Happy Mail Moment: Recycled Envelope Art ~ Creative Currents

Here's a quick video showing a recycled decorated envie I made for a mail art swap. The envie is full of destash goodies from my studio.

Sandra L. Martin
Creative Currents

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MUSIC CREDIT

"That's for Sure" by Clarence Simpson
Profile and Sample here
CCMixter.org ~ Royalty Free Music

How to make a Whimsy Bird Wall Hanging

A friend created this beautiful bird art for me in a recent mail art swap. She describes the process and how she lovingly picked each color and item for this mixed media plaque. I am truly blessed. 

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #26 ~ April Showers Decorated Envie

Here's an envelope I decorated for a recent mail art swap. The envelope is a big bubble mailer which I used to house an art journal and a piece of art. The theme was "April Showers." 

This little boy was from a vintage Childcraft book full of stories and poems. I loved the 1970's illustrations and photos. I couldn't resist his little scrunched up face under that raincoat. Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, I wanted to turn his "black and white" humdrum world into a world of color and rainbows. So I added details with acrylic paints and also did some stamping. I think it conveys his youth and optimism. It certainly makes me happy! 

Rain, Rain go away.

Come again another day.

Little Johnny wants to play.

OLD RHYME

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #25 ~ Sew Special

I shared in the last post that I participated in an ATC swap. The theme was "Sew Special." I enjoyed finding vintage ephemera and free printables to make my little cards. Each one has a different feel or style, and that's OK. Each ATC is as unique as the recipient! I sent them off in Friday's mail in decorated envies, which I shared last time. Now for the reveal!

Sew Special - ATC

Sew Creative - ATC

Blending the Old with the New - ATC

Blooming with Ideas - ATC

I took some of these while the glue was still wet. The "Sew Creative" card is dedicated to my mother, who passed away last March. She instilled a love of creativity in me, and she was an excellent seamstress. 

The last one shows a reprint of an antique French postcard. Isn't she lovely? The candy-colored palette and the bluebird of happiness fill my heart with joy. It also hints of an upcoming event...the re-opening of my Etsy shop, Bluebird Song Cottage! I will be sharing more details soon. 

I hope this week finds you blooming with ideas. :-)

Take care, my creative friends. 

Sandra Lee

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #24 ~ Decorated Envies

Recently I was invited to participate in an ATC swap via Artful Mail Groupies on Facebook. It's a warm, chatty group of women who love making and receiving mail art in many forms, and the occasional box or envelope of "Happy Mail" (goodies from the sender's stash of crafty stuff). I broke out the colored pencils and some Easter stickers I had on hand and added a quote on each one. (Names and addresses of recipients covered with some of my colorful stamps for privacy)

The quotes transcribed, from left to right:

Spring is God's way of saying, 'one more time!' ~ Robert Orben

Spring is Nature's way of saying, 'Let's Party!' ~ Robin Williams

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows Poems. ~ Rainier Maria Rilke

Happiness? The color of it must be spring green... ~ Frances Mayes

Blessings,
Sandra Lee

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #23 ~ Happiness is Spring Green

Spring is here! Yay! Things are buzzing in the studio, and I've been busy working on some new projects and doing some spring cleaning. Here's a little impromptu vignette I made after finishing a project this morning. 

For those of you who may not know, Frances Mayes is the author of Under the Tuscan Sun. I found this quote in a Better Homes and Garden magazine, I believe. The stamp is from New Zealand, part of a lot I picked up on Etsy. I'm using them for collages and mail swaps. I added pink and green tints to the stamp using highlighters. I'll be sharing more about mail swaps next time. 

Have a Happy Weekend! 

Sandra Lee

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #22 ~ Birthday Throwback

It's been a while since I updated my blog. Wanted to get back in the groove and share my latest creation.

 Here's the full spread above. I spent time cleaning my studio and went through a box of keepsakes. Lots of smiles...and tears. I loved this picture from my 2nd birthday. I've been so wrapped up in business research lately that I haven't had time to really sit down and create. 

It felt so good to work on this little mixed media project. It's not meant to look like a picture perfect scrapbook...more like art journaling...just for me. I blasted the Gospel music and was jammin'. Rocking my head, clapping my hands, tapping my feet. 

 Not sure if I liked my hat or I was trying to take it off! I also adored that Snow White cake topper. My dad kept it in a cabinet of treasures for many years. I would see it during my visits with him in the summer.

 I hung on to some foil wrappers from Dove chocolates (mmmm) that hubby bought around Valentine's Day. They had cute messages on them. This one resonated with me...."Smile more." I thought it went well with my party hat in the picture. So I cut the blue foil into fringes to mimic the super cool sparkly stuff on my retro hat. 

 I found a large number two in a magazine which I carefully used as a stencil. I actually preferred the pattern on the back of the two, so after tracing, I flipped it over and glued it down to the left, creating a mirror image. It's kind of funny that this project ended up being #22 for Happy Thoughts. I guess I'm right on time after all! (Just another little moment of serendipity).

Here's a closeup. I used a combination of stickers, scrapbook paper, markers, and colored pencils on these journal pages. 

Here's another shot from the same party. I added a funny crown on a photo app. 

Bye for now! Have a super day. 

~Sandra Lee