Cards Need Envelopes...

Let me warn you there are lots of photos for this post.  I recently shared how I made lots of cards in preparation for all of my weekly and April's National Letter Writing mailings.  Well then I needed envelopes for all those cards.  I thought I would buy some but didn't get to the store. I couldn't find my envelopment maker due to it may be packed away.  So...what to do!

I got out my supplies and made it up as I went along.  Fun papers 12" x 12" I cut in half.

Then I scored the 6" x 12" strips at 4 3/8", 8 7/8" and 10 1/2".  This size will fit my 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" cards I created.

Next I clipped the flap corners off to give it some interest.  At this point I could have used any of my fancy paper scissors or my fancy edge punches. I merely was keeping it simple.
 

The flap I glue sticked. I will confess the glue stick did not stay stuck and I ended up having to redo all my flaps with Yes glue.  I always learn something each time I craft.

Here are envelopes in process.

Knowing my envelopes had no side space for stitching or gluing I decided to use my Washi tapes and let them seal the edges and add decoration to my papers.  I need to use my Washi tapes because I have learned they have a shelf life and some no longer peel cleanly and some no longer stick at all.

I had fun selecting decorative papers for my envelopes and matching them up to my cards.

Here are some cards paired with envelopes ready for personalizing and mailing.  Many of my papers can be addressed with a permanent Sharpie pen and some I prefer to use a separate label.

Thank you for following along with me.  I do hope recipients of my mail appreciate the time and effort I put into sending cheerful happy mail.  Mr. C thinks I am nuts to spend hours making them.
We are awaiting more rain.  It is overcast and gloomy.  Earlier today Mr. C and I washed his sports car so he could tuck it away for safe keeping until sunnier weather.  Even though today is officially Spring we know we are in for at least two more months of Winter.  May your flowers be blooming.
Now we are on to Easter and lots of fun ideas. This year one of my sister's has her birthday on Easter so we will be double celebrating. 
Discovering My Bliss in 2017...

Making NLWM Cards...

I NEED a lot of cards.  So I walked into my studio last week and with all good intentions of sorting and purging and downsizing...I instead found myself making cards.  April is National Letter Writing Month and I always participate.  Lindsay Ostrom, Miss Creator of Cuteness, is our fearless cheerleader/organizer for this FB group.  Thank you very much Lindsay dear.  In years past I have mailed to everyone but that got a little too carried away for me.  So now I will have one pen pal and then of course send to others at my discretion and time allowances. 

I have lots of supplies and have vowed to use what I have and not run to the store for more stuff!  Here you can see I am going old school and stamping and embossing cards.  Mr. C has been the only user of my vintage purple heat tool in his car building garage the past few years.  Not now!  I was in my glory with embossing those fine beautiful powders onto card stock.

Here you see I didn't just make one. I wanted to make lots so I have a good supply in my stash.

I also use catalog and magazine cut outs, along with card fronts from received cards and of course my Lindsay designed coloring images.
 

I am in no way any type of artist however I do have the supplies necessary.  I buy them with the hopes that I shall become an artist via osmosis.  LOL  I did stamp this and then embellish it with my colored pencils.  I wanted a very serene scape.  Yes, I am the one who colors a sun in the top corner of my paper...ever since I was old enough to color.  I still need a lot more cards. 
Our weather has been perfect with sunshine and blue skies.  Mr. C and I have gotten out to take a walk several days now.  Yesterday we drove a few hours north and schmoozed with lots of auto racers at Thunderhill Racetrack in Willows, CA.  The day was so beautiful and we were in no hurry.  We had spent the week previous cleaning and keeping up with this home and property in hopes that the sunshine would bring perspective buyers.  No one...not even one.  We will be having another meeting with our Broker.
I see Easter crafting and decorating is on!  I love what you all are doing.  My Easter decorating will stay hidden in the cupboard this year so as not to offend any potential buyers.  Make it look like no one lives here! 
Spring Flowers and Butterflies are showing themselves to many.  My daffodils are blooming and I love them.  Pollen season will be quite intense with all the rain we have finally gotten. 
Lovely days to all...<3

Sewing Mug Mats...

I couldn't stand not sewing while our home is listed...so I opened up Koala only partway so the entire room is still spacious just in case any prospective buyers want to preview our home.  I can sew!  I am participating in Donna of Brynwood Needleworks mug mat swap.  I have never sewn a mug mat but love them and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to add to my knowledge and gift possibilities.

Donna has a great tutorial on her blog and I followed it.  Here I am pressing my sewn fabric pieces.

This is a finished mug mat.  I selected these uber fun fabrics that my friend Lori of Pretty Things blog gifted to me last August.  Thank you Lori.  These fabrics are fun and say, "Spring" with a smile.

I made three of the mug mats for Lori and her husband and son, Zack. I am pretty pleased with my results.  I imagine sitting in the sunshine and drinking some lemonade with a snickerdoodle or two.

While creating the mug mats I had a scrap that was just too cute to throw away. Since Lori is an avid reader, I made her a bookmark.  I surprised her in the mail with the bookmark first.

She smiles everytime she opens her book to read.  What would you have done with such a cute scrap?
I will share my swap partner mug mat when I am certain she has opened her mail.  I was glad I practiced making these.  Thank you Donna for such a fun and different swap.  I  have some excellent ideas for gifts throughout the year now. 
We have snow on the decks and ground.  It has rained since the snow so fortunately it is melting and the driveway is clear.  Today is supposed to be all sunshine.  I certainly hope so.  The sun energizes me and I need to get back to sorting and purging and organizing stuff...just in case we move out of state this year.
What are you busy creating?  I do miss it so much when I am not able to be creative.  I did read a book while the Winter weather was nasty.  Mr. C found it on our home library shelves and read it first.  "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain. We have watched him over the years on his many shows such as "No Reservations" and we find him to be interesting to say the least.  We are still pursuing our recipes and cooking together here at home.  I perfectly minced red onions the other day for Mr. C to enjoy Smoked Salmon Lox on bagels with cream cheese.  It doesn't take much to make me happy.  A new five inch chef knife and I am a mincing maven!
Marvelous March is traveling fast so be certain to enjoy each and every day my friends...<3