliate links.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Sharing Recipes

If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I collect recipe postcards.  What you probably don't know is that I also make them. It started years ago -- my guess is back in the 80s, but who knows? -- when a friend asked me for my recipe for Lemon Squares.  Rather than just dictate it to her over the phone (this was in the days before email), or send it to her in a letter, I thought, why not make it the letter, or in this case, postcard.  Making use of a piece of clip art and sheet of yellow card stock, my longtime love of creating recipe postcards was born, and continues to this day.  I am one woman who is determined not to let the art of correspondence go by the wayside, and figure that I'm helping out the post office at the same time.  (At my local post office, all of the employees know me by name.)


As my interest in rubber stamping grew, I changed my approach to the postcards, hand-stamping and coloring them rather than making use of clip art.  


I have, at this point, close to forty different designs, but those that reflect my long-held love of mysteries tend to be my favorites.  



(The back side)

Back in 2002 they came to the attention of Rubber Stamper magazine, and they featured some of my work on a page in their October issue.


 I hope you'll consider doing something like this the next time someone asks you for a recipe.  Your miniature work of art will be both a delight and keepsake to its recipient.

This post is linked to:

Metamorphosis Monday-BNOTP
Mosaic Monday-Little Red House
 Brag Monday-The Graphics Fairy
Making the World Cuter Monday-Making the World Cuter
Motivate Me Monday-Keeping it Simple
Masterpiece Monday-Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday-Dittle Dattle
Thrifty Thursday-Tales from Bloggeritaville
 
100 Ideas Under $100-Beyond the Picket Fence
 Show and Tell Saturday-Be Different Act Normal

Fall in Love - Decor to Adore

Sunday, March 6, 2011

St. Patrick's Day Postmarks

Photo by Kristin Krause. 
In the same way that I encouraged you to romanticize your Valentines with special cancellations in this post, the same can be done for your St. Patrick's Day cards.  Don't send cards?  Well, now is the time to start!  Inexpensive packages of cards are available at grocery stores, drugstores, department stores, or, of course, you could make your own.  No time to make your own?  St. Patrick, MO will sign your name, address them, and send them out for you all with a special postmark and cachet!

Pictured above is the card I sent out in 2009, complete with enclosure, decorated envelope, and the St. Patrick, MO postmark. Below is the postmark they offered in 2010, and the one that will be on envelopes this year.







From the St. Patrick, MO website:

The Shrine of Saint Patrick will sell a specially designed envelope with a greeting card inside. The commemorative envelope has a Celtic cross. The greeting card has a photo of St. Patrick and an Irish verse. The envelope sells for $1.00 which includes the envelope, first class postage, pictorial cancellation, a St Patrick's Day greeting card and the shamrock cachet (designed Fr Francis O'Duignan in 1936). 

Church volunteers will address the envelope, write the sender's return address, sign the card with the sender's name, and mail on the day in March you specify, if you request it. The envelope can be mailed only on the day listed on the postmark unless it is mailed under separate cover. St Patrick's greetings sent out on his anniversary from his name city changes an ordinary envelope into a collector's item.

Please make all checks or money orders payable to the Shrine of St Patrick as all proceeds go to the Shrine. A different envelope, card and postmark are offered every year.

The Shrine of St Patrick has 7 postcards:
St Patrick stained glass window
St Patrick Statue (outside)
St Patrick Statue (inside)
Shrine of St. Patrick in summer
Shrine of St. Patrick in Winter
Greetings from St Patrick
Shrine of St. Patrick 
The Shrine postcards may be addressed, stamped and mailed for you by Shrine volunteers for $.50 cents each. An unstamped postcard sells for $.25 cents. Please choose by name.

A pictorial cancellation will be available at the St Patrick, Missouri Post Office March 1 - 30, 2011. The date changes daily. A heart with Celtic design and "Happy St Patrick's Day Station March 1 - 30, 2011, St. Patrick, MO" will be on the cancellation. There is no charge for the cancellation. Stamped, self-addressed envelopes requesting the special pictorial cancellation may be sent to: Postmaster, St. Patrick, Missouri 63466 USA.

Any day between March 1 and March 30 can be placed on your pictorial cancellation and your envelope mailed that day. Please specify your mailing date. Customers who want their envelope returned under protected cover should include a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope. If you want the shamrock cachet on your envelope, please mail to; Shrine of St Patrick, Attn: Pictorial Cancellation, Box 34, St Patrick, Missouri 63466 USA.

Would you like your St Patrick's Day cards to be mailed from St Patrick, Missouri?

If you prefer to send your own cards for the pictorial cancellation from the St Patrick, Missouri Post Office,  it is available March 1 - 30, 2011. The date changes daily. A heart with Celtic design and "Happy St Patrick's Day Station March 1 - 30, 2011, St. Patrick, MO" will be on the cancellation. There is no charge for the cancellation. Stamped, self-addressed envelopes requesting the special pictorial cancellation may be sent to: Postmaster, St. Patrick, Missouri 63466 USA. 

Other post offices also take part in St. Pat's cancellations (I try to get a different one every year).  Package up your sealed, addressed, and stamped cards and mail them to: Postmaster at the city of your choice from the list below.





Clover, SC 29710
Clover, VA 24534
Erin, NY 14838
Erin, TN 37061
Green, KS 67447
Green, OH 44232
Ireland, IN 47545
Ireland, WV 26376
Limerick, ME 04048
Saint Patrick, MO 63466
Shamrock, OK 74068
Shamrock, TX 79079

I've been doing this for years and it's a lot of fun to see what will come back stamped on your envelope.  The postmarks are generally, without fail, in green, and sometimes the additional stampingsare rather lavish and can be found on both the front and back of the envelope.  This is a great project for kids who can mail a card to themselves, and wait with great anticipation to see what they get back, and for Girl and Boy Scouts  (I wish I'd have known about it when I was a Den Mother!) as it teaches them a bit about the history of the holiday, a bit of geography of the US, and the pure joy in getting something personal in the mail.


An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!







This post is linked to:



Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays


Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Romantic Postmark for a Romantic Day

A stack of Valentines in decorated envelopes ready to be packaged and sent off to a city offering a special cancellation in honor of the day.
Which one will I choose?

I know you're probably telling yourself that it's still January, and way too early to start thinking about St. Valentine's Day, but you're wrong.  Now is the PERFECT time to think about it because, if you plan ahead, you can delight the recipients of your Valentine's Day cards with a romantic postmark to match the day. Did you know that over 30 cities across the nation offer special cancellations for St. Valentine's Day?  If you've never participated in getting a special cancellation, then you are in for a treat.  Here are some examples:





Here is what you do:
To get a special Valentine-related cancellation, Valentines must be signed, sealed, addressed, and with stamps affixed.  Place them into an outer envelope addressed to: 

Postmaster 
Valentine Cancellations
Participating city and state 

Be sure to address one of the cards to yourself so you can get the special cancellation back.

Here’s the entire list:

                          Bliss, NY 14024-9998
                      Darling, MS 38623-9998
                      Deary, ID 83823-9998
                      Fidelity, IL 62030-9998
                      Hart, TX 79043-9998
                      Hart, MI 49420-9998
                      Harts, WV 25524-9998
                      Honeyville, UT 84314-9998
                      Juliette, GA 31046-9998
                      Kissimmee, FL 34741-9998
                      Lovejoy, GA 30250-9998
                      Lovejoy, IL 62059-9998
                      Loveland, CO 80537-9998
                      Loveland, OH 45140-9998
                      Loveland, OK 73553-9998
                      Lovely, KY 41231-9998
                      Loves Park, IL 61111-9998
                      Loveville, MD 20656-9998
                      Loving, NM 88256-9998
                      Loving, TX 76460-9998
                      Lovington, IL 61937-9998
                      Romance, AR 72136-9998
                      Romeo, CO 81148-9998
                      Romeo, MI 48065-9998
                      Sugar City, ID 83448-9998
                      Sweet, ID 83670-9998
            Valentine, AZ 86437
                      Valentine, NE 69201-9998
                      Valentine, TX 79854-9998
                      Valentines, VA 23887-9998
                      Venus, PA 16364-9998


You have plenty of time to hand select special Valentines and dress up your envelope as I did here.  A couple of additions of clip art and a recipe for Café Au Lait for Lovers, and you have a card and envelope that people will treasure for years to come.  As a veteran rubber stamper and envelope artist, I've been sending out decorated envelopes for nearly 10 years.  Some people have developed quite a collection of them, and this pleases me to no end.  Why not start your own similar tradition?  If you have children, get them involved as well; the post office will thank you, and the kids will learn that not all mail is electronic.


Café Au Lait for Lovers 
Serves 2
¾ cup whole milk 
1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar 
¼ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder 
One 2-inch cinnamon sticks 
1 strip orange peel, about 1/2" by 3"
5 whole cloves 
1 to 1 ½ cups hot brewed strong coffee 
¼ cup cold heavy cream
Ground cinnamon, for garnish
Cocoa powder, for garnish


In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, the 1/3 cup of sugar, and cocoa powder until smooth. Add the cinnamon stick, orange peel, and cloves and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar and prevent the cocoa from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with the remaining teaspoon of sugar until thick, frothy, and soft peaks form. Set aside.

Strain the milk mixture into a coffee pot or carafe and add 2 cups of the hot coffee (or up to 1/2 cup more, to taste.) Pour into cups or mugs and top each with a dollop of the lightly sweetened whipped cream. Serve immediately.

(The recipe is by Emeril.)

This post is linked to:




Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays