Paper Dreams

 

Seth is posting stacks of paper today for all the stackaholics out there. And he is encouraging others to make their piles as well.

When he first made his call I got out my favorite 12" x 12" sheets of thin deli wrap

and started painting six big sheets at once.

It's a fun way to make background papers for mixed media and collage projects.

It was a little windy outside so I taped them all down to the patio and set to work with my brayer to roll on color after color.

They are bright, lively bits of my day, ready to go into something bigger and more.

I thought that was all I would include. But then, this morning as I was gathering the bits to photograph, I remembered another stack of papers, a precious one, that I keep in an old curio cabinet in my hall.

When I got married almost fifteen years ago, I decided I not only wanted to make my own invitations but I wanted to make the paper for them as well. I made so much paper pulp I could have wallpapered the world with it. I have a few bits of that paper left. It is full of seeds, leaves, and flowers from the garden of my house at the time. I love that special paper. It calls me back to the memories of that girl who finally decided being married was magical when the right man was asking. Those papers make me happy because they hold so many dreams in them.

Gossamer hin unryu paper like wispy webs.

As the wedding guests grew in number I finally had to give in and buy some handmade paper from my favorite paper shop. I have a precious few sheets of the most gorgeous Japanese kimono papers and unryu from Hiromi. Her shop in Bergamot Station was always an adventurous treasure hunt. She was the sweetest, funny girl. She had a German Shepherd named...hmmm....I think it was Psycho. He had an unusal name like that. He lived there in the daytime with her among the enormous stacks upon stacks of amazing papers that reached to the ceiling. There were papers with whole pieces of fruit embedded within. Oh how I miss going there!

Also, in the old wooden cabinet I came across an autograph book that belonged to me when I was in elementary school in the 70s. The picture on the front is classic 70-something.

And inside I have folded all the pastel pages into little accordion fans which hide the silly rhymes written by all my friends. It's a great keepsake from a time I do not remember much about.

And my most favorite of all the things I ran across deep in the back of the cupboard were three letters. One was written by my dear, dear grandmother, another was from her brother, my sweet Uncle Arnold, and yet another from my precious Mom.

My mom used to own an antique mall and my grandmother, a couple of my great-uncles, my aunt, and more family had booths there. These letters were written during a big sale on the day that she was closing the doors.

My grandmother and great uncle have since passed away. It was like a hug and a hello again from them to me. It made me smile deep in my heart to find them here this gray morning. These stacks of papers were new and old but all dear to me. I love finding the unexpected which surely was meant to be right here in my hallway. Thanks Seth. You always come up with such inspiring, fun adventures.

Comments

[amanda]

Oh my, yes. I think we'd get along just fine.

[Carolyn]

I love love love your colors!!!!!!

[Seth]

I really love the journey you went on Kelly for this project. Your handmade papers are so colorful and the heirlooms that you found so very special and personal.

[Dianne]

wonderful stack of papers, and precious memories too. thanks so much for sharing1

[Julie Prichard]

Kellbell....I love this. Seth's right..fantastic journey..and that pulp...AMAZING idea. I love it. Miss you...I always say we need another road trip..let's not let it pass us by. xoxo

[donna joy]

wonderful! thanks for sharing the images/words.

[Claudine]

I loved your post! The autograph book! Oh, how great to still have that.

[annie!]

fascinating stacks!

[patti/altered attic]

So you do deli paper and I do craft:) Your love for paper is amazing - such a fabulous journey!

[~*~Patty]

Lovely colorful stacks that look so very inviting!
oxo

[Marit]

Lots of inspiration, memories and found treasures in your post! I loved reading it, looking at the pics and 'getting to know you'. Have a nice weekend!

[Dave]

Wonderful stacks! Very nice, indeed!!

[Bleubeard and ELizabeth]

I love working with deli paper. It is always different each time you add that paint. And I make handmade paper, but never thought about pulling any of mine out, especially since my doesn't look nearly as good as yours. Now that I am on this quest to see all the stacks, I can see stacks everywhere, too.