Postcrossings

              Postcrossings - I found this website via a reader and promptly signed up- that was over a year ago and since then I have happily exchanged postcards with lovely writers all over the world.  Just this morning I sent out cards to Luxembourg, Russia, Austria and Finland.  I received one from Germany today.  growing up I always had a Postcard collection getting family and friends to send or bring them to me when they traveled.  Postcrossings randomly selects someone for you to send a card to  and then when it is received your name is released to someone to send a card to you. 
     I still try to send postcards to friends and family when we travel- just a small little piece of life that can brighten a day for someone.
        People in other countries are most interested in our postage stamps.  It is fun to make up combinations of  them to reach the international postage rate.   This endeavor has made for interesting dinner conversation about people and places around the world.  We have recieved cards from countries that we needed to do a little research on as far as location. 
               I encourage any one who enjoys writing and travel, learning about new places and meeting nice people to give Postcrossings a try. 

International Postcard Swap Part 2

somewhere USA

" Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted" John Lennon Silver Gelatin test print with black and White India Inks the artist used.

Kincardine, Ontario Canada

Aloha From Hawaii

So these are the remaining 4 that arrived to make 10 from the swap, so much fun mail in the mailbox!!
Now I need to get 10 fabric postcards ready by April 1st for my quilt Guild Challenge. Theme for that is 1975 the year the Guild was founded. 

International Postcard Exchange the Recieved Part 1

South Carolina

Washington State

Canada

California

USA

Melbourne, Australia

These are part of the postcards that I have received. They are all different and beautiful  The postcards are mixed Media which means that more then 1-2 art supplies or techniques are used to create them. Collage, watercolor, stamping all composed together in to a miniature work of art. This si great fun to create and to send out as well as receive.

International Post Card Swap Jan. 2015 - the sent cards

So every year for a while I have participated in 2 different International  Mixed Media Post Card Swaps.  This one  right now is through Shannon Ganshorn from Musings on Reality    from Canada
These are the postcards that I made to send out.   I send out 10 and in return I receive 10.  I will show what I have received  so far over  the weekend.

                 It always seems that what I envision making and what I actually make are 2 very different things.  In the end what I make is similar to what I make other years-  First I start with a Masterboard, that I add base layers of paint to, maybe collage some papers onto it, add some stamps, at some point I cut it up into  4x6 size cards and then add more to them individually.   I started with acrylic paints light teal, dark teal and a salmon color.  Then later I used Pan Pastel in a mustard yellow that really brought warmth and tied it all together.  I also used some Liquid Pearls by Ranger that make a few things pop and some glitter Modge Podge which was because I could not find the plain Modge Podge.   I added a quote that spoke to me at that moment.  Then address them, write a note and stamps and out to the mailbox on the Tundra - that is what it looks like right now.   The last 2 have magazine cuttings from Swansons Broth ad/   " Why do I cook?"   So maybe you will want to try this some day, lots of fun and lots of good mail days!

Watercolor Play . . .

A few weeks back,after watching a wonderful little video at Daisy Yellow . . . I decided to take a break from chores and play . . . this is hard for me to do as there  are so many things that pull my attention and time.  . . .  I had lots of fun and love the bright colored papers I now have to use in other creative projects.   I right away made some postcards to send out to a few friends.  Maybe you will want to see Tammy's video and get out your paints!!! You won't be disappointed.

Post Card Swap Fall 2013

Post Cards on the right

From Israel

From Scotland

From England

From Austrailia

Daisy Yellow from Texas USA

From Florida USA

FromFlorida USA

From New York State USA

From Texas USA

This International Post Card swap was coordinated by iHanna From Sweden.  I have participated in it for many years now.  IT is a fun way to create fun art and receive some fun art.  each  one is so very different.  The artist from Israel sent me a video clip to see what Israel was like- it was very cool.

Postcard Swap Fall 2013

So usually once or twice a year ihanna from Sweden coordinates a International Postcard Swap, I have participated for many years now.  Here are a couple of what I sent out this year and soon I will post ones that I am receiving.  They go to USA, Italy,England, Sweden . . . all over.  I create 10 postcards and then I am given 10 addresses.  I send my 10 to those addresses.  The 10 I receive are not from the people I send to. IT is lots of fun to see what others do and are thinking. One year I received one that was all knitted. Some are simple and some are complex.  Stay tuned for more on this great postcards swap!!