Envelope Swap is Here!

So let's talk "envies".....no, not the plural of envy but an abbreviation for envelopes. 

For those not in the journal/collage world, this is a fun way to dress up "snail "mail envelopes that you have transformed into a piece of art.  Does it make paying bills easier, I doubt it, but it does make the recipient smile!  Imagine getting a birthday card in one of the envelopes below.

Art envelopes, also, can be taped or stapled into a journal and saved in that fashion or made into a mini-book of just envelopes.

Recently, I participated in an "envelope swap" with ten other members of an online group, I belong to, called ABC Altered Book Club.

Here is what I sent........

Envelope No. 1 was fabric stitched to the envelope and embellished with lace and buttons. The sheet music formed a pocket on top of the envelope and contained the vintage advertising and calling cards shown in front.

 

The front of another envelope, the original had the big flag on it, I added the smaller flag stamps and used rubber stamps and red ink that resembles hand writing.  The words "Urgent Delivery" are a part of the original envelope, I stamped the words "cancelled" and "priority". 

The reverse side of the envelope above.

Two other "envies" done with fabric yo-yos, clear overlays, maps and tissue paper.

I glued a vintage post card inside of this envelope, so that it would show through the clear address portion, then I added postage stamps, ink and a overlay quote, that reads"The secret of all those who make discoveries is that they regard nothing as impossible".

So, here is how a swap works.....I made  five envelopes, I bundled them up and sent them off to the hostess who, in this case, lives half way across the country and then you turn south.  Said hostess receives all of the envelopes (remember, there were ten participants) and "divvies" then up.  Then happily, a couple weeks later, you get this BIG envelope in the mail that contains your swap envelopes.....all made by wonderfully, talented women who live in different parts of the country.

These are the beauties I received.......

The one on the left is from Cat Case and the, I'd love to know where she got the artwork, one on the right is from Jeanene.

 

Check out the backs, they are just a cool as the fronts.  Notice the "coke" bottle cap Cat used for the center of her flower.

TOOOOO cute!

 

 

 

 

Look at this hand drawn beauty from Pamela C.

The sweet "Think spring" bird was done by Brigitte and the cleverly done red and blue envelope is unsigned.  Here's the back side of these three.

 

 

I'm not certain what I will do with my collection but I am leaning towards adding them to my journal.

For now, I am putting them in a bowl and setting it on the coffee table for all to see!

This is my third "swap" and I think they are a blast!  Hope you enjoyed seeing them.

I'm linking this blog to How Sweet the Sound Pink Saturday