send more snail mail :: December project

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.

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.

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: