ABC's of Autumn...

This is an old (OLD) practice sheet where i just lettered the alphabet (i think I used my Horizon nib). Wish I knew how long ago I did it but I can tell it's old by the shape of some of my letters. (and, of course, i forgot to take a before pic!)

Anyway, i decided to convert into an env. as now, i finally figured out a way to create space for the address! (without using a sticker and chancing it falling off)

Wish I had cut out a bigger hole, but i think this will do, as I'm sure the contrasting color helps. Not enough room for the name but that's ok as I like how it fits nicely under the "h-i" ("hi Jean")!  😊

I added words in pp lettering (metallic ink) to coordinate with each letter (most of them) -- "football, fall, gourds, hayrides (used the i for the i in 'rides'), kindness, leaves, maize, November, October, raking, tricks, treats". I also added some fall-like colors then a 3d leaf, which actually blends in so well, you can barely tell unless pointed out! 😏

And then, just for fun, I added pieces of book pages to fill in other empty areas (and to go with the Erasure poetry insert). I just hope they stay on!

Close ups:

The "hi JEAN"

the 3d leaf

I thought I had a pic before adding the stamps (so you could see the "full effect") and will post if I can find as the stamps almost blend in too.

Back side with another 3d leaf.

More words: "autumn, apples, bonfires, crisp, everything". I left xyz plain (couldn't think of any words) and bummed I didn't think to do "cider donuts" for c & d as I couldn't come up with a d word. (delicate? as in delicate leaves? Dainty? Delicious -- apples?) drats, darn, dang it.

This is a "before" pic without the stamps and book art. Also forgot to take a full pic of the alpha page before converting. I feel like the leaf stamps were a bad choice, as they seem to get lost in the design (or maybe that's a good thing? 😄)

Square env. to Shannon

So, I know I tried to cover up her address within the "tree", but forgot about the bottom. Which is OK, as her address is public b/c of the mail art call in 2020. (Just had to point that out!)

The address and name didn't quite work out in the tree shape, as I probably didn't plan it out as well as I should have. However, it's still nice!

(I wanted to include the address again at the bottom, just to ensure delivery. Esp. this time of year!)

with a letter and a fun way I did her name.

Then, I made her this minilope from a page of the po catalogue.

Included a brush tree to match!

Did this a few years ago, and touched up for her.

Finally, I re-gifted a pretty bookmark to her, as I'm a big e-reader now, and I know Shannon reads.

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.

Boo env. to Dominique

Lettered "Boo" from 31 Days of Boo in 2019. 

(split nib Coit pen)

Didn't like, so I turned it into an env. Worked out kinda perfect!

Added drippings for more Halloween-ish effects.

Kinda wanted to add a big spider to the back, but by this time, was a bit wore out from all my Halloween envies.

"Thanks" to Nava

(yes, I'm going to start referring to Leslie N as Nava, so there is no confusion!)  ;D

So, in March, Miss Nava got a converted env. from me, one that originally said "thanks", as many thanks were indeed due her for not only exchanging with me, but for all the goodies she has sent my way! 

I'm not much for sending "emphera", as I really don't have that kind of stuff on hand, but I do include inserts of art or lettering.

Finished env. FP (thanks) and pp name.

Funny -- here is a before pic of another I converted. (Wonder which posting?)

the only things I could send her way was this packet of alpha stamps I've never used. (originally bought for scrapbooking)

Close up of name

Salvaged postcard and env. to match to Karen K.

Decided to send this salvaged piece to Karen. 

( https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2024/05/salvaged-postcard-matching-env.html )

Tried doing the letter to match, but it was a fail. :/ 😒

(am loving the hummingbird stamps!)

Extra env. to Maggie (New Year)

Last month, I had Maggie for PTEx, and her env. didn't turn out as I envisioned. So, I converted this practice sheet, but did not mail, as I didn't plan it out correctly for the stamp. However, I did send to her in her b-day env.

It was from 2021 (can you see the "2's"?), and then I added the crossbar to the 1 to make a 4. (see original piece below)

Here is the back.

original

abstract to Amy (mini)

Again, forgot to take a before pic.  😕

Trial piece with the word, "wonder". Made into a mini env. (3x5) and colors to match the stamp.

Then, did a short letter the same width as env. and tri-folded it.

 

Clear env. to Zoe

Took a page of practice play and converted into an insert.

Backside with Hawkeye stickers!  ;D

Before. Added metallic watercolors

Gel markers on Black (Shannon)

Tried matching stamp color with my Crayola gel markers and metallic watercolors.

3d O!

Not bad italic!

And just for fun, another gel marker on black, to Zoe:

Another converted env. from a practice sheet.

It looks a bit Christmas-y, but the fun stamp went perfectly, to hopefully counter that!

Folded Pen alpha to Janet

This was a practice sheet I decided to convert into an env. for Janet.

I wanted to use primary colors and have the name stand out but also, go along with the alphabet.

Flip side.

 

Design (Quick Brown Fox, Converted)

I love this env., but "sadly", I don't think I can ever mail it. 1) b/c it's too hard for me to part with and 2) There's not enough white space for the address!

I'm sure I could write the address really small, but I don't want to chance it.

Ironically, plenty of white space on the back flap!

The before pic.

 

and turned, you can see the writing ("quick brown fox...")

altered to Janet

I'm so bummed I don't have a before pic of this, as for some reason, it had 3 black rectangles on it. It was an unused envelope, but I have no idea why the black bars. Anyway, I decided to convert it, but at first, it just started out as a design. Then, after sitting in on of my folders (for over a year), I decided to make it into Janet's name.

It probably would've turned out better had I thought of that idea first. BUT I converted it the best I could!

And, just for fun, here is the back: