Abstract flower to Michelle (bday SMC)

For this one, I tried to match the card below (i bought in Galena, IL) however, it didn't turn out (I probably should have used crayon pastels and a rubbing.)

However, I still love the flower!

Alpha garden letters on the back.

 

bday design to Natalie (SMC)

for this one, I tried matching the design on the card I created years ago.

I then lettered various b-day wishes within the design.

Did the same with the insert, as "Hello" was what I had lettered on there first.

 

"Congrats" to my boy!

my son bought his first house and will (HOPEFULLY -- haha!) be moving out soon!

And to congratulate him, I sent him a env. to his new address.

Wish I had thought to use some of the red from the stamp in the name but I forgot as I did this in a hurry.

practice name that turned out. (love!) Almost better than on the env. (story of my lettering life!)

and his first name. (Pilot Parallel)

 

April to Sharon (yr long exchange)

I had such fun with this name! (can you tell?)

For the env. I used a pp and white ink and for the letter, one of my callig markers.

I debated about coloring-in the white as it seemed to plain but then i was also worried about ruining it as I loved the simplicity of it too.

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Same with the insert (but it didn't turn out quite like i wanted)

I could have connected the o to the r but too much design.

April to Lina

Wish I had written her last name over the "flourish" at the end of the a. Still in red, just not under her name (too close to the address).

 

Spring colors to Shannon

used my markers for this one. 

Various hands

did a little same on the back.

Neg. space blk env. to Maggie

I think I came up with this idea from not only my black journal pages but this piece I did a while ago: https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/2023/03/healing-piece.html

I thought it be fun to decorate an env. in this manner.

The bottom layer of words: Love, Joy, Happiness and Peace with the 2nd P in Happiness used for Peace and a ligature for the i and n.

I then used color pencils (trying my best to outline each letter) and added another layer of words in script (metallic ink):  the Spanish equivalents (Love: Amor, Joy: Alegria, Happiness: Felicidad and Peace: Armonia)

I THEN added a final layer facing the opposite way of the English words again.

This is for my journal page, but you can see how I first did the base lettering in Neuland with a Parallel pen in black ink.

For my journal page, I added the script lettering 2nd before adding color.

I erased some of the white as it seemed like too much. 

I think it looks better and I like the effect of the "toned-down" white.

For a final touch, I added some words with a black glaze gel pen in the black spots:

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