Ocean mail, 2 (Failed whale?)

I was trying to emulate a piece I created last year in Julie W's Make Your Mark class, as I thought the mark resembled an ocean wave:

https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/search?q=make+your+mark

But sadly, mine was a bit of a fail. So I tried desperately to salvage, only to flip it over, and realize I made the mark upside down. :/  😔😕

However, I just flipped it over and made it look like water from the spout of a whale! (see below)

I was also lucky to find these new int'l compass stamps! How perfect for the ocean theme! (and they go with the colors) --  (the older stamps are floral)

Me happy! 😄

Diff. angle w/splatters. 

I thought about adding words, but was afraid it would ruin the look.

her name

Back flap with the whale. (Good save on my part!)

Ocean theme (Eire Mail), 1

 Tara, with Eire Mail (The Elevated Env.), organizes a snail mail exchange based on themes: 

https://eiremail.com/about-eire-mail/

I missed the Rainbow one last year, but got signed up for this year's Ocean theme. At first, I was a bit stumped with this subject, however, my creativity started kicking in, and now I'm on a roll!

Each group got 5 recipients (plus Tara herself, if you wish to send to her), and my only challenge was lack of ocean stamps. But that never stops me! (mail is to be postmarked by 3/3)

Here is my first creation:

I just watercolored the ocean as best as I could, then added little fishies in diff. colors.

I then added a subtle quote within the waters: "Life is like the ocean; It goes up and down."

You have to angle to see it. (and it almost didn't fit!)

Back Flap:

and the insert:

Happy Accidents! (V- Day style)

When I'm on autopilot (or get in a hurry) and space off, mistakes emerge. However, I LOVE it when I can easily fix them!

On this back flap, I started lettering Park Lake as one word (with a small "l"), but was using India ink, so after gently scraping, it was too obvious. Granted it's just the back flap, however, it's the address. SO, I got a little clever by adding some non-distracting hearts to help conceal the mistake!

Then, on this insert for another env., when signing and dating, i put '24 instead of '25 (as, after all, it's still the new year!), and I tried to cover up with Sharpie marker ink. But that just made it MORE pronounced. So, I thought a few more unintentional hearts wouldn't hurt!

Finished piece. (Hope they don't notice or care!)

 

Vday to Karen K.

This is another that was last minute. I LOVE this color combo! Wasn't sure what to do for her, and just decided on some drawn letters. Feel as though it turned out somewhat perfect!

w/letter. Name in new WoS glitter brush pen.

Close ups of details:

I didn't have time to make an insert, as I want it to arrive by or b/4 the 14th.

Vday to Laura (Austria -- extra Penpalentine)

For this exchange, they send all addresses and groups in one big email, and add that you can send to any additional people, if you wish. I did this last year, as I looked through the group to 1) see if there were any other Iowans on the list, and 2) see if there are any fun int'l. countries to send to!

I came upon Laura's, and since my family and I visited Germany and Austria in 2013, thought I'd send to her, in hopes of getting a new penpal from Vienna!

I loved how hers turned out (except for the name... grrr.) 

I'll explain the other lettering below, but for the name, I used a white calligraphy marker. However, it wasn't very opaque, and not crisp either, so i had to outline with pp and India ink. I actually like this "technique", but hate the mess of the name. Hoping I disguised it well! (added her last name in pp at the end in pink metallic ink. And I like the "A")

for the other lettering, i lettered variations of "hello" in diff. languages, using metallic inks. It's a bit hard to see, but I was so happy with it. 

Better view of the silver.

Diff. view

I enclosed this handmade heart card I made last year. This would also be a fun idea for a mini book. 

Can't remember if I made the abstract design specifically for the card or if it was a failed wc piece.

I then lettered a little note to her (about the card) using a tiny pp nib I rarely utilize. As someone who had difficulty slowing down to pen a letter or note using a pp (and as someone with terrible handwriting), I was extremely pleased with how this turned out!)

"hello" with a Posca on the left side.

So much detail on this card -- I'm sure it was time consuming for me. Hope she likes!

(and hope to hear back from her!)

Vday to Zoe

Just when i thought I was all done with my Vday env.'s, I heard from some pen pals, so I scrambled to get Vday cards out to them.

For Zoe's (I forgot the dots above her e! grrrr.), I used heart stickers along the side, then added other embellishments. Hope they stayed on!

Drawn Dancing Caps and pp (attempt at Stunt Roman) for her name.

Not bad for a last minute attempt!

 

VDay to Cyndi B

I can't believe I forgot to take a pic of what all I sent Cyndi (new pen pal via SMC!), but it must've been "a lot" of items, as I used an international stamp. I'm sure I re-gifted some stickers, and washi tape, and maybe an original insert or 2.

i had this env. from last year... It's repurposed, as I'm running low on red env.'s. There was probably a small name on the front (to me or a fam. member), and it was in good condition, so I didn't want to toss. 

I used silver metallic ink to cover up the name, then added these 3 abstract hearts.

It's always tricky when the design is in the middle like this. But I like! (esp. the pink with the red)

Vday surprise (First Graders)

Saw a post on Jean's blog (from Mary S.) so thought I'd partake! It was from this teacher, asking for Valentines from all 50 states. Hoping mine arrives in time and that they're able to meet their goal!

I wanted to do more than just this card, but I'm glad I was able to do this.

Close up of card. I actually started this years ago, and the 2 bigger ones are actually bleach. I had it set aside in my Vday folder, so I thought I'd finish this year. I added a little decorative gold heart, and other embellishments as well as the hello.

Inside:

You can see the bleach that soaked through. I wish I had written the text in print vs. cursive. Wasn't thinking to do that so the kiddos could read it. Hope the teacher shares the sentiment!

Before pic of env.

Vday to Hannah (Penpalentine)

This is one I'm really upset with, b/c of the border.  😞

I did the insert after, and wish I had done the env. border to match better,

It was ok at first, then I tried adding some accent lines, but it came out too cluttered on the left, and this was my failed attempt to fix it.

I could redo, but I love how her name turned out. Maybe I'll add a sticker or 2 to try and distract from the mess.

So close.

Happy with this. (Sigh.)

Vday to Tayler (Penpalentine)

Trying diff. non-trad colors for Vday!

3d white heart with Posca dots to match colors in stamp.

Close up.

Vday to Meg, Penpalentine

My 2nd year signing up for the Penpalentine exchange on IG! Had so much fun last year, and got such lovely goodies (I got lucky with my group!)

I feel like this year, I got in too big a hurry, as I was making a lot of mistakes. (It's prob. b/c I'm too focused on the upcoming 100 Day Challenge.)

\Tried to replicate a couple "M's" I did last year (that resembled hearts), but didn't quite turn out (same with the W -- an attempt at an upside down heart). However, I like the rest of her name, and the hearts border! And the circle stamps are perfect alternatives to traditional "love" ones!

Close up.

VDay to Jessica (tea swap, SMC)

Time for V-Day envies!

I swapped with Jessica earlier in Jan. via the SMC (tea swap) and she sent me such a lovely note, I decided to write back.

This is from an idea i had a few years ago ( https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2022/02/v-day-envs-marker-designs.html ) -- I did the name sideways, making it look like a design instead.

For this one, i used a broad edge callig marker, but it wasn't opaque enough, so I outlined in white India ink, then added colors to match the stamp.

Here is it sideways.

Not sure what I sent as an insert, or maybe it was just a note?

Anyway....first of the V-Day batch this month!