Hold Dear: Mail Art and Inspiration Swap!!!

Hey there! I've received some GORGEOUS stuff in the mail this past week! I have GOT to get my mailman a gift card to Starbucks or something! He's starting to wear a path between the his truck and our front door! I LOVE it!

Here's something marvelous that arrived this week. Some mail art from the fabulous and talented Stephanie! Check it out...

So gorgeous! I'm so enjoying all the colors and I love that she sewed the collaged piece to cardstock!Perfect for mailing. Brilliant (Oh and PS..the hubbs showed me how to trick my scanner into working - I'm back in the game!)

Thank you SO much Stephanie!

I got a chance to start some of mail art over the weekend too. (It will be on it's way to you on Tuesday, Stephanie...I promise!). This Mail Art stuff is so fun and it looks like it's all coming out of Michelle Ward's Crusade No. 10 (sorry I can't link specially...Michelle just started Crusade No. 11 which is all about making noise by adding music links or embedding music on blogs and my computer locks up when it hits a blog with embedded music...drat!)

Also, this past week I received a package from the one and only, Kari aka ArtsyMama! She is my Inspiration Swap partner in a swap through the Silver Bella Yahoo group and man, oh man...this girl knows me!!! She has an amazing eye for finding impeccable vintage items and she shared lots of 'em with me! I am over the moon with all the goodness I received from her!!

First of all, there was the packing material she used. I woulda been happy with just a box full of this stuff!!!

So here were the guidelines for this super fun swap...

We were to send our partner three things that inspired us, three things that we thought would inspire our partners, three things in our stash that we haven't used in awhile, and then make something just for our partner.

So here were the three things that inspire Kari that she sent me...

I LOVE trims and wallpapers so this is stuff I am SO gonna enjoy!

Next up, I want to show you three things that Kari had in her stash that she hasn't used in awhile.

So can I tell you how tickled I am to know that these items once belonged to ArtsyMama??? Just fun fun stuff!

And then...three things that Kari sent to inspire me...

Yes, I adore tins. I actually used to collect them but acquired such a huge collection, I had to stop and gave them all away (years ago!) I have only a small handful left. This would have been one I would have kept. It's just gorgeous. Wanna see what was inside? Well lemme show you...

Can I get an Amen???

I have to tell you...THIS is what I will be seeing when I close my eyes to sleep tonight. SO amazing and such utter perfection. If my craft room were a concert hall, this items would be front row, center!

Kari also sent me some amazing vintage crepe paper. This would also be in my front row...

And how gorgeous are those damask baggies Kari used as packaging. I remember seeing them somewhere once before but could never get my hands on them. Now I have two!!! I didn't show them all but Kari also enclosed a card with each "collection" of things to inspire, things that inspire her, things from her stash and this last item I'm about to show.

So how ya doin'? Still with me? Some amazing gorgeous stuff, huh? I have one more thing to show you. I sure hope you're sitting down because it's...well...this is the grand finale of my Inspiration Swap package...it's...it's....an ArtsyMama original!

SO beautiful. I am just in awe of this sweet, sweet piece. I love the concept, love the colors, love the hanger, love the trims, and love the "brooch." Perfection all coming together in one creation.

Thank you SO much Kari!

Kari and Stephanie, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all the kindness, generosity, and friendship you have shown me. Thank you for bringing such glorious beauty into my life! You are each such TALENTED artists and I truly am SO honored to have the priviledge of having this amazing connection with you!

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