"Pretty Mail" exchange (via Learn Callig)

Since I have so many Cmas ideas, I signed up for an additional exchange via the Learn Callig site. I'm sure there are a few people I send to who may not observe Cmas, so 1) my apologies, and 2) I'm still sending beings it's not only a national holiday, but world-wide as well. No other intentions on my part at all, just having fun with the holiday season! (*AND if I knew which exchangers don't, then I would refrain from sending them a Cmas themed envie. #disclaimer -- 😉😊)

That said, these 2 are fails from last year, BUT are still decent enough to send.

For this one, I lettered quotes from the movie Elf. Used a Pilot Parallel, and my ink must've pooped out on me, as I had to do many touch-ups. Plus, I wish I had left more white spacing for the address. (Pointed pen and metallic red ink for the name)

Flip side. (may add Buddy's head)

This one was a failed tree, as not sure what I did, but it was metallic ink (Oh! I think I was trying to cover up a mistake or name, as why would I put the tree in the center?)

Again, pointed pen for name.

And "dressed up" the flip side a bit with non-trad colors:

I love this pink!

Thank You to Renee

I had Renee for the Sept. SMC Hello Stranger exchange, and oh my.... she sent me SO many lovely snail mail goodies!! (the theme was Origins, so she wrote about the origins of Snail Mail).

I felt so lucky, so I sent her a Thank You.

The name got a bit crooked. 😕 But I LOVE how that stamp matches!

(Sometimes, I get overwhelmed when there is so much room on the env., as I want to fill the whole space.)

i've had this ty card forever, as I wanted to try to dupe, but I'm not the best with masking.

Sent her a few goodies: small "i heart Snail Mail" card, mini env. (TPWK), postcard from our local opera, and a mini Thankful card.

Jackson Pollock to Shannon

Sent this to Shannon in Oct. It's another art inspired env. based on an interesting Pollock.

I only did half of the painting. It reminded me of folded pen work, however, I used my brush pen and markers. I could always do the other half as a 2nd env.

Orig. painting. (I'd have to look up the title and year, as I can't tell from the pic.)

just for fun to Alex

Some good things have been happening at my son's work lately, so I decided to send him a little cheery env. This was back in early Oct. (as things were getting a bit stressful.)

 

I wanted to send him a Halloween themed env. too, but he told me that everyone's "personal" mail gets opened, just to check for money (from donors). So, now it's a bit weird knowing that. However, I'm still going to send him Happy Mail every so often.

Autumn pastels to Ellen

Ellen and I have become new pen pals (via the SMC on IG). It's always so flattering when someone asks if I would like to exchange with them.

(I messed up her name, as the first time I got her, it was listed as "Garcraw", but after seeing her IG profile, and getting her again, it was listed as Garner-Crawford. I wasn't thinking, and did it as the first time; but tried fixing by adding the last parts small under!)

In addition to the initial SMC exchange, I sent her a Halloween env., and then got her again for the SMC Nov. B-day exchange! So this is one I converted (like Angelique's: 

https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2024/11/autumn-pastels-to-angelique.html  )

It originally said "Wonderful". (again, no before pic...😞)

folded pen, India ink and pastels

I then added "Have a...Birthday" in gold ink. You can see that I cut out the "Birthday" lettering to flap over, as it was going to get hidden.

Tried making a letter to match, but a bit of a fail, as i think my nib needs a good cleaning.

Also gave her some random inserts.

Autumn pastels to Angelique

 As per usual, I forgot to take a before pic.

This was a sheet from a lettering challenge that I converted into an env. 

It says, "gestural" in walnut ink (with Horizon folded nib). 

I then added pastels, trying to make it autumn colored.

(Tried a new font for her name: Stunt Roman)

Back flap

Insert to match. Brush lettering.

Name border to Irene

I know Irene likes my folded pen work, but I loved Lina's Sept. env. so much, that I thought I'd do Irene's the same (as the last time I sent her one with her name done in fp). 

(Lina's:  

I was so mad that i didn't think to color the pumpkin to match the stamp! (see below) So, I had to go over it the best I could to try and fix.  :/

I also had a mess-up with the ink, as you can see a blob in the middle at the top.

But still, Pretty PRETTY colors!

And the back flap. (looks like fall aurora borealis!)  :D

Leaves to Rachael

I got these leaves last year from a snail mailer, so thought I'd paste on an envie this year.

Added details to most all (w/pp). Not happy with how the name turned out (or rather, the gold ink, which I used first. So, I added white to try and make it pop a bit). Wish I had just used white to begin with.

Close-ups

*I also pasted a leaf on the back flap but forgot a pic! :/