Space Girl Mail Art | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my latest design team project for Viva Las VegaStamps, and this time it's a mail art piece I have to share. I recently had a giveaway over on my Sue Plumb Designs Facebook page to celebrate {inter}National Scrapbook Day and needed to post the prize out to my lucky winner, so I figured why not kill two birds with one stone and use the box as an opportunity for some fun mail art.

I recycled a pizza box I had previously received scrapbooking supplies in, so I had some details on the front I had to cover up first, which I did quickly by roughly applying some Colour Blast black heavy gesso with a wide brush. I then cut an 8x8" piece of cardstock to use for my address label and stamped out my design.

I was dying to use one of the Space Girl stamps designed by Katy Paltridge (daughter of Fiona) from the new release plate #1501, and I chose some complimentary stamps to use along with it. I used the word Starbound and also the Grungey Strip of Stars which were both from the astrologically themed new release plate #1500. The final stamp I chose was the Sky of Stars Background, which has been one of my recent favourites. 

I then used a selection of Faber-Castell watercolour pencils and a water brush to add some colour to my images. (Using watercolour pencils is one of my favourite colouring methods for stamps - quick, easy, accurate, and I love the look of them.)

Once I had added all the colour, I adhered my label to the box using Miracle Tape and then used a white Sharpie pen to add some "star" detail and give it a "galaxy" appearance.

Then it was simply a matter of adding the recipient details to my label and then sealing over it with clear packaging tape to protect it.

Here's a list of the VLVS stamps I used:

- "Aquarium Space Girl" from plate #1501
- "Starbound" from plate #1500
- "Grungey Strip of Stars" from plate #1500

- Sky of Stars Background

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this - I hope I have inspired you to get inky too! I will be back soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X

Jelly Fish Mail Art | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Popping in today to share my project I created for the Viva Las VegaStamps Mail Art Monday. I was actually inspired by the current VLVS "Under the Sea" Monthly Challenge to design this sea themed piece. Although I have created mail art before, it has usually been on a bigger scale (pizza boxes); so creating on this envelope was a good push to do something outside what I am used to. 

When I started this piece, I realised I didn't have any larger sized white envelopes left at home, only some yellow ones. The answer? Gesso of course! And then lots of lovely layers over the top!

I started with some Colour Blast 'Calypso' Colour Artist Ink, which I applied directly over the gesso, along with lots of water to help move it around before drying it off.

Next, I wanted to blend the edges of the envelope, so I used a Faber-Castell Gelato to scribble some colour around the edge before blending it with a baby wipe.

Then it was time to turn my attention to my focal images for my envelope. I had previously stamped some gorgeous jelly fish out onto tissue paper using the Jelly Fish stamp. Because the tissue paper is so thin, it means the image can been seen well from either side, which allows you to flip its orientation to face the other way. 

I added some subtle colour to the jelly fish bodies using another Gelato, then used a Faber-Castell watercolour pencil to add some colour along the tentacles before sticking them down onto my envelope.

Once I had the jellies in place; I then took a piece of scrap cardboard to mark out the address box, before I used the same blue Gelato to blend around the edges of it, and also around the edges of my jelly fish.

Next, it was time to add a little greenery to my under sea scene, so I used the Doodle Flower/Garden stamp to add some plants along the bottom edge.

I also added some "bubbles" to create a sense of movement using my favourite Doodle Dots stamp. (I told you, there is no project this stamp can't be used on!) I also added some more pink to the jellies with a darker pink Gelato, as I didn't think they were "popping" enough.

 I used a green Gelato to roughly scribble some colour over the top of my stamped plants before blending with a wipe.

To finish off my envelope, I added some splatters of 'Marine' Colour Artist Ink before removing the cardboard to reveal the address box. To help further define the box, I used a watercolour pencil to quickly draw around the inside border.

I am really happy with how this piece turned out; although sadly, I don't think it will make the mail. As soon as my daughter saw it she said "can I have that?" (she loves the ocean and its creatures) and I didn't have the heart to deny her. 

If I was planning on posting this however, I would recommend a quick spray with a water based sealant to protect it from the mail handling process and prevent the colours being rubbed away.

Here's a linked list of the VLVS stamps I used: 

Jelly Fish 

Doodle Flower/Garden

Doodle Dots

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this - I hope I have inspired you to get inky today! I will be back soon with another project to share. Until then, happy scrapping! X