Extra scrapbook paper? Make envelopes

I've slowly been working my way through leftover scrapbook and Stampin Up DSP paper.  While incorporating it into cards is great, it does take a while to work through those leftovers pieces - the ones that no longer have matching paper or stamps.  To help get a handle on the situation, I busted out an old favorite, The Envelope Mill, to put some of those to good use.

The book provides you with three different template sizes and I used the largest (a regular business size envelope) since the paper I was working with was 12"x12".  After you trace and cut, you glue the side flaps together and viola!, you have some of the nicest looking envelopes in the mail.

 

Even if you don't have access to the book, there are plenty of templates online to get you started.  What do you think?  Have you tried it?

Letter Writers Alliance

A friend of mine joined the Letter Writers Alliance last year and recommended the organization to me.  Even though I hadn't had the chance to blog about it, I joined a received my membership card a few weeks ago.

I'm thrilled to be part of an organization whose mission is:

"The LWA Mission

In this era of instantaneous communication, a handwritten letter is a rare and wondrous item. The Letter Writers Alliance is dedicated to preserving this art form; neither long lines, nor late deliveries, nor increasing postal rates will keep us from our mission.

As a member of the Letter Writers Alliance, you will carry on the glorious cultural tradition of letter writing. You will take advantage of every opportunity to send tangible correspondence. Prepare your pen and paper, moisten your tongue, and get ready to write more letters!" - LWA

If you enjoy reading or writing letters, consider joining the organization.  For me, it's been money well spent so far.  Even if you don't, I'd recommended reading their blog, which has interesting stories, postal history, and more highlighted on it.  Happy letter writing!

 

Royal Mail

When was the last time you could say you received a letter in the mail that made you run! (not walk) to open it?  Today, I did: 

 

Did you catch that?  That's right my friends, mail from Buckingham Palace.  A few weeks before Christmas, I wrote a letter of congratulations to Her Majesty, The Queen on Her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2012.  I received a letter of thanks and a souvenir program in return - simply lovely photographs from throughout her reign.  This is one letter to save!

What's old is new again

See all of those?  They are a fraction of the past year's handmade cards that I have received from other stampers.  They were residing in a shoe box (decorated at least!) in my closet when they were not chosen for display.

Until now that is.  This week I've decided to start upcycling and reusing the tops of the cards.  It's a shame to let them sit.  And honestly, the month of January disappeared and I still have mountains to do for the shower.  It's win-win for me - I get to declutter the card box and give these beauties another life.  Off to work, but I'll be looking for new base card colors for these later tonight.

Pen pals

I received this little gem of a letter from a pen pal last week.  I've been admiring it propped up on my kitchen table and just realized that the stamp was never canceled.  I thought about reusing it, but the recycled envelope is too cute to rip apart...

The best time to frame...

The best time to frame an answer to the letters of a friend, is the moment you receive them. Then the warmth of friendship, and the intelligence received, most forcibly cooperate.

~William Shenstone

Sampling of a few of the cards that will be going out in coming weeks.  On an average week, I probably send 10-20 cards in the mail.  The designs normally vary, as do the recipients.  Going through my card stash the other day though, I realized that I need to make more 'guy' cards.  The designs for men seem to be harder to come up with.  I wish that there were some more male themed stamps sets that did not involve ties, boats, stripes, or trees. 



To send a letter...

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart. 

~Phyllis Theroux

If you haven't sent any valetines yet, now is the time to do so!

Letter writing is...

Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company. 

-Lord Byron

What a lot...

What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.  You can't reread a phone call.  -Liz Carpenter