bday to Yvonne (red), SMC

Was unsure of how to do Yvonne's so I started with on of my Crayola gel markers, but it was a fail so I had to outline with Black Sparkle ink. 

I then added "happy birthday" and "to you" on the sides of the env. borders, then colored-in with teal, white and yellow. Then added the matching dark teal stamp! (I love this color-combo.)

happy bday

to you (b4 adding color)

Tried to make a matching insert.

did "make a wish" on the side.

 

L. Doctor inspo to Maggie

I was touched when Maggie requested this env. from me! I had sent one to Jean ( https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2025/07/collage-to-jean-july-ptex.html ) and also did one for Nanski:  https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2025/08/purple-collage-to-nanski.html ), so I tried to do an Autumn theme for Maggie.

I actually "messed up" a bit as I forgot to do the center column in script weaver writing (like I did on Jean's), then I'd be able to add caps writing in-between the R column letters, but oh well. Plus, I like having it plain. I hope Maggie likes too!

I tried masking out a leaf shape, but it bled a bit, so it's rather hard to see. (waaaa. 😒) I wanted to add the 3d leaf (that i used to mask) to the right at the top by the columns, but it looked too cluttered or out of place (and like a football!)

I then "messed up" her name a bit (not my fault though! I'm blaming the darn paper.) I used metallic ink and it feathered (grrrr. 😠😞), so I tried to go over with a gel glaze pen, but it doesn't look as dainty. (Sigh.)

For the left column, I wrote "welcome" with a Posca, then used pastels for the autumnal colors. The middle column is caps written with gel glaze pens and walnut ink wash, then I tried adding some drop in colors (which worked!) For the Right col, i lettered "autumn" with an old Crayola brush tip marker, then added color pencil.

For the back, i did a cut-out book leaf which "matches" the insert  i sent (one of my black out poems!)

I love this as it just feels like fall.

C'mas in July!

I get so many ideas at Christmas time, and never can use them all, so I end up doing Cmas in July! (I just hope the recipients are ok with it!)  😆

I decided to just group them all together vs. indiv. posts.

 

This is the backside of Juliana's. (Leave it to Buddy to get us excited for this holiday!) 🎄🎅

Did my good 'ole Rudolph one!

Insert I did for Lina

Saw this on Pinterest and tried to mimic.

Brush lettering (as I'm currently taking Julie W's pointed brush class).

Lina's env. I've had this in my Cmas file for a while, so finally decided to send.

back side.

To Amy.

Again, another I decorated a while ago, but decided to use. Made a tree to match.

LOVE this tree!

Gold callig marker, posca pen

Tree shape name & address for this one. (Bullet tip posca)

Backside. LOVE the watermelon tree!

So, I did for Shannon as well! And an env. to match (I've done this theme before: just search watermelon.)

Watercolor tree.

Insert I've always wanted to do. Used scraps of Cmas papers. (Too labor intensive though!)

more trees. These are trial ones, I put in a collage as an insert.

Crayola gel marker, then script lettering for the background. 3d paint dots.

Another gel marker with script lettering on top.

3d puff paint for the tree.

Another trial piece I did jff (just for fun!), which inspired the pp one on the top right of collage.

Embossed card 

Not happy with how Maggie's turned out, but at the same time, not bad either. It's mainly the G's I'm not liking. Thought I was pretty clever with the M fireplace! Wish I had done the E in a more curved fashion to resemble a candy cane better.

Did a word border for her letter: "Spread Joy". I wanted to add more color, but was afraid of ruining.

I'm way overdue sending an env. to Vanessa, so decided to include her! This env. is from my 25 Days of Festive env.'s I did last Cmas. (Die cut and 3d. B nib for name)

Geometric tree for Lynne. Inspired by Julie W's Funky Letters class.

Before (outline)

With Lynne's env. Tried to do her initial's to match.

And finally, a small handmade env. to Nava (w/in her other env.)

Snowflakes on black to Shannon

In trying to match the stamp, I used my Crayola gel markers, BUT 1) not only did I have trouble with them (don't know why they work on some papers and not others), but 2) I had sent her one similar to this (color-wise) last year. Grrr. Wish I had know b/4, as i would have done bronze or white name. 

Added wintry accents with pp

Did letter to match.

Close up.

Day 11, (Part 1): Emboss (de-boss, die-cut)

 This one is "inspired" by my decades-old Crayoligraphy tree I created back in the early 2000's.

not sure who I'll send to just yet. (or how to letter!)

I made this card a long time ago too. Pictured with the stencil. 

(I'm sure I had a hard time cutting this, b/c of the curves.)

Pictured together as a set. I also want to make an ornament to match.

Original inspo tree.

Also, I have yet to find this stencil (has snowman on it too) that I bought years ago. So mad I cannot find, as it a nice metal one. grrrr. (Yet another sign I need to clean and organize my art room!)

Day 9: Black Env.

In addition to trees, I also love black envs. Did this in 2021 as my 100 Days of Inspo/Redos. (I still have yet to send!)

Metallic ink.

And here's one from 2020 to Jean:

Again, metallic ink

And this one to Cathy:

(also a cross-over for Trees)

green metallic marker

Cmas in July! (to Jean R)

 I don't know why, but I'm running out of ideas for Jean R, in lettering her name (maybe it's because I've done Jean Wilson's so much!)

Anyway, I came up with this for Cmas in July.

I lettered her last name in script with a Posca pen, and used that as a decorative element.

Can you see the "Rothfusz"?

Since the envelope was so small, I made her a tree booklet for the insert. It's various creations I've done over the years.

3d watercolor piece.

Joy with a Sakura gold callig marker

Pilot Parallel pen

Ruling Writer with bleach on Strathmore paper

new. Italic "O Christmas Tree" with C-5 nib

From after Cmas last year: Crayola gel markers.