Mail art is a huge part of my journey. In collage, I sent things just to see if they would be delivered, cards made from CD cases, cereal boxes, 2 liter bottles with messages and sand, and a tennis shoe. Two years ago, I chanced upon an article in Quilting Art Magazine Spring 2004 about quilted postcards, what a glorious idea. At the time, most of my work consisted of small stamped and stitched art quilts. I went on line and signed up for my first swap. Each exchange is a new artistic challenge and an opportunity to create a series of mail art cards.

There seem to be some consistent parameters for most swaps, the cards should: measure 4 x 6, contain some type of stiffener, material or fiber. They must go through the mail with out an envelope. These instructions are intended for someone who is vaguely familiar with sewing.

The Front: Chose a piece of cloth for the front (top) of your cards. The final size should be 4 x 6 inched so I tend to start a bit larger 4.5 x 6.5. The Middle: Interfacing: Originally I created my pieces just like I would a small quilt: top, batting, back. Now, I find it easier to attach a piece of craft weigh fusible interfacing to the wrong side of my top or front piece. Fusing a stabilizer to the front material makes it easier to stamp and to hand stitch, the work does not shift or stretch while I embellish it.

Create: Start stamping, painting, adding other fabrics, beads, yarn, hand or machine sewing, whatever you think you need to create a wonderful postcard. After I finish stitching and embellishing my front, I add another layer of interfacing. The second layer seals in all of your knots and helps hide dark threads from showing on the back of your card. If your work is a little chunky from beading then use a soft surface to iron, like an old tee-shirt.

**WARNING** If the front of your cards has stuff that will melt when reheated you will need to finish your cards without the use of an iron. There are some cold fuse products in the scrapbook area of most crafts stores that should do the trick.**

The Back: I iron Wonder Under onto a 4.5 x 6.5 piece of medium tone patterned fabric and fuse the back to the front to complete the post card sandwich. On the back I stamp or decorate with fabric pens. Be sure to leave a clear space for the address and message.

Edges: Most people stitch the edge to keep all the layers together. See my up coming newsletter for additional edge finishing instructions.

Mailing: I print my addresses out on translucent labels, attach a first class stamp and drop my art into a nearby blue postal box.