The wonderful Art of Letter Writing

Today I started the day by writing a letter to my pen friend Jennifer in Delray Beach, Florida.  I hope you also had some letter writing fun today.  After all, a day without letter writing is like a day without sunshine.  Don't you agree?  And if we add art play to our letter the experience is even more enjoyable.

Today I decided to create a floral note card for Jennifer's letter and to help with that I pulled out a  book for inspiration.  This "Flower Sticker book" designed by Fiona Johnson contains pictures of garden flowers with notes regarding their size, blooming time and characteristics.  I don't use the stickers in the usual way, but rather as models for my own drawings.

[caption id="attachment_2336" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A page of Fiona's book[/caption]I'll choose a flower from Fiona's book, a flower  that is currently in bloom, take out my watercolor pencils, and go to town.  You don't have to be a great artist to enjoy drawing.  Think of the fun little kids have. Well, you can have that fun too.   I always make a note in the book as to which flower design my correspondents  receive for there's  no point sending the same design over and over when there are so many flowers to choose.

And after a little art play I have a one-of-a-kind card to use for my letter writing.   Fun, fun, fun!  The price is right too because I have a great source for purchasing paper.  It's Hollo's in Brunswick, Ohio.  (hollospapercraft@yahoo.com).   I figure each of my handmade cards costs about 10 to 20 cents to make, but I don't make these cards because I'm frugal.  I make them because art play is so much fun!

Today I decided to draw the Clematis flower for Jennifer's letter.  Are you a gardener familiar with this climbing plant?  Clematis loves to cover walls and fences.  Its flowers can be purple, blue, pink or white, and as you can see, its leaves are oval.  I love flowers, don't you?  Well, if you try to draw them you will love and appreciate them even more for you'll be forced to focus on their details, details you may never notice otherwise.  Like they say - to really love something you must know it, and if you're like me, you'll get to know and appreciate flowers even more when you attempt to draw them.

I don't think it matters at all how great an artist we are, What matters is that we're exercising our creativity and enjoying ourselves, then sharing our joy.  You know what I'm always saying - Sharing doubles the joy.  And one of  the perfect ways to share our joy for art is to send our artistic creations away in the form of  letters.

[caption id="attachment_2348" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jennifer's letter[/caption]

Of course the ideas we share in our letters are the main event.  Jennifer and I were discussing creativity in our correspondence and let me share with you some of her fine words on the subject.  She writes:

"Creatively I've tried many things but of late have found an interest in making handmade  greeting cards and note cards.  I'm thinking this is an endeavor I can enjoy for years barring any physical or mental incapacity.  I just have to give myself permission to 'let go' and let my hands guide me rather than my mind as I have a very strong and active inner critic. "

(And don't we all?)

Jennifer then went on to tell me what her mantra is.  Her mantra, which she repeats to herself over and over, is a quote by Kelly Kilmer.  Jennifer loves these words and so do I.

It's all about the journey.  Make.  Create.  Don't worry or over think.  Make art for you and your own sake.

So what have you created today?  There are so many ways in which to be creative.  You probably guessed  two of my favorites are writing and art, and when you put the two together what do you get?

The Wonderful Art of Letter Writing

Share Joy

[caption id="attachment_482" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Carol Ann coming to call[/caption]

I'm gonna wrap myself in paper

I'm gonna dab myself with glue

Put a stamp on top of my head

And I'm gonna mail myself to YOU!

Wishful thinking I know.  but as a Lady of Letters with a highly cultivated  imagination, it's fun for me to think about doing just that, mailing myself to you so we could have a little visit over a cup of tea.  As it is, I have to be content writing you this post.

 The little poem  I've shared with you is actually lyrics to a  song  I used to teach  the children in my music classes at  schools in Boston and Cleveland.  It's a Valentine's Day song and Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  Are you ready?

 Wouldn't it be fun if we really could send ourselves  to everyone we cared about, all on the same day, the way Santa gets around?   We could bring along a present for each person  --- a sentimental, beribboned, and flowery present.  I'd love to come over to your house with my pot of tea and  some of the Valentine cupcakes I'm making.

                                                                                      

Maybe I could bring you some flowers too.  Everybody loves fragrant  fresh flowers, don't they?

                                                                                           

But if you're one of the rare people who doesn't like flowers, I bet you'd like a box of chocolates!

These are for my husband  - mums the words - but I'd be happy to get some candy for you too, if only I could pop over to your house tomorrow... but I can't.

I should be sending you a greeting card.  Cards and letters are always nice when you can't visit in person.  I was delighted  to receive this pretty card from my pen friend Joy.

                                                                                                 

 Joy is the perfect name for this lady for she shares joy with me in every one of her letters.  But how does one send cards to all the people they care about?  Daily life gets so in the way for these thoughtful  things we want to do.

Some of my friends even make their own special greeting cards.  That's what my pen friend Gwen does and she sent this card to me.

                                                                                         

She's getting so good at making her cards, they hardly look home made.  They're beautiful - just like Gwen.

Most people love holidays, but as nice as they are, I have to admit holidays frustrate me.  That's because I'd love to make every holiday very special, celebrating each one with every person I care about, creating all the pretty things I imagine or see  in the glossy pages of magazines.  But I can't manage it!!! ... just as I can't wrap myself up with paper, dab myself with glue, put a stamp on top of my head and mail myself to you --- and  it's so FRUSTRATING!

All I can do is  keep a song in my heart (and that I can manage because, after all, I AM a  music teacher)  and let my little light shine, sharing love and joy in bits and pieces with everyone I meet...  not just on holidays, but every day.  A smile here,  a greeting card there, an invitation to tea, sending a friendly letter, giving compliments, paying visits ...little things done with love.   It's not just Valentine's Day and other holidays that should be special.  Everyday should be special and everyday we should share joy in some way.  If we all do this our world would be a nicer place for sure.  And this reminds me of the lyrics to another song.

I'm gonna make this world a better place

I'm gonna make this world a better place

I'm gonna make this world a better place

Just by being me

I'm gonna care about others not just about me

Gonna make a difference you will see.

There's got to be more to life than things

And I'm gonna find out what that means

So have yourself a Happy Valentine's Day, but if you can't get around to everyone you love on this one day, or on any other holiday, don't fret, there's always tomorrow.

to

SHARE JOY

How did you share joy today?  I'd love to know.  Please leave a comment.