Collecting: Queen Elizabeth II Stamps

Above: A rainbow of stamps of different denominations features the Queen for the Royal Post. Below, a variety of other countries also featured Queen Elizabeth's image: Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia, the Bahamas, and (perhaps) New Zealand. It will be interesting to see the re-branding of everything official under King Charles and the new Crown. Going forward, how many countries or territories will no longer wish to remain part of the British Commonwealth (as with the Bahamas recognized as its own sovereign, independent nation in 1973)? All stamps are from my own collection.

Christmas in July - New Greeting Card Designs

Here in the Northeast, we've survived this week's never-ending heatwave. I'm here in the studio celebrating Christmas in July with some new designs for the upcoming season. Stay cool!

Peppermints (also available as a Box of 10) - handmade greeting card

Winter Pine - handmade greeting card

Season of Joy - handmade greeting card

Vintage Christmas Wrapping

I've always been drawn to vintage graphics and colors. I came across some of these swatches of old Christmas wrapping papers as I have been rummaging through my home and old belongings. They remind me of happier times as a carefree tot when my parents and grandparents would get great joy from watching me open my gifts at family gatherings. Now, it's me who gets the feeling of happiness when I can give to others. The bright colors of these bold vintage papers stay with me as I try to incorporate these themes into my own artwork and greeting cards.

Greetings of Christmas Past

Vintage Ornaments - (also available as a box of 10) handmade greeting card. 

Everyone remembers these Christmas tree ornaments from Grandma's attic. Some of ours still survive! 

City Sidewalks - handmade greeting card (also available as a box of 10) 

Before the inflatables, these plastic figurines were seen on lawns and doorsteps everywhere. In New York, I would see them all over my neighborhood in Brooklyn and sometimes in Manhattan as kitschy vintage decor.