Watercolor Mail Art

I keep trying to make watercolors work for me.  When something happens that I like, I'm always shocked and pleased.  I did these envelopes and card fronts with Tombow markers and water.

When I tried to recreate the same look, of course it didn't work.  That is not always a bad thing.  But this envelope below and card really needed some help.  I pulled out my neocolors to fix both.  I forgot to take a photo of the fixed envelope.  This one isn't totally lacking, but it was much brighter when it was mailed.

The marker watercolors were really lacking on the card, but the neocolors blended well.

I did the brush lettering with the Tombow markers.  They were reviewed on amazon that their brush tips hold up well.  I don't find that to be true, so I'm pretty disappointed on that point.  With some practicing and writing the envelopes with black, then a bit more practicing play, the tip on the black marker is done.  I need to work on how not to let that happen. 

Wishing everyone a good mail day.

xxx

Annie

Altered Dictionary - L

The alphabet letter assigned to us this time is L

My word is LORGNETTE

I knew of these glasses but I did not know what they were called.  I do now.

The image is from a book titled Butterick's 1892 Metropolitan Fashions.  

(This book has a copyright date of 1994.  It is documenting patterns from 1892 with style description, pattern number, yardage required, some notions suggested and the pattern prices ranging from 10cents to 40cents.)

I couldn't believe my luck in finding this single fashion image with the lorgnette glasses.  She is photocopied to tracing paper, colored with a distress marker and colored pencils and spray glued to the dictionary page.

For the previous challenge I had done the word LOOK.  Here is the open book page spread.

Had I chosen these words in opposite challenges, I might have illustrated a man looking at the woman instead of daydreaming out the window.  She obviously isn't interested in him though!  LoL

xxx

Annie

Love Postcard

This postcard is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge this week.

The challenge theme is Love Gives You Wings.

I thought the words were perfect.

The address/correspondence side.

I thought I wouldn't play this week as I couldn't think who I would send this card too.  My postcards are not digital, they are real and I don't like to just keep them, I want to mail them.  But I've never added wings to anything and wanted to give it a try.  Maybe I'll find someone to send it out to next Valentine's Day.  Wait!...it doesn't have to be just for Valentine's Day, so I'll be watching for any love opportunity to mail this one out. 

Happy Valentine's Day

xxx

Annie

Calendar Journal and Mail Art

January 2016 was a month of lettering play.  I also found something to write about every single day.  No filler blocks used.  I had a very playful month that I am very grateful for.

Much of my playful month was filled with mail art play.

My vbff (virtual best friend forever), Sheila, is having a birthday soon.

Some very late mail art went to Abby.  I have not heard whether this card and envelope arrived.  I do hope so.

And this postcard was some best fun to make.  Gina's father is celebrating his 88th birthday soon and she has plans to present him with at least 88 birthday greetings from around the world.  Her Papa loves mail art.

And lastly is a Valentine card.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

xxx

Annie

Altered Dictionary Challenge - F

This fortnight for the Craft Barn's altered dictionary challenge the letter to illustrate is F. And this time with the twist to include a heart.

My word is frippery.

I think she's being showy.

I inked the backside of tracing paper with a mix of distress inks.  On the reverse side I stamped the image with Black Soot distress ink, stamped a tiny heart with Barn Door distress ink and used color pencils to add hints of color.  I cut out the image and spray glued it to the page.  I used a dauber to highlight with Spiced Marmalade distress ink over the word and definition.

I did not know this word before I found it in this dictionary.  I always look for fun new words for this challenge.

xxx

Annie

I don't know what happens to the photos when they transfer to the blog.  When I take them they are clear, but by the time they get here, they look blurry.

Mail Art LOVE

It's the month of Love.  And a bit of a different take on the subject from me this week.  This time I got out my neutrals bin of scraps for my postcard background collage.  Chopped and stitched.  Then a heart stitched on.  Then an envelope charm tied on.  And there you have it...my love of mail art.

I must give credit to the Sunday Postcard Art.  This card started out as just another Valentine card.  But SPA challenged us to create a postcard and add a charm to it.  I had no ideas for a charm.  But after the heart was stitched on and I looked at the card, I decided it needed something more.  The SPA must have planted this charm idea into my subconscious and I remembered that I had a tiny stash of envelope and postcard charms....somewhere in this mess.  Of course they were in the last place I looked and literally hiding right out in the open.  Always the best place to hide something from yourself, or anyone else for that matter.  

"Just another Valentine" transformed into my love of mail art.  Especially for fabric postcards.  This one is in the mail on Monday.

Happy Mail Day!

xxx

Annie