Friday, March 15, 2013

Cancelled Postage

They aren't just for collecting!
 
Cancelled Postage Stamps
are for art too! 
 
I love postage stamps and mail art.  Some family members collected postage stamps in a previous life, so there are lots of cancelled postage stamps nearby that I've been rather afraid to touch.  But, amazing what you're willing to do while wearing brave girl panties.
 
I wanted to first make a red bird postcard with red stamps.  I am shocked at the minimal number of red stamps I could dig up.  Well, I didn't want the first project to wreck up the only red postage I could find.  And there were plenty of blue stamps, so I made a blue trial bird first.
 
 
Oh boy, was that fun!  So on to the red bird.  I found the pinkish purple Happy Birthday stamp for the wing because I was going to send him as a birthday wish to Carol.
 
 
Oh, but I love him so!  And with only two more red stamps found so far, I could not let him go.
 
Then there came the butterfly.
 
 
And then came some postage people.
 
 
For me, these represent the child in all of us, no matter our age. 
 
 
This idea came from another artist.  I struggled to figure out how to blend the stamp with the body, and shear determination got me to where I wanted to be.  The other artist did not seem to be willing to share her secret, so I worked out what works for me...finally.
 
The technique needs some practice, but it's been great fun adding adult heads to children's bodies by way of postage stamps.   And some famous heads at that! 
 
Gosh, I sure hope I don't glue, chop, color or sew a rare $100,000. valued postage stamp.....yikes!
 
 May today be a Good Mail Day!
Annie

18 comments:

West Michigan Quilter said...

My, I'd say you are having a good mail day. These are wonderful. You are so clever. I love them all!

Gill said...

Fabulous Annie!
I shall start saving my stamps but most letters seem to be franked!!

Karen said...

so great :) you always have the most interesting stuff going on!

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

Annie I love those cards! I too have been saving postage stamps. Not sure what I was going to create, but thought they would be good to use as a decoupage over a can or tin. But your idea is wonderful. Did you glue the stamps to the fabric? How were they to sew through?
My daughter was getting rid of her postage stamp collection recently and I grabbed them all. So I can play along with you now, lol.

carol said...

You never cease to surprise me with your unending creativity! Everyday, something new and different and fun! I so enjoy seeing what you do!

ellen gets crafty said...

Once again you have shared a wonderful idea - it's such a treat reading your blog!!!

Marei said...

I LOVE your birds, but Oh My! I was completely aghast when I saw the blue bird wing and then I told myself to "relax...it's the reprinted Columbian issue...not the original". I felt much better. Can you tell I'm a stamp collector? Been doing it for 50 years. OMG! How did I get so old?????????? (very big sigh....)

sheila 77 said...

How you blended the stamp and the children's clothes is amazingly clever and effective, possibly approaching geekdom? I always love your birds, and all of your mail art, really.

Lins Artyblobs said...

I love stamp art and I love these!

Patti said...

I've always had an appreciation for stamps as my dad was an avid collector. You have taken stamps to a whole new, wonderful level!Absolutely gorgeous!

pinsandneedles said...

Annie these are adorable! My daughter collected cancelled postage stamps as a kid and still treasures her collection...hmm...I wonder if she would notice a few missing.

bohemiannie! art said...

Man oh man are these fabulous! I think you did an INCREDIBLE job of putting the heads on the bodies! Wow...you always...ALWAYS amaze and delight me with your art!

Createology said...

How very clever you have been with your canceled postage stamp art. I love each piece. Maybe I should review my little collection of stamps. Happy Hearts are Creative Hearts...

Snoodles said...

These are such fun! I have to say that I love the birdies the best!

cjsrq said...

These are great! I particularly like how you did the adult faces on the children's bodies. Good job!

Sandy said...

Very clever!
Sandy

Lesley said...

You are amazing! I have never seen postage stamps become art...and you, my girl, have done it! Brilliant!

Carla said...

You are amazing. Very impressive and pretty.