Masking to Nele

I created this for Nele a few years back. Tried using my masking fluid and folded pen for her name, but it's a bit tricky as I don't have the hang of it just yet. So, I outlined in gold to help it stand out more.

Used a Posca pen for her last name. 

And b/c of what all I sent her, I felt I had to add on more postage to ensure delivery. Although both stamps went rather well, I always like to use just one. 

I sent this insert where I used negative space, not masking. It started out as a K but I made it into a word.

Be kind to your mind.

Might have to try more masking techniques!

Bday to Nele

So, it looks like I forgot to take a final pic of Nele's env. (of course!) but I had to use 2 stamps b/c of what all I sent. I used a reg. int'l on (the orange-ish floral one) and then I think a holiday one.

Anyway, I did the altered K Caps and a matching bday insert as well as a combo bday/New Year's booklet (and the 2026 HNY insert from the fp blog: https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/2026/01/happy-new-year.html )

Lettering for bday insert is a bit off (need to work on that!)

close ups.

The paper for the env is homemade and flimsy, so it was tricky to letter on (some of the inks bled n-- the E) but not too bad! (I love the N!)

Love the K and the AE ligature as well as my R

Her booklet. Again, See more here: https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/2026/01/happy-new-year.html

the border is happy birthday in gold pp with color pencil (I tried to make it look like the northern lights but failed) and I used a scrap of the same paper from the env.

The block lettering is the RENT lyrics from Season's of Love (which I used as the spread).

 

Nele (neg. space)

Nele sent me a really cool design based on negative space, so i thought I'd send one in return! This one has been sitting in my "Nele" folder for a few years (or more! :D ) and I found it perfect as I used masking fluid to create her name. I then outlined with gold to help it stand out more.

At first, I had planned to use just the int'l. mum stamp, but I sent her a lot this time so i wanted to make sure I had enough postage. (I'm not a fan of multiple stamps on my env.'s just b/c I'm not that great with incorporating them into my designs.) The "fun" one though went SO perfect with the colors!

I also sent her this little w/c creation I started years ago. It was just a K for the longest time (for my last name) but then I finished to make this quote. (Although it doesn't quite match the env. it still goes with the theme!)

I also sent her a fall quote done in altered Killian Caps and one of my Erasure Poems.

2nd env. to Nele (red)

I sent Nele a 2nd env. shortly after the last one (Miro), as I have a few items to give her, and didn't want to wait. She's into collaging, so i sent her some ephermera I knew I'd never use.

Used my gold Callipen and navy brush pen to try and match the env.

Some inserts: a small handmade env. with the items, and another simple mini-book.

Miro to Nele

Nele speaks several languages, and sometimes sends me pieces lettered in other languages, so this time, I thought I'd do the same (or try!)

I used the Joan Miro quote, "A simple line painted with the brush can lead to freedom and happiness." I then translated (via Google) to Spanish, and lettered with a B-6 nib, incorporating some of the shapes from his work (as well as an alphabet, inspired by the artist -- which I used for Nele's name too).

matching set.

back side

I wanted to do a whole artist theme for Nele, sending her mini env.'s based on the Calder paintings from my DC trip last year ( https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2024/09/more-dc-art.html ), but nothing was turning out, plus it would require more postage. So, I just sent this Rothko piece instead (which did not turn out. -- waaa.)

Hard to letter on watercolor. Sigh. 😖😞

"Believe" to Nele

I did something similar to this for my Art Healing Journal, so I thought I'd re-create for Nele.

I did her last name big on the side, in a decorative manner, then colored in with color pencil. (pp for her name)

With matching insert.

Waves to Meg

More ocean themed!

Love how this turned out. Found the letters perfect.

I'm always stuck at the bottom though -- but I need to leave room for the address.

Galaxy glaze pen and metallic w/c

With matching insert.

Before pics

Ocean theme to Tara

My idea for this was to make a calligram that resembled ocean waves. However, when I showed my hubby, asking for his thoughts, he said it looked like a flower. (see b4 pic below)

Took a poll on IG, and although some felt the same, the ocean waves won.  😏😃

Words are a mix of quotes about the ocean.

Back is a whale's tale with the quote: "If size truly mattered, the shark, not the whale, would rule the waters."

Before pic

enclosures.

I was so bummed, as I have a calendar with sea life, and I was going to make mini env.'s to send to the other participants, but I forgot. Luckily, I remembered for Tara!

Back flap

i love this quote, and I lettered on a piece of practice paper (you can see a blackletter i), that I tried to cover up with flowing lines, to help resemble water. This was my interpretation of water flowing, but obstacles/barriers that get in the way (which, in turn, applies to the quote!)

Seahorses to Fran (Ocean theme, 4)

Went a little different for Fran with a yellow env. & Seahorses

Stamp matches, but a little "off" with placement

Backside (ocean waves with pp)

Matching insert.

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!)

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!)

Nele, Snail & new "technique"

I did this back in Sept/Oct for my 21 Days Challenge (21 days of brush lettering) and came up with a bit of a new "technique" -- I letter the words close together, so they can connect, and then, color in the space between.

Snail themed env. and rainbow colors.

brush insert and same idea

Mini env. w/brush lettering again.

Red to Connie (stamp in name)

Again, didn't turn out quite like I'd hoped & planned.

As you can see, I wanted to use the circle stamp for the O in her name, but I just don't like. Maybe thicker letters would help?

It always look a bit weird when I incorporate the stamp like this -- My first thought is always, "Wait, where's the stamp?!?" 😄