Owl to Maggie

This was another Owl idea I had for my 31 Env.'s Challenge.

Decided to use for Nov. PTEx, however...

...after drawing the owl, I immediately thought it'd be fun to match with lettering and then, I envisioned an M with the owl's face! (specifically, an uncial m). But I did not have any M exchangers. Enter Maggie!

I rarely get Maggie for PTEx. Don't know why. I get a lot of repeat exchangers, but never Maggie. SO how perfect to send her way! The only thing is I got excited and worked too quickly, so my letters didn't turn out up to par. Not bad though!

And here's the back.

This was an insert I wanted to send (b/c of Thanksgiving), but my other lettering wasn't turning out (or rather, I'm blaming the paper, as my lettering was decent enough; the ink just bled. -- waaaa.) Sent her a different Thankful insert (see fp blog on Nov. 23)

Spider them to Maggie

 My spiderweb "calligram" didn't turn out (itsy bitsy spider), but I didn't want to waste the env. so I did my altered gothic for Maggie.

Had a little "fun" with the address too (on the back):

B-day to Maggie

Maggie's bday is today, Feb. 18, so I tried to make her env. Celebratory without being too V-Day-ish (as I don't know if she likes that or not).

I was worried it'd look too C'mas-y with the colors (b/c of the stamp), but hopefully not.

3d puff paint "design" of "happy birthday to you!" around edge, and fun pp lettering for her name.

And did an additional design on the back.

For the insert, I did a decorative letter, also with 3d puff paint. ("Celebrate")

Snowflakes to Maggie (Marker)

Decided to do Maggie's on teal paper, just to mix it up with the stamp.

So mad I forgot to take a pic of the back, as I used some hot pink accents, and it was fun.

 

Teal name on Pink to Maggie

I forgot to sign up for the PTEx in August, so I decided to send one to Maggie, as it's been a while since I've exchanged with her.

Don't like my stamp placement (didn't gauge out the lettering very well). I should have placed it lower under the e. (grrrr.)

Matches so pretty though!

I always find her name challenging to do (with the double g's), so I tried to dupe this practice piece:

I like the practice piece better.  😕

Used my Hiro poster nib.

"hello" on letter was tricky with my white Ziller ink.

again, practice sheet much better. (walnut ink)

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

Purple owl to Mary (Sept)

Matching the stamp colors, so it went on a purple env.

Outlined owl (same as one I sent to Maggie last year:  https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/search?q=maggie ), 

and again, perfect with the M in her name!

Sticker "pumpkins" on back.

and with insert.

V-Day env.'s (marker designs)

To go with my 100 Day Marker Challenge, I used my chisel nib white Sakura Pen-Touch marker:

https://www.dickblick.com/items/sakura-pen-touch-calligrapher-pen-medium-point-5-mm-white/

If it was too light, i then went over with my broad-edge Posca pen.

I did the names on their side (or stacked vertically along with length-side of the env.) trying to make a design. Not sure how well it worked, but something different!

Collage pic of 4.

Janet's.

On end.

  

Nanski's on it's side. (embellished with color)

Jean's plain with gold embellishments.

Nanski's insert. (also done with marker)

to Maggie. First attempt. (So mad... messed up the L upper corner.) So, I redid. 

Circle stamp design to Maggie

I have a ton of paper samples from my days as a graphic design student, so at times, I play around with them and make my own decorated envelopes. Here is one sample I made recently with a swirl stamp:

And now, here it is addressed:

Didn't have a good stamp to go with it, so used one of my baseball stamps, since it's still baseball season! (Someday I'll get my small printing right.  :/   )

the back sealed

 

Music Marker to Maggie

For this one, I tried to re-create my original music one from last year (Pinspo):

https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2020/10/music-env-card.html

Used a Marker for my IG Challenge. I don't think I remembered to take a pic of the insert.

 

Cheers to Maggie!

One last New Year's card & env.

Walnut ink and metallic watercolors with gold writing over. Same design as Jean & Janet's: 

 https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2020/12/cheers-to-jean.html

Diff. lighting (to see metallics better). Before stamp.

With card. This one turned out better than Jean's (didn't bleed!)

white tree on blk to Maggie

I wanted to do a black env., but it's always tricky with Cmas, so I tried to duplicate this tree below (from years past), However, my attempt was not the best.

Didn't turn out so well, as I used a slant tip Posca vs. my brush marker. (but let's hope she still likes!)

(Fudebiyori brush marker)

I then used the Fudebiyori brush for the card insert, but I liked it so much as B&W, I decided to leave as is vs. adding color.

Close up.

And some mixed ink on the back flap.

another for my non-traditional colors folder!

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.)