Chocolate tea and a Post Card of Scraps: Mixed Media Mail Art
Couch Talk
Busy weeks are hard to adjust to after the lull of lockdown but I love that life is getting back to normal and we are no longer sequestered in our homes. Last week was a lot of running around in preparation for vacation. Hopefully, I will have pictures to share in another post. For all you summer lovin’ people, we went to the beach.
Hubby and I are not really beach lovers as we don’t enjoy baking and sweating in the sun. Mostly, we come away looking and feeling like lobsters. Our thing is taking in the local sites and history when we go on vacation but this year we decided to do the beach for the family members that love the sun and sand.
Can you believe that the day before we left for vacation, I washed and folded 4 loads of laundry, packed 2 suitcases, food and beach items, car snacks, made 4 gallons of kombucha, and baked 2 loaves of sourdough cinnamon raisin bread, and 2 loaves of white sandwich bread. I am going to need a vacation just from the vacation preparation. But if you are a Mom, you know what I mean. Vacations with family are fun but they are by no means relaxing. But I know those days will come soon enough when my children are parents and I am the grandparent. And despite the craziness in the world, I am thankful that vacation was still possible for us this year.
Creating the Mail Art
Today’s mail art was made with desk scraps. Some days, I am in the mood to work with scraps and other days I am un-inspired by them. This project was the former.
I started off by by embossing the background with the StencilGirl succulent stencil and some gold embossing paste. I sprayed the background with some ink sprays before stamping and embossing in gold. I edged the post card with black gesso and then added all my scraps to embellish. My scraps included: Stamped teabags, old paper, fiber, fabric scraps, washi tape, and a stamped image.
I have had a lot of questions about what I do with my mail art. Well, the majority of it is sitting in a drawer of my craft desk. If they are not too bulky, I send them in the mail or give them a long with gifts.
Tea Day
I am joining the T ladies over at Elizabeth and Bleubeard’s. As you know, my drink of choice is always tea. Today, I am drinking The Republic of Tea Peppermint Cuppa Chocolate Tea, Rooibos Tea Dessert Blend
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Oh the preparations- I still do so much even without kiddos around anymore! But as you say, it is all worth it- and especially when I catch the first scents of sea air…which is where we always head 🙂 Your postcard art is luscious- filled with so much layering and detail- I just love it!
I may have to get that tea for my hubby- as he loves chocolate mint coffee- but also drinks tea. Enjoy your vacation, and happy T day!
Oh Kate, I’ve never had to pack for anyone but myself, except when I used to take my animals with me on vacation, and they packed light. Food, water bowls, sandbox for the cat, and leashes for both cat and dog,, Bet you think I’m crazy, but they were my “family.” Yours was harder to prepare for, that’s for sure. You really DID need a vacation after all that work. Sadly, I don’t have a beach within 1000 miles of where I live in any direction, so your beach vacation sounds great. I saw a few photos from NJ and they are now worried that the beach goers didn’t take social distancing and mask wearing seriously.. Glad you enjoyed your time away, though.
Your mail art today is wonderful. I adore that you are using scraps, too. I saw the one you sent Dianne and it is beautiful. So is the lovely layered one you shred today,
Your peppermint chocolate tea sounds delightful, A real treat for dessert, I bet. Thanks for sharing your vacation plans, your mail art, and your wonderful tea with us for T this Tuesday.
Ohhhh, the beach! No baking in the sun, but to feel the sand, the ocean, I sure miss that!
And being but an Auntie packing is no worries, but wee it sounds exhausting with kids!
Your artwork looks like you had some fun! Sad we never learned to be creative at school.
That tea sounds yummy indeed – a happy T-day to you.
Have fun with the preparations, you will be busy! The postcard is wonderful, love all the texture, fantastic. Enjoy your tea! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
I always find the pre-going away (going away is a great thing to do) stressful. Until I leave the house, I am tense and worried I forgot something or didn’t do something. And then I leave and I finally relax. But I remember those vacations when my daughter was young. I hope you had a great time and did some fun things. And got good memories. Loving the art this week and hope you are finally relaxing. But it is good to be able to get out a bit too. Happy T day. Hugs-Erika
I hope you have a good family holiday Kate, I can picture the packing and organising you would fave to do before you went to the beach. All the prep i done, I hope you can relax and enjoy yourselves.
The art you shared looked fantastic as well.
Happy T day wishes, stay safe.
Yvonne xx
We missed going to the beach this year due to the insanity 🙁 Because we bake like lobsters as well, we go around 5:00 in the evening (and everyone is usually at dinner so no crowds 🙂 ) Ah, the ocean/sand is so healing and the scent of sea breezes is magical! I’m so glad y’all got to go! And yes, the prep is exhausting, but does get better when you’re a grandma!
It’s so nice to see you at T, Dianne. Good for you on the ICAD challenge. How nice thaat you were ale to take a family vacation. I love your hamster in a tea cup and llama in sunglasses. Your illustrations are wonderful!
Happy T-Day! Eileen xx
I love a beach, but I rarely just sit… Mostly I walk up and down and play in the water. Of course my last beach trip was ages ago; we’re so far away… I love the depth and texture in your work, and your photography shows it off well. Happy T Tuesday!
Yes with your young family preperations before vacation are allot of work-but well worth in the end-Have Fun!!
Loved your mail art and your chocolate tea sounds delicious! Happy T wishes Kathy
So glad you enjoyed your holiday at the beach, I’m looking forward to seeing your photos 😁. Loving your collages too and wow, chocolate tea sounds amazing, I’d be very interested in trying a cup or two …lol 😉. Take care and Happy T Day wishes! Hugs, Jo x
Your art looks lovely. And what a lot of work you did, before starting out on the family vacation. I’m glad to hear you’re going somewhere where it’s not so Locked Down that you can actually enjoy a Summer vacation. Here in Connecticut, who knows when things will be opened up enough to make anyone want to take a vacation here. 🙁 I don’t think I’ll be doing any Day Trips this year, because of the concern that bathroom facilities won’t be open (I’m not using porta potties, where one can’t wash one’s hands). So this will be the Summer that wasn’t here in Connecticut. 🙁 Happy T-Day!
Another gorgeous mail art card! love all the layers…especially the closely gathered strip of fabric.. I know what you mean about getting ready for vacation. I remember my mom used to spend a week cleaning out the old camper, baking cookies, making potato salad, doing laundry and packing. Since our kids are grown now, we don’t camp much any more except occasionally. Hope your vacation was enjoyable after all that work!. A postcard should be on its way to you, hope it arrives safely. Thank you so much for the card you sent – it’s beautiful! happy T day!
With all the prep vacations aren’t much of a vacation for moms, but the memories too be made will one day be priceless. No beach here just yet. Large , dangerous jellyfish are washing up along the beaches. 😱 Fun postcard. So much texture. Chocolate peppermint tea sounds like a Peppermint Patty in a cup. Nice. Happy T Day
Agreed! Vacationing as a mom with kids in tow is now relaxing. So much work. Glad you are getting out though. I really would love to get away to the North Shore sometime this summer. Mini-me is aways game…its the boys who are a little more of homebodies.
Love your mail art. The texture is amazing!
Happy T day!
Well, better late than never…
I do hope you are having a fantastic holiday by the sea with your husband and kiddos.
I read your post and I made me remember my kombucha. We have been moving stuff from one flat to the other and I really forgot to check. Of course it is too late now. It was coming on nicely, but now it is too sour for my taste. But I do have a great scoby to use for next time. Today I bought two glass jars. Those big ones similar to yours. They can contain ten litres each. I’ve also got the Grolsch type bottles, so I’m all set, i just have to start again.
Your special tea sounds lovely. Peppermint and chocolate go well together. (Think of After Eight chocolates)
I’m sorry I’m so late in commenting. I never got round to it.
Sending you hugs,
and a belated Happy T-Day!
Lisca
I’m so pleased you got to the beach. Just to relax away from home would be good but sea air and family time takes some beating! I remember the days of going away with my three boys. We used to self cater so I used to bake before we went away too!
Your mail art, as ever , is simply wonderful! A great way to use scraps!
Very belated Happy T day! Chrisx