Map env. to Nele

Decided to try and mail Nele again, since it's been 5 months. Back in March, she said they were cracking down on postal mail in Belgium, so we held off mailing each other.

However, since things were "up & running" again, even though the pandemic was still going on, I thought I'd chance it.

Got this idea off pinterest, and it's ok. Mainly chose b/c of color combos too (with int'l. stamp)

 

Converted env. to Leanne

 As you may now know, I've been taking "failed" projects and turning them into envelopes. So, here is another!

Got the idea from this exemplar I did on same paper: https://lovemesomeart.blogspot.com/search/label/alphas

I tried doing another exemplar but the ink did not show up well (I think I used walnut ink) -- see below. So, I made it into an env. and this part became the inside.

For the most part, I love how this turned out, however, my "l" looks like an e, and the "a" is a tad too big. Plus the 2nd "n's" tail was too long (looked like a w), so i had to scratch some off.  However, the stamps go wonderfully! (although too much postage)

Folded pen and metallic inks.

 

Astrobrights env.'s!

Found these cheap on amazon (Only $5! That's 10 cents per env.), so decided to treat myself! (not that I need any more supplies)

I love astrobrights papers.

 

Big cap on black

It's so challenging (in a fun way!) coming up with ideas to "wow" Leanne, as I'm trying to keep up with her fabulous creations.

So, here is the latest I sent her. I'm bummed I used the same type of lettering in her name (except for the cap) as the last env. I sent her ("snail mail" -- https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2020/08/snail-mail-d.html), but hopefully she won't care and/or notice!

Pinspo idea (cap). And the stamp is a gift from Janet!

3d watercolor flower insert

 

"Face" to Lina

Got this idea last year (tried sending one to Janet, but was a fail), so i re-created for Lina.

I love the back and hope she got a kick out of it.

 

Celebration stamp challenge

Jean suggested a challenge for this stamp on her blog, so here are some new ideas I tried. (I've been using this stamp so much, as it's so versatile!)

Tried using my white Sharpie, but didn't show up very well, so I outlined with white puff paint.

I totally forgot about these garage sale dots I SPECIFICALLY bought for these stamps!

I like how her name turned out, but I obviously didn't leave room for the stamp. For some reason I didn't use the Celebration one. I love this yellow EK one. Wish I could get just a whole sheet of these.

 

Sewn paper to Rachael

I had another idea for Rachael's but then (probably b/c of Jean's challenge) I decided to do another similar to Janet's last month:  https://lovemesomeart.blogspot.com/2020/07/cmas-in-july.html

Wish I hadn't added on the extra circles/design on the front left, but it looked plain. Seeing the back makes me appreciate the simplicity of it.

Side Note:  I tried sewing on some paper myself and.... fail. Not only am I not adept to do so (as I'm a novice at sewing), but it messed up my bobbin thread. grrrr.)

Wish I could find more of this type of paper, and in diff. colors. I did, however, find this piece amidst all my scrap papers! (in my painting area):  

  So, for the PTEx this month, Jean put a challenge out there for using this Celebration stamp. It's funny, b/c I already use this stamp so much as I feel it's so versatile and goes with EVERYthing! But i love a challenge, so I decided to partake, and so glad I did, as I came up with different ideas than what I had planned to use.

This started out as just a design. I had the idea to use beads, and at first, I tried to use on her name, but that was a fail (diff. env. idea). So, then I decided to use them on the design and next thing I know, it looks like C'mas lights! NOT what I had intended, however, I love how it turned out! (Cmas envie idea!! BUT very time-consuming.)

I can't wait to see/hear how it arrived! Hope it all stays intact.

*UPDATE: Here's what she posted to her blog today (12/19), so wanted to share how it was received:

Not too bad! The one bead ripped a little (under the stamp), but the others stayed intact. Also, the little sticker gems stayed on too. Yay!  :)

This idea would be fun to do with a tree, so maybe I'll make one for next year. And maybe i'll just use red and gold beads.

Drawn Caps to Janet

I started this env. last year -- Tried emulating Julien Chazel's Double Roman Caps -- and then had forgotten about it. Found it when going through my "Janet" file, so decided to finish for her.

At first (like most always), I was going to make it all colorful, using many metallic colors, but then I really liked it with just the red, gold and blue (plus for my love of primary colors!)

Not a fan of my lettering (address and zip), but again, this was last year!

Although I'm becoming more aware now, another fail at leaving room for the stamp.  :/

Decided to do something different for the backside instead of my usual "hello". 

I planned to do just the small "Bliss" card first (am trying to find inspirational words to do as inserts, again vs. just hello), but Janet will be moving, so decided to do a "Congrats" card in addition (for the new house).

 

FP alpha sketch book page

 Going through sketchbooks and decided to convert this into an env. for Jean.

Brown ink and folded pen lettering. Added 3d metallic sticker embellishments and glitter glue.

back

With TY card, as Jean gave me some Walnut Ink crystals.

before adding stamp

*Update: Posted on Jean's blog 12/23/20:

 "Exuberant. That's the first word that pops into my head. Obviously, I like Leslie's envelope for the use of the alphabet and walnut ink. I'm not sure if she planned on putting the stamp in a portrait orientation, but, it wasn't anything I had thought about doing. So - once again, something really simple packs a fun punch. 

Note the circle around the zip code. Mr. Grease Pencil almost added to the overall design. If he would just work on his ovals -- he could have made it fit in with that other spiral on the left. 

Another detail worth noting is the dot+bar on the j. It's like a floating serif. It makes me want to do a whole series of floating serifs. Or maybe Leslie wants to do one for us."

It always cracks me up on what Jean notices and points out. No mention of my 3d details, but she notices the letters themselves (the cross bar on the j!)  :D   Also, her grease pencil comment gets an LOL! Regarding stamp placement (and I posted this to her blog in comments), I put it that way so as not to cover up the design. Guess I could have tried to angle it, but I'm sure that looked weird. Anyway, glad it went through ok and that my 3d pieces stayed on! 

"Snail" Mail! :D

Pinspo idea. Tried to recreate with textured paper, but not that great. I still like it though and love how well the butterfly stamp went with it!

You can't tell (even close up), but I embossed the dots of the antenna).

Did a card to match (printed off the from Pinterest via etsy).

original idea, but env. too small. Glad I switched to a square one, so I didn't feel like I wasted postage!

And did a watercolor one! Was going to be an insert but made into a postcard instead.

 

Thank You to Open Sky Stories

I'd been meaning to send a Thank You to OSS for sponsoring the Mail Art Call, but wanted to personalize with her name, so I put off (b/c I didn't know it).

This is another converted env. that was fitting (did a series of gratitude pieces in April and this was one of them).

Had to cut out address and paste on b/c of the background. Love how it looks and how it turned out.

With insert

Close up.

Before piece

Before adding stamp

Another insert (mini env. & card)