Paring Down the To Do List

Hi there!
  It has been way to long since my last post and even longer since I got any mail out... it seems like the hurried-er I go...the behinder I get...
  I really have been making progress, but there is still much to be done. Today we finally got the tile laid in the bathroom. My husband did the heavy work, mixing mortar and trimming tile and I spread the mortar and laid the tile. It will be a day or two before we can grout, since the mortar needs to cure for awhile, but soon I can grout and the bathroom will be functional again... makes me grateful we have a second bathroom!

There is still much work to be done in the garden, and as soon as I am able to put the bathroom project down for a day or two, that is where I will be spending much of my time. But I have been working on a little postal project in the wee hours of the morning, and hopefully soon I will have it ready to go out...

Here is a little sneak peek of what I have been up to when I should be sleeping! Hopefully soon I will see you all in the mail!

If you would like to hear what is happening at Heart's Ease Cottage, come check out my blog www.aviewfromthecottage.blogspot.com There is a new post up there too!

One Very Happy Mailbox_ Incoming Mail

I have had some wonderful mail days recently! I have gotten mail from many of my regular pen friends and have had some new pen friends write as well. What a blessing! I have been working my way through the pile of letters to writing returns, and as usual, I mailed a bunch out without photographing them. Sigh... But I did get some photos of the last round of letters I wrote. I will post them after I post the incoming mail. So here we go!

Post cards from Susanna, Pamela, Super Hero, Bev, Sharon, Patty, Post Muse, Mim



The front of a very intricate and fun card that Limner sent me.

The back of Limner's card. There was a teabag attached as well, but I used it! Thanks Limner! I love tea!

A really cool envie made from a nautical map (nautical map made of Tyvek, what a wonderful idea...waterproof and virtually indestructable!). Linda is a new penfriend and finding her letter in my mailbox was a very pleasant surprise. She also enclosed a packet of goodies to use on my mailart!

A post card from Genevieve, a letter from Angelia, the letter from Kimi has vintage postage on it.

I recieved a letter and this postcard from Pen Thief. The post card was quilted by her mother... it was very nice of her to share her mother's talents with me... Thanks to both of you!



Wanda sent a lovely letter and some of her photographs. Isn't the hummingbird photo awesome!



A nice note from Bev and a vintage seal and send from my new pen friend Eunice.





 

A card from my new pen friend Chris. The photgraph is by Chris, isn't it beautiful?





 This letter full of mailart goodness is from my pen friend in Finland. She and I are both fans of Marjolien Bastin, she sent me two great MB cards to add to my collection. I adore the pink gingham check on the inside of the envie!


Sirpa's letter was charming as usual, but this one was especially so since she decorated it with watercolor paintings of her new kitten Sissi. She is very talented!

Sirpa also shared her garedn with me through a really fun garden journal.

There were many pages of colorful photos and descriptions of her gardens... It sounds so beautiful! I wish I could see it in person!

  Wow, I am just amazed by all the wonderful mail I've gotten! I was going to post it all in this post but I think I will post the rest in my next blog entry since this one is getting kind of long.

  It is really great to be connected with so many lovely and generous people. I am constantly amazed by the interesting and creative people I have come to know through the mail. Thanks to all for making my mail box a happy place to visit! Until next time I'll see you in the mail!  Elle

 




 





June Mailart Mailout

Handmade envies and stationery inspired
by flowers from my butterfly garden. 

  While working in the garden the other day I was pondering what I might do as a June mail art mail out. I try, (not always successfully...), to design something new for a general mail out each month. Since my trip to Costa Rica is still fresh in my mind, I thought I might do something tropical or Costa Rica themed, but then my garden muses changed my mind. As I worked pulling weeds out of my butterfly garden, I was struck by how pretty the purple coneflowers were and decided to do something with them instead.

  The Coneflowers are early this year. They usually start to bloom about the same time the blueberries start to ripen, the first or second week of July. But these have been blooming since mid June; the blueberries are early as well. 

  So this months mail out will be stationery and envelopes from my drawing of the coneflowers. If you would like to be on my June mailout list, leave me a comment with your mailing addy or e-mail me at elle.mental@yahoo.com See you in the mail!