"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" - POCKET LETTER

For a theme swap on the official "Pocket Letter Pals" website.

I created this thinking of what I remembered the holidays "looking like" when I was a child (50s/60s) and the theme I most remembered.

The theme;

The front;

The back;

"WONDERLAND SCENE" - A POCKET LETTER TO SWAP AT POCKET LETTER PALS

I need to NOT sign up for another holiday themed Pocket Letter LOL  This one and another (I can't show yet) are going into the mail today, then I think I have only two more to get out this month.  But you know how it is when you are deep into something new.

This one is inspired by and created with several Bo Bunny paperlines from a year ago or so.  I was looking for blues and these were perfect.  I have always been keen on garlands (and other hangie things) and find most (all) of my PLs are decorated with a garland of one sort or another.  This one is quite a bit "quieter" than I would normally do but the scene just cried out "leave me alone"!

I played with the blues of the paper on the back, used the journal spots and tags as the base of the pockets.  All were glittered up and filled with blue, silver and a few red bits.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL - POCKET LETTER

We have started a Pocket Letter Swap group here in Victoria BC.  This morning was our first swap, everyone quickly agreed we should do more!  What creativity!  I have created a "Pocket Letters Victoria BC Swap Group" pinboard and posted photos of everyone's PLs, feel free to check it out under my Pinterest account.  I think we will focus on holiday themes so next will be Valentine's Day.

Here is what I put together for Gloria;

All based on Graphic 45's "A Christmas Carol" papers, playing up the blue, green and pink palette. The front

and the back.

"NINE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS" POCKET LETTER (SWAP AT POCKET LETTER PALS)

Each of the nine pockets are to be filled ie 1 something in the first pocket, 2 somethings in the second etc.  I had Graphic 45s "Twelve Days of Christmas" paper and stamps, so that was easy!  And so was taking a shabby chic style.  I'm pleased with how it came out and I'm doing another with Graphic 45s "A Christmas Carole".

The front;

The back;

The box;

Holiday Pocket Letters (2)

That post was getting a bit long so here goes the second batch.

"Retro" - I seem to have a "model" underway.  A banner across the top, front pockets filled with embellishments.

The back - the pockets are filled with vintage style images, which are not affixed and can be used and an envelope for the "letter".

A custom made box to contain the letter and mail it.

"Starlight Mints"  - the front pockets filled with embellishments, a tag and a banner across the top.

The back pockets are filled with vintage image gift tags and an envelope is attached to contain the "letter".

I really do love creating the custom box to contain my "Pocket Letters", a special touch.

Holiday Pocket Letters

Are you doing "Pocket Letters" yet?  I just recently discovered them and of course I'm in full production :)  "Pocket Letters" are a mix of pen pal and artsy/crafty fun.  Check out Janette Lane's tutorials and her  "Pocket Letter Pals"  site.

Here are a few that I have done for swaps.

"Santa" - the front, all of the pockets are full of embellishments for my swap partner to use, the banner is attached to the outside,

and the back pockets which I have filled with vintage image gifts tags and and attached envelope I made for the "letter".

I like to make a custom box for the folded "Pocket Letter".

"Krafty Christmas" - the front, again filled with an assortment of embellishments, a banner attached across the top (pop dots)

and the back pockets.  Here I used a single sheet of paper that I have simply cut and and left in order to recreate the "scene".  Again an envelope is attached to hold the "letter".

A custom box to contain the letter.  Do a Youtube search to find several variations on creating the box.

CHALK PAINTED MIRROR "ART NOUVEAU LOOK"

We have had a white and gold, large oval mirror for a number of years, it came from Bob's mum.  It's been in the back of my mind for years to give it some colour.  This was so easy!  It literally only took a few minutes with little drying time.  And I LOVE it!

You can see the original finish, I'm using Annie Sloan's "Antibes" in a thin wash over the top of the original finish.  No prep except to dust it off!

Yes I had a moment!  But I knew I could change it up if this turned out bad :)

On goes the "Dark" wax (Annie Sloan) with my wax brush barely moist with paint thinner, I call this a wax wash.  It is so easy to take this down with a soft cloth and repeat until you get the look that speaks to you!

I rubbed and buffed the wax wash and it was finished.  I'm tickled with the outcome!  The colours and textures bring to mind "Art Nouveau".

"BEACHY LOOK" CHALK PAINTED VINTAGE LINGERIE CHEST

Bob pulled this little lingerie chest out of his stash, he thought it might be useful for me to store my beading and jewelry supplies in.  Perfect!  I was really excited about this little treasure.  Vintage mid-thirties to mid-forties, finely crafted of limed oak veneer with bent cedar constructed drawers.  There are several Canada Cabinets and Furniture labels and a Wilson Furnishings stamp all which I have left.

Character building traits included a few stains on the stop, some small nibbles into the edges of the veneer and several nail holes (?),  A perfect candidate for a chalk painted finish.  I've developed my own technique for this finish, after taking a class using Annie Sloan products at The Attic Door Vintiques in Centralia WA.  I have tried a few other products but have stuck with the Annie Sloan lines.  Minimal prep, minimal drying time - my kind of furniture revival!

To create the "beachy" look I wanted, I used "Cream" for the base, "Provence" for the wash on top of that and a "Dark" wax wash for the final finish.

  

Other than a quick wipe down for dust there is no other prep!  One coat of  "Cream" done with a moist but not dripping brush.  Go over it with a bit more water until you are happy with the look.  It is worth investing in the brushes both for paint and wax, it takes a lot less time and you will be happier with the results.

The second wash, using the same moist brush technique, in "Provence" has been done on top of the "Cream" wash.  I waited 30 minutes between the first two washes.  For the "Dark" wax wash I dip a wax brush into a bit of paint thinner, tamp most of that out with a soft cloth and pick up some of the wax.  Brush onto the surface and wipe back with a dry soft cloth.  I could have "Clear" waxed over the first two steps and that would have been fine but I wanted a more beach worn look.  The paint thinner creates a bit more texture in the layers, not a crackle exactly but more like fine wrinkles.  As with all of the washes it is easy to repeat the steps until the result is as light, dark or grainy as you want.

A peek at the drawers, which I am in love with!  I nourished the cedar with "Feed-N-Wax" by Howard.  Love that stuff and use it on everything :)

Just A Note

As you can see I haven't posted here for quite some time.  Almost by accident I have ended up doing most of my posting on Facebook.  Feel free to look me up there.  I am not closing down this blog or taking any of the vintage images off that I have posted over the years.  Please feel free to take and use anything you find here.  I haven't copyrighted my own work or the vintage images, it's up to you to give me credit or not.  I hope your creative journey brings you much joy, as mine does.