Thursday, July 15, 2010

Revisiting Buried Treasure

Seth Apter at The Altered Page, recently put out a call to Collaborative Participants for a Buried Treasure 2010, or a collaborative reunion, if you will. To learn more about this project, please visit Seth at his blog, or go directly to the post via the second link. The general concept is, we are to find a "buried treasure," a post we want to show again.

The post I am featuring is an example of why I started this blog. Way back in September, 2007, I didn't know much about blogging, or how to manipulate my photos in Blogger. Although I had registered the blog over two years before that, it wasn't until August 2007 I took this blog seriously.

At that time, I decided to turn it into a personal journal. Rather than write everything in a notebook by hand, I chose to document my successes and failures on my blog. If the world came, that would be fine. If not, I was content to keep the records for my own edification. It was the best possible scenario for me, because I didn't have to write everything, painfully gripping a pen or pencil, and I had photos that I didn't have to print out to add to some paper journal. I was also reducing my carbon footprint, by not using printer paper or ink either, but would have this option in case I needed it.

But the world did come to my little blog. And I started joining collaborations, several of which were by invitation from Seth. And I started making friends across and around the world, and for that I am grateful. So today, I dug deep, way below the surface, and found that . . .

one of my first "tutorials" was making paper from day lilies. I followed up with the finished paper. I hope you will revisit these posts at your convenience. After all, there are a lot of posts to uncover or discover today. Be sure to check out Seth's blog for the links to the other participants.

For those of you who are new to my blog, I spotlight a new blog each day. Originally, I was going to treat today's blog pick separately, because this collaboration post has its own link through Seth. Since I'd already spotlighted Seth, I needed to find a blog that would compliment this collaboration post. Then I found Old Paper Art, authored by Dave Dube who lives in Montana in the US, also known as MrCachet, and decided that since he was planning to be a part of this collaboration anyway, I would include today's blog along with this post.

It's no secret I want to spotlight men as much as possible, especially those who make good art, have interesting blogs, and write well. That describes today's choice, Old Paper Art. MrCachet is not only a great artist, the USPS also thinks so, and recently commissioned him to make two first day covers. He has also made many other first day covers. While following a first day cover link on his blog, I learned:
Cachet: Any textual or graphic design which has been applied to a cover usually, but not always, on the left side of the envelope. A cachet may be produced by any means— printed, rubberstamped, handdrawn, etc. A first day cachet should be related specifically to the stamp on the cover.

Quoted from the American First Day Cover Society web site.
In addition to his first day editions, MrCachet collects old paper art, fondly known as ephemera, and puts it to spectacular use by adding his own take on the original paper. I hope you will check out his blog while digging for Buried Treasure today.

18 thoughtful remarks:

Unknown said...

I started in 2007 too.....I wasnt sure how long it would last, and here I am still blogging away....I like having a voice, making friends and being inspired and inspiring others....I am glad to have met you and Bluebeard......

Marit said...

I visited "Old Paper art"and it's so nice of you to put the spotlight on him.. his post was truly wonderful! Yours is too, of course... I'm now clicking on the link to read the "buried" one!!!

Caterina Giglio said...

oh I will have to check this out when I get back, being the giglio -lily girl, I would love to know about this! off to taos! yes, we will go slow and take our time, talk to you when we get back, alas, I am gonna miss the buried treasure tour, but will catch up when I get back!! xx's

Dianne said...

really cool blog links today! wonder how the 'lily paper' turned out?! Looks like a lot of work to me... loved the Old Paper Art link...there's a whole philatelic art community out there that I didn't know about! cool! "covers" are a marvelous concept--not that I need another obsession, mind you...thanks as always, for stopping by my blog and for your friendship. give Bluebeard a treat from me... have a lovely day!

Terri Kahrs said...

When I have a few moments to spare later today, I've gotta revisit those intriguing paper links! Hugs, Terri xoxo

MrCachet said...

HEY. Thank you for the reference and for doing me up! I'd like to find other good artists who like to do their thing in miniature and encourage others to make their mail personal. Goodies in the mail box are wonderful treats! I have to follow up now on your recipe for Day Lily paper!

Joanie Hoffman said...

Real Buried Treasure, we have to go to another posting! I love it! But what happened? Did I miss Part II? I'm going back to look again...
Happy days,
Joanie

Joanie Hoffman said...

I found part II! It looks like spinach in the bag, but the paper turned out to be a nice green.
I like the retro blender too. j

Joanie Hoffman said...

omgosh, first you made me responsible for something (lol) and tomorrow I'm a pick of the day. I'm going to have to call my mother and get my hair done!
To be serious, you kind words have thrilled me.
Everyone needs encouragement, and Thank you so much for yours.

Anonymous said...

I love reading your posts. I don't always comment, but you must know how very glad I am that you blog. My mobile phone is also my alarm clock, so after avoiding the wake up alarm for 40 minutes, I avoid getting out of the hammock (no sense in disturbing Opal) by clicking on the mobile RSS and scroll through the posts that I subscribe to. I always skip ahead to read yours.
Amy

Debrina said...

Great buried treasure here, Elizabeth!!

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Congrats on the success of your blog. You are right when you say that blogging is a good way to reduce our carbon footprint.
Thanks for the paper link, I will follow...
Thanks also for your visit and your lovely comment:)

Gillian McMurray said...

Loved your day lily paper tutorial. I just discovered MrCachet yesterday and he does have a brilliant blog.

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Managed to find the 2nd part for the lily paper - even though they didn't yield many pages, the paper is lovely :-)
Anne xx

barbara said...

i am excited to try this technique. your book pages are beautiful. did you participate in the mary ann moss remains of the day class? i have been working on sewing more "sloppy" and i am getting good at it!
thanks for sharing your blog.

Sharmon Davidson said...

It was really interesting seeing how you made paper from daylilies; I had no idea you could do this. Can you use other plants for making paper as well? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Svetlana said...

Interesting process to make unique papers.

Jill Zaheer said...

Love your story on how you began your blogland journey and how it has opened up a new world for you,nationally and internationally. I am saving the post to try the paper making. And thanks for spotlighting Dave Dubes blog and posting. Never knew he was into first printings etc. What a coincidence that I'm a huge collector of the first release stamp printings!! Reading your post has been such a wonderful gift for me! Many thanks!