The Barefoot Crafter

inspiring a playfully creative life

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Cart
  • I Blog About…
    • general stuff
    • quilting
    • mummy stuff
    • writing
    • baking
    • patchwork
    • beading
    • Uncategorized
    • sewing
    • other crafty stuff
  • Archives

July 29, 2016 by: admin

send more snail mail :: December project

a year-long send-more-mail challenge

Back in April – three whole months ago, I started writing a post for the snail mail challenge. I wondered out loud what on earth happened to the last few months? In between school holidays and Butterfly starting school, and my mother-in-law coming to stay for three weeks, and Mr Barefoot travelling a whole lot, my crafty and bloggy mojo disappeared, and it hasn’t long come back. It doesn’t help that my craft room became a dumping ground for everything that was normally stored in my photo studio, in order to convert it to a temporary guest room. A messy room I couldn’t easily access? Yeah. Not much crafting at all. It’s still not real flash. Which also meant the Year of Snail Mail challenge fell aside for a bit.

But slowly, I am finding a balance again, somehow. I have sent the card from last challenge. I have made a pile of handmade cards so I have a stash ready to go, with plans to have a card making session once a month to keep the box topped up. I’ve even got a massive pile of photos waiting for me to get my Project Life back up to date.

In amongst all that, another #book2art challenge was thrown down, with a due date of March 31. I finished a week or so late, but I did get it done! Inspired by (one of) my current books, I decided to mix the two challenges together, and make some mail art.

First up was the stamp part of the challenge, which I had actually carved way back in December. It was a really quick and easy “carve”, and one I actually measured for – fancy that!

I also did a first run of a handmade envelope in January, but I mucked up my measurements when cutting into the shopping bag I was upcycling, so it got put to one side. I ended up “borrowing” a piece of kraft paper from the children’s art trolley, and with a fresh start, I ended up much happier with the finished envelope. The tag stamped on, I set to work with the help of Google Maps to sketch out a dodgy version of a map of south west outback Queensland, and down the Birdsville track to Lake Eyre.LWD-2766-001

The “art”work on the outside of the envelope was inspired by the book, “Mailman of The Birdsville Track” – a biography of Tom Kruse, who travelled the Birdsville track each fortnight for 20-plus years. The reason for the book? Our trip to Birdsville last month. Once it all came together, there was only one recipient I could in good conscience send it to – my partner in blogging crime, who was at home green with envy as I live-texted the performers at the Big Red Bash. I actually had plans to post it from Birdsville, but in the rush of getting out the door, it got left behind.

The finishing touch of the envelope was the embossed liner, using grey embossing powder over a n/e/s/w compass stamp (and set over the toaster because I’m classy like that and don’t have an embossing heat tool). The stamp wasn’t as clear as I would have liked, and in hindsight I would have gridded out the stamping locations for a neater finish.LWD-2767-002

I am so happy with this little project, and it almost feels like a shame to put a stamp on it and trust it to Australia Post!

~~~

NEXT MONTH

Let’s go big and try two projects this month before the real end of year rush comes and hits us – and really, with party season ahead, who couldn’t use a back-up stash of stationery? Let’s send a letter in a pretty handmade envelope and liner. For the second project, I think we should up our addressing game with this cute tag stamp. I can’t wait to see your creativity come out to play! Who’s in for November?

~~~

As part of the snail mail challenge, I will be sending out an email once a month with an advance look at this month project/s and all the details on what I used and how I made them, the next month’s challenges, and maybe even a tutorial or two of my own. (please note, this is a separate email list to my newsletter list, so if you want to receive the newsletter as well, you’ll need to sign up for that here). Sound like something fun you might like in your inbox? Sign up here:

* indicates required

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Challenge squared
Quilted with love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome!

Hi! I'm Rachel. I love making things & experimenting with new techinques & mediums. I am addicted to pretty paper, and make & sell letterpress stationery. Being creative is my sanity break from the rush of life as a wife, and a mother of four. I do a lot of my creating without shoes. This is the story of where my bare feet & creative heart take me.

Looking for something?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Want to get the latest posts right to your inbox? Add your email here to not miss an update!

Affiliate Love

LoveKnitting Free Delivery on all Books at the Book Depository creatiebug Fat Quarter Shop Basic of the Month SaleNew Crochet Kits at knitpicks.com

Archives

One Little Word

…choose…

This year is going to be a big one for our family. There are a lot of changes … [Read More...]

My tutorials

…knitted Christmas trees :: advent blogalong day6…

A few days ago, the kids were playing around with some yarn crafts as part of … [Read More...]

I love to create beautiful things & experiment with new techniques. I hope your time here has inspired you to a new project of your own.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Archives
  • Checkout

© 2021 · Fun Genesis WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.