What's on my work desk today?

A mess that's for sure!

 I have signed up for a mail art swap (envelope) on Cardmaking Paradise Forum

of which I am a member.

After having a conversation with emails whizzing backwards and forwards 

with this lovely lady, 
I was inspired by her work and ideas.  I haven't seen her finished envelopes but I do know that she made her envelopes

  I have been trying different (safe) methods - then went for the
reckless one!  Making my own envelope from scratch, as Susanne had.
I took an old used envelope and carefully pulled it apart then made a cardboard template - before playing with this huge sheet of thick paper!

 I haven't had as much fun since I ran a playgroup when my sons were little!

I dolloped some random colours including gold over the surface.

Then mixed them all up!  I have already cut a piece and made one envelope 

and have these left.

(click to enlarge)

 

 To be absolutely truthful - I just love them

And under the light - which is hard to see - the gold looks amazing

 And I want to cut up the rest into sheets

Or pages - and just keep them in a book - or make them into 

book covers or journal covers.

Who would have thought that those few random blobs of paint

swirled around in time to the music playing on my cd player

would creat these.  They look different depending on which way I turn them

and I can get lots of sheets/pages out of the big piece - which a chunk of wallpaper lining!

Mad woman - you don't have to tell me - I know - but at my age I can be!

WARNING!

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph