Funky Folded Pen to Rachael

 I hope this doesn't look too patriotic (yet!) as I'm using the First Responders stamp, but you can barely see how I added yellow to the env. as well. (bad lighting, as per usual, looks better in-person)

At first I wanted to use bleach, but these envelopes didn't take it. (grrr. -- so hard to find black envelopes/paper that will take bleach) So instead, I used my white india ink.

flap side, using color pencil in the counters.

Later, I added some glitter.

I enclosed this 3d "R", but not real happy with it. Not sure what I dislike about it.

Hope Rachael likes it though!

Since I've had return issues in the past (particularly with black envelopes where I used silver ink for the address), this time I used a thin nib -- nearly a pointed pen one -- and my white india ink instead of a white gel pen. I need to remember to do that from now on, as even my new white gel pens are hard to write with.

 

"Snail" mail to Janet

Another Pinterest inspired idea:

I tried matching the colors to the stamp, but not real thrilled with it. Also, this turned out bigger than I planned, therefore her name is not the central focus (which, I prefer). And, of course, I came up with a better (more fun) idea after applying the stamp. (So, maybe I'll have to send her a 2nd one!)

Here is the back with a little note:

 

Bicycle Stamp!

 ok, usps, take note! I don't know if there has ever been a US bike postage stamp issued, but they should make some for Bike Month!

Got this int'l. env. today, and the stamp made my day! (I know...doesn't take much.)  Just got an idea -- maybe I should submit some artwork for one! #endlesspossibilities   :)

From the Netherlands

Love Stamp to Lisa

 Was happy with how this one turned out, as I didn't really plan it that way at first.

At first, I tried using my RW trying to design her name, but then in "honor" of May flowers, thought I'd use my last floral Love stamp and try to match the lettering and artwork from that. Ended up using my pointed brush instead.

Then, used my RW for her name on my generic letter I send out to new exchangers. Tried to match the colors with that as well.

Bright green to Maureen

This month I decided to do a bleach one for Maureen. At first, I got out my Hiro Poster nib and tried doing in italic, but I'm never happy with how my italic lettering turns out nowadays. So, went back to my good 'ole ruling writer/"Beer Nib" (that's my new name, instead of Cola Pen, as I used my hubby's Coors Light can).

As always, bleach is tricky, especially when it bleeds (and waiting for it to show). Except for the "M", this didn't turn out bad. I added black and pink accents to make it look fun (and a bit "spring-y"?)

I also enclosed a homemade bookmark. Used one of my abstract 3d watercolor pieces. I intentionally left the end undone, as I kind of liked how it looked. Hope she likes!

 

May to Lisa (more splatters)

 I'm super happy with how this turned out, as I was struggling a bit with her name, AND how to match colors with the volleyball stamp:

I didn't want to use just blue and yellow, so I added pink for fun. I tried creating a card to match, but it didn't turn out very well (so am not posting that!)

Wish I could come up with a more clever idea for this stamp.

abstract lettering to Inta (Netherlands)

This type of overlapping of the letters was inspired by Glen's letter to me:

It looks like a design, but is really their name. I call it "illegibly abstract" splatter design.

I couldn't come up with a cool way to letter her name, so I came up with this. Not sure I like the pink with the green, but I had to find some other color vs. just the plain green of the stamp.

For the insert, I used a piece of cardstock with bleach. I then went over it with metallic watercolors.

 

Bike Race

I tried to re-create a piece of artwork I found online YEARS ago, that I love, but I have no idea who artist is, etc. (It's a piece created for, or representing, Tour de France -- or any bike race, really). There are several similar online, but here is one from Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44050902596644550/

This env. is unfinished, as I need to still color in the name. Plan to use colors from the art.

I actually tried to create a piece for our bedroom, but it was a fail, so I made into an insert with 3d (wheels). 

and here is finished env. (wonder what the J stands for?) 

And wish I knew what stamp I used.

Another Bike them to me

Saw this a few years ago on...(wait for it...) Pinterest (again!) and thought I'd try to incorporate my name. Thought it turned out very well! I love pink, so it was only fitting I did my name with that color and used the kickball stamp to match.

There are probably a ton more I could make with bike art, but this is it for now!

I hope both Jean and Janet (and Kate!) will send me a photo if theirs go through the mail! (calligrams) Since we're in the same city, it shouldn't be a problem, so I may have to do one more to someone in another state.

May flowers (tulip to Janet)

I so badly want to send a die-cut envelope through the mail (such as this), but I'm afraid it will get ruined and torn. Guess the only way to find out is to do it! We'll see...

In the meantime, did this one in honor of tulip time coming up (and the Pella Tulip Festival this weekend).

I used the cut-out pieces for the envelope (watercolor-ed them first). Now I just need a tulip stamp to go with it.

Here it is addressed:

No idea what stamp i used, and forgot to ask Janet.

Bicycle Wrapping paper

I love to ride my bike (always have, ever since I can remember!) Every summer, when the weather's nice, i love to get out my bike and ride!

So, in honor of May's National Bike Month, i created bike-themed envelopes from some wrapping paper:

Darn, no pic with stamp, and i can't remember which one I used.

You can't really tell, but I blind-embossed the "o" in her last name.

Here is env. with a ball stamp (fit in the tire perfectly!)

Backside

and upside down, to read other writing.

Bike "Calligram" to Kate R.

I canot believe how well this turned out! Found inspiration from a Pinterest post (see below) and fiddled around with it til her name fit.

It was tricky converting the K to an R (or doubling up), but it seemed to work ok.

Thought I'd get more comments on it (posted to IG too), but guess no one thought it was as clever as i did!  ;D

original inspo: 

Abstract Bikes to Patty

This envelope is a take off on some art I created a few years ago (summer of 2017): 

 https://lovemesomeart.blogspot.com/2018/12/bikes.html 

Used my ruling writer to create the unicyles/bikes and then added watercolor background and accents.

For this env., I used my rw and color pencils, but I added splatters of watercolor (I almost forgot to leave room for the address, but luckily it fit in the corner!) I tried matching the stamp colors (and thought the stamp fitting:  "Heart Health" for biking!

I did a fun outline for the stamp, but didn't leave enough room, so it got covered.  :(

This is a copy of a 2nd original piece I did. I just printed out for her and mounted on black cardstock for an insert.

Bike Calligram

Since May is National Bike Month (and for my love of riding), decided to attempt this bike calligram I had saved from Pinterest. Thought it'd be fun to address it and see how well it went through the mail.

original Pinterest image

sketch for Janet's address. Was thrilled it fit!

Used scrapbook paper and tried to match colors. 

Not happy with my printing, but not bad for a calligram!

(Also, did this "free-hand" without template, 

as I thought to create the template AFTER i did this one.)

Decided to try for Jean (using my address didn't work) and it fit great with hers written out. 

*I used the template for this (much better!)

I tried to match colors from the stamp, then added pastels for the background. Not the best, but better printing.

I was so proud of this that I just have to share the comments from Jean's blog! (It's rare that something turns out near "perfect" for me, so yeah, I have to "brag" when it does!  ;D  ) 

Here is the cancelled image:

Here are comments:  "My husband brought in the mail and said, 'If I get a vote, I vote this one the winner.' He did not stick around long enough for me to respond. I suspect he knows that I am not running a contest."