DIY // Snail Mail // Gift Idea

DIY // Snail Mail // Gift Idea // Mini Craft Kit

Last week, I mentioned the Sweet Mail Exchange that's happening over at SSD. Today, I want to offer a couple of suggestions to get your own little parcel started as well as images from some sweet snail mail of my own that I put together over the weekend.

A few months ago my cousin and I were both visiting our grandmother and decided to make friendship bracelets. Our craft project soon had us feeling nostalgic for the many childhood summers we had spent together. Initially, I was just going to include a little friendship bracelet in her letter, but it quickly evolved and the package itself became a mini craft kit of sorts.

|1| Shoebox Bubblegum Glitter Thickers by American Crafts |2| Black Stripe Wide Washi Tape by Freckled Fawn |3| Elephant D-Clip Paper Clips by Midori |4| Atlantic 12x12 Paper Pad by Studio Calico

DIY // Snail Mail // Create a Mini Craft Kit

All of the layered elements come apart quite nicely because the attachments I used are non-destructive. Washi paper tape is amazingly reusable besides being beautiful. And now, paper clips are available in so many adorable shapes. I wanted to use different materials as well to add interest to each layer. You'll notice a range of textures including wax paper and various die cuts.

The adorable star shape is by Erica Zane and I've been itching for an opportunity to make it into a die cut.  I love how it turned out! Underneath, you'll also notice the friendship bracelet, that inspired this piece of snail mail, fastened onto a shipping tag. To the right of that is a journal card from Jenn Barrette's This Life: Layered 6x4 Cards.

|5| Cut It Out by Erica Zane |6| Vintage Market Place Paper Tape by Bazzill |7| This Life: Layered 6x4 Cards by Jenn Barrette |8| Atlantic Tiny Hearts Wood Veneer by Studio Calido |9| Atlantic Sequins Pack by Studio Calico |10| Idea-ology Wire Pins by Tim Holtz

DIY // Snail Mail // Decorate the B-Side and Use Different Materials to Add Unexpected Details

The first die cut you see above is from my personal collection and can be downloaded here. The rest of the die cuts from this point on are from Traci Reed's 365Unscripted: Diecut Cards 2. I've also used bits and pieces of pretty paper to add unexpected details to the flip side of these various layers.

I think I had so much fun during this whole process because everything was made entirely of materials I had on hand. Before I discovered digital scrapbooking, I would start a project and then often abandon it after realizing I was missing some sort of supply. Now that I have an arsenal of digital assets at my fingertips, I can happily shift into a creative flow because I know I'll be able to improvise solutions as problems arise.

|11| Project Life Midnight Edition by Liz Tanamaha |12| Not All Who Wander Are Lost Free Download |13| Idea-ology Mini Paper Clips by Tim Holtz |14| Confetti Triangle Wide Washi Tape by Freckled Fawn |15| Dear Lizzy Fifth & Frolic Collection Pack by American Crafts |16| Avalon Paper Tape by Bazzill |17| 365Unscripted: Diecut Cards 2 by Traci Reed

DIY // Snail Mail // Tip: Add Something Local

The Giant Paper Clip! Ha, I wanted to include a range of paper clips and this 4" version was an awesome way to anchor everything down. I purchased these Super Clips by Museum of Useful Things from Black Ink, their brick and mortar store in Cambridge (adding something local is always a nice sentiment!)

Lastly, one mustn't forget decorating the envelope. It's the first thing your pen pal will see and it sets the tone for all the goodies inside. . . And that's it! I loved putting this parcel together and I can't wait to create another one for the Sweet Mail Exchange ♥ ♥ ♥

|17| Super Clips by Museum of Useful Things |19| Petit Deco Stickers by Doodles |20| Traveler's Notebook Greetings Roll Stickers by Midori

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES
DJB Fonts: I Love My BFF 4/Ever Font by Darcy Baldwin {fontography}