Brush Strokes (to me)

 Inspired by a new influence:  Rachel Yallop.

Done on a watercolor envelope, and used marker for my name, so didn't turn out the best (my italic isn't what it use to be anyway, not that it ever was decent). At first I just had my first name, but it looked too plain, so added my last initial, and that didn't look quite right either, so did the whole thing. (and of course, my ligature doesn't look good...should have just left it alone with my first name and maybe a swash or something.)

If I ever send to myself, I'll prob. use the heart stamp.

White on Red

Got this "idea" on Jean's blog for white lettering on red env. w/ colors. Because I have a hard time with white inks/gouache, it didn't turn out (plus, my lettering wasn't the best). Old Pentel brush pen.

Wish i would have done the address in just plain printing vs pp, as that would have looked much better.

Scan vs. Photo below. (much more vibrant!)

To make up for the lettering on the front, I did her name with my RW on the back, and I LOVED how that turned out!

So, I made a mock up env. from it. (New idea!) So great with that stamp.

 

more magazine env.'s

Love the design of the top one and my love of bikes for the bottom (and how perfect there is space to address on the road!)

 

Red decorated to Jean R.

Did things differently with this one:  made a design on the env. and did her name big on the insert.

Used my RW.

3d puff paint design and color pencil over grid.

 

Color fail

This was a last-minute quick thank-you env. and I filled in the colors before adding the stamp, not even thinking of coordinating! Ugh, grrr.

Again, another perfect example of how I fail to do this.

 

New Year's to Jean, old stamp

Have had these stamps forever, but didn't know how to create an env. to match. I know Jean has a "thing" for stamps, so I decided to include this env. in one of hers for January -- see denim env. I didn't know how to create it using additional postage w/out taking away from the lettering.

This is the best I could come up with for a design, plus, it's fun getting back to using my pointed pen! A little rusty, but it all came back to me. Helps to have a good, working pen as well as nice alphabets to use.

(And, of course, after mailing it, I thought of how I could have tried to incorporate the pattern from the snake into the env. or lettering. -- grrr.)

At first, was just going to send this way, but then decided to fill in some counters below:

 

Blue JEAN, baby!

 

Got this idea one day (from song, Tiny Dancer: "Blue jean, baby. LA lady. Seamstress for the band...") I doubt it's an original idea, but I'm sending to see how well it goes through the mail. I just hope it doesn't fray!

It'll be interesting to see if there were other similar creations ever. 

Couldn't think of a creative insert, so I included another envelope (see above post).

Used real denim from a pair of old jeans, and adhered with tacky glue.

Started coloring in the address, but didn't know if that would be too much, so left open. (plus, I didn't want to take away from the name/denim).

*Update! -- Jean posted this on her blog today (4/3/19) and I had to copy to show that it did indeed go through the mail ok! http://pushingtheenvelopes.blogspot.com/2019/04/jan-ptex-from-leslie-lennon-stampdenim.html  I love it when I see my postmarked envies!

Lennon New Year's to Jean

Feel like the quote didn't work. Maybe if I had lettered it differently?  :/   So bummed, as I was pleased with how the name turned out as well as the drawn face.

 I also tried adding lyrics to the back...ugh. At first I tried some small italic, but it looked so awful (lettering was too big). So, I thought I'd script it again, and paste over, but it just didn't look right. Redid one last time, but still not happy with it (so, not posting).

I was SO pleased with the card though! Does it look like 2019?  :D

 

Brrr... to Janet

Sent this on Tuesday, 1/8/2018, and told her I created this because I thought we'd be having cold weather, but it's been lovely here lately! (50's! -- I'll take it!)

Well, I spoke too soon, as we'll be getting snow on Saturday.  :/

Used my ruling writer on watercolor paper & env. Added some glitter for "snow" and an embossed snowflake on the flap. (Don't know what stamp I used. Hope it matched well!)

 

Year long exchange, Dale

Found a year long exchange, so this is January's env. to Dale. Once again, it didn't turn out as envisioned (maybe too much black?) but I didn't want to re-do it, so am sending as is AND to make up for it, I created some inserts. I hope they enjoy.

I have other ideas for this stamp that will hopefully work better.

Dislike the env. but love all the inserts!

poster nib for name & numbers. Colored on top with color pencils.

Was fiddling around in a sketchbook with my RW, and decided to send this name as well (but had to cut around all my other scribbles -- Lesson learned! (use blank sheets, space around, etc.) Plus, there was scribbling on the back or I just would have cut out and send instead of mounting.

This would make a perfect envelope on its own. Should have just sent this instead of the black!

 

New Years to Janet

When i first found this page, I thought it perfect for New Years, BUT was thinking the drink was champagne, not beer! Still...it looks festive!

metallic gold brush pen. And again, forgot to photograph with stamp