I don't know why I feel compelled to embellish envelopes. Reworking their aged loveliness into a decorative item. The beauty of it's papery age is key to me and all the memories that have long moved into the mists of time... working into the paper, a happy mix of old ephemera, pretty fabrics, hand embroidery and buttons.......lots of buttons, is to me, such a pleasure.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Pour yourself another cup of Lady Grey....
I do love old envelopes, gorgeous old envelopes. Tiny time capsules, with their beautiful script, stamps and post marks. Encapsulating letters of..... treasured, sad, happy, newsy, boring, poetic, loving or business words. 
I don't know why I feel compelled to embellish envelopes. Reworking their aged loveliness into a decorative item. The beauty of it's papery age is key to me and all the memories that have long moved into the mists of time... working into the paper, a happy mix of old ephemera, pretty fabrics, hand embroidery and buttons.......lots of buttons, is to me, such a pleasure.
I don't know why I feel compelled to embellish envelopes. Reworking their aged loveliness into a decorative item. The beauty of it's papery age is key to me and all the memories that have long moved into the mists of time... working into the paper, a happy mix of old ephemera, pretty fabrics, hand embroidery and buttons.......lots of buttons, is to me, such a pleasure.
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28 comments:
Hey Viv,
I LOVE that you love creating these treasures because you were made to embellish in your special style. This is so spectacular and sweet. When I enlarged the picture, I noticed a post mark of Wilkes Barre, PA. That is where my great grandmother was from and about 5 hours by car from me. :) Isn't it such a small world?
I so enjoy seeing your little treasures.:) hugs, Amy
I think the way you embellish the envelopes is wonderful, they are so nostalgic. I love reading the backs of old postcards and wondering about the people who sent and received them. Letters and postcards were so much part of people's lives in the past , not like today. They seem to give a snapshot of a moment in time in someone's life.
Ann x
Compelled because you do it so beautifully. xx
Hi Viv,
My favorite! I just love to see what you do with these vintage envelopes...beautiful!
Hi Viv,
I love what you have done with the envelopes! You altered and embellished them beautifully!!! I have a collection of vintage postcards and love to read the backs of them. Thank you for sharing your beautiful artwork! Love, Paula
I love your work, I don't think anyone else mixes these subjects like you do. I wondered if the envelopes are real, photocopied onto paper or copied on to fabric and if so, how? (do you have a secret printing press in your loft? - my grandfather did!) I would love to find a whole roll of postcard printed fabric, make a dress of it and spend hours reading the postmarks and messages.
Beautiful - I love what you do with these old envelopes. I too was interested to see the postmark Wilkes Barre as that is where my pen pal lived when we first got in touch over 50 years ago!
Jane
Oh Viv - I think this is my favourite so far. I hope it's still for sale when we have finished moving house. I love your work. How did your exhibition go?
Jx
It's because you turn something like this into a wonderful heirloom for others to enjoy in the future, they're so beautifull Lucey xx
The art of writing a letter is almost lost in an email world...but i still write and enjoy it and love to recieve letters...its the beauty of the hand written ,personal beauty that one person in time has created just for you...and the way you take old, vintage letters and envelopes and embroider and decorate is just truely beautiful...its truly something to treasure...i often sit and read old letters from my past, like boyfriends, when i was in hospital, when i had my daughter...its like a short glimpse of life in a short journal...when something is typed its just not the same- the hand writing we all have speaks volumes and captures the spirit of the time.
Enjoy your art and talent! because sooo many must get so much pleasure out of viewing it ;0)xx
But what I want to know is, where do you find so many?
I could'nt agree more viv...there is something very special & romantic about old envelopes/postcards etc. I love the old style writing. x
You make such wonderful little artworks from the most mundane items!
I remember the first time I saw your envelopes, Viv, and was struck by their originality and the delicate touches you use to enhance them. They are all wonderful!
xx
julie
So love your embellished vintage envelopes - they are always extremely beautiful and unique, with so many dainty additions to admire. Never stop creating them!!
Hugs xxx
Lovely collage! I am an obsessive envelope collector too. :) Stamps are mini masterpieces altered by postmarks.
Beautiful as ever, you keep doing this to me, I can hardly look at your blog I am so green with envy at the things you make!! Jane xxxx PS WE WANT MORE PICS OF BILLY BUTTON NOSE.....PLEASE!
Gorgeous work as ever, always makes me sigh, love it. Can I ask where you find your envelopes? And if you have ever found any postcards? I'm looking for 1 to base a hand printed and stitched limited run of prints on. Any advice greatly appreciated! ;0 x
I think it's lovely to reuse things that most probably would have been thrown away & turned into something special.
Jayne
It is such a pleasure for me to come by and see the beautiful treasures you make from old envelopes and ephemera. They are so beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. :) Tammy
Utterly lovely Viv. I love the girls, it reminds me of my two!
The idea of using old envelopes in art is something I hadn't come across until I met your blog. I really like what you do with them. xx
I love the pieces you produce with envelopes and vintage papers Viv. Thankyou again for the headband. It is a treasured item here.
Your work is just exquisite Viv, and the way you work on such a small scale I think takes us back to our girlhood days of playing with tiny things in dolls houses..........
I don't know why you do it either Viv but I am so glad that you do, your work is just sublime.
Have you heard Guy's new song? He has covered a Peter Gabriel song while Peter Gabriel has covered Mirrorball (good but not anywhere near the original!)
I don't know why you do it either Viv but I am so glad that you do, your work is just sublime.
Have you heard Guy's new song? He has covered a Peter Gabriel song while Peter Gabriel has covered Mirrorball (good but not anywhere near the original!)
Your blog is like a big HUG, I just love it. All the beautiful photos, and your gorgeous art work and stitching.
Esp the letter art, how wonderful to save those and create gorgeous timeless art.
viv, your work is beautiful. every time i look at your work it makes me smile. i adore your embroidery and delightful little birdies!
most inspiring!
if i could, i'd buy it all!
xxxx
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