Thursday, December 28, 2017

Happy Mail


I wanted to join Sheila at Orange Esmeralda, our wonderful host this month at Art Journal Journey with her theme Let's Celebrate one final time this month.

Today we are celebrating happy mail.

I even tried to make it look like a genuine Christmas-time home. 

I realize it's hard to read, but it is:
The mail carrier brought
happy mail

For the background, I began by laying down two colors of water soluble crayons, gifted me by my friend Cindy in Canada last year.  I got a bit carried away and loved how the two colors could be pushed around and manipulated.  For the focal image, I found this postal clerk in a book.  I tried to color his jacket and hat, but was afraid to color his face and hands.  I also colored his bag, but it smeared.  All were watercolor crayons.  I cut a space behind the letters in the carrier's bag and added the big gift, which was originally a button.  Then I added the wreath, which was also once a button.    I simply couldn't believe how different papers took the watercolor crayons differently.

Of course, this all leads to real happy mail.   Feast  your eyes on what my friends sent or gave me.

Some of you may have read I got sick the Thursday before Christmas, so I stayed home and spent the day with my two furry friends.  I didn't want anyone else getting sick.

Apparently, that didn't deter Scott, because he stopped by with this beautiful gift.

After I opened it and we spent a good deal of time together, I decided it was time to open my gifts and the rest of my Christmas cards.

So what did Scott give me?  A combination punch and stamp set.  I'm sure I'll find a use for this.  The one package that wouldn't fit in my tree holder was from my friend Chris.

Many cards came at the last minute.

As you can see, none have been opened.  I wanted to wait for Christmas day to do that.

I didn't show the ones from friends who you wouldn't know, even if I told you their names.   You can see I have received cards/gifts from Cindy, Linda, Patty, and Halle.

Cindy sent me some ATCs she had left over from various swaps.  She suggested I use them in my art projects.  My mind is already buzzing about the one with the Phrenology head (more on that soon).

Patty explained this was needle felted and she only made a few this year.  She said each was different and I felt truly honored to receive one.

This is frame worthy!

Linda sent me this adorable tip-in.  You can't tell, but those stars are copper heat embossed.  One has glitter on it.  It looks like she must have die cut the likable Santa.  I suspect this was made with a Scan and Cut die cutter.

The back is equally beautiful.  Linda is never afraid to use her name stamp, either.

I suspect Halle was worried I would show the Christmas gift and letter she sent me, but it's actually a mosaic of photos of her family.  Since she never shows her face or her husband's and children's faces on her blog, I would NEVER violate that trust.  You just have to take my word that it's a wonderful gift that I will cherish.  It is also frame worthy.

So what's in the large container?  When I opened it, this is what I saw.  How darling, I thought.  A bag I can carry art supplies in.

And then the gifts started tumbling out of Chris's sneaky way of "wrapping" the items.

Napkins and tags,

owls and more owls.   And this red rubber Paper Artsy Lynne Perrella stamp set.  Red rubber is the BEST (in my opinion, at least).  Chris said she knew I liked Phrenology stamps, so would like this set.  She was right on the money, too!  It won't take me long to find ways to use this 7 piece stamp set.

Then there was collage fodder

and the beautiful card Chris included, which was sealed in a kraft colored envelope, along with a note, too.

One more look at the darling bag she used as a wrapping and it was time to put everything away with gifts to be fondled and used on another day.  Right then it was time to head back to bed.

Thank you beyond belief for sharing my Christmas gifts with me.  And thanks to Chris, Cindy, Patty, Linda, and Halle for your wonderful gifts, too.  They mean the world to me.  I hope each of you realizes how much these gifts meant to me.

Of course, I hope to see you at Art Journal Journey, too.

18 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You got some lovely happy mail, enjoy! Hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

OMG - what AMAZING gifts! That shows how dearly beloved you are dear Elizabeth!
And I am thrilled that you got such a specific gift for crafters from Scott! He seems to be a real sweetheart !
And I love the postman page with the 3D effects - fits not only this post perfectly but also Sheila's theme!
Happy day Elizabeth - hope you feel totally well again!

oxo Susi

Sami said...

You received some beautiful Christmas cards and gifts. Love the bag for your art supplies.
Enjoy them Elizabeth.

Helen said...

I am sorry you were sick for Christmas and admire your restraint for keeping the cards to open on Christmas Day. You have some beauties, and some wonderful gifts too. Hope you are feeling better soon.

CJ Kennedy said...

Your happy mail man tag set the holiday spirit. You certainly got some wonderful happy mail. Use all the art supplies in good health. Can't wait to see what you create with them.

Dortesjs said...

Hope you are well now for new year, yes good friend to have and happy gifts you got do have a great new year ;O))

Jeanie said...

Well, I give Scott BIG KUDOS for coming when you were sick. And bringing such a thoughtful gift. That's a good person there!

And your gifts from Chris, loads of fun. You have the most creative friends and everything in this post made me smile with the anticipation of wondering what we might see here in the future with all those options!

I loved your piece. I have a great postal person -- Stephanie -- and a big heart for the mail service. Yes, it's definitely been a lot of happy mail this month and I dread the return to just regular envelopes!

And I wanted to thank you for all your wonderful comments on my recent posts. Your comments make me feel like a million bucks! And yes, I was thinking, in part, of your friend who had died and her children and family when I wrote that. I hope if anyone on that end read it, that it helped, although it will be some time before Christmas is really easy again and it will never be the way it was. My heart ached for them when I read about it this past year and again when I was putting this together. Sending heart hugs your way and theirs.

My name is Erika. said...

Wow. You got some beautiful gifts. Lucky you. :) Happy mail is the best, isn't it? I am almost done with you gift-finally, so we can think of it as a New Year's gift. I am venturing out into the -25 degree weather )with the wind chill) today but should have time tomorrow for the final details. Hope you have a much warmer day than I am having and get more happy mail today! Hugs-Erika

sheila 77 said...

Hello Elizabeth, Hope you are feeling much better now. What a true friend Scott is and how thoughtful is his gift.
Who doesn't like receiving happy mail! I do like your postman on the painted paper and, as always, I enjoyed your chatty description of how you made it. Thanks for all your contributions to my theme at AJJ, we had a good time, didn't we.
Thanks for sharing your gifts. Each of these ladies is so generous and caring (like yourself).
love
Sheila

Cindy McMath said...

Wow, I am amazed by the background you created with the watercolour crayons - You have really put those to good use and I’m so glad I sent them to you. You got some wonderful gifts. I agree about the red rubber being the best! Lynne Perrella stamps are always great designs and these are really fun. I know you will enjoy them. And how nice of Scott to drop by even though you were sick, and bring you an art present too! I think he did a great job and look forward to seeing some St. Patrick’s day creation with the four-leaf clover (if not sooner). Hope you are better - it’s miserable being sick at Christmas. Take care.

Divers and Sundry said...

Happy Mail :) What a treat. We call it "real mail" here, the mail actually addressed to us but not bills or ads. We never get any anymore. People just don't write like they used to. Facebook takes the place of that for me, I guess.

Your visit and cards and gifts are delightful!

We're still celebrating Christmas here, so... Merry Christmas :)

kathyinozarks said...

Congrats on your wonderful Happy Mail Elizabeth I love that idea opening up everything on christmas day-I will remember that as we don't get gifts perse. although we were blessed with a half bushel of oranges from Florida from one of hubs customers-that was really nice.
I love your art too for happy mail-you are so talented. enjoy all of your beautiful things.
stay warm you are still probably in this deep freeze too-hugs Kathy

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! What a fabulous vintage image you found and it's great how he is carrying an extra gift! I love how the front door is decorated too! The stamp and punch from Scott looks very useful indeed! I love the cards and ATC's you received and Patty's lovely needle felting is like a fluffy cloud of loveliness! I am so relieved that you like my gift! I do so agree with you, although I have a lot of different stamps , including clear ones, there really is nothing like red rubber stamps! The sale came along at the right time!!! Look forward to seeing how you use them! Off to finish my tags now! Hugs, Chrisxx

RO said...

My goodness Elizabeth, my online iffiness caused me to miss you being sick, and I'm glad you're doing better. I can tell that you are greatly loved by all the wonderful gifts and cards you received. Everyone really took the time to make everything so special for such a special person! Hugs...RO

Birgit said...

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Even though you got sick which is a bummer, it seems you still had a wonderful Christmas because of friends which is what it is all about...and family! I love your page and the colour greens used for the background. I can’t wait to see what you will do with your new punch and stamp set. The other cards you got are really pretty...I love the gold star sparkles on the one card...I have been crazy busy but hope to get back to blogging soon.

Meggymay said...

Thank you for sharing your Happy Mail gifts and the fantastic page you created, I liked the postman details. I'm sure you will enjoy using these goodies.
i was sorry to read you hadn't been feeling so well, I hope you are on the mend now, stay safe and warm.
Yvonne xx

Rike said...

Your "celebrating happy mail" page is beautiful! I like how you used your watercolor crayons to paint such a fabulous background and coloring the other details with them!
Oh, what happy mails you really got! And you celebrated to open them (on Christmasday).
And Scott brought you a wonderful gift!
Wish you the very best for the new year 2018!
Rike x

Marfi-topia said...

what a great post filled with so much fun!
I love your artwork, of course:)
the gifts you received are so thoughtful!
I'm glad Scott didn't mind if he got ill..sometimes a visit from a good friend helps you feel better.
I hope you are feeling back to your normal healthy self:)
hugs to you!