Salvaged envie to Sarah

Got a new pen pal and thought I'd send her this collage env. I salvaged from some spilt ink.

Was working with green and my darn bottle flipped over. So I tried my best to make a design out of it. The theme is "End of Summer/ New Beginnings".

close up.  I know the book art is upside down, but I did so purposely.

 

Funky Print to Grace H. (another #tbt)

And another Throwback Thursday! (Going through my drafts folder and publishing saved ones I'm not that thrilled or proud of!)  😆

I loved this envelope though! So fun, and perfect space for addressing (however, I don't like the stamp).

Here it is without.

Before pic

Back

And with the stamp. I didn't have one that went perfectly (the yellow Ellsworth would have been it!), so this one was the closest. Not bad, but I don't like the placement. Still, a fun envelope.

another handmade env. & insert

This was done ages ago -- a redo of a surname. I made into a mini env. and lettered a quote about Courage over in white India ink.

Folded pen and black India ink, color pencil

Wish I had lettered another quote about courage, but in a way, this IS about courage, for it's courageous to be yourself instead of going with the crowd. #beauthenticallyyou

backside

 

on a roll! (handmade envies)

Ever since the SMC swap, I've been taking some scraps/failed pieces/practice pages and converting to mini env.'s

Again, top Left clockwise (forgot to do before pics):

1) "Stay Calm" in folded pen, 2) an exemplar using marker, 3) "ABC" with walnut ink and drop-in colors, 4) magazine page (from usps catalog), 5) practice sheet from my Sharon Zeugin class (love how it looks Halloween-ish!), and 5) folded pen and gouache. (actually sent this to Lina! -- will post update!)

3d puff paint on craft (#tbt?)

I cannot remember if I ever posted these, SO just for fun, a little "Throwback Thursday" action.

Both are from 2020. Bronze puff paint and overlapping letters, to make it look abstract. 

more vibrant colors and more accents (cirlcles)

These were both for Mail Art calls. Had fun with 'em.

Handmade envies swap!

The SMC hosted an env. swap for August and boy did I have fun! So much so, I even came up with more ideas for other swaps!

Here is what I sent my partner:

Top Left, clockwise:

1) yes, that Amazon env. -- 😐😖, 2) bicycle env. from wrapping paper,

3) small square "Cmas" envie, 4) black magazine page, 5) mini turtle from calendar page,

6) another small square from handmade paper (fragile!) and 7) one from astrobrights notebook paper.

hope the recipient likes! She sent me some nice ones. Can't wait to use.

 

August to Lina (fun font)

I've had this "font" saved in my ideas folder and finally used it for Lina. I think it's best used for longer names.

Easy way to match the colors to the stamp!

 

for Yr-long exchange (varied letters)

One of my WCG year-long envies

did a mixed letters name and brush at end

Sent in August for World Callig Day!

Cmas in July!

As always, I really really didn't think I'd do this again this year, but I got new brush pens (white ones!) and I couldn't help myself!

Beach stamp fun

I first tried this with Sharen's but tried to "perfect" with this one after a trial run.

how'd i do?  😄😉

Wish I had done something better with the "Jean" but was at a loss, and had already done the waves with "Marie" (am wondering if she'll even get it as sometimes her comments are weird -- if you follow her blog. I have to laugh too as instead of reaching out to the sender, she'll make assumptions, etc.) But I get it and I like it and that's all that matters!! 😁

insert (I'm sure she'll have some sort of judge-y remark with this too -- haha!, probably wondering what the hell I was doing with the middle part. *it's ocean waves, btw)

close ups.

LOVE this ink!!!

Varied letters to Dominque (green env.)

I have such fun with varied lettered names. Was trying to use my white markers for this one.

bday to Jean R (fruit)

Love using my clear env.'s esp. when I have a fun print to put inside (love how it "mutes" the print so I can write atop it)

This was from a magazine page. Used one of my zig brush markers for the name

Did my connected letters happy bday design

Before assembly

Brush work

I'm trying to finish up my online class with Yves but am SO inspired with his work (FAB instructor!!) that I decided to letter some July envies in brush.

am loving the a's! (but I struggle with J's)

had some fun on the back

not real happy with this (brush n's are tricky)

Old card (July 4th theme)

I bought this card sOOOOOooo long ago and it's been in my monthly themed env. so I decided to send to Lina this year. 

tried my best to match the L to the design on the star and had fun (although now that I think about it, it would have been fun to do the L 3d!)

 

Clear Beach umbrella to Lynne (June PTEx)

I LOVE these new "Day at the Beach" stamps! (they make me want to travel!)

For Lynne's, I painstakingly cut out papers to match the umbrella on the stamp.

I used tissue paper for the water on a w/c card. Then a vellum env.

close up of her name (pp)

Finished piece. Although flawed, i was so proud of how it turned out.

close ups

hope she appreciates!

B-day to Irene (June)

Tried matching the stamp and hope she saw that! Also, how apt for Pride month!

Did my border bday card too. (this time with my Horizon nib, not pp)

I could have matched the env. (with Happy) but wanted to letter vs. draw the word.

And I just had to share what Irene wrote to me in an email!

This was the BEST compliment as love Julie's work!! Made my day. (Thx again Irene!)

Back flap.

 

"Sandcastle" name to Dominique

I wish there was a computer-generated way (or some kind of font) that would make a name like a sandcastle. Although I'm creative, I'm not great at drawing anymore and/or 3d lettering. But what a cool idea, huh? (regardless of the stamp!)

I tried my best though. If I had more time, I would have redone and tried to plan out better. But Dominique is my "writing" pen pal, not lettering so I'm sure she enjoys any decorative env. I send her way.

I would definitely add more definition and darker browns. And maybe the sand pail and shovel too.