Misc. Cmas

Did these a few years ago. So many ways to do, and also can be used for b-day as well as New Year's.

Now looking at them, they don't seem that great to me. Oh well. A for attempt!

 

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 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.

Misc. Cmas

Here are some extra holiday env.'s sent out, that weren't that special to post on their own, so I'm grouping together!

This first one is a printed set I got for free from donating.

This next one is handmade from the usps catalogue.

I thought the "dot" print heart stamp went great with it.

A minilope and tree.

insert w/another minilope to Amy (I did a gingerbread house to Amy, and of course, after, I thought of the Rudolph nose. So, that's the reason for the addressed mini env!)

The insert was my attempt at a joke from The Office.

Some gift tags.

Small env. & card to Carly, my pers. trainer!

Holly to Lina

This is a (somewhat) dupe of last year:

https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2023/12/day-4-holly.html

I wanted to reverse the way the holly lay, and I love how delicate it turned out. Wasn't sure whether to color-in, so i decided to leave as-is. Thought it so pretty.

I kinda wanted to do an insert/card to match, but decided to send this stamp one I did. Next year, I'll make a matching set.

And MORE blue trees!

I love matching the blue tree stamp!

Mixed it up just a bit for Karen: Did a blue brush tree (Wink of Stella glitter brush).

Closeup of tree. Love how it turned out!

Same design as others:  RW w/metallic ink

Close up of stamp!

Before adding color to tree (I like it just this way too).

Dec. Caps to Nadya

 The last of my Pretty Mail Tribe swap.

Although I love how my lettered caps turned out, the name is too crowded. When using bigger env.s, I always feel pressure to fill the whole thing, as there's so much space! (I think 5x7's are the perfect size for me.) So, I obviously didn't plan this out very well.

Back side. Just a tiny tree!

Close up.

Inserts. The tree on the left is an experiment from a few years ago (didn't like), so I added script lettering to it -- not bad! Then, the one on the right is new -- xtra fine pt Posca.

(I love her name on the note! Brush marker)

Flip side of mini tree, with handmade minilope!

Close up of Posca tree

Flip side of minilope.

And with another insert.

Neon name border (Mia)

 Copied this design from a card I found on Pinterest (I also want to do 3d)

Did her name as a border, top & bottom, then neon watercolors. 

(Small env., so the stamp covered her name.)  😕

Then, did a card to match.

Without stamp (pretty!)

Before: name in gold pp.

Back: did name again. Was tempted to color in the border, but decided to leave

I want to do a journal page like this!

To Jean R (elongated name)

Lately, I've been really into this elongated lettering 

(probably stemming from my akim class with Julie W!)

I love how it can make cool designs, esp. when turned on the side (see some of my folded pen blog posts).

Did this for Jean R in April.

enclosed one of my word flowers.

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then, did this (w/brush pen) for the SMC exchange.

And another (3d lettering) with elongated word border and quote.

(Messed it up/accidental smears, but turned into flowers! #happyaccident !)

then, did this name border letter for Shannon! (I like it a LOT better than how her env. turned out. #fail)