How Does Your Creative Process Work?

My Journey  Exploring the Creative Process

I have decided that I want to work on my (lack of )  watercolor skills!  I thought simple projects would fit the bill....and so the humble postcard it is.   I mainly get my ideas for watercolors from what's around me...or good ol' Pinterest!  Until I learn the techniques...I will need to study other works and then go from there.

These are my favorite from the last bunch that I did.  I did spray them with a water color sealer. Warning:  It takes a few weeks before the odor evaporates,  These were painted on Cotton Arches and credit goes to Pinterest.

I'm trying not to waste my watercolor paper and so I "practice up" first.  My first attempt at the study  is in my  mixed-media sketchbook.  After sketching the picture,  I work on painting it.

I do another run of the same painting in my Traveler's notebook.  

Haha...I make mistakes everywhere!   Seems I don't know how to spell "December"!

But, three attempts is not always a charm!  My post cards of my winter catus...turned out to be quite disappointing.  I totally forgot what perspective I was working on...haha!   I even  tried covering up my mistake with a label!  It's all good...I send them to my twin sister and ya know what?  She doesn't care!!! ;-)

I thought I would share with you some of the books that I find helpful for learning to sketch and watercolor techniques.  This book is definitely a keeper!  You won't waste a cent on this book.  It's also a great primer on plein air painting as well.  I am not in the practice of carrying around a sketchbook, or doing a "sketch-a-day" but I would love to start getting into that habit. What about you?  Do you add watercolor or other medium to your snailmail?  

A Sketch A Day

Will Keep

Mistakes

Away!

Pam 

Merry Christmas...and look at these cards!

Merry Christmas 2018!!

I recently attended a wonderful card making workshop.  This was open to all ages at my church and we had some that were as young as 3 and 4.  I was stationed at this particular styled card.  The more "advanced" card making was at a different table.  We had so much fun, and the children did an amazing job!  The cards were destined to be delivered to a local nursing home.

We signed each card...

I just adore the work that Rachel (6) did on her Christmas trees...and her older sister Lydia decided she wanted to do a different tree altogether.  So creative!

One thing I wanted to share with you is the dual tip brush pen I found at the Dollar Tree which  I saw  on my last trip.  They had a good supply with various colors but  I only purchased one so I could "test it" and not waste money.  I was hugely surprised!  These are  made from a Japanese company

"Marvy"...and let me tell you...they are MARVELOUS!  They have a nice firm tip and are "juicy" so they allow for different levels of color. The marker tip is very fine and works well too.  When I was at the check out, the cashier was gushing about the pen.  He said he did calligraphy and they were great. I should have run back and swiped all of them, but I didn't.  

Here is a closer look...

Needless to say, I went back and bought several more in various colors of what was left.  Evidently the word got out about this product...I hope they get more in!  Moral of the story...trust your Dollar Tree cashier...they know what they are talking about!

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas

and a Happy New

Year!

Pam

Pen Pal Kit

Incoming Autumn mail (late post)

My Happy Mail Box!

I am sorry to be so behind on posting incoming mail.  But here are two of my most recent.

This cute little Halloween Letter made it to me rather late because it was sent to my old address.

But, because we live in the most efficient  postal  country in the world...it was delivered to me after a little visit at my former home in the country.   Laura is a Pinterest folllower, and if my stats tell me ANYTHING....there are a lot of you out there! ;-)   Laura is a calligrapher...and her work is beautiful! Thank you so much, Laura, I will be writing you soon!

The beautiful autumn themed envelope was from my dear friend , Elaine!  She is one of my super talented card making whizzes!  I absolutely love to be on the receiving end of one of her beautiful cards.  She has recently started selling her cards locally at a local book shop.  She should do very well!

My Incoming Mail Pile

Is in sorry need of

me to start

writing

back.

!

Pam


Pen Pal Kit

Elvis Was Here Snail Mail

A Little Elvis Fun 

When these stamps came out earlier this year, I knew I HAD TO HAVE THEM!  You see, I have a family connection to Elvis through my grandmother.  My grandmother actually got to meet Elvis in a flower shop that she was managing on a Christmas Eve.  The story is BIG in our family history.  But I like the presentation of these stamps as well...black , white, and gold... totally speaks "Classy" to me.

I like to base quite a bit of my mail art on my stamps and this stamp is no exception.

I grabbed my black envelope/card set,  white calligraphy ink, black and white washi tapes, stickers, and got to work.  This is what I came up with.

An Instagram "buddy" of mine introduced me to Dr. Ph Martin's Pen White ink for calligraphy.  This is the second white ink I have tried.  The first ink was too watery and translucent.  I wanted a more opaque ink, and one that sat on top of the paper.  At one point I had to add a drop of water to the ink because it started to become too thick.  I don't know all of the technical terms that ink reviewers use when doing their thing...that is the best that I can do for you!  But if you do use this ink, don't be in a hurry.  It takes several hours (overnight?) to dry completely.  You will see on my envelope that I have a few smudges and splatters.  I'm not the best one to take my own medicine.

 The ink writes very smoothly, I appreciated that.  The nib I am using is a new Brause nib, which also worked nicely.

Here is a bit closer shot of the card with dimensional sticker, a home made black tag, and envelope.  All together, I think it turned out some what classy, minus the smudges and splatters.

Ah.  Let us take a closer look at these smudges and splatters!  I thought the use of the sticker in the return address area gave it an area of interest.  Over all, it was a fun Elvis project that I think my sister will enjoy.  It gave me an opportunity to try out this ink, and now I am anxious to use it some more!

Let me know what you have been doing in your snail mail corner!

The craftier the better,
Happy Snail Mailing,

Pam

Thank You Snail Mail

Home Made Thank You  Cards

I wanted to make some simple thank you cards...and so I did.  I just got out my ink and calligraphy pen and started.  It is that simple.  Purchase some blank cards.  Use rubber stamps,  markers, stickers, what ever you have on hand.  Or just write on it like I did.   Everyone enjoys a hand written , lovely note.

Write notes,
Write often!

Lady Pamela

Outgoing Austen Mail

Uses for paper bags...

This is a paper bag envelope.  This particular print really lends itself to "Austen Mail", don't you think?  Lace, silhouettes, and vintage prints all seem to beckon to a by gone day.  Except, we can make it a daily part of our lives with just a few supplies and  inspiration!  And while you are at it, try to include a few of your favorite  Austen Quotes

This  envelope is a vintage print bag I purchased off of Etsy.  I used my scallop punch and made the folded edge pretty.

You know me by now...I just have to finish off a letter, particularly Austen Mail...with a wax seal.With the doily, red velvet ribbon and wax seal I had to enclose this envelope in a cello bag envelope.  I'm sorry I do not have a picture of it in  its cello bag.  I also had to remove this stamp and place it on the outside of cello bag.  The Postal Clerk was so sweet.  She looked at this work of art and I guess felt that a metered postage stamp would mar the appearance , so she figured out how many stamps would need to be affixed....AND she asked me if I was interested in purchasing any other stamps....(oh yes, I always do!) so she let me look through the giant 3-ring binder...mind you there was a line of folks behind me.  I love the USPS!!!!!

Write Letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela