Looking Ahead/Looking Back (Rear View Mirror) - Postmark by August 24th

You left without saying "Goodbye..." by hhc

"The past is irretrievable.  The future is unknown.

If we don't live in the present, we will miss the gift that it is!"
(Author Unknown...)

Seize the moment, 

make the most of the opportunities you have right now.  
Make art!

I wish I was still there...-  by hhc

For this rectangular art you will be creating two pieces 
if you are collaging:  

1) a rectangle background piece that will show what is ahead of you, 

Some of my"ahead view" rectangles

and 

2) a smaller mirror-shaped piece that shows 
what is, or could be, behind you as you drive.  

Some of my "behind" mirror-view images

This smaller piece will be centered 
and collaged on top of the rectangle.

(Those who choose to draw/sketch/paint could create the centered "rear mirror view" first and then design the "ahead-of-you" view around it, all on one rectangular piece of paper.)

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATED INFO...

From the tropics to northern winter - by hhc

LOOKING BACK:  You could represent what you have seen in the rear view mirror (at the top/center of your windshield) while driving. Or- what you would like to see in your rear view mirror.  Or- whatever you could possibly imagine seeing in your rear view mirror.  Or- what you would never want to see right behind you as you drive forward!

I get the feeling I'm being followed!  - by hhc

It might be a herd of elephants chasing you, or aliens plastered to the back window of your car.  It could be a pastoral scene, sunset, storm, volcano, paradise island, etc. that you are leaving behind.  Or- whatever your worst nightmare might be!  Your imagination is the limit. 

AND

Hit the brakes!!!  - by hhc

LOOKING AHEAD:  To be a safe driver you must stay focused on "what lies ahead."  How about where you would like to go, or, what you would never want to see, up ahead of you, etc.  Show this view around the outside edges of (and behind) the mirror.

Take a few minutes to sit in the driver's seat and create the scene in your mind.  

From foreign vacation to sunset in Florida-  by hhc

The boy who got left behind...  by hhc

Participants may use their own rear view mirror template for this swap:  trace or sketch the shape/outline of a rear view mirror, reducing it in size so that it fits well-within the rectangle that should fit inside a standard long business envelope.  Or print out the (below) sketched example.

A standard #10 long business envelope measures 9+1/2" long, 4" wide.

I traced the outline of a car's 9+1/4" rear view mirror on regular card stock.  This shape would be too long to center on the "looking forward" scene.  So I reduced my mirror-outline image to 5+1/2" wide.  My looking-ahead rectangles ended up 7+1/2" long and 3+1/2" high.  My mirror shapes ended up about 5+1/2" long and just over 1+1/2" high.

(If you use a magazine picture for a background, your mirror shape cut-out  will have to be as small as, or smaller than, the width of the magazine page.)

Mirror-shaped card stock glued to back of magazine image before cutting it out

Please provide a folded long business envelope with your return label and postage on it for each piece you send in.  I would like to mail these out to your swap partner(s), each in its own fitting envelope.  * see note below

Your initial mailing to me may be thicker and heavier than expected.  A larger business-sized envelope or Kraft envelope might be needed.  OR, you could send in each of your art pieces plus folded stamped protective envelope separately.  One way or another, this will require more postage than our usual post card swaps do.

From bleak sandy wastelandss to lavendar fields- by hhc

MEDIA/TECHNIQUES:  collage, paint, sketch, incorporate photographs, etc.

SIZE PARAMETERS:  No larger than 8+3/4" long, and 3+1/2" high
CHECKLIST:

• envelope(s) with your return address label, stamp(s) (55-cents postage?) for mailing out each long card you make unless thick or stiff...  then- 70-cents each.
• Your name and mailing or email address on the back of each of your rectangular pieces so your recipient may thank you. 
• Waxed paper between each piece if you mail them in together
• AND- 1 - 4 address labels (loose) so I can send others' fabulous mail to you (in their envelopes) when the swap is processed)  *** very important ***

*****ANYTHING THICK or TOO STIFF TO BEND EASILY MAY REQUIRE 70-cents or more "NON-MACHINABLE" POSTAGE***** 

Put your long card(s) and envelopes in a larger envelope 
and postmark by August 24th 

SEND TO:
H. Chassin
Post Office Box 142
Freedom, NY  14065 U.S.A.

QUESTIONS?  s.h.greenstamps@juno.com

SWAP DETAILS:

• You may send in as many as four rectangular cards.  (You will get back the same number you send, each from a different artist)

• Your cards will be mailed to your host in an envelope, and your host will mail each of your  cards in the fitting envelope you provide.

• If you're sending more than one together, please make sure you insert waxed paper or parchment in between the cards so they don't get stuck together in the envelope.  Things are very likely to get stuck together in the envelope if you use glue, paint or sealant

• Write “MMSA - Looking Back" on the back of each card to remind your recipient why they are receiving this wonderful work of art in the mail.

• Please include your name and contact information/email address on the back of each piece of rectangle art so the recipient can thank you.

DETAILS

• If your card is thicker than 1/4", the post office may consider it a package and you should go get it weighed and measured at a postal counter
• to figure out the proper postage.

INTERNATIONAL SWAPPERS - contact the swap host regarding using PayPal to cover return mailing postage, or make other arrangements.

You can find all the postal specifications (and a handy postage calculator) here:  http://postcalc.usps.gov