Aug from Carolyn - Penman mascot

 

I cropped this one from Carolyn to show that it is a good idea that would work on a variety of envelopes. It is probably going to work best with the short first names. I like the white space on the business sized envelope. You can see how it would work with a much longer last name. Of course - the dots are tried and true. 

***

It's mid afternoon on the day I was trying to do 15-20 posts. After chores and baking I did a quick check on Facebook to see if anyone is doing anything. I never post on FB - but find interesting tidbits once in a while. One of MrWilson's cousins (a first cousin, once removed - I like knowing the official terminology of cousins and the use of the word *removed* to indicate a step up or down in generations - one of those useless bits of information - but I digress) MrWilson's first cousin (the mom) posted a photo of the second cousin once removed at his college - Southern New Hampshire University - and she wrote "Go, Penmen!"

One would think that I'd have heard of a university having a penman mascot by now, but one would be mistaken. Here is the blurb on their website:

When SNHU opened its doors in 1932 as the New Hampshire School of Accounting and Commerce, we called ourselves “Penmen.” It was an homage to the accountants and clerks of Colonial New England, who bravely banded together to form a new nation. Alongside merchants, lawyers, farmers and physicians, they proved that the pen is mightier than the sword.

I could not find a good photo showing the full mascot. 

OK, this might be taking it a little too far. 

But, it was 1932 - so, it's a dated perspective.

I guess it's a metaphor and I guess *progress* has been dependent on our ability to write. 

Progress seems like a good idea - until the unintended consequences start popping up.

Maybe we should take a longer view - 

was written language a big turning point?

Aug from Cathy - My co-pilot

 

This stamp was so pretty - I think there was a block of 4 that fit together. I remember using it back at the turn of the century. Cathy had a humorous comment on the back of the envelope. I do not always post the cute things that people add on the backs - but just wanted to let the others know that we're often in the same frame of mind. 

***

I warned you that I was going to be writing 15-20 posts and I have written 7 and I am exhausted. Maybe exhausted isn't the right word. Maybe I feel like writing about something other than the items I found in my folder. 

I've been meaning to mention that I have a blog co-pilot lined up. It might sound strange to be pondering what would happen with the blog and/or the exchange if something catastrophic happened to me. Recently, I was talking to someone who belonged to a group and one of the members died suddenly and unexpectedly. Since none of the members of the group had any contact with the family, they were way out of the loop of information, etc, and it was a difficult situation for them. 

It's been three years since I had my traumatic brain injury. It conveniently occurred at a time that the blog was prescheduled for a month and I was able to update my pen pals and keep things going. I have residual issues with my working memory which are manageable - but it does keep me reminded that one's life can change in an instant and without warning.

Since I value my pen pals, I would not want to leave you hanging, if something happens to me - so I have everything lined up for my co-pilot to be notified by my family to take over. I've always been the type to take steps to cover potential catastrophes - because it seems like taking the time is like an insurance policy that nothing will happen. So, I'll probably be plugging along for a while. And if something does happen, nobody will be left hanging - and wondering what happened.

July from Cathy - Vanilla Frosting font

 Good news regarding yesterday's concern that Amy might be a weed-aficionado. She assured me that she, too, has been fighting the battle. Whew.

Cathy's July envelope snuck in with the August envelopes. I hope I remember to steal this idea. Although the success is a function of letting the stamp inform the colors and then also repeating the sketchy quality of the image on the stamp. Simple can be stunning. There's a nice notecard inside - which reminds us how lovely summer was. Thank you to the USPS for leaving the postmark off.

***

Here is a font that one could use if they needed more ideas to go with the one that we call Mish-Mash. You can type in whatever name or words you want to get some ideas. Or you could buy the font. Or you could type the alphabet into the sample feature and make yourself write each letter and create your own exemplar. Or you could shoot screen shots - but I highly recommend making yourself write what you see because that's good practice.

https://creativemarket.com/Nickylaatz/107845-Vanilla-Frosting-Typeface

Aug from Amy - Stitching words

 

Amy had a clever way of repeating the butterfly. The J is lovely - but to be honest - that split butterfly made me wince. Amy doesn't seem like the type to rip butterflies in half.  Then I realized that it was two butterflies in the position where the wings are folded together and the viewer sees them in profile. Whew. Crisis averted. I'm curious about the large drawing and how it evolved. It's interesting the way the butterfly morphs into a plant or maybe it's the other way around. The plant reminds me of my battle to the death with morning glory weeds. Grrrrrrrr. And then - another weed inside. I guess Amy is one of those open minded people who finds beauty in weeds. I won't hold it against her. Although, I have her address and if I am ever out her her way - I might drive by and check out her yard. 

***

From my bookmarked folder - something for those of you who are interested in stitching and/or straight-jackets.

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2018/04/19th-century-embroidered-straightjacket/

The description raises so many questions, but time does not allow for further research into Agnes. 

August to JeanR and Irene - Cursive

 

Here are two more Chuckerish designs. Or should that be Chuckeresque? I like how Chuck gets credit for the entire Arts and Crafts movement. There's another name used for that style and I can never remember what it is. I'm sure someone will remember and send me an email. 

I like comparing the two variations and can't say that I prefer one over the other. I'm annoyed that I forgot to add the squares to Irene's - but, I like the colors a lot. Maybe I didn't add the squares because the flowers are a bit larger and there really isn't enough space for them. I think Jean's squares should have been a little lighter. I could have lightened them with white colored pencil.

***

I apologize if this is not interesting. It's an article - How the ballpoint pen killed cursive -  from 2015 and I have no idea when I bookmarked it.

I did not re-read it when I found it in my folder of items to share on the blog. This year the Des Moines public schools are going to teach cursive again - which makes me happy. I don't put too much stock in any of the opinions about cursive. It's one of those topics that is deeply personal and there are so many different ways to teach reading and writing that cursive is bound to be controversial. Nuf said.

How the ballpoint pen killed cursive 

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-the-ballpoint-pen-killed-cursive?utm_source=pocket-newtab

August from Leslie - Paper cutter

We are jumping ahead to an envelope that arrived in August because it features some masterful paper cutting. Leslie cut those little circles by hand - she did not have a long arm paper punch. I will repost this one when I do all the envelopes that arrived in August (there's fun stuff inside the envelope) - but, I really love this one and thought it would be fun to post it with the adorable paper cutting add-on. 

Leslie's come up with some really good ideas since I have added my middle name. I'm wondering if anyone else would like to add their middle name to the exchange - just to see what happens.

***

More masterful paper cutting. The little people are just the tip of the iceberg.

LINK to Laura K Sayers

August to Janet - Paula Kovarik

 

This looks like something that Chuck might have done - or maybe I found it on Pinterest. Obviously, I did not have a stamp in mind. I'm writing this on Sept 4th and will start my Sept envelopes tomorrow. I'm going to be vigilant about coordinating the envelope design with the stamp. 

***

From my stash of bookmarked items - this is just one image off the site and I did not re-surf to see what else she has posted. I'm itching to try something like this. Hopefully there are some stamps that want to join forces.

LINK to paula's website

August to Cathy, Christy, Leslie & Mia - yawning

Below is the inspiration envelope that I posted in December of 2014. It is from Alyce. I need to email Alyce and find out how she is doing. If you want to see how much I have deteriorated, you can go to the post via the link I have provided. I used to have all kinds of things to say about design. Maybe I feel like I am being redundant after so many years of saying the same things. It's not like anyone is going to come up with new elements and principles of design. Maybe once in a while - but they are like the tools in your tool box. Clearly I strayed pretty far from Alyce's design. Cathy's seems better with more curve. I'm tempted to do a few more of these and keep them closer to Alyce's.

http://pushingtheenvelopes.blogspot.com/2014/12/alyces-exchange-envelope.html

I got a kick out of reading the comments that people left.

Alyce's bold black on the name is better - but I'm not sure it would have been better with longer names.

Leslie's - with a larger name is better - but it might have looked better to pick up the blue in the stamp.

I can live with the *Leslie* because the shapes refer to the shape of the petals. I deeply regret the way I wrote KANE. Pitiful.

Mia's might be my favorite - because it looks nice with the three stamps. I also prefer the paler pink.

It does not need a bolder name because the stamps take up so much space.

It's a steal worthy idea - maybe someone will do one on an exchange envelope to me.

***

I found a second folder with random items I had bookmarked to maybe add to the blog. Here's a short video with yawning (1 minute and 27 seconds) The babies are great - then the older people are less interesting, but the animals at the end are wonderful - and the punchline is cool.

LINK to yawning video

August to Lynne - Naive art

 So-so idea. So-so flowers. Sometimes I can toss off little drawings that look naive. Other times they are just clunky. These are clunky. So clunky, I only did one of these.

From my stash of links - here is someone who had nailed the *naive* style. She even has a ton of patterns for people to buy to copy her style. I wonder if people who buy patterns because they can't draw know that they could do really nice naive art if they just drew their own stuff. I wonder where I could get some non-drawers to try some experimenting. 

While I like this person's style - sometimes it gets too busy for me. Jessie Chorley - 44, lives in London.

https://www.jessiechorley.com

Her work in her studio

Items from her shop

Aug to Mary and Sharen

Two ho-hummers. As I recall, I did all the envelopes before sign up and then filled in names. Maybe that's what's caused all the ho-hummy-ness. Maybe I do better when the names are the feature.

Brace yourselves, there are only 7 posts scheduled - so I need to write 15-20 today and they might be complete duds. Or maybe this is the universe telling me that I should be writing posts that are more current. Does the universe talk to us? What do they call that voice in your head that asks questions?

Too many questions. At least we can switch to the August incoming mail tomorrow.
 

August to Kate and the K challenge

There will be more of these - and hopefully I'll find the inspiration envelope. I'm happy with the colors and the stamp. A non-streaky marker probably would have been better. Warming up so that the lettering did not look so labored would have been a good idea.

I LOVE this page I found on a website that I found in my stash. I LOVE the whole concept. If the website has 26 challenges - one for each letter - I might have to delve into it and see if it would provide some ideas that I would like better. I dug a little and did not find any other letters.

http://www.lettercult.com/archives/2050

It looks like the website has withered away -- but there's a ton of stuff if you want to excavate.

Just one of many:

 

Aug to Patty - Halloween ideas

Meh. Fun to do - but pretty ho-hum. I'm on my second round of envelopes using those stamps and they are beautiful - but, it's challenging to find good ideas when there is only one each of the designs. 

I think I've mentioned that it's time to come up with some Halloween ideas if you want to stay ahead of the curve. Here's a link from that stockpile of links I discovered. It looks like a plethora of ideas for elementary school teachers - with free downloads. Many categories. I clicked on Halloween - so feel free to surf around in other areas.

I think those stamps would be a good match with Halloween motifs.

https://pariscorp.com/product-category/printworks-papers/free-project-downloads/?s=halloween&action=search

 

Aug to Jessica - 2020 USPS thank you

I know I said yesterday that I was not going to do any surfing at the Cowboy Kimono website - but a USPS thank you caught my eye - so I clicked on it. It's a post from Oct 2020 - back in the olden days when we were coping with the pandemic. I say that as if 2024 is a walk in the park. Probably not - but 2020 gave us a little perspective.

Below is one of my ideas for August. I thought I did two of these - but only found one in my folder of photos. I was appropriating an idea and did not have a stamp in mind - it would have been a lot better if I had used something off the stamp instead of those little square designs. I think I added something to indicate birthday wishes. 

***

Rest in peace, Ward Dunham. 

The readers who are calligraphers will probably recognize his name. 

He was a big teddybear of a man - known for his blackletter. 

I met him at a couple conferences many years ago. 

More of his work pops up if you Google his name.

Aug to Grace and Juliana - Cactus Patch Mail Art

This is the first of the envelopes I sent in August. I think there are only about 5 ideas. This one was so much fun to do. I used the new Sharpie markers that are opaque and acrylic but not paint pens. I did not have a stamp in mind and both of these look good with the black edge on the stamp - but both are just crying for some color and I was not sure where to add color - so I just dropped them in the mail. 

I found a folder with a label that says [For PTE] which sounds like places I found during surfing and saved them for later. It will be amusing to see what kind of stuff I find. The first one has a darling envelope. I'm not going to spend any time re-looking at the site. All y'all are on your own to decide whether or not it's of any interest to you.

Cactus Patch Mail Art - from Cowboy Kimono - sounds like some fun cross-pollination of ideas

https://cowboykimono.com/cactus-patch-mail-art/

 

July from Maggie - Angelina from Portland

Maggie's pointed pen work is on point. Is that a pun? There is a cactus envelope coming up that I wish I had added to this post .... but, I'm disorganized.

The add on today is from my stockpile I'll mention tomorrow. I'm still struggling to write my posts in chronological order. It looks like a calligrapher who has not added anything since 2016. There is some nice work - and I appreciate the sentiment of her last post. 

When I started teaching art classes for kids, I noticed that quite a few kids hum or sing while they work. It can be very distracting. My three kids did not hum or sing - but my poor daughter is blessed with two hummers. It's sooooo distracting. Once in a while she just has to ask them to stop. I have not done any research into that background humming that kids do. 

Here's the link to the website - Angelina - who was in Portland OR at some point. Maybe she is still there.

https://jotsfromafar.wordpress.com

 

July from Patty - September Exchange Sign-up

99% sure this is from Patty - as I finish up the July envelopes while on my trip to Chicago. These stamps have generated so many good ideas. I even bought another sheet of them. Patty did a fun card and if I was home, I would tell you about her inspiration for the card. Maybe I'll figure out an update. Somehow, when I return from trips it is like starting over with a clean slate. Or sometimes it's like I ended up in an alternate universe. Chicago is almost seeming more familiar to me. 

Anyhow - we can all experience the wake-up call that we are two thirds of the way through the year and those of us who want to stay on the organized side of life are going to be working on Halloween ideas. 

***

Today through Sept 4th is the window to sign-up. 

If you participated in the August exchange - just shoot me an email that says: SIGN ME UP - 

and you will get your list on Sept 5th. 

Let me know if it is your [Birthday] month or if you are willing to be on [2 Lists].

This streamlined sign-up is only for people who signed up in July - as I will not dig back through old lists to find your information.

If you are an occasional exchanger - or a new exchanger - or took August off - then send the following info in this format:

Jane Doe

123 Oak Street

Ames, IA 50010

janedoe@aol.com

[Birthday]  [2 Lists]

If you are new to the exchange - here is a LINK to tips on how the exchange works