^ One of Mary Powers' lovely collages; buy them as postcards here.

Bits of a week:
♡ I applied for four jobs, including one as a 'Santa Photographer' (official title). I realised after submitting it that it means I'd get to wear an elf suit and potentially get my own creepy Santa photo (the first in 13 years), then I felt super excited.
♡ While shopping, C and I were just about to take our groceries to the counter and then I decided I had to ogle the make up section, but my browsing was rudely interrupted by the complex's fire alarm. Lethargically and confusedly the staff ushered us outside, to have us stand in the cold for fifteen minutes, watch the fire brigade screech up and find no fire, then we were allowed back in.
♡ I came across Vixen Vintage, fell in love and felt a great yearning for my in-storage sewing machine.
♡ I attended the first in a 3-part debate series at the local University - the topic; "Young people shouldn't waste their time reading Twilight and Harry Potter". Lots of interesting speakers, including Frankie's editor Jo.
♡ I made a digitally collaged poster for the Newcastle This Is Not Art Festival Sunday (zine) Fair. Very much enjoyed making it but felt several pangs of sad for not being able to attend this year (due to being 1500kms away). I took it for granted! (Not quite finished poster here)
♡ C and I attended four house inspections and applied for 3. Imagined arranging my furniture and decorating each.
♡ I dyed my hair, what I thought was dark brown, but turned out to be jet black. So, back to black (like my 16-year old self).
♡ Baked two batches of gluten-free banana, honey & white choc cupcakes. Yarm.
♡ Ogled this dress and considered spending some of my (very small) savings account.
♡ Sadly sent my final Benevolent Postcard Society postcard.
♡ Found this slightly mail related link; Panty By Post - a monthly underwear subscription.
♡ Bought; Greetings From The Ocean's Sweaty Face 100 McSweeney postcards, Hellcat Amazons postcards and Wanderlust USA postcard box.
♡ Browsed fascinated and quite creeped out at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's comprehensive documentation of executions since the 1980's - which includes every offender's photograph, a description of what they did and their last words. Creepy. Fascinating. Creepy.

Also;
♡ I thought some of you lovely creative folk might be interested in participating in Bears and Bunting's 'The World View Project' - it involves photography and mail - and you have until the 10th to sign up.
♡ And lovely Julie of We've Got Paper just reminded me of her stationery survey - if you fill it out you can win one of her sweet lettersets.

Today I woke up late to the sound of rain and felt very content. I'm going to spend the rest of the day with a few cups of Rooibos, a few episodes of Degrassi and a few letters to write. Hope you have a lovely weekend :)

C and I decided to go to Town Hall earlier this week to look at an exhibition and this greeted us at the entrance - the pillars had colourful knitted coverings.

Inside was a huge room where a team of Tasmanian women had knitted a walk-through display reminiscent of a 1950s home, called 'The Knitting Room'. Everything was knitted and I was told it takes at least seven days to assemble the whole exhibition in a space. The project started in 2004 and was based in a nursing home where about 50 residents, family and friends created individual and group pieces that contributed to the overall display. Photos weren't allowed, but I found some pictures of the exhibition online;


^ My favourites were predictably the knitted letter and knitted mailbox.

I asked where it was going to after the exhibition and one of the women told me it will be put into storage until they can find a permanent space for it. I definitely need to learn to knit.

I thought it might be fun to have a (probably very occasional) section documenting interesting mailboxes seen around Launceston. I've already spotted a couple I know I'll have to go back and photograph. I spotted the one above on our way to a house inspection last week. I love the pastel shades. I'd love to pull my mail out of this pretty thing.

^ British postage stamp bangle by Talitha Astrellita - she has a bunch more gorgeous postage stamp jewellery at her etsy. I love it!


^ It was lovely and sunny in C's parents' backyard yesterday afternoon so I set up the outdoor table and took some mail outside to write, but I only got one postcard scribbled on by the time the sun went behind the big building at the back of C's parents' property. Boo. It's impossible for plants to get any sunshine or for washing to dry in the backyard as soon as the sun goes behind that building. I'll try again tomorrow - the last day of Winter! I have officially braved my first Tasmanian Winter and it really isn't as bad as they make it out to be.




^ I received my first cd from the Mix Share Swap from one of my partners - lovely miss Molly. Her mix was wonderful - I loved every song. She called the mix 'What The Doctor Ordered' , wrapped it in a pharmacy bag and wrote the track listing on a mock-prescription sheet. Loved it!


^ I was very excited to receive this package - a yummy bundle of things I won from Messy Carla's recent giveaway. The whole package smelled delicious thanks to the candy and I shared it with C. The big heart earrings are definitely my favourites, though C thinks they're too eighties and look like clip-ons (part of why I love them I think :D).


^ There's something about Jane's mail art style that I find just irresistible. She sent me the sweetest little gift - one of her gorgeous zines and an Ohio name plate! I love it! It reminded me that one of my other pen pals, Wendy, sent me a name plate from Tennessee several months ago and I so attached them both to my bike. I find it pretty hilarious that anyone who sees me riding by knows my name. I'd love to collect one from every US state! :D;




^ Garci has sent me so many wonderful things over the duration of our penfriendship and always caters to my red-love. This time she varied it and sent a bundle of yellow (I love a good yellow too) - isn't it lovely? The recipe on the back makes my mouth water. I love the idea of putting a one-colour letter together!


^ My very first letter from Sharni, and it included many bits of my favourite colour! Absolutely lovely. I can't wait to write back.


^ My first lovely letter from Helen.


^ A delightful letter from Molly that came today. Yarm, gold coins!




^ Diana asked me if she could Paypal me for a copy of the latest issue of Frankie and I packaged it up yesterday. It's 2g over 500g at the moment (after 500g the postage almost doubles) so I'm trying to think of some way of chipping off that 2g - remove some tape? Maybe I can charm one of the post ladies into letting me only pay for 500g!


^ A little letter for Bree, a writer of lovely zines, in South Australia.


^ Colourful monkeys for Bella.


^ A doodled-on envelope for Rhiannon in Western Australia.


^ Lots of red for Ngaire in Victoria.


^ A letter for Eve in Florida.


^ Postcards for Carissa back near my home city.


^ A postcard to congratulate Lauren on her big news.


^ Something colourful for miss 'Shampoo' in Illinois.


^ Free postcards for Shana back in my beloved Newcastle.


^ I sent C's brother & sister-in-law and their two children separate postcards I thought they'd like. The Tasmanian tulips for Adam & Lil (mum & dad), one of my postcards for 9-year old Elyse and a Stuff On My Cat postcard for Mr 3, Marley.


^ A little rainbow fish envelope with a letter for Delwyn.

Also;


^ We spot a lot of kitties around Launceston - C took this photo of a ginger cat while we were out last week. Cutie!


^ My favourite home made breakfast; honey, Greek yoghurt, strawberries, kiwi fruit & banana (and I'd smother it with muesli it I could, but it's full of gluten, wah). Nom!