When it comes to making art to promote a worthy cause, I'm all in.  Especially when the cause supports the preservation of small town values.  When I read about a small town Post Office in danger of being shut down - and there was a way to help - I knew I had to do my part.  You can read the full story about the tiny Vermont Post Office on Jane Davies' blog:

http://janedavies-collagejourneys.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-post-office.html

Jane Davies is a postmistress, artist, writer and teacher, and her small Post Office is in danger of being closed unless a certain volume of mail and revenue is reached each year.  She is asking folks to send a postcard to her location to increase the volume of mail received there, and in return, the first 200 respondents will receive a handmade postcard back from her.  Kind of like an art exchange!  Love this kind of grass-roots, worthy undertaking.  Today I made my postcard.  

The substrate of the postcard is made of thin cardboard from a repurposed dog treat package.  The dimensions are 5 3/4" by 4 1/4", which is within the 'legal' boundaries of what the USPS considers a postcard.  Once I added the stick and feathers, however, it was out of bounds.  But I didn't mind using a little artistic license after I realized I'd have to ship my postcard in a bubble envelope anyway!

The first layer on the substrate is made from an envelope a friend sent that was just received a few days ago.

I had saved it because of its unusual color, so it was still sitting on my work table.

Love when things like that happen; it was the perfect accent color!

The next layer uses my favorite red and white polka dot tissue paper adhered to a torn up piece of cardboard box.

Next comes a vintage book page, then the hand-stamped message on watercolor paper.  

Speaking of how things having a way of coming together...

this morning I flipped open my inspirational calendar and this was the message of the day!

Talk about 'meant to be'.  

I used machine stitching to accent the borders of the postcard and to sew on the vintage lace.

My sweet girl is always close by, no matter what I'm doing.

Lucky got in on the action too.

Sort of.

The stamps are from my Grandma's collection.
I love that the stamps meant enough to her to cut and save them,
and it warms my heart to use them in my art. 

The stick came from a tree at our cabin up north.

Just like Grandma, I save interesting little objects.

Never know when you'll need a cute little stick.

Or a cool greenish-yellow envelope.

From my tiny little Post Office to hers...