Calligraphy Flourish Friday - Envelopes: Reuse, Exhibit and a Giveaway

Happy Flourish Friday, Friends!  Here are a few more images of how I reuse envelopes.

For envelope work, I require 10% extra, blank envelopes.  The extras are used when there's been a change to the list after I've already addressed the envelope or if there's been an error on my part or the client's.  At the end of the job, I will hold back several blank envelopes from the remaining 10%.  I do this because there are often late additions to the list even after the client has mailed the invitations, or an invited guest will move and their invitation needs redone.  It's much easier for both the client and myself, if I already have extras on hand.

If I'm left with any envelopes after the wedding, then I may try to reuse them - whether they've been addressed incorrectly or they're still blank.  I realize this isn't for everyone! I don't do it with every job, but sometimes it just feels like such a shame not to reuse them.  I can salvage parts of the liners, back flaps, and even the corners. 

The return address is normally preprinted on the envelope, which I must cover or cut out.

I cover the return address with a portion of the back flap, or the liner from a back flap, leaving enough margin to add my own return address.

 I just noticed I didn't finish the "k" before I took this photo.  (I can't remember if I finished it at all!)

The easiest way to cover a return address is to cut the gummed area off of one of the discarded envelopes.

It's usually a large enough strip to cover the return address but not always.

I know this seems tedious, but I seem to like tedious, time consuming projects!  I can spend hours goofing around with envelopes and addressing them.  To view a previous post about reusing envelopes:   CLICK HERE

You can find a variety of stamps from  the U.S. Postal Service, including accurate information about the design and issue of each stamp, on the "Buy Stamps" page at their website: USPS

Isn't this a pretty pen holder?  It was made by Chris Yoke, one of the newer members of the Calligraphy Guild of Indiana.  CGI is blessed to have some terrific new members.  Chris brought some of the pen holders he made to one of our New Members Group meetings.  I think he was surprised when I asked if I could buy this one!  He now has an online store.  If you'd like to learn more about Chris, his interest in penmanship, and his pen holders, please visit his website here:

Yoke Pen Company    If you sign up online to receive his newsletter, then Chris will enter you for a chance to win a FREE pen holder! How about that?  His first giveaway is July 1, 2013 - that's Monday, so you better get on over there. You can find the Yoke Pen Company giveaway page: HERE

One final thing: I received word from French calligrapher, Emmanuel Spaeth, about the call for entries for the 2013 edition of Mail Art Across the World (MAAW).  No matter where you live or your skill level, I hope you'll consider participating in this wonderful exhibit of calligraphic mail art.  The submission deadline is November 30, 2013.  Read all about it here: Mail Art Across the World

You can view my posts about previous editions of MAAW HERE and HERE.

Enjoy your weekend.

Go forth and flourish!