Postcards

[Nicola Thomson]

This is probably going to sound silly but I have seen a lot of work on postcard size pieces.

Is the word postcard a generic term or a real postcard??Im sure Australia Post wouldnt deliver them.

Or is it just a term for small pieces??

And what do you DO with them?? Apart from framing them as mini pics?

Nicola

[Meg Mackenzie]

Hi Nicola, some of them really are postcards. Others are simply postcard size pieces - sometimes referred to as ATCs or Artist Trading Cards. People make them at that size so that they easily fit into a standard envelope and can be mailed to other artists or stitchers in the form of a swap. It's quite lovely, as you get to make some adorable mini artworks and in return you receive lovely pieces back from others. They are little treasures to keep - either to frame, put in a folder to ogle at (or drool over! Best to have plastic covers then!) or you can put them together on a backing and pop them on the wall in the form of a wall hanging.

The ones you send - So long as I don't have any loose or bulky 3D items on them, NZ post sends them. They can get a little dirty going through the mail or through the franking machine, but it's such a nice surprise to have a stitched card turn up in the mail. I have a friend in the UK who puts a postcard backing on them (printed on vilene or freezer paper and sticthed down) and sends them as well.

I hope this answers the question.

[Nicola Thomson]

Thanks Meg, I love making littlies sometimes.I think I would pack them in another envelope for Australia Post lol

[Elaine Wilding]

Here in the US I do mail them I put them in clear envelopes to keep them from getting damaged and i don't put anything more then ribbon embroidery on them that is bulky.  They usually cost more then a postcard cost to mail though. They are great little keepsakes to pass on to the next generation. We also make them to put in baby books to mark a special day or event. I love making them and use left over scrap piece from my crazy quilting. I use them for gift tags also it makes the gift a little more special.

[Nicola Thomson]

thankyou Elaine and Meg.they are on my to do list altho the TAST samplers would be the same Im thinking(well the way I do them lol)

[Linda]

Hi Nicola, I love to make and receive postcards, and like Elaine, I have plain, clear cellophane packets just the right size for sending them.  Everything is printed on the back, either by hand, or via your printer onto fabric, popped into the envelope which is then sealed, and the stamp is on the outside.  If you are friendly with your local post office franchisee, perhaps you can put the stamp onto the back of the PC, have it cancelled and then pop it into the clear packet.  I have received them 'bare' from the US to here, in perfect condition.  I like to think it even brightens up my postie's day too!!!  Here is a link to the online store where I purchased my envelopes:-

http://www.blockheadstamps.com/catalog/Art-Supplies/Clear-Envelopes...

Please have a go at them.  I'm sure you'll be hooked if you start.  If you'd like to swap I have some waiting to find a loving home.............LOL........  Write me a PM if you'd care to swap.  Cheers.

[Barbara/Hopscotch]

I love creating fabric postcards and if you join one of the groups, you'll soon become addicted to swapping!

Enjoy!

Barbara

[Elaine Wilding]

My post masters love it when I bring in these little treasuries. They ooo and ahhh at them. It always makes me feel good to mail them.

[Meg Mackenzie]

Elaine, I can imagine that it would be a treat to see them at the counter - particularly given the BORING external packaging of most of our mail.

[Nicola Thomson]

Just realised all of my TAST things are really postcards  lol