mail art from 2010

Before Retirement.....

Today: A brief explanation of my retirement. My history.


I worked 50 years, except for a few short years while my children were in school.


Near the end, I fought for retirement.  I had a difficult time getting my point across. And that was; It was time for me to get to do my thing before time ran out.  

I felt desperate. I was troubled that if I worked any longer, I might have used up all of my energy. I would have nothing left in me. I had already lived more years than either of my parents. It became about my own mortality. My sanity.


Just as I arrived at the edge and began to feel the resentment creep into my heart, it happened. We sold our business and retired.


Don't misunderstand. I worked many years with gratitude in my heart that we had a business and shared a good life and business 24/7, as they say. We are a good team. It was good.

mail art from 2010

Plus, there were perks at the desk in town. I found ways to make the best of being there. 

For one thing, if you have followed my blog, you know that I spent lots of time making art-at-my-desk. Usually, it was mail art, various art journals and altered books. Art at the desk was all about supplies and materials that would fit in my art-to-go bag. 



I started my retirement mid-September last year. 
♥

Note: This is the second installment of  How the infusion of San Miguel may have effected me which started November 19th. 

Day 1 Retirement in BAHA

I actually did a lot on my first day of retirement but the thing I did the most was reminding myself that I did not have to rush to do what I was doing.  

And that is why this little bit of mail I had to send got the "extra" treatment. 

And now, I know where BAHA is. It is retirement. 
♥

cause I need to play too

Things are stacking up over here. 

Like
just stuff.
I feel the need for a list.
Like
the sheets must be washed this weekend
and the clothes too
the desk needs to be uncluttered
and the work table too
the carpet needs to be blessed
and the others floors too
the fridge needs to be purged 
and my closet too
art supplies need to be organized
and my shoes too
and then,
the gardens;
however,
I shall put Singapore first on the list
cause I need to play too
♥ 

Art Nouveau

I really do like the Art Nouveau style and this one drew me in. The napkin for the postcard pocket had creamy berries that made me think of the white monkey heads on her dress. I know, I know, they are flowers but......  


To see the spread together, go to the Postcard Challenge tab....or just click here.

I didn't make any headway this week with catching up on the challenge and since my book is not going to hold all 52 weeks worth, I'm thinking I will skip #12 Israel.

♥

Vanzie hears from Tad

click for larger view
♥

Have you been to Pelago?

Weekends are so great!
Especially when playing ART.
Just working on my next postcard.
Hope you are having as much fun with your weekend as I am.
No laundry happening here. 
No cooking either.
Just full on ART play!
♥ 

To Professor Dr. Tad Keys

I'm starting out behind as this challenged started in January. However, after following this, I could not resist any longer.
Darcy at ART and SOLE is sponsoring a 52 week postcard challenge for the year 2012. This post tells all about it and this post has the links for Facebook and Flicker groups.  
It has been a while since I participated in anything like this......Oh wait, I don't think I ever have. Anyway, I think it will be great fun.  I'm going to try my best to play catch up for a couple of weeks.  
♥

It's in the mail

On my holiday day off Monday, I enjoyed a bit of cutting and pasting and ended with these three mail art postcards.  They are magazine faces and some I scanned and printed copies. Others I just used the magazine image.  I liked that they are all different sizes and that inspires me.

I forgot to bring them with me today so they didn't get in with this batch of DVDs that left ....or will be on the 5 o'clock truck out of my little town today.

Thanks so much to all of you who purchased a DVD.  That thrills me and gives me such a great feeling going into this weekend.

As always, I have more planned to do than I will get done.  But I'm OK with that.

Have a great one!

Sharon

Ice Day

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I took an ice day yesterday.  Soooo fun to be at home on Wednesdays.  Unfortunately, the ice is over with and here I am back at the desk-in-town.  That's OK because I started my Valentines while at home yesterday and today I will add the finishing touches to them here at the desk.

♥♥♥♥♥♥

and pop them in the mail

some will make it on time and some want

(love all these eyes)

And then I played with painting on muslin.

More about that soon.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Sharon

Sharing when I probably shouldn't

This week has been about mail ART and ART-at-the-desk and Serendipity. I'm sharing because I must, not because I should. I shouldn't probably. It is more than I can keep to myself.
This mail art is actually a journal that I made for my friend who is new to mail ART and mixed media ART and visual journal ART. She is finding her passion.

See what I mean, this last page just landed on this page. No plan. Just Serendipity!

♥ Sharon

It's been a long time since I made ART-at-the-desk

What a fun mess.

I couldn't help myself, you know how I love hands.

Just another mail art piece that I need to send on its way.

It is a mini journal made with a folder cut in half.

Good to go when I stitch the signature in it.

♥ Sharon

You never know with me What or is it Who will show up

Enjoyed an ARTful day. Relaxed with my paints and brushes. I started a new painting and remembered that I have some mail art to make. This is an old file folder cut in half. I was really just playing and didn't have a plan so before lunch I just did the drip thing and while it was still wet, I spritzed the drips. Dripping paint is new to me and I like it. Anyway after my hot dog, I was amazed to see these people in my drips.

That is the fun of mail art. It is like working in a journal because I feel a freedom to just let it go and let it be and be happy with the brush in my hand. I added the lips and a very little pencil definition and there they are. "Nothing with eyes will emerge from my shadow".

Another great ARTful day planned for tomorrow. Hope you are all having a great weekend.

♥ Sharon

Standing Under The Plum Tree

My friend the organization Guru can't come for the plum harvest so I'm sending her a box in the mail. I just could not resist yesterday, WOW, I remember it was one of those days when you have inspiration flashing before you and trying to bounce from one thing to another. I stayed cool with it and with the fact that I could not do it all. But I did manage to go out early and pick some plums and take some pictures to send to my friend. She won't be coming to stand under the tree and eat so I mailed some to her. I am suppose to visit her next and I can't seem to have a free weekend to do that.

We are going to paint on cardboard when I go and she is waiting for her lesson. So, when I got to the office and looked for a plum shipping box. I found the most perfect tall skinny box and then had to just jump in and paint a plum tree on it. My other friend Susan had just the day before left me some Folk Art paints that she didn't want....she is organizing and they were ...not new and she told me they would need stirring. They did but they were the perfect colors to paint a plum shipping box.

I am thrilled with all the comment sign ups for a free spot in my next class. I spent some time yesterday between painting the box and taking care of clients getting the videos edited. Still have a ways to go.

If you haven't left your comment for the drawing, it is not too late. Just go to the next post to do that.

Thank you all, I love hearing from you and have such good intentions of making it around to all of your blogs. That is on my weekend list of fun things to do.

Sharon

Sending Love Potions in the mail

I'm sending a gift to a young newlywed couple and just had to send my gift in a box of Love Potions. Pretty cool I think.

And speaking of Mail ART. I received this in the mail Monday. What a wonderful surprise. Thank you bbff.

Expect me in a couple of days,
Sharon

Mail and Me

My BBFF is not blogging at the moment but let me tell you, she is alive and well. I have the proof. I know you will recognize the ART on this artful mail I received yesterday.


Here is a clue. Her name starts with "Z". We are involved in a journal swap and she sent me her book so I can Play ART in it. You know I'll show when I do. And then, in July, I will take it to her.
Thought you might want to see the short hair "me". Unfortunately, all the sagging is still there.


Also, I have listed a new Castle Tower print that is now available. ........and

......don't forget this

*******

here ye.

here ye.

I have a special this week.

It is my own Etsy hide and seek game.

One of my listed prints is available with free shipping.

Find the listing and you will know which one.

It is the only listing with zero shipping.

It's a deal

And

If you want a second item,

I will refund the shipping after paypal confirmation.

recap: I chose the first item (you can find it) and you choose the second item (if you want it)

Thanks and expect,

Sharon

Knob Village

I was cleaning my ART desk yesterday. At the bottom and under it all I found this hand full of castle tower scraps. You know how one thing leads to another. I couldn't throw them away. It's crazy.

Remember the Knob Angles?

Well I made a little Knob Village.

Side One
Side Two
(click to read)


And then there was time for making three ARTful envelopes.
Winging out tomorrow.

Have you made Artful mail recently?
I'm off to paint.
Expect,
Sharon

credit: the little corner stamp on the envelope is by Cory Celaya. She gifted me last year. Visit her here or here. Delightful!

Mail Castles

I sent these castles in the mail last week. I tell you they are so fun to build. I used black gesso on the envelope first and then took the collage papers, scissors and pens to the couch. Yep, art-on-the-couch.

I managed to list my latest originals on etsy just now. Check it out and help your self. Thanks.

Lady Cardinal is definitely now setting the eggs. Today is day 2 and she only laid 3 eggs. Had to get this shot before leaving this morning because the flower was blooming. She is watching me. OK, no more bird pictures until the hatch. Promise.

Expect a great week,

Sharon