"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.

 

DC Art envies, *Updated

 I addressed and sent off my DC art envies this month! (Loving the new circle stamps.)

Scroll to bottom to see original inspos.

Stamp matches perfect! (colors)

I so badly wanted the back flap to match, and mainly, the flap itself to be red (as when I saw this art, that's the first thing I thought!), but I didn't want to wet the seal (although I could have used glue or double sided tape). SO, I painted the bottom part and tucked in the actual flap.

This is shown flipped.

And this is the how the env. actually is (white part is the real flap)

2nd one:

Hate that the stamp covered up the design. Oh well. Still looks pretty good!

Did the back to match. (incorporated elements of the piece within the address)

Plan to do another one of these!

*(Jean got 2 Calders, as she is the only person I know who would probably appreciate them the most, because of her art background. So, of course, the pressure was on to make them perfect -- haha!)

Last one:

Again, the stamp matches! (My darn ink blobbed her name though -- grrr.)

See vid below for how I made the env. (one sheet folded, glued the sides together and matched the flap! Used acrylic paint for the colors.)

*

This would also make a fun postcard.

Backside, b4 sealing flap

Originals:

Gregory Hines stamp

I originally posted this in 2019 on my old blog, but for Black History Month, am posting here.

In looking through postage stamps that year, I came upon this one of Gregory Hines. I had to post about it, because I was able to "meet" him in March of 1997.

It was at MacWorld in San Fran (fave city!). I used to work for a small software company, and that year, was able to go to the conference. As I was working our booth, he walked by, and then came up to me asking about our product. I went to fill the form and trying to be "funny", I said, "Name?" (turning to my co-workers with a Cmas Story Ralphie grin/laugh), and he just smiled and said, "I can fill it out."

I was trying to play it cool, but my boss made a fuss about him (for which I'm now grateful! 😄) and said, "Oh we need a picture!! We need a picture!" (maybe she meant for publicity for our product!) Either way, I'm glad she took it!

RIP, Gregory.

 

Day 1 prompt: Celestial (31 Days of Hall. env.'s)

At first, I didn't know what I'd be able to come up with, as I wanted to make it Halloween-looking, but then I saw something on Pinterest (with the sky painted these colors), and found it perfect for the stamp! (Lucked out with the C for Chuck! I had 2 others to chose from too.)

I'm thinking of adding flying bats as well, to make it Halloween-ish, but I love how it turned out.

Before pic. Used masking fluid for moon (although I could have easily drawn on top in white).

A few initial ideas:

I wanted to redo this style, as I always thought it looked celestial. I still can, and add stars as well.

and a sketch of a wizards hat:

 

Backyard Games: horseshoes (Carolyn & Cathy)

 Another clever idea, if I do say so myself!  ;D

When I decided to use this stamp, I immediately saw the horseshoe as a C, and I was lucky enough to have 2 PTEx recipient's this month whose names start with C!

Close up of stamp. Do you see it too?  ;)

The horseshoe turned out better on Cathy's. Wish I had done the y in a script hand vs. b-nib. And there was too much "white space" before her name, so I kinda wish I had added more horseshoes, but was afraid of ruining it.

More Backyard Games! (croquet)

 I'm having SUCH fun with these stamps!!! Creative juices were definitely flyin'!

I knew immediately I'd use/create a ball for the o's in his name, but then the hoop looked like an "n" to me, so thought that perfect! THEN, I decided at the last minute to use the post as the "i"!

Didn't turn out perfect, as I had to do touch ups (white ink is tricky!) but overall, I was happy.

Kind of came together as I was lettering it.

Close up of stamp and n. Please tell me you see the resemblance!  :)

*I also used a ball on the back for the return address zip code, but cannot find my pic of that.

Backyard Games stamps

Had such fun with this idea! 

I knew when I got these stamps, I would use them on colorful env.'s (green/blue) to match the background colors, but then, upon further examination, I saw and "S" with the tether ball cord! (see close-up of stamp below)

then, for Jean's I decided to turn it into a J. Was so thrilled with my idea!

(I feel as though hers turned out better, esp. the ball, as I used a circle template. *Another idea would be a sticker!)

Can you see the S shape?  :)

Another redo to Janet (rainbow ink)

 This is so simple, yet fun.

Below is original idea from Anne Robin on IG. (Don't know why she used 2 stamps -- maybe the content was more than 1 oz?) 

Love this idea, esp. with the red heart stamps. I just hate that it's covering up the d.  (waaaaa.)

This is my first attempt with a Pentel brush pen. Did not turn out -- don't like at all. So much easier to do with my folded pen.

rainbow hearts to Janet

 Am doing a personal IG challenge (100 Days of Redos), and this is one of them (I'm doing a few snail mail pieces for it as well).

Below is the inspo for the redo. I actually did a similar insert for another card last year, but decided to do an env. as well.

I actually did this on watercolor paper too (I made a card), but need to find it, as I love the way it turned out.

Before.

Bicycle Stamp!

 ok, usps, take note! I don't know if there has ever been a US bike postage stamp issued, but they should make some for Bike Month!

Got this int'l. env. today, and the stamp made my day! (I know...doesn't take much.)  Just got an idea -- maybe I should submit some artwork for one! #endlesspossibilities   :)

From the Netherlands