I found her envelope blog by googling 'homemade envelope'.
She runs a fun monthly envelope exchange.
She also introduced me to IUOMA (see yesterday's post).
She made me think about how a stamp can enhance or even be the focal point of an envelope.
She encouraged me to start this blog back in 2013.
And she considers me to be one of her envelope grasshoppers.
Thanks for all the ideas, support and encouragement you've given me in pursuing mail art as a hobby, Jean-san. And happy one-day-late birthday.
I hope you liked your March exchange envelope - I was sure you'd like the Oscar de la Renta stamp.
And here are the other exchange envelopes I sent out to Amy, Cathy and Tina.
Do you have someone who helped you pursue something you were interested in or passionate about?
Did they have to push you, or did they just need to nudge you a little every now and again?
What did you do to show them your appreciation?
You made beautiful envelopes with these impressive stamps.
ReplyDeleteIt was Heleen who introduced me to IUOMA, and thanks to her I also started the blog (And even my knitting!). But I'm not sure if she was aware, at the moment, of all this :)
Thanks. I can see how Heleen would have been a wonderful influence. I'm glad you have your blog, so thanks to you and her.
DeleteYour March exchange envelopes are simply stunning! The Oscar de la Renta stamps are very nice, and you did great with them.
ReplyDeleteJean does a fantastic work through her blog and her envelope exchanges. She is always a source of inspiration for me. As much as you! You are the one who introduced me to the world of making envelopes using magazine pages… or even paper bags! And I will never thank you enough for this. Without knowing it, you also “pushed” me to be more regular on my blog and to try to post everyday.
And it’s funny, I realized I had never read your first blog post until today!
Thanks. While I thought they were nice, I wasn't expecting to like this set of stamps as much as I do.
DeleteGreat to hear that Jean also inspired you, and really surprised to see me on your list! Happy to have had an influence, particularly this year with your paper bag call. And with all the bags you are receiving and sending you probably have more than enough for daily blogging.
It was an intrinsic urge to draw and paint. And to create music.
ReplyDeleteBesides that, it was Postcrossing (so the Portuguese couple who founded it) who made me re-discover my hobby 'sending postcards'. And via Postcrossing (and smurfs) I learned to know Eva. And thanks to Eva I re-discovered the art of letter writing. However, still I don't have enough time to write (enough, long) letters, so I keep on writing on postcards. But Eva woke up a passion I still have to develop (as soon as I'll have more time, that is, when the kids are grown-ups and/or when I'll be retired), namely writing original letters. Of course every content is unique by its words and handwriting. But how about sending envelopes containing letters, written on paper foldable 3D museums, letters in book letter books, and so on?! Thank you so much, Eva!
And of course thank you FinnBadger, for sharing inspiring envelopes!
I have sometimes wondered how you and Eva connected. And Eva is also responsible for my return to letter writing, something I hadn't done since I was a teenager.
DeleteWe connected thanks to the Smurfs, actually :D
DeleteNow I'm feeling guilty for (re)drag you into the hard hobby of letterwriting... Just kidding. As interested party, I'm really happy you write :)
At least I try to do my best to write letters on postcards to you, Eva :-)
DeleteHow nice that you, FinnBadger, have rediscovered letter writing again :-)
This year Eva and I have an 8 years anniversary, do we, Eva? Or 7.5 years. I forgot the exact date, should write it down somewhere..
Yes, in October it would be our 8th postanniversary :D
DeleteWhat a great way to wake up - reading all these nice things about my blog and the tidbits I toss out. I came to teaching through the back door, after I had spent time with many stellar teachers, so it's been illuminating, gratifying, and uplifting to have crossed paths with so many nice people. It would take a long time to list all the people who provided the nudges (and more) that helped me along my path. I'll make a point of mentioning them in future blog posts.
ReplyDeleteAs most teachers will agree, we learn as much from our students as they learn from us. It is hard to explain what exactly we learn. The camaraderie among artist/craftsmen is a bonus. And we should probably give a shout out to the internet (and those people who made it happen) for all the connections we make through the *cloud.*
P.S. Yes, I thought the Oscar stamps were pretty - but pretty doesn't always mean they will provide the best inspiration. They have surpassed my expectations - and yes - I loved the navy envelope.
DeleteGlad you liked it, and glad it made it. I worry sometimes about the whole writing rubbing off in transit. It wasn't easy to write on this glossy paper, I was regretting my choice once I got to your house number :)
DeleteAnd to anyone looking at these stamps - they look nice online, but they are *spectacular* in person. USPS did a great job on the design.
That navy envelope is sublime. I sahll be checking on the stamps on the USA stamp gallery.
ReplyDeleteI got lucky with the latest USA Philatelic catalog - it had these great pictures that made perfect envelopes to match the stamps. The dark blue one is probably my favorite of the set.
DeleteThank you for introducing me to something new!
ReplyDeleteAffirmations for a Good Life
You bet.
DeleteHi FinnBadger - you're part of a really big group of envelope makers - I'm in awe - love the idea ... but won't be joining - in case that becomes an idea. The de la Renta stamps and envelopes are very clever ... so interesting to read how you all got together ... Jean is a good influence ... cheers to you all - Hilary
ReplyDeletehttp://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/j-is-for-jellicles.html
It is a nice group, and yes, the way the connections happened is interesting - I wish I'd kept a better record of how I found people or how they found me.
DeleteI have had many people over the years encourage me and teach me as I pursue my hobbies. These envelopes are fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks! They were fun to put together despite the issues with the white ink.
DeleteI have made a few envelopes over the years but nothing near so fancy and stamp matching as yours.
ReplyDeleteFinding Eliza
These were actually very easy to make. I am sure the recipients loved the effort you took to make something cool for them.
DeleteI love these envelopes.
ReplyDeleteRight before my wedding, I sought out old stamps that I could use to enhance the envelopes for my wedding invitations. There's a place near where I live that you can buy old stamps for 20% of their value. So I bought them and used the prettiest ones to make my envelopes look more interesting. Of course, I never went to the artsy extent that you have gone to with enveloping and stamping.
If only I had more time, this would be a really fun hobby to get into!
With Love,
Mandy
What a nice idea for your invitations. And this doesn't really take that much time - blogging does, but the actual envelope work doesn't in most cases.
Delete