heART Postcards. 4 x 6 mixed media on Arches 140 lb. cold pressed paper. © 2018 Sheila Delgado.
Louise Gale hosts a global postcard swap several times each year. The Global heART Exchange is so fun, and very easy to take part in. You are given three names, and create three cards to share. And in return, you get three postcards in your mailbox. The theme this round was “Love”.
For my cards, I used acrylic paint and pen. I worked with wood block stamps from Michaels. Apparently they no longer sell the blocks, but here is a video that will show you what I am talking about.
I did not know that you needed to use a foam mat underneath the block, and did not have anything that I could use. So I struggled with making an impression. I used a heart, paisley and feather design. The impressions were broken up, not solid. But I really like the effect, sort of aged and worn. The feather design did not turn out at all, so I traced over it with a pen. I added polka dots, hearts with dot borders, and the words love, lovely, loved.
The first fabulous card I received came from Phredkite in Texas. Hello Texas! I hope you can see the bamboo embossing. It runs the length of the card. So much more pretty in person! The sweet and simple message: “Be love!”
Beautiful!
From Susi Sanlier in Germany, one sweet surprise after another. The envelope was adorned with beautiful watercolor rose trimmed in gold pen. On the back a sticker that said, “All you need is love, and vegan chocolate”.
Inside, two gorgeous postcards, and her business card that is also a tiny piece of art. This first is watercolor, acrylic and pen I believe. Lovely springtime fresh! I didn’t remember to scan the back, but it is just as lovely. On the back:
“Let love fill your garden & you will reap utter happiness!
This next card is alcohol inks I believe. The scan does not do it justice, as the colors are metallic. And you know those never show well in photos. Susi did several of these tree affirmation cards, you can see them here. On the back:
“May LOVE be always by your side this spring.”
And for dessert, this lovable little lighthouse.
Susi also has terrific illustrated recipes on They Draw and Cook. Labskaus anyone?
My third treat is not a postcard. But that won’t surprise you when you see who it is from. She has her own way of doing things. It is a tiny treasure from the daring and dear, Dotty Seiter. The ex Michaels framer in me is truly appreciative of Dotty’s cutting and centering skills! On the back, as one might expect, words of profound wisdom.
Ruby used to say you just always had to believe
you’d find as many answers as it was questions.
Kaye Gibbons, A virtuous woman
This piece of art is five layers deep. Approximately 3 and 1/2 inches square. Creme matboard, black foam board, white paper, and decorative papers. On the back is a jagged edged, rough textured paper with the quote on it. It feels almost like leather, but knowing Dotty recycles, I suspect it might be the inside of a cereal box.
Each of these cards includes something have a fondness for. And each message, feels as if it was chosen just for me. The universe works in mysterious and wonderful ways!
Do be sure and visit the exchange site. Sign up to receive notice of future events. You have the opportunity to decide later if you want to take part or not. You can take part in as many, or as few as you are able. Hope to see you there!
Wow! I just found your blog post when I googled my name .. Thank you so much! It was my pleasure to send you the letter, and I am very happy you liked it so much that you wrote about it. Lots of blessings to you xx
So awesome to hear from you Susi! I love each of your art gifts! Thank you for sharing y our art with me 🙂 Wishing you a JOY filled May 🙂
I love your heART! And this reminds me, I still haven’t blogged about the art I received. Gotta get to it!
LOL, I am so behind on posts. Right there with you Chandra! Enjoy my friend 😉
Your post person must enjoy delivering your mail and how nice is it to receive these beauties! Your postcards are lovely – delicate and soft – very romantic!! Have a lovely day Sheila ox
Thanks Janet, I was in the mood for delicate that day. 😉 I am sure our mail woman does enjoy them. It would be interesting to follow the journey of a card, and find out how many people get a look at them while they are being delivered. Happy weekend to you Janet 🙂
No, my art was NOT part of the swap, just something I wanted to send you. Pretty funny that it arrived in the mail with a postcard that WAS part of the SWAP.
To get a (very) rough idea of how I make paper, go to this link . To get a (much) better idea, and have a bunch of fun, stop by any time and we’ll make paper together. Speaking of which, would you like some of my paper for your own use? I have plenty to share.
I would love a tiny bit Dotty 🙂 and I have something that I can send to you.. I just cleaned out a drawer. 😉
Well, I am a bit excited, because that means I still have a postcard coming. LOL. 🙂 There wasn’t a link…But I will get in touch. I would so love to make paper with you. I have wanted to make paper since the 80’s I think. LOL. But for whatever reason, space, tools, time. I never have. Making paper with Dotty, that sound like a good class title to me! 🙂 ha ha ha
Thank you Dotty, for my NOT a postcard 🙂 I love it 🙂
I will do an update, when the next postcard arrives. 🙂
What a beautiful post, Sheila! And it’s because it’s really about giving a bit of one’s self to others and sharing. Each artist’s gift is so lovely and the sentiments just make one feel good and hopeful to be alive. Oh, I’m so glad I read this today. And your unique postcards are lovely, incredibly designed!
You said it Laurelle, that is what makes these exchange groups so lovely. Liberate Your Art is next… more postcards on the way. ;o)
Thank you Laurelle 😉
This is such a wonderful way to share your art, and to receive other people’s art! And who wouldn’t love the theme? Hope today finds you feeling good, Sheila.
Love IS always a good theme. True Laurie. I am feeling good, thank you 😉 Hope you are keeping warm and enjoying some creative time 🙂
Wow, another exchange for you to create for! I really like the cards you made Sheila and I agree that the broken look on the stamps gives it a really interesting look. I have used a towel under my cards when stamping and it works a bit better than just the table. I have some old underlayment for carpet but often forget to use it – especially if I am only doing a few cards. You got some wonderful cards in return and the piece from Dotty is just great. – Lucky girl!
A towel! I did not think of that. Thanks Val. I will give that a try. And I always have one at my desk.
There are a few artists I know that do this exchange faithfully. They often invite/remind me and many times I just think, “I don’t have enough time.” But it really takes no time at all. These took less than an hour to make. And it was a nice art break that day. I am going to try and participate more often.
Yup. Got lucky 😉
Sheila, I certainly did a double-take when I discovered myself in your post!, and how funny that I sent you art with hearts. Indeed, mysterious and wonderful ways in this universe of ours. The art is something I made back in my artwarmers days—the heart was made with a homemade inkstamp created from a gum eraser, and the leathery paper on the back is indeed recycled; I pressed handmade paper from collected used paper that found its way into my home in countelss ways). Thanks for your sweet accolades!
LOVE seeing the Global heART Postcard Swap cards YOU and others made. Such beauty—in the art and in your hearts.
I knew you would tell me what that was. Awesome, thank you Dotty. I would love to hear how you made it one day… it is thinner than other handmade papers I have seen. I was so thrilled when I opened your package. OK, so was your art not part of the swap? It cam the same day as Susi’s, So I just assumed… either way it is a treasure 🙂 But if not, that means I have one more postcard coming. LOL 🙂 So grateful to you Dotty, I love it… Love is the music in your heart!