Friendship in the Mail

One of the greatest benefits since getting this blog underway at the beginning of last year has been the online friendships I have developed through swaps, challenges, online courses, and blog comments.  I have "met" some of the most creative and generous people I have ever had the pleasure to know! 

One of those creative and generous people is Karenann, a blogger and Rolodex card-alterer, who surprised me a few days with some friendship in the mail:

She always sends her correspondence in decorated airmail envelopes (love!), and this time she sent me these wonderful labels to use on my own correspondence, Rolodex cards, and art journal pages. 

I immediately made use of some of them to decorate an envelope of paper goodies that I am swapping with Orit in Israel, as part of La Wendula's January paper swap:





So many thanks to Karenann for this unexpected treat!

Another bit of friendship came in the mail from April Cole.  At the beginning of the month, she posted about an inspiring little project she was working on with a free downloadable bird graphic, some vellum quotations, and pretty striped paperclips.  She offered four of her creations in a giveaway to the first four people to comment.  I came in well after four comments, and she still sent me one of her treasures!

April always impresses me with her generosity and optimism!

Happy Thursday!





More Tape!

Every time I sit down to finally order some washi tape for my art journal and mail art, I seem to end up finding some sort of washi-tape-substitute instead!

First, I read about a way to lift text with regular Scotch tape.

Then, I found paper tape.

Next, I thought of a way to run ribbon through the Xyron to make tape.

Recently, it occurred to me that I could do a similar thing using strips from the interesting designs inside of business envelopes.

I just cut the envelopes into strips, and then I have the option to run them through the Xyron, apply double-sided tape to the back, or just glue them onto my project with a glue stick.

Isn't it amazing how many different, pretty patterns you can find on the inside of an envelope?  (I guess it lessens the sting of the bill inside!)

I sat down with single-minded determination on Christmas Eve to order some washi tape over the Internet, and found yet another substitute that drew me away from my original intention:  kawaii tape!

In the context of Japanese culture, kawaii means cute...so instead of the rather staid colors and patterns of washi tape, the tape is decorated with adorable animals and people, fun little sentiments, and interesting objects.

I bought my selection of kawaii tape from An at the Panda Love Shop.  She offered me fast, friendly service, and included additional kawaii goodies with my order.



I am loving this kawaii tape so much that I want to show you some close ups of the adorable designs:

I've been using the tapes as much as I can for my art journal pages.  I can't help but smile and feel cheerful when they are on the page!

If you are thinking of making a kawaii tape purchase, I can highly recommend An's Panda Love Shop!  She also has a blog called I Love Kawaiiness, which she uses to feature items in her Etsy shop.  Please make a visit!

Finding Creativity Everywhere

I have had so much fun over the past few months looking around with new eyes to find creativity in the lives of the people I have interacted with. 

Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in my own creative projects, or focus on the fabulous art I see online in the blogs I enjoy.  But I have begun to really appreciate the creative spirit that characterizes so many of my friends and family members, as well.

I wanted to share some examples of the creativity I have noticed since making a point to look for it.  Finding these examples has clearly demonstrated to me that creativity can make its appearance in crafts, home decorating, gift giving, and artful gatherings.

• One friend created an interesting entrance to her home by arranging a screen and some other decorative elements just inside the front door in her living room. 
• Another friend created a clever holder for her daughter's many hair clips and bows, and then helped me create one for my girls during a fun "crafternoon" playdate.

• My husband's aunt decorated her home for Christmas with Santas and nativity scenes she had crafted in dough over the years, and proudly shared painted wooden ornaments she had made in years past.
• My sister created art for the wall above her twin boys' cribs just before they were born (which is now a year ago this month!).

• A fellow member of my MOPS group (a Christian moms' organization) took time to create lovely packaging for our table treat, with a hand-created gift tag.
• My mother has made beautiful cross-stitched Christmas stockings for every member of my family, and they look gorgeous hanging together across the mantle.

• A friend from church put together a festive holiday gathering with food and activities to keep everyone eating and having fun, whether they were 4 years old or 40.

It has been so enriching over the past couple of months to view my friends, family, and activities through the lens of creativity...to appreciate how just about everyone I know either makes an effort or just very naturally incorporates creativity into their days. 

It makes me happy to feel well-accompanied on this creative journey!

I would challenge you to the rewarding task of seeing your friends and family members through the lens of creativity, so that you, too, can start to appreciate the creative spirit that brings energy and delight to our days!