I chose this painting to illustrate this post. The challenge presented itself as a large blank canvass, paints and 6 hours to express myself. I did it as workshop assignment in the late 1990s. Measuring 28″ X 40″, it hangs in our hall bathroom.
What happens when you rummage through Grandmother’s end table? The risk is discovery of something that needs to be dealt with, such as hundreds of postcards sent and received over three decades (1964-1994) of world travels. The first sort was to separate sent from received. Then, thanks to Mom saving itineraries, the post cards are arranged by trip, in chronological order. I used three binders, two for Mam-ma’s travels and one for friends and family.
Mam-ma's world travel
I chose binder pages so the cards could be viewed from both sides with removing from the sleeve. The text, date and postage from country of origin are easily observed. Post cards from Iceland are featured in the photo below.
Why use a camera? Buy post cards.
Having reference maps was essential to understanding the many regions Mam-ma travelled. Originally, I was going to remove the pages from atlases purchased at Half Price Books, however many times I wanted to use both sides of the pages in different section of the binder. Solution: I made color copies from the atlases.
Maps provide context
Itineraries as table of contents
Mom saved all Mam-ma’s itineraries typed in the format shown above. This was very helpful with sorting. World travel of our grandmother’s life time ready to share with inquiring minds.
elfcroft 
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