Still working on the story for this one . . .

I'm in the process of writing the "story" for this card. Think it may have something to do with a guy and his predilection for bicycles. We shall see . . . ©Carol Leigh

It took awhile, but I've solidified my "Faux Poste" concept, created my first box of postcards-in-envelopes, sold it, and poof! Time to make another one.

What I do is create a box that holds 12 postcards, each in its own envelope

So, welcome to this "Faux Poste" box of mysterious missives, curious correspondence, and silly scribblings. The envelopes inside the box are handmade, embellished with old postage stamps, coffee- and tea-stained rice papers, vintage matchbox labels, old ledger sheets and book pages, labels, tickets, handmade and burned papers, and so much more.

Inside each unique envelope is an actual postcard print, created using bits and pieces of my own photographs (as you've seen here in this "Faux Poste" blog). Each postcard has a "story," which is either on the front of the envelope or on the card itself.

It was fun creating each of the cards, writing the "stories," constructing the envelopes, and embellishing the box. I hope you enjoy receiving this one-of-a-kind handmade box of oddities as much as I enjoy putting it all together.

Each handmade box contains 12 handmade envelopes, each containing a printed, heavy-duty postcard. Each card has its own story and each envelope is different. Each box is unique. As Kathleen A. remarked to me, "It's the kind of box you'd love to get!"

The next box is in progress right now. Priced at $72. Let me know if you're interested and the next "Faux Poste" box can be yours.

© Carol Leigh

Mlle. Joubert

I finished another "Faux Poste" card this morning, which I'm not going to show right now, but as I was working on it, I really liked how this one section of the card looked all by itself.

Thanks go to Kathleen Amt, who sent me the background paper, as well as a 1922 collectible bird card that Arm & Hammer used to give away in their boxes of baking soda. One of the postage stamps I used on the final version of the postcard also came from Kathleen. (The woman knows her ephemera!)

©Carol Leigh

Uncaged dragonbird

Arrived safely. Followed feather trail & located elusive/toxic dragonbird. Do you see the red marks? For God's sake, do not lick them! Will explain later.

©Carol Leigh

Man of Mystery

We first saw him sailing a felucca on the Nile and then, curiously, aboard a steamship on Lake Tahoe. He never looked at us straight-on, always presenting his profile (of which he seemed inordinately proud), his ever-present dark glasses firmly in place. Linda surreptitiously photographed him, but somehow I think he knew. And was pleased.

©Carol Leigh 

Do not write . . .

Did you think I'd forgotten this project? Nope, it's still viable. There's a Danish saying, "never talk away the magic." I think that's what I did. I began discussing the project before it had solidified in my brain and the magic went away for a long time. No one understood (with a few exceptions) what I was doing, so I knew it wasn't clear in my OWN mind. But it will be there, patiently waiting for me to come back around, smarter this time. ©Carol Leigh

Paint Spill

It began as a typical day for letter carrier Kate McCallister (known locally as the "Mail Ma'am") and for sign painter Brian O'Leary. They were fated to meet as Mr. O'Leary knocked a quart of "Buttercup Yellow" off a ladder just as Ms. McCallister and the U.S. Mail passed below.

Ms. McCallister's wide-brimmed hat (a source of sartorial amusement to those along her route) deflected most of the paint. Mr. O'Leary, assuming defacing the U.S. Mail was a federal offense, was last seen serving conch fritters in the Florida Keys. ©Carol Leigh