Mindful MailArt Sundays

A few of my resolutions for this year include practicing my mindfulness meditations again 

and pick up on my mail art. While doing so in these past few months, I have discovered that these two go really well together.

Without actually noticing, my mail art sessions on Sundays have been a mindful practice. I am completely in the moment, at home in my blue craft room, at one with what I am creating. Most of the time I hardly actually think about what I am doing. And when I am starting I never know what the end result is going to be. Today was another one of those experiences. 

I woke up this morning with the urge to do a few of my junky mail art pieces. The process for this is usually always the same. I have 2 boxes near my desk in which I save all kinds of scraps and crap like ticket stubs, receipts, used postage stamps, flyers, folders, left over paper pieces, scraps received in swaps etc. etc. for mail art. Honestly, I can never throw anything away because 'OMG, what if I end up needing it?!' Yeah, it's an issue, I know. But it's art therapy anyhow ;) I take a handful of scraps from the boxes and just go to work on making a collage (My uhu glue sticks and a pizza or cereal box I saved are my best buddies in this endeavor) and rummage through the 'junk' boxes again to get more stuff when I got a 'theme' or 'feeling' going.

Since I have been meditating again every evening since the end of january, I started recognizing the 'state' I am in while doing these collages. It's a state of utter 'being'. Or as one usually describe it as 'being in a (creative) flow'. Things just happen. Things just click together. A boost of creative energy arises and in a few hours without even noticing the time passed I have produced a bunch of 'junky mail art' pieces. This to me is living fully in the moment and experiencing utter happiness.
The following words also arose from that stillness within. It seems like the universe is responding to the inner turmoil I have been experiencing lately...

Just be, life answers in kindness

Namaste. 

A birthday weekend away to Gent!

 It was my birthday on the 14th of march and like every year I like to have a little weekend away trip to celebrate it :) This year we went to Gent in Belgium. We were really lucky to have such wonderful weather, it was bright and sunny and the city was just beautiful! 

 the three cathedral towers, taken from a canal trip

I definitely love discovering lovely little treasures in cities I have not been in before, and one absolute treasure was Julie's cafe where I had my birthday pie, créme bruleé  with red fruits :) 

This slice was just heavenly and the little pie shop was just filled with lovely yummies like lemon pies, cupcakes and a whole lot more.

look at all the yummy pies!

 

And all the yummy cupcakes!

Of course Rilakkuma demanded one too!

Of course we also did some shopping! The thing I really loved about Gent is that it has fun little quaint shops where they sells handmade treasures! 

I loved discovering shops like

Huis Zwaluw

packed full with lovely homes ware items

And the Fallen Angels

Stacked with vintage and retro goodies!!

 

Other shops I also recommend to visit; Zsa Zsa Rouge and petit Zsa Zsa for more retro vintage wears. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures at those stores but really you will marvel at what you see :)

And of course I couldn't resist buying a few treasures there :)

If you haven't visited Gent yet, I recommend that you do, it's definitely worth it!

It was a birthday weekend well spent :)

Lost Coast Designs - Challenge 50 shades of GREEN

For this color challenge I brought out my pallet of green to the foreground and used some of my fave LCD rubber stamps for some Mail Art inspired pieces.

An array of inks by brands Memento, Kaleidacolor, distressink, ancient page and staz-on. The rubber stamps by LCD: art angel, chess king and chess queen.

I did some ink testing prior to making my project below. Kaleidacolors is one of my fave brands for multicolor ink pads.

I ended up choosing the Art doll, the squiggles border and the small doll face rubber stamps. The background is made with dylusions cut grass spray and ranger distress ink/stains (shabby shutters and peeled paint). Then used brick stencils with green paint to create some texture. Stamped the Art doll with olive green Staz-On on the envelope. I used Memento cottage ivy to stamp the squiggle border like sun rays in the top right corner. The small doll face I stamped on a 1 1/2 inch neon green sticker and used that face as a sun. Left some space for an address to send out as mail art :)
I hope this inspires you to play along with the challenge. You can win a 20$ gift certificate to spend on Lost Coast Designs rubber stamps.

Click the picture to go the blogpost for more info on how you can join in.

An InLinkz Link-up

The depth of a shallow puddle

To clear my mind and to hear my heart I love to take long walks in nature. 

It's always wonderful to see and hear spring come alive.

Really seeing and truly hearing,

flowers blooming and birds chirping,

without judgement.

Without preconception.

Insight came from the most ordinary sight. 

 A second glance turned this shallow dirty puddle,

into something quite extraordinary. 

Seeing the messy surroundings, 

decaying leafs and grit at the bottom

in harmony with

Still waters and mirror image 

that causes sharp reflection.

I would be grateful to be in this kind of harmony

from within and with-out. 

"But what is wisdom and where is it to be found? 

Wisdom comes from the ability to be still.

Just look and just listen. No more is needed."

- Eckhard Tolle

namaste

Join the 50 shades of green Bloghop starting March 11th!

 Join the Lost Coast Designs Bloghop and win a 20 $ gift certificate! 

Click the picture to go the blogpost for more info on how you can join in.

Lost Coast Designs Monthly Challenge - Use Some Red

Some fun news to share with you all. Last month I got contacted by Linda from Lost Coast Designs and Carmen's Varanda, if I wanted to join the Design Team. Even though I am busy as can be with working 2 jobs, I could not refuse this wonderful opportunity to use and get inspired by rubber stamps all over again. So I am proud to announce I am part of the LCD Design Team in company of some great artists :) 

In lieu of this I wanted to share an ATC piece I made a while ago, using the dress form stamps and measuring tape ATC back ground stamp. 

Which also complies with this month's team challenge Use Some Red :)

My work process for this piece: 

I get inspired from images and stuff I collect that sits on my messy desk for a while. Like the pink vintage dress maker print you see on the back, is from an envelope I saved. It's made with ranger stuff mostly, distress ink, embossing powder, perfect pearls. collage papers are from basic grey I think, epoxy buttons sticker I got locally (non brand from blokker).

First I made the back ground, with collage papers, then stamped with red brick distress ink the measurement tape stamp around the sides, without using too much ink. The the Dressmaker stamp with versamark on front, red brick embossing powder and heat tool to set. Then stamped with versamark ink again but on the upper right side & lightly added perfect pearl red rust to give it dimension, The measurement tape on top is made from kraft paper which I distressed and sprayed glimmer mist over in mostly green colors. Then I stamped it with a measurement stamp (with red staz on), cut the desired length and twirled it on the card until it looked satisfying then glued it in place. Then added the epoxy buttons to finish.

I hope this got you inspired to get crafting and Use Some Red for this Month's LCD Challenge :)