Coffee to Nele

 I'm funny when it comes to stamps... I try to avoid the po as much as possible, b/c it's always busy, however, I may just want a few certain stamps, not a whole book (I order online). This was the case with the coffee ones.

At first I didn't want a whole book, b/c I had no idea how I'd use them all, then I remembered a few pics I had saved on Pinterest that prompted me to create some coffee themed env.'s! So, getting the full set was no biggie.

Nele (in Belgium) is the first recipient and b/c of postage, I had to use 3. Little did I know that I sent it to her on National Coffee Day!

Not real thrilled with the silver ink for her name (wish I had used white instead), but at least my coffee pic turned out.

These are some of the simple pics I had saved in my Pinterest "Themed Env.'s" folder.

This is the insert I did to go along with the theme. (And a perfect example of how things get messed up when I get stressed out and/or in a hurry.) I'm so bad at cutting, that my stencil didn't turn out, but my embossing did. I think I was so excited about this idea that my lettering didn't turn out too well. SO, in case you can't make it out it says, "I don't need an inspirational quote, I just need Coffee". Hopefully she likes (and maybe I can redo for someone else and it'll turn out better.)

a Thank You to Sandy

 On Sat., Sept. 18, my family participated in a 20 mile (more like 25 mile!) bike ride in honor of a family friend who passed away last year. He was a huge cyclist, and his wife wanted to honor him this way.

It was such a nice event, and we had such lovely weather. Great turnout too (70-some people!)

I can't imagine all the work that went into organizing the event, so I wanted to send her a Thank You to show appreciation, as we were happy to be included.

Used my folded pen and walnut ink, then filled in with metallics.

Alphabet Garden

 So, this next series of envelopes came about as a snowball brainstorm of ideas:

Below is the original piece I saw in Pinterest that I thought would be fun to do as a decorative env. It's an abstract alphabet, lettered all the way across the page. Originally, I thought I would do the alphabet similar, in black, and fill in with color (depending on which stamp I chose to use).

My piece:

Although I loved how it tuned out, it looked like a fun "grass" theme I could use to make flowers. SO, I tried it (1st pic above), and thought it so fun, decided to do names as well:

ABC "garden" before pic. (Haven't sent yet.)

First env. to Lina.  (Can you see the name??) 😀

I did the back "hello" similar to an env. "to myself" from years ago:

The next few are trial pieces:

I like Janet's, but the ink bled too much.  (grrr.) 😫

Then, did a "postcard" insert for Nanski:

I need to find the "perfect" stamp for these, as I don't like the red heart (unless I do mostly red flowers).

So happy with this idea!

"Snail" mail to Jean

 Was pretty happy with how this one turned out!

The J is just a tad hard to make out, but the n... Looks like a clown shoe!  😄

The inspo (found on IG) is below.

not quite a remake, but my own take. (I just loved this!)

And speaking of "Snail" mail...

...this is one I did last year for a mail art call. I was super-thrilled with how it turned out! I really want to do another to some exchangers, but have not made the time.

And this was my inspo! (Looks like a snail, no?)

Another redo to Janet (rainbow ink)

 This is so simple, yet fun.

Below is original idea from Anne Robin on IG. (Don't know why she used 2 stamps -- maybe the content was more than 1 oz?) 

Love this idea, esp. with the red heart stamps. I just hate that it's covering up the d.  (waaaaa.)

This is my first attempt with a Pentel brush pen. Did not turn out -- don't like at all. So much easier to do with my folded pen.

rainbow hearts to Janet

 Am doing a personal IG challenge (100 Days of Redos), and this is one of them (I'm doing a few snail mail pieces for it as well).

Below is the inspo for the redo. I actually did a similar insert for another card last year, but decided to do an env. as well.

I actually did this on watercolor paper too (I made a card), but need to find it, as I love the way it turned out.

Before.

Marker color technique to Janet

 Did one for Jean earlier (https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2021/07/another-technique-to-jean.html) , so re-created for Janet!

I messed up with the last name (too close to the env. border). 😕

Flip side.