Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Caroline and Patty's Postcards for Lisa

Caroline's postcard is doing double, triple duty this week. It is so cute with the hare racing the turtle. I put it up for Animal Wedensday since lately I have done mostly flowers. The rabbit made me think of the Easter bunny. Maybe that is really why the rabbit lost the race. She was busy laying Easter eggs.

The other post card I received this week was one that Patty sent.  It has the colors that I saw while shopping this week. I think I bought a tee shirt in many of these colors while shopping.  I love the quote on the front of Patty's card "If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint." 
Thanks so much ladies.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

From Cat to Patty


Imagine my delight to receive this BRIGHT colored card in my mailbox today. It's a Mad Catter original...of a dog. I love his silly expression! For some reason I thought Cat only painted cats. My mistake! There is a quote on the back from Pablo Picasso - Art washes away from the soul the dust of every day life. How true. I always feel energized after spending time creating art. Thank you Cat!

All sent!

I'm proud to say that yesterday I mailed out the last of my postcards!  I hope that everyone that has already gotten one from me has enjoyed it and those that are yet to come will too!  

Thanks for allowing me to be part of this, it was great fun making the postcards, what a fun size!

Cards from Suki and Patty

These arrived this weekend!!!! The first on is from Suki
On the back:
Pears


Some say it was a pear Eve ate.
Why else the shape of the womb,
or of the cello
Whose single song is grief for the parent tree?
Why else the fruit itself
tawny and sweet
which your lover
over breakfast
lets go your pear- shaped breast
to reach for?

Linda Pastan

Isn't this just great al together?
Love the card Suki!


This one is from Patty
Done in Scherenschnitte!
A lovely delicate fan on a handcut card!

On the back:

"Make new friends, but keep the old ones.
One is silver and the other is gold."
Beautiful!

Thanks a lot Patty and Suki!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

From Caroline to Joss

Yahoo, Caroline, it got here today, and in perfect condition, and I love it.
The words read: Heaven is under your feet as well as over your head'. Aren't they lovely words, and so true too.
The colours are muted and the bunny sits happily in the middle . Thanks C I do love it lots.

From Suki to Patty


Suki - I received your black and white card in the mail today! I too love the beauty of b & w - I'm a big fan of Ansel Adams' photography. Suki writes on the back "this collage is made from a print of my own photos and scraps from an old journal and a fragment of a b & w painting." I'm not sure if something else was attached or if it got water damaged. There is a layer of glue along the front center that makes me think something else was there. Regardless, I think it has a stark beauty to it, at first glance it looks like a lone birch tree! Thank you Suki! I love checking the mail now!

Missing card?

I sent a postcard to Debra themed "spring" at least 5 weeks ago and I've not seen it posted....Debra, did I miss it? Or I'm assuming you've never received it. Bummer! It was one of the first ones I've did and it should have only taken 3-5 days I would think from here to there. I'm making you another one today!

Patty in Alaska

Friday, March 26, 2010

Patty Sent The Queen of Hearts To Lynn

This card is so cool I just had to show it to you in all its aspects! Full on with Yellow Queen on top! Close up of details!!!



And turned around with blue Queen on top!


Patty's note made me smile! She said:
"Dear Lynn--
this was inspired by a current movie and insomnia! This Q of Hearts is kind though and rules over Art.
Although, if I don't get my ATC cards done, it'll be "OFF with her head!"
xo Patty"
Thanks Patty! I adore this card and both her queens!



Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Woo Hoo!!

This postcard from Lynn has given me the biggest smile today!!  I just love it and I know you will too!

This 'Picasso Cat' is fantastic!  I love every single thing about him!  His vibrant colors, that curvy tail and the funktastic mohawk on the top of his sweet multi-colored, crooked-eyed head!!
The note on the back reads: 'I'm being a copy cat and sending you a cat in your 'Picasso style!  Meow!!!'

Signed by Lynn & Henry V
I LOVE IT!

Thanks so very, very much Lynn & Henry V!!

Card by Mim for Lolo


Oh man, am I loving this card! There are so many layers that it's actually like trying to peer through the water and little by little you start to see more fish. It's awesome! The pinks and chartreuse really speak to me. I even love those tiny little grommets in the corners and that wonderful heart!
The words say "I love when I am happy with the results."
I know I am! Thank you Mim ;)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

suki's card from Joss

Love all the hearts and this vibrant pink. Also note in right corner a Tuscany type villa. On the back: "Home is where you can scratch where it itches!" And Joss adds "Hope you can scratch really soon." Thanks Joss. I love it.

I am about to send out my last card to Patti. Just have to write on the back. This has been fun. Thank you all.

Card from Marianne for Caroline




This wonderful little card sailed in yesterday! Marianne has folded a map of SE Asia with Malaysia on the front side (in flight magazine, by any chance?!!), making its way across the sea to China under a big sparkly sun! What an original idea Marianne - I love it and am so happy it arrived intact! By the way, it's much brighter in real life than the pic shows - Marianne always uses such beautiful colours! I tried scanning but that flattened the boat, so I took a photo so you could see the form better and despite adjusting the levels, it's not doing it justice!! On the reverse there is some text in Dutch which reads " Met je verstand kun je ver komen. Met je verbeelding overal" which in translation I think means something like this: "With knowledge you can come a long way, with imagination you can get everywhere"! I certainly agree with this - Thank you Marianne!

P.S. Thanks for the kind messages re my upcoming operation!

Monday, March 22, 2010

lookie what I got today!

Two beauties!  One from Joss and one from Marianne!!  I love them and am so happy to have them!!  


this first one is from Joss, I just love the different patterns and prints of the papers and images she used here...the vintage images are awesome!

Note on back says:  'Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them.'  (may your problems be few and your happiness great!)

Thanks so much Joss and it's perfect!!


this one is from Marianne!  Beautiful kitty and awesome colors!  (hmmm...wonder who that kitty is?)  Done in lovely watercolors and colorful stickers, the dragonfly has wings that lift up and give a 3-d effect to the card!  I love it!  Two of my most favorite things...Cats and colors!  Your sjimmie reminds me so much of my Merlin who passed away earlier this year.  Yes, as his name applies, he was magical!!  So, this postcard is extra special!

On the back the note reads:  'You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats'  ~Colonial Proverb  
 
That is just soooo true!!

Thanks ladies, I love these treasures so very, very much!!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Postcard from Lynn to Caroline


Hurray!!! Look what arrived on Saturday from Lynn and in perfect condition too! This is Tia, my kitty! I'm sure those of you who've seen her on my blog will agree that this is a super likeness - HRH Tia is most impressed.! It's a wonderful thread painting - thank you Lynn (and Henry V, of course) your creativity is astounding - we've been admiring our postcard all weekend.

I really like this swap

I vote we go another round....

:)

Mim

From Suki and Joss


I got these cards this week from Suki and Joss - so wonderful. Suki has a great poem on the back which starts with "the first fish I ever caught would not lie down quiet in the pail" - a poem by Mary Oliver who Suki loves.

Joss' card is colorful and lively and states that 'each day comes bearing it's own gifts" - how true! Joss, the address part of the card was hanging on by a thread - more glue girlfriend!

I've been spraying a bit of varnish on my cards if they are inkjet printed, just to save them from total destruction by the rain. I worry a bit when I glue two pieces of paper together, and am trying to do one side heavy and the other side (usually the address side) in a lighter weight paper. Or else I am stitching the two sides together - I guess whatever works.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Suki's Card for Lynn Arrived Today!


This wonderful collaged, stamped, hole punched, glittered card arrived in my mail box today!
I think Suki used her calligrapycollage technique too. (I am not recalling the correct word so Suki please correct me). Arrived in perfect condition with a sweet personal note on the back.
Thanks Suki. It's a delightful addition to my collection of cards.
And I had just finished making Cats card which was too late for today's mail but will go out tomorrow for sure!

Untie the Ribbons


This beautiful card came by Royal Mail (Joss) to me in Alaska. It's a stamped image and the ribbon matches so perfectly. It barely made it though, as the back and front detached as I removed it from my mailbox. If it had done that just one stop sooner, there would have been no address. I'm glad it decided to hold on long enough to get to me. She writes on the back, "I like the concept, Untie the Ribbons, you never know what you will find!" I agree. I'm always up for a surprise. Life is good! Thank you Joss!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Mim card to Joss and Bad Luck

This adorable, quaint and humorous little card arrived from Mim today and I love it. As you can see, 'worries go down better with soup'.
And there is a recipe from the White House Cookbook (1887) for a fish soup (yuk not for me.)
Such a fun card, thanks Mim.



The bad news is that I made and sent this card to Caroline and it has arrived badly damaged. The picture on the front is completely torn away, and it is ruined. This was my inital fear, in doing a postcard project, what condition would they arrive in?

I decided to make mine all collaged, and quite bulky too. Eeeeeek!I finished the last four cards last weekend and posted them too, so all are done. Gosh, I hope this doesn't happen to any of my others. I will definitely make Caroline another card, but this was a one and only original, never to be made again. So sorry Caroline.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

From Marianne to Joss

I think the whole Universe must know about my love for 'raffies'. I am so very lucky as I have seen them in the wild, running free, nibbling from high branches and spreading their legs almost impossibly wide to reach those long necks down to drink water, then trying to get upright again.
They are nimble, elegant, serene and vegetarians (all qualities they share with me!)

Marianne sent me this delightful postcard with scenery of the African 'veld' done in watercolour and this wise lady giraffe popping in to say 'Hi!' (must be a lady- look at those long eyelashes!)

The quote on the back says:
"And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." Nelson Mandela (of course).
Thank you so much Marianne, it is such a thoughful card made by a very dear and thoughtful friend.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

From Lisa to Patty


I received this lovely card on Thursday last week but we were heading right back out to the cabin so I didn't have time to scan and post it then. There are elements of lace/sheer fabric in the background and then paper cut lace out front with a beautiful silver quill pen. I love the added touch of a monkey riding a polar bear (must have been made for me!) The post office got a few smudges on it, but it still came through quite beautifully. There is a verse on the back from a poem by John Donnne
"Blasted with sighs, and surrounded with tears, Hither I come to seek the spring. And at mine eyes, and at mine ears, Receive such balms as else cure everything."

There are some smudges on the poem, so hope that came through correctly. Another hint of SPRING! I am so ready!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Cat's Postcard Sent To Lynn

"Just Living is not enough," said the Butterfly.
"One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."
~Hans Christian Anderson


Thank you Cat! This brightly colored card is painted in watercolors and matches the bright sunny day here in California today. I like it a lot.

suki receives a post card from Lisa

The photo does not show the gorgeous texture and pattern of the rice paper. This is lovely, so peaceful. On the back are two quotes: Live well, love much. laugh often. And also "To many people holidays are not voyages of discovery, but a ritual of reassurance." Philip Andrew (there may be another name but the postmark obscures it.) Thank you so much, Lisa!! A great addition to my collection.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Isnt this the cutest!

Lolo made this post card for me using a copy of my picture from my blog and she even found a matching photo of a kitty!!! I love the beret and the twining cloth around kitty's chest. We are twins! Thanks Lolo. This gave me a good chuckle. On the back is the quote "Imitation is the best form of flattery." I wonder who is imitating who??

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mim's card for Caroline has arrived


I am bowled over by this stunningly colourful, fishy card that swam in yesterday! That fish just leaps out of that fantastic background! It's a beauty - thanks so much Mim - I certainly will enjoy the possibilities of form and colour! This would have been a great one for my travelling book too!

Cat's postcard to Lolo


This lovely card came in today's mail. The quote on the back says "Listen to the music of the trees."
I love it Cat, thank you! You must have made a mental note that I love trees ;)

Address Correction

I've received one post card from Lolo, one from Lisa and one from Soul; and perhaps that is all who have sent them so far...however, I did happen to check my address on our list and discovered that a correction is in order.

My correct zip code is 95687.

And my correct email on that list should read lynnc66@comcast.net.
You can also email me at lyn_fred1@comcast.net.

Thanks for making these changes on your list. Especially the zip as I do want to get your wonderful cards.

Lynn

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

two post cards for suki

On my return from Cape cod I found this colorful post card from Lynn. The words vary from beautiful dreamer to dreams dreams dreams. There is thread painting around the circles and sunbeams. "Joining you in dreams for finding the perfect abode for your needs and desire. May it come to you at the right time." THANKS Lynn.
I also found this beautiful card from Marianne. Home is where the heart is. A little 3D butterfly is affixed to the card and it didnt come off in the travel! "Just a little card to help you stay positive about finding your dream home," Marianne wrote. Thanks Marianne. I wonder if you used the photo of the house to paint this house in the middle of the heart??? It looks a lot like it!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Postcard from Patty


Just take a look at what floated into my mailbox yesterday!! Isn't this a gorgeous, colourful card? Thanks Patty, I love it - it really brightened up my day and I think it's such a wonderful interpetation of the quote on the reverse, which reads:

"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot,
others transform a yellow spot into the sun." -
Pablo Picasso


from Hong Kong


I received this beautifully painted watercolor card from Marianne while she was in Hong Kong. the markings Kung Hei Fat Choy means "I wish you happiness and prosperity". I love this card from way across the world! It's beautiful and full of detail. Thank you Marianne!

A SeaWorld Postcard from Lisa

I got this from Lisa yesterday, an undersea world with floaty things and glittery stuff and it gave me lovely calm dreams. Thanks Lisa -

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Two postcards this week!

This wonderful fellow came from Deb! I love the way she does digital stuff. it's magic! Look at how his heart is on fire almost. Wow! And the neat thing is she said I was standing right next to her when she took the shot! That was when we met in Provincetown, Cape Cod in October. What a great time that was!

The cards says...
WE are not bound by what we are.
We have input into what we shall become.
We have wings if we choose.
We can choose. We can choose.

Thanks Deb! You know I'll treasure this. xoxo

This wonderful collage is from Suki. I love the delicacy of her layers, the different textures and the use of gold. The stamp font is perfect too. There's such a richness to this!
The card says...

OLD BUDDHA

Hey, what were you saying about old Buddha?
Why, old Buddha's no Buddha.
Real Buddah's a fish just netted
leaping and jumping.
KD UN

Thanks Suki! This is wonderful (and so me.)

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Three Beauties...

...have arrived in my mailbox this morning!  The first thing that I love about them is that they are all from so far away!  I'm in Florida.  The farthest Southeast in the U.S. you can get.  (okay, not including Puerto Rico, it doesn't have statehood)  One beauty is from the Northeast, Massachusetts, another beauty is from Alaska and the beauty from even farther is from Malaysia!  I am thrilled!  I love them all and they truly are beauties!!  

Have a peek:

 From Mim in Massachusetts!!
Isn't this fabulous, so many different elements, I love it!!
From Patty in Alaska!!
Isn't this great!  The note on the back says: 'when I saw that dog pic all I could think of was "You're not in Kansas anymore!" I hope it brings a smile to your face'.  Yes, Patty it brings a HUGE smile to my face!  I love it!!
From Caroline in Malaysia!!
This is so pretty and the text reads:  'To those who can dream, there's no such thing as a faraway place.'

I love each and every one of these little beauties and I am so thankful to have them!!  You all probably don't know it but I collect stamps and this is my first post/stamp from Malaysia so I am doubly thrilled with that!!

Have a glorious day everyone, mine started out with beauty found in my mailbox!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

My 'mad cat' card

Cat calls herself 'themadcatter' in the atcsforall group that I belong to, and this proves it. She is totally mad, and I am addicted to her art.
The quote on the other side is wonderful:
' Friendship is one mind in two bodies'. Menclus
Thanks bestie, it is cool.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Jackpot - Cat & Suki

I hit the jackpot at the mail box today.  I received two post cards.  They are beautiful. Ms Suki sent some spring flowers around. I love the texture of the front. I keep wanting to touch it.
On the back of Suki's postcard is a beautiful poem about the outdoors. Which if you ever read my blog you know I love the out of doors.
Cat's postcard has an entirely different feel.  It is full of color and cats on the front.
On the back side is a friendship quote. "Friendship is a sheltering tree"  by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.  I love trees and this quote is oh so true.  
I want to thank both of you ladies for these beautiful cards.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Fortune Cookies


I received three fortune cookies in the mail today from Lolo. What an ingenious card and design! The cookies are watercolor painted and the fortunes are typed on paper that is attached. It's a possibility they are real fortunes that came out of cookies Lolo already ate; I don't know that for a fact, but I have a vision of her eating cookies, carefully wiping off the crumbs and then attaching the fortunes to this card! And Lolo, I love your stamps made with your own design - that is way cool!

I had mail!!!!!

">Last week I received Lisa's and Soul's card at the same day!
Double fun!!!!!
Here is lisa's lovely zen garden!
With owl and 3D pansies (or did they come of a little?) and butterfly. Wonderful symbols.




The back is so cute. Kitty cat is fishing and around it it says:

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart
I love it! ♥

Lynn's card came yesterday.

Miss Hazelwood made of the inside of an envelop.

So creative!

Soul's card came together with Lisa's

I just love that saying by Ghandi: Be the chance you want to see in the world.

And she wrote some sweet words on the back!

I have only posted 2 so far........ (one is on it's way to Patty)

I promise to make more soon!

But I have been preoccupied with other things. After my exam and trip to Chicago I hope to back in my routine and produce more art again next week.