Snail Mail Cafe - Postage Required

You gotta love what technology has done for our day-to-day communication.  It's changed our lives so much.  We share new "Polaroids" [hello, Instagram], get immediate status of our BFFs and kids [how fast can you "tweet"?], view virtual bulletin boards of our favorite things [Pinterest], post photos and commentary ([Facebook], and of course, email--you can write me at dozeedo[at]gmail[dot]com.  And I didn't even mention blogging. 

 

However, I digress.  This post is really about my latest altered artwork project, the Mail Cafe. 

 



While recently thrifting at a local Salvation Army, I came across this beauty.  It looks like it was a wall organizer for a pad of paper and outgoing mail.  Yes, as in post mail, the kind that gets delivered right into your mailbox.  [The kind you need postage stamps for.]

 

My home can always use a little more organization, but this piece is a little too worn and dated for my liking.  I decided to spruce it up starting with a light sanding and a fresh coat of paint. 

 

I purchased a Silhouette Cameo last year, which to be honest, is intimidating.  However, I finally decided to give it a test ride.  After a little a lot of practice, I cut out "Mail Cafe," and adhered it to the top of the wooden board.  Then I coated the entire board with Mod Podge in the satin finish.  

With a bit of black & white dotted Washi tape, a few acrylic arrows, a fancy key, pretty glass knobs and red & white twine, I brought the organization board back to life. 

Needing a place to quickly get my hands on stationery and postage items, I gathered kraft and white folded cards and envelopes, my mini address book, address labels, business cards, a roll of postage stamps, stapler, and a pen. 

 

 

I adhered a stick-on pen holder onto the side of the board to hold the pen (embellished with Washi tape and twine) and added a snarky memo pad to the front. 

And now all the items I need to mail you an actual letter are neatly organized and accessible.  Of course, it's not instantaneous like today's communication tools.  However, last time I checked, 45 46 cents can get a letter to you in just a few days.  Sometimes, good things come to those who wait!

 

 

You might also enjoy reading these posts:

Vintage Mailbox

 

Send Sunshine in a Box


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Stone Cottage Adventures