Pocket Letter #3: "Summer Time"

Pocket Letter #3:  "Summer Time"

This pocket letter was the first mixed media pocket letter I made, even if it was not the first I sent.

I love creating pocket letters doing this because it gives them an element of puzzle.

There were however a few mistakes made along the way.  The good thing is that I learned from those mistakes and my other mixed media pocket letter came out better.

The most important thing I learned was to make a template of the 9 pocket on the page before placing or creating the important features of the pocket letter.

On my next PL I lightly traced with a pencil 9 squares (2.5 x 3.5) after creating the background.  This help to greatly with the placement of the words.

Words are a very important aspect of my pages so making sure to know where the cuts are going to be will help me in the future to have a more pleasing and complete pocket letter image.  As you can see my message got a little cut up on this pocket letter.

Some materials I used were:  Zenspirations stencil, summertime seahorse stencil, Dylusions letter stencils (background), and some sea shell stencils for the images in the background.  Other materials are mixed media paper and Reeves deep turquoise acrylic paint.

As you can see mistakes are just learning opportunities!!!

Thanks for coming this way and visiting and remember that in art there are never mistakes but opportunities for beautiful things.

WonderingMindField

Pocket Letter #2

"Butterflies" Themed Pocket Letter #2

"I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light." - Helen Keller 

Materials:

-Mixed Media Paper

-Prima  Bloom Stencil (Sharon)

-Blick Modeling paste

-Assorted dictionary papers

-Reeves acrylic paint: deep turquoise

-TimHoltz paper washi tape

-Dylusions spray paints:  squeezed orange, postbox red, crushed grape and pure sunshine

 I first created this pocket letter to try something different, which is to create a journal page then cut it up and create a pocket letter out of it!

This page started with mixed media paper that was covered in dictionary paper, washi tape, and stencils to add background texture.  I then covered the page with Reeves acrylic paint (deep turquoise) and then with modeling paste I use the Prima stencil to create the image.

Using modeling paste adds dimension and texture to the piece.  I thought about coloring the entire piece but decided to just let the background come through the piece.

The butterflies were painted with Dylusions spray paints and a fine bush to keep the paints on the lines.  After I used a guillotine cutter to make sure to cut the page in 9 pieces each 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches long.  This is the standard sizes of he trading card protector used to create the pocket letter.

When cutting the piece I lightly traced the section on he piece to make sure I could preserved the image as best as possible so when put in the pocket the image still look pleasing.  This is the reason the words where glued last after the piece was cut to make sure I could keep them together.

The back of the pocket letter is filled with all kind of goodies and useful things you like to give the recipient of the letter.  I filled mine with washi tape samples, tea, clips, tags, post-it, twine, stickers, wood embellishments, and a little enveloped filled with more stickers and embellishments.

I do like the back of my pocket letters to be pleasing to look at without too much work so I stamped leaves and used kraft paper.  This way when all the goodies are taken the page still looks finished.

I hope the recipient of this pocket letter likes it and enjoys the goodies. This is a lovely way to express yourself and let others get to know you through art.  For more pocket letter information visit the pocket letter pals network.

Thank you for visiting this corner of my art soul and hope you come back.  Take care and always enjoy the journey!

Wonderingmindfield

My Very First: "Pocket Letters"

A little while ago I came across a YouTube video about a cool idea called Pocket Letters.  This was started by Janette Lane.  You can check out some of her videos by clicking on the link attached to her name.

The videos will show how it works and some ideas on how to create one.  The main concept is to fill a 9-pocket trading card protector with goodies and art, instead of baseball cards. FUN!


I liked the idea and decided to just decorate some pieces of paper I have on my paper pile and try a swap.

The first thing you need to do is find people to trade with, so go to the Pocket Letter network and join. They have all the information you need on how to start trading pocket letter as well as the rules of trading.  You can also do your own swaps with friends and family, It would also be a great activity with the kids! Just have them trade handmade cards with their friends or you.

My approach was to join an event.  An event is a one-time or an on going swap that someone in the network has already created.  The creator of the event or swap, states the theme, rules and deadlines for the swap.  I let the creator know how many people I want to swap with as well as, if I want to exchange with someone from the USA, international or both.  Just read all the rules because they contain good information and it will state the last day to sign up for the event and the mailing deadline.  The creator then sends out a listing to the members who join the event with the assigned partners.

This network works a lot like Facebook.  You have a profile page, you can upload pictures, make comments about other member's creations, and even befriend other members.  The big difference is that this site is for the crafty in you not for drama or bad gossip. :) I personally enjoy visiting and wish them all the luck in the success of the site.

For my pocket letter here are some of the materials I used to create the cards that go into the 9-pockets.

• Dylusions “over the edge” mini stamps and “Border Clear Stamps” from Oriental Trading.
• Cut outs:  mini dress and assorted hears sizes and shapes.
• Colored scraps background, dry wall tape, acrylic paints and washi tape scraps.
• BCW 9-pocket sleeves.

I liked the way it turned out and hope that my pocket pal does too.  Another thing I wanted to mention is that you’re suppose to fill the pockets with treats and also a letter with a personal message should be included.  I filled the back of this one with washi tape samples, decorated post it notes, handmade stickers, beads, and just assortment of treats, which included a Tazo tea bag. You must include something like tea bags of a small candy, depending on your partners preferences.

If you have tried it or would like to and want more information, leave me a comment.  I will post about the pocket letter I got when I receive it.

Thanks for visiting this corner of my world and have a great day!
WonderingMindField

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