Envelope 109

This is one of the original envelopes, made sometime in 1993.

Sent to Eva for her Houses in the Mail call.

Collage to Raphael'L

Sent in one of the original envelopes, number 90.

Envelope 1000

Not really (although I'm getting close - currently on homemade envelope 824), however this *is* blog post 1000.

I'm amazed the blog has made it to this point.

A family member found some of the original envelopes that I sent out back in 1992/1993, so here they are.

The one with comedienne Jo Brand and the plumber's crack made me laugh. I can honestly say I have no memory of any of them.

It has been a while since I looked at the top 5 most viewed blog posts, so here they are, with a new entry for Heleen's fabulous Fin(n)Badger:

1 (1) Edelweiss post (2016)

2 (2) St Valentine's Day (2015)*

3 (3) Exchange 11 - Mr Charles resplendent (2014)*

4 (5) Sunday Stamps - Boats and Ships (2015)

5 (-) Fin(n)Badger (2016)

* indicates a former number one post.

And since it is a special occasion, here are the next 5 most popular posts to round out the top ten.

6.  It's the Year of the Ram! or Sheep! or Goat! (2015)

7. Jean and Jan's April exchange received part 2 (2015)  

8. Sunday Stamps - Water Birds (2016)

9. Top 5 (2014)

10. Mail art from France - with bonus stamps (2014)

There are also two former number one blogposts no longer in the top 10...

Envelope 100 (2013)

Envelope 81 (2013)

Plus, July 2016 was the most visited month on the blog ever, so thanks to everyone who sends me mail, and/or comments on the blog, it is all appreciated!!

Envelope 96 - Trams to Theo

One of the original envelopes showed a tram yard - I think this is from an Eastern European city, just not sure which one.

Perfect to send back to Theo.

Interesting faces on the inner flap.

Republic of Whimsy

Spontaneous painted mail arrived from IUOMA Theo, who resides in the Republic of Whimsy (aka Calgary). Check out the fantastic faux postage.

Inside, a comic about aging.

And my first Fluxus Bucks. I'm sure there'll be a future update on what I decide to do with them.

___________________________

My response to Theo was envelope 93 - one of the originals.

A couple of faces inside the flap.

Jean & Jan's April envelope exchange - sent

Another great envelope exchange from Jean and Jan. I went with a (mostly) black and white theme, with a little metallic thrown in here and there.

Here are the five for the exchange.

Envelopes for the hosts, plus a bonus one for Hester.

And the group photo.

Envelope 84 - art

This is the last of the art for sale envelopes that I made in the 1990s.

Stamped

Addressed

And the back

Blue and gull

This is one of the originals - number 91. There aren't too many left at this point. 

This is one of my personal favorites, however there haven't been any stamps that I felt looked good. Of course I had been overlooking international stamps, and I like the simplicity of the 2013 global forever stamp with this one. I like the blue and white theme - it reminded me of Katerina, as a lot of her mail art from Greece is blue and white-themed. I hope she likes it.

And the back.

__________________________

The mystery continues. Eva is on 1 point for guessing that it is a flag. More points for guessing which flag, and where I sent it.

Original envelopes 74 and 107 - houses

To Kathie M, for the 'hot mess' collage, one of the original envelopes from 20 years ago.

To Jean W.

Poets & Insults

.

The English language is full of colorful insults dating back centuries - just look at Shakespeare for some creative comebacks. This set of three 20-year old envelopes (from an article on English usage, if I remember correctly) has a few of them.

Stamped with my three remaining poet stamps - I have no idea if any of them used any of these words, though.

Envelope 118 sent to Karen I.

Envelope 119 sent to Karen N.

Envelope 116 sent to Jean.

Jean's came with an interesting liner effect.

Envelopes 105 - Wham!

Jean received a great envelope from Cathy, which made me think of this one I had in the original set. 

Batman stamp + comic sans = dynamic duo.

Envelope 64

A bed of nails...

...and butterflies...

...for mailarteeth.

Christophe received the envelope, and described it as:

Rêve de Fakir

Elles sont fines, acérées et d'un bel acier bleuté.

Les beaux papillons bleus qui volent au dessus d'elles sont totalement insouciants, mais ils sont si légers, que pourrait-il leur arriver ?

Translates as:

Dream of the fakir

They are thin, sharp and a beautiful steel blue. 

The lovely blue butterflies flying above them are totally unconcerned, but they are so light, what could happen to them?

Sounds so much better in French!

29 faces in september part VII: envelopes 150, 120 & 246

19/29: #150 to honi c

Honi C sends me bonus mail every once in a while. The odd scanner effect adds to the mystery of this image (for a change).

Johnny on the brain.

The back.

____________________

20/29: #120 to Lettres et Images

This is the youngest of the original set (it's still over 20 years old)

I like the global + Lincoln combo for the vertical address.

And the back.

____________________

21/29: #246 to jazzie

I forgot to scan this one with the flap up.

Improving the composition to a grouping of three, and using purple for the address.