Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Unexpected

One of the things I love about the people who send me mail art is that they often do something really unexpected with a piece of mail art.

In this case, Heleen sent me a few postcards of birds that I like. She included an extra bird that I like very much, and wasn't expecting, a common or Eurasian Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).

And she sent it in an envelope that used stamps from 2009 that I think are amazing (Heleen - I get the feeling that you have quite a stash of stamps!). The translation of 'Laat kinder leren' is 'Let children learn'.

I love how Heleen turned some of the letters of my address into the little creatures from the stamps.




And even better, it includes my favorite of the bunch - the first one, which is 'Trying is always good'.

Here is a bit more information about these cool stamps. Thanks to Violet for the information.


There's also a great animated video about this set.



Do you have a favorite bird?


28 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this video Phillip.
    I found what I was looking for:"Sometimes doing nothing helps you get good ideas." I like this a lot for I often find myself in this state of 'doing nothing' and day dreaming:)
    The letter creatures on the envelope are super awesome!
    U is for Uttarakhand

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    1. Yet another reason why these stamps are so amazing.

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  2. The surprise effect is probably what people love most about mail.
    And this envelope is just great. I can apply here another good slogan: "If something makes you laugh, it's good". :D

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    1. Your words made me want to add:

      If something makes you smile, it's good; if something makes you laugh, it's even better.

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  3. Hi Phillip - people are certainly creative and those little animals in your name are great fun to see ... as for a favourite bird ... I'd have to go with a Chough ... Cornish Chough .. cheers Hilary

    http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/u-is-for-unicorn.html

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  4. Lovely and sweet item. I have a friend who should be looking at your page! Her stamps and collage notes are always very special.

    Affirmations for a Good Life

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    1. Thanks for the compliment. There are a lot of pages she could look at - Eric's, Heleen's, Jean's and Eva's - all the links in my side column on the right.

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  5. Cedar waxwings are the first bird that pop into my head at the thought of *favorite* - but I quickly tell all the others that they are equally amazing.

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    1. You must have been thrilled that the waxwing got a stamp for itself last year.

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  6. Very nice envelope. The way Heleen wrote your name is very clever and a perfect match with the stamps.
    My favorite bird is for sure the one that sings every morning near my bedroom window when I get up. It reminds me that spring is here eventhough the (sometimes) low temperatures make me feel like in winter.

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  7. The one and only robin would be my favorite, but perhaps that's unexpected. The mail art theme that your blog has introduced be too several times this Challenge was unexpected too.

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    1. Thanks, Bob. I like robins, too, there is usually one hanging around the house in spring.

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  8. What a fun way to incorporate the images of the stamp into your name!

    My favorite large bird is the Peacock, small bird is the Tufted Titmouse, but my very favorite birdsong is from the Western Meadowlark.

    Trudy @ Reel Focus
    Food in Film: Ugli Fruit

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  9. This is the reason why I still in a love affair of those paper envelop. It not only brings the letter, but also the surprise, happiness or any unexpected news. Enjoyed your post.
    Sayanti and here is my today's post Uniqueness

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    1. It's true, and even though I knew this envelope was coming, it was still full of surprises for me.

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  10. Those stamps are so colorful, and Heleen is very creative!
    Snail mail is a lost medium of creative expression now. I miss the handmade cards we used to exchange on birthdays and new years.
    My favorite bird is the house sparrow. (http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com/2015/06/my-favorite-bird.html)

    Glad to connect with you during this AtoZ. Do visit mine sometime.
    Happy blogging, Finn!
    Chicky @ www.mysteriouskaddu.com

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    1. You could always bring back the tradition of hand made cards.

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  11. Thank you for posting, FinnBadger, glad to read that it was a kind of surprise and that you like it :-)

    The kingfisher has been painted by Dutch painter Jacqueline Lamme, on her website she has more wonderful bird paintings ( www.jacquelinelamme.nl )

    And also I am grateful to Violet for the video. I never had seen it the way the video shows! Until that moment these stamps weren't my favourites, but after 7 to 8 years having them in my album I finally took the time to see and get the message and I love them! Nevertheless I'll keep the other half (3 more stamps) for my future bird mail art (still to be drawn) for you :-)

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    1. Wow, surprise on top of surprise - and thanks for highlighting the painter, I should have done that in the main post.

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  12. Cool envelope and matching stamps. You are inspiring me to send out some pieces of mail and try to bring a smile to the faces of friends and family with the unexpected.

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  13. One of my favorite things about checking the mail each day is finding things that are unexpected to me. It's so cool to receive a package or letter that I wasn't expecting. :)

    Visiting from the A to Z Challenge. See my “U” post here: https://lydiahowe.com/2017/04/25/u-is-for-uncle-izaac-atozchallenge/

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    1. That is very often the case with mail art - always the unexpected.

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  14. How fun! Don't you just love good mail? Creative envelope with great stamps -- and how can I pick a favorite bird? I love bird postage stamps too.

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    1. Yes, good mail is so awesome. I've had a quiet few days as far as mail is concerned, maybe today there will be something fun at home.

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