The Ladies are Back in Town!

That's right they are back together and crafting!
I am super happy to announce that the Cardoholics Anonymous group, a local paper crafting meet up, is back to cutting, gluing, embellishing, and folding this winter!!!  I have to say that if any of you ever have the opportunity, you should seek out a group of crafters to join.  Bouncing creative ideas around and problem solving together, really, really help you unleash your creativity to the fullest extent.  Many times they have struggled with the same materials and will tell you what has worked for them and what they find does not work at all.  Plus you can introduce them to new materials like washi or deco tape.
I know many in this group are focused on mail art, but do not discount the creative talents and ideas of scrapbookers, traditional card makers, rubber stampers, and book binders.  Just ask to bring your own thing and be amazed at the suggestions that roll your way!  I think the true spirit of crafting groups should be to inspire one another to play outside the box or try something different. 

Doing my best to generate positive and creative energy,
-b

Catching up slowly

Hello all,
Here are some more of the incoming I have recieved recently.  A real attempt was made this weekend to catch up and even work on getting ahead!
In no particular order,

A package from Louise at Lou La La Crafts.  And the holiday season starts . . .
Also a zine she contributed to.

A note from a friend.  I'm sure the next will carry tidings of snow. (just check out the postmark for some insight)

From the 365 sisters  and they are always happy for more mail!

Not one but 2 letters from Wolfey! 

2 postcrossings - Happy Sinterklaas Day (12-5)

A sendsomething and a postcrossing

Nora's note.  Still one of the best things to come from Postcrossing

From darling KC, Has it been a year already?

Girl on a Glide moved!  Back to the South and just in time to evade a WY winter!

Fun ads and bits from Patty at Just Letter Rip (blogroll)

A nice note from EF I like the paper bits.

A great image and letter from RN!  I forgot to ask where the image came from, but it's stunning.

A nice letter from L.V.  She was a contributor to the recycle challenge!

I will try to put up some more of my outgoing mail up soon. 
Till then, I hope this tides you all over!
Keep writing!
-Becky

Upcycle- Weird Envelopes

Hello mail land and a special welcome to Luxemborg!
I have a tracker on my views that tells me the countries the viewers are from, and I saw Luxemborg for the first time today- so welcome and yay!

For all the rest, I hope this finds you all ready to create! 
Project 1
The first envelope idea is borrowed from the talented Pamela and I believe I have shown it before, but here it is again.
Start with a brochure of some place fun.  I gutted this one because it was a rather thick brochure and saved some of the inner images to cover other addresses on the exterior.

Add tape.

Finish and mail.

I figure if a picture is worth a thousand words, a brochure could inspire a short story!

Project 2
I have recently become addicted to double envelope books.  I usually just make a 2 part one, but you could easily add in a third and fourth envelope to vary the design. 

Take 2 leftover similar envelopes.

Insert one flap inside the other and adhere the outer 2.  Above is the front view and below is the back view.

The inside after some embellishment.  The letter is to the left and some goodies are to the right.

Tape the othe 3 sides.  I usually only partially tape domestic mail, so people can easily cut it open.  And I usually clue them in to where to cut on the back so the wonderful book effect remains!

If you don't get too crazy with stuffing, it should mail at a normal rate!  I have no problem with the creation of these multipart structures (3 or 4 envelopes), my block is what to shove in to the various compartments without making them cumbersome!
A nice variation is to put the envelopes end to end to make a long fold out.  I have yet to make one and mail it, but I have recieved one from a sendsomething aquaintence!
Hope this finds you all crafty!
-b

Bethlehem is Christmas City USA

Hello all,
I know that usually the Pen Thief posts on interesting cancellations available.  But this one is all mine!  I live in Christmas City USA (aka Bethlehem, PA).  If you are interested in a holiday cancellation, you can send your letters to one of the many post offices on this list by the USPS.  I was a bit surprised to see Bethlehem's sister city just North of town, Nazareth, PA (home of Martin Guitar), also on the list.  I was told today that Bethlehem's postmark is the Moravian star. 

Image from wikipedia

The star can be seen all over town and honors the town's founders, the Moravians - a religious sect that came to Pennsylvania like so many others seeking freedom to worship what they wanted. 
Hope this finds you all happily mailing!
-Becky

Fun Letter

Hello all,
One of the letters I responded to recently was this fancy note from a fellow on sendsomething.  The picture does not do the letter justice! 

There are built in envelopes and packages that contain other little notes and pieces. The edges are woven with 2 ribbon materials and scalloped.  All in all, a very special note!  The sender said he was really into taking the time to hand craft something special for people he writes. 
The front envelope panel is also made of woven paper and on the back (not pictured) is a hand drawn scene of a tree!  It is really nice to receive a letter made with so much care and time!

I hope this finds you all inspired to create!
-b