Recycling Security Envelopes as Collage Materials

A couple of months ago, I read in another blog (forgive me for not linking if it's yours, because I don't remember whose it was) about using opened security envelopes as collage material.  I began looking at the business envelopes I receive almost daily in the mail and noticing the cool patterns inside.  Not only are they really cool, but there are lots of designs and colors.  In just a few weeks, I have collected 14 different ones.   Today, I laid them out on the floor to choose some for a project and my little helper, Purrkins, came to hold them down for me.

Cute stocking stuffers

Did you ever search your pocket or purse for a piece of paper and have none?  In the mail art package I received last month from Eileen, the Artful Crafter, were a couple of packets of sticky notes in cute paper holders that she made.  They are assembled like matchbook covers, with sticky notes instead of matches inside. What a great idea!  So I was inspired to make some as little Christmas gifts.

Using Photoshop, I scanned a couple of drawings from my nature journal and made the cover design, adding some swirly brushes to the background and text greetings.  Then I printed them in color and cut and assembled them, using a bit of stick-on Velcro to make them close and hold.  For complete instructions, Eileen's tutorial can be found at Scorit.com.

Catching up - October Mail Art Challenge

The Creativity Challenge for October was "Mail Art" and I was fortunate to be selected for an exchange with Eileen , the Artful Crafter.   Her web site is a resource for people like me, who are looking for new ideas and techniques to use in our mixed media art.  Here's what she sent me:  isn't it lovely?  And there are all sorts of hidden things to discover!

the front of the envelope was a collage of colorful papers, vintage papers, and colorful doodles.  The back of the envelope had more of the same, plus a couple of peek-a-boo places.  After I removed the clear acetate covering, the doors opened to reveal the garden in Eileen's back yard.  Since Eileen lives in Mexico, she decorated the envelope with Mexican colors and designs.    On the lower left, there was a see-thru sun, with chili pepper confettin inse.  And inside the envelope were some special  handmade gifts of notecards, sticky-notes, and a canvas.  The envelope was machine-stitched to keep everything intact, and it came through the mail in almost perfect condition!  I'm afraid the one I sent to her  didn't make it to Mexico in pristine condition, even though the Postal Service clerk who hand-stamped the envelope for me did her best to preserve the art and got a charge out of doing something new like this.    It was fun to put together the package and make an art envelope for mailing, though.  I loved the exchange.   

Thanks, Eileen!