Postcard Friendship Friday

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by the lovely Beth. Be sure to visit!

More postcards from Fibber McGee and Molly's closet!

"In the Gardens of San Jose Mission, San Antonio, Texas"

"San Jose Mission. Outstanding among the old buildings which link the modern city of San Antonio with its glamorous past is Mission San Jose de Aguayo. This mission called "Queen of the Missions" its Rose Window is considered a masterpiece of sculpture."

"The End of Guadalupe Range, The Highest Point in Texas, Elevation 10,000 FT."

"The End of Guadalupe Range, The Highest Point Texas"

"The Signal Peak, as seen from highway to White's City, N. M. and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It is the highest oint in Texas and is just across the New Mexico state line on El Paso - Carlsbad Caverns Highway."

(I love that there is no highway number ... just the El Paso-Carlsbad Caverns Highway ... times have certainly changed. Note the highway has two lanes.)

Linen postcards were printed from 1930 through 1945. They have a unique and appealing look. The thick paper was embossed on the picture side to give the card a “linen” texture, and the cheap inks created vivid colors.

The postcards I've been sharing with you were printed by Curt Teich & Co. (Chicago). They used a color printing technique they called “C.T. Art-Colortone”. Until it closed in 1978, The Teich Company was the world’s largest printer of view and advertising postcards.

Vintage linen postcards have become prized by some collectors, and there’s even a book about them. The linen postcards usually portrayed landmarks, landscapes, and roadside attractions from photographs, but some were more illustrative. They were printed on a lithography press using color separation.

Beginning in the late 1940s, linen postcards fell out of fashion when polychrome printing was invented. However, Curt Teich still used the C.T. Art-Colortone technique on smooth-surface “French Fold” postcards from 1951.

Edit:

There was a question about French Fold ... here's what I found:

"French Fold" postcards where a number of images were printed on a long strip. These were then folded "concertina" style.

Good Morning!

(Image from Catalog Favorites)

Watery Wednesday

Back to the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park!

Be sure to visit other Watery Wednesday posts.

Energy of A Home

This was in today's email. I liked it and wanted to share.

June 21, 2010 The Dwelling Pulse Energy Of A Home Our homes and your belongings within them all contain energy. Tend to the energy of your home as you would tend to anything you love. Our homes are filled with energy that we create and allow to flourish. In many cases, our relationship with the pulse of our homes is passive rather than active because we do not pay particular heed to the energy that has been established. It is only when we regard these spaces as unique entities that we begin to understand why it is necessary to take charge of the energy that fills our homes. Stagnant, inharmonious energy can find its way into our dwellings through many avenues. Previous occupants, builders, visitors, and the individuals who maintain a home leave a strong energy imprint behind. Objects and symbols can also have an effect on the energy of a residence. When we are aware of all that can influence the energy of our spaces, we are empowered to create harmonious homes that do more than meet our need for shelter. Exercising care with regard to who and what we invite into our homes is one of the easiest ways we can ensure that the energy within remains loving and supportive. It is not always possible to keep potentially harmful people and possessions from entering our homes, but we can take precautions. Individuals can be kept from private spaces like bedrooms and meditation areas, while property can be purified through cleansing or smudging. During periods of remodeling or construction, Reiki symbols and other positive imagery can be printed on surfaces that will later be covered by walls or flooring. Though hidden, these will continue to attract good energy and cleanse the existent energy. Blessings can also be drawn in plain sight, where they remind us of how potently our home's energy can affect our own. A home can appear beautiful, comfortable, and stable while still serving as a dwelling place for negative or otherwise offensive energy. If you care for your home conscientiously and with great care, you will instinctively look beyond the surface qualities of your home when assessing how it feels. Since you actively guard your home against the intrusion of unwelcome energy, you will have the time and vigor necessary to cope with it constructively when should it appear in your midst. The spirit of your spaces will respond to your thoughtful ministrations, nurturing and supporting you for as long as you choose to reside within her walls. For more information visit dailyom.com

Mosaic Monday

Mary is our hostess for Mosaic Monday. Be sure you visit the Little Red House.

What kinds of things do you collect?

I have tea pots, teddy bears, dragons, bird *things*, cat *things* ... too much stuff, but it all gives me pleasure.

I remember, when I was very young, going with my Mother every year to look for salt and pepper shakers for a cousin of mine. We'd start the search for just the right set just after Christmas and put the treasure away when we found it. I can only imagine how many salt and pepper shakers she collected over the years.

When Mr. Dragon and I moved to Houston, one of the first house warming gifts we received was a chicken salt and pepper shaker. It was a gag gift (a chicken in every pot sort of thing) and boy, what that gift started!

I'm not sure that I have a favorite. I found the Teddy Bears at Urban Outfitters and the Parrots at Pier One. The original set is the one on the bottom left. I thought it would be easy to find others that I like at thrift stores, but haven't had much luck. I guess I'm too picky!

Have a wonderful week.

Joy to You!