Inspired

[penguy]

I have often been inspired by letters I've received.  It might be the letter itself, or the envelope it came in, or an inclusion.  

Purplemaze will have a letter sent her way using origami, she has sent some neat origami my way.  I found a book in my wife's library Origami Cards by Karen Elaine Thomas that had some fun envelopes, with three different origami envelopes that may be appearing in mailboxes.

Another pen pal sent me beautifully penned letters with hand painted initial letters and the script done with a feather quill pen.  I felt I was receiving an illuminated manuscript.  My work wouldn't compare with his.  But, it inspired me to look up a 16th century script style and use it as a basis for a script I sometimes use and have turkey feathers to try to make a quill pen myself.

Another pen pals inspired me to write a letter sent as a pamphlet.

Have you received letters that made you stretch a bit in trying something out of your usual comfort zone? Any unusual letters?

[Mia]

Yes, I've been inspired to try "art" as at least one penpal has included little works of art in letters. I've been trying Linocut, and have inflicted some attempts of printing it on envelopes. Work in progress!

[tramplingrose]

I have one pen pal (I've had her reply in progress for well over two weeks at this point) who will often hand-draw things on her envelopes. I've received MANY works of mail art from her over the years. Another is an artist as well, and carves many of her own rubber stamps - Those letters are a lot of fun to receive as well. When I have/make the time, I just do a lot of collage mail art. I randomly stick a bunch of stuff on top of other stuff, and sometimes it works out well. Sometimes, not so much.

[distractedmom]

I am often inspired, and I am really good at buying supplies. But I am such a slow replier that I have started keeping my letters simple.