Nele "fail" (Harry bundle)

I'm reaching a point where I am now ready to part with some of my lettering creations I've been holding on to (those I love, those I'm proud of , etc.). I figure I can pass on to others for them to enjoy. (Plus, seeing the wall hanging Nele created and shared with me, prompted this as well.)

So, for March, I was going to send Nele a compilation of some Harry Styles creations I've done over the past few years (as well as some new ones, just for her). See video.

However, I ran into a little "snag" at the po! (story below)

Here is the padded env. I used to try and mail all 8 items (the video shows 9, but I didn't send the 6th one). The env. was only 7x10 and didn't weigh that much, so I'm thinking it'll surely be less than $10.

First, I go to the grocery store (mailing area), as I try to avoid the po at all costs. The woman tells me she has no way to weigh it, as they don't have a scale. (???)

Ok, fine, guess I have to make the po trip after all. Ugh.

I get to the po, and there are hardly any cars in the lot. (Maybe I'll get lucky!) I walk in and, yay!, no line at the counter! Woo-hoo!

When I tell the woman it's international, she says I have to fill out a customs form. Hmmm...ok. Whatever.

Then, she tells me the cheapest postage is $20! W...t...??? $20??? Good lord.

Ok. I decide to pay, as I want to "treat" Nele. THEN, she tells me (thank goodness) there might be a tariff tax. "What's that?" I ask. It's an extra tax that the RECIPIENT would have to pay! AND it was nearly $30!!!!

Uh, no. Nope. No way. RUKiddingMe??? I'm not doing that to Nele. (PLUS, I'm not paying $50 just to send a small 7x10 padded env. across the world.)

I'm so glad I was told all this before paying anything.

(2 "positives" to take away: Didn't have to pay, and didn't have to wait!)

So, I go home and email Nele all this, letting her know that I'll just send them in 3 or 4 separate envelopes (which, ironically, will be closer to $5!)

Keep scrolling to view each env. (The funny thing, is that b/c I love Snail Mail so much, it was fun to do extra envelopes for her! Another positive!)Env

Env. 1

At first I didn't think I had an env. big enough for 2 items that were slightly larger in size (Sweet Creature and All We Ever Want). But this one was perfect!! Although not her b-day, these stamps were fun to use (and I got to do my callig marker uncial lettering again:  https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2023/02/uncial-names-white-callig-marker-love.html ).

Back flap (messed up the H).

Env 2:

This env. is in the video (shown first thing), as I was originally going to send on its own with enclosed 1st piece. But when I got the (failed) idea to send a bundle, it wouldn't fit, so I had to bend at the end.

I kinda liked it and didn't want to waste yet another env., so I got the idea to crimp the ends!

This crimper is something I got years ago (no idea where), and I love it, but rarely use it. Hopefully, it made the env. look a little fun. Regardless, it did its job covering up the folded end!

Close up of brand (Corrugator).

Finished env.

Env. 3

At first I thought I was going to have to make an env. for these pieces, but found this white one, which was a perfect size. I was going to do a little decoration on it, but then, got the idea to hand-letter these caps.

Before & After stamp.

Automatic Pen, 5 line split to Chuck

I cannot remember how I got the idea for this, but it was based on the colors of the stamp. And instead of an env., I did this on a piece of watercolor paper, which I folded in half.

Used my automatic split nib pen, and I love how it turned out! (esp. my k at the end)

 

More Alpha Garden letters (Floral Series)

I must say, this series of mine has improved, esp. with my flowers! I tried matching the stamp with "abstract" watercolors and I LOVE how they turned out!

Collage from my March PTEx floral series.

(Past versions: https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/search/label/Alpha%20Garden )

I tried to make it look like the flower was attached to the stem, 

but not as good as my other floral stamps.

This one I found super fun, as well as creative:

Her name is Amy Garten, and I knew "garten" was also a foreign word (was hoping it was "garden") and when I looked it up, it was! So, I did "Flower Garden" in French for the env., and for the insert, in English. (see below for close-ups)

Cathy's didn't turn out quite as well, as her letters were tricky. At first, I just had the stamp, and although it looked ok, it just still seemed a tad bare. So, I added mini "buds".

Now for close-ups, inserts & details:

For Peggy's (first one I did from this set), I used a marker for the flowers (as in past versions). But then, I decided to try watercolors for the env., and so glad I did!

Close up of Amy's

I'm so happy with how they turned out. (but the blue one is too close tot he N)

Here's the insert.

I love the droopy one.

Close-up of Cathy's

Bloom Where You are Planted.

I like this, but the printed lettering is off (grrrr!) -- the "It's" looks like Tis and it should be closer to Spring.

This one turned out better:

"Waves" (ocean) to Chuck

I've had this "ocean waves" env. for years, but never any stamps that go with it. So, I finally used a coffee stamp because of the color. (I figured there were "waves" in the coffee foam, so that kinda matches, no?)  😏

I tried to make his C to match the shape of the wave. And then, I came up with this idea for Surf! --

I thought it was pretty darn clever of me. And (as per usual), the end of the S was a happy accident.

I added chalk pastel to look like the ocean.

(Darn printed text too close together.)

 

IOWA (clear) to Shannon

I've started putting some of my mag. env.'s into clear ones, if there is really no room for the address.

This one was just a little tricky, mainly b/c of the city (and the stamp placement, as I didn't want to cover up the city part or the covered bridge).

I thought it was fun & clever that I was able to incorporate the O from IOWA 

with the O of Hillsborough. However, I wish I had put the state (NC) under the big O in Hillsborough.

Without clear env.

Mag. page, unfolded.

env. w/out page.

I added extra postage, just in case address is not up-to-par with the po. (Don't want another bike env. incident! -- https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2022/05/po-is-pod.html )

 

Black "inspire" to Nele

I've been on a creative streak for Nele lately, and this is one that was a take off from something on IG (orig. inspo: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKwhrh1jVfF/?epik=dj0yJnU9eGJjS2NteHo2M3dtV2IwTVNMaXZ0UUdvZFdYbEZ6MWkmcD0wJm49dmFEZTlMdFZERFJJUW9PQkFBQmdrZyZ0PUFBQUFBR1FNeHQ0 )

Posca markers & color pencil

And just for fun, a rub-on letter for the back flap.

(It's actually a Z, as I was out of N's.)

 

Scratch art to Janet

Tried something different with Janet this time: Scratch art!

Not happy with the name and wishing I had done in versals or drawn caps vs. my folded pen

Will be interesting to see how it goes through (more scratched up?)

Insert to match. Used an old dried brush.

and just for fun, did a little piece on the back (wish I had cut in a more fun shape.