18 June 2007

just around the corner



furiously at work on postcards here, how about you?

there are scaps of paper all over the bed-- I find them hiding in the folds of the sheets and tucked discreetly under the straps of my nightgown. they show up on the bottom of my sandal, in the bathroom drawer with the hair brushes and ponytail holders. they are begging to be placed somewhere, anywhere. they float serendipitously onto my temporary workspace, or so I like to think.

what few of you know is that I put myself on every list. I couldn't see any other way around it, couldn't narrow myself to just one list, couldn't stand not to send or receive a postcard from each one of you. plus, I wanted to see if I could do it, wanted to know what it might be like to receive 77 postcards in the mail. I wonder what what my mailman will think? I am imagining a whole wall of summer and wouldn't that be lovely?

I am somewhere at the halfway point and think maybe (big maybe) I can pull it off by the first day of summer. I'll tell you, what's been interesting is the process. I've been forced to let go of certain details and think more conceptually. at first, the number of postcards I had to make seemed horribly limiting. I like to take my time and play with composition and color, add in paint, crayon, india ink. I like to come back to pieces and add things in later. had to let go of this way of working, though-- I was forced to simplify. you know something? there's a lot of freedom in that method.

I look forward to each night-- the magic hour when the kids have been put to bed and my energy levels are still high. I spread my papers and supplies out all over the bed, put in a favorite movie and get to work. more than a couple of times, I have fallen asleep in the middle of the mess, tips of my fingers still covered with glue. this would explain the scraps of paper found in my nightgown, of course. wouldn't have it any other way. I love this. and as I have said so many times before, I am a girl who needs an assignment, a project, a deadline. not sure what I'm going to do with with my nights once it's all over. sleep, maybe.

lucky for me, I have the daily trip to the mailbox to look forward to. so eager to see what my wall of summer is going to look like once the postcards have all rolled in. you can bet I will share that with you. and speaking of sharing, there's now a summer postcard swap flickr group for all you flickrites to join. please do sign up and share your process, your inspiration, what you've made, sent, received, etc... go ahead and introduce yourself. fabulous gwen organized it all (thank you so much) and the group can be found here.

now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some work to do. I figure if I give the kids some paper and glue, they can join in too and I can work during daylight hours. long long way to go yet, but savoring every minute of it.

18 comments:

  1. how fun! oh and how pretty they look! i can hardly wait for mine!

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  2. i wondered, when i saw your name on my list...what a wonderful (and ambitious) way to celebrate this swap.

    i'm almost through with my postcards and am looking forward to visiting the post office later this week - and then sitting on my front porch, waiting for the mail to come!

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  3. I LOVE the insanity of putting your name on every single list. May the force be with you!

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  4. It's t minus three days and I've yet to start mine - arrgh. But I've cleared the space upstairs and I have the supplies and time this evening and tomorrow to create. In the waiting for the postcards to arrive, I'm going to get my little crafting space organized and ready for my new postcards to decorate the walls. Thank you for organizing this swap - it will be amazing I'm quite sure.

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  5. oh WOMan i adore you! love that you put yourself on every list...and how (i'm sure) it made us all feel like we were on the *special* list. "oh...andrea's on MY list...that's cool!" HA! reminds me of a friend whose mom died and all the kids (adults...well into their 40s+ at this point) were talking about how they each felt like they were mom's 'favorite'...that makes me think she did something awfully right. :)

    also love your idea of a 'wall of summer'..can't wait to see the flickr pic of THAT!

    have fun with all your scraps, girl...your process sounds like too much fun. ward must love to observe the wonder he married.

    awwww...

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  6. ;) i would have put myself on every list too.

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  7. I would have put myself on every list, too.

    I have been so satisfied throughout the process of just making the cards, that thinking about getting them in the mail is like dessert. A dark, chocolatey, ganache of a dessert. I'm going to rig up a "clothesline" for mine in my kitchen, where I feel summer the most in all the natural light.

    p.s. I joined flickr just for this!

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  8. Genius. And crazy ambitious. : )
    And I totally echo Jennifer -- I too thought I was on the *special* list -- so funny. Thanks for making us all feel good. ; )

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  9. Woman - you're crazy! 77 postcards? And I was stressing about 12! But they are so close to being done...so close.

    Can't wait to see what you churn out!

    Tiff*

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  10. wow. you are beyond amazing! i'm definitely looking forward to getting one from you, but really, i can hardly wait to see your wall of 77!

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  11. Wow, 77! You are my hero! I think my head would explode if I tried to make that many. :)

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  12. i went back to edit into my hello that the kids are into the paper and supplies too, seems to be the best way to get some daylight craft on.

    every list, you clever girl!

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  13. Thats awesome that you put yourself on all the lists! I definitely would have done the same thing. I'm so excited to go home and check my mailbox.

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  14. i just mailed mine out today. it felt like walking on clouds. like i had made happyness and i dumped it into the mailbox with glee. i truly feel upinthecloudsnattyilized.

    i hope you enjoy my postcards to only the peeps on the list you provided me.

    making something from the heart and from scratch is the only WAY to goooooooooooooooooooooooo. xo

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  15. I know you've got 77 to make... but can I get one of these suckers too?

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  16. wow! impressive andrea...can't wait to see all the summer magic unfold. lucky 77! you go :) xo, mindy

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  17. I'd wondered if you were swapping with everyone! That would have been tempting if I were organizing it. Who doesn't love a wonderfully stuffed mailbox full of creativity?! I can't wait to get your card! This is fun!

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  18. When is the next swap? I'd love to join in the creative fun!

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