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Thread: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

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    Senior Member distracted_mom's Avatar
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    Default Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    A little over halfway through my first InCo and here are the things I have learned so far:

    1. This might be better than Christmas Card season since I have no idea what you are going to write to me about. I know most of the Christmas cards are going to be a family photo with no personal greeting. Boring. Appreciated, but boring.

    2. I need better paper. Some of the inks on some of the papers are so gorgeous that I just sit and study them.

    3. I need to up my envelope game.

    4. I really like it when people include the pen, ink and paper info.

    5. I think I have found my people.

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    Senior Member Lady Onogaro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    JBB Pens has some very nice paper (onion skin, Crane's distaff, etc.).

    Make envelopes from old calendars. Or from magazines or any papers. They are cool and easy to do. You can buy an envelope maker at Michael's, or templates at Paper Source or JetPens.
    Lady Onogaro

    "Be yourself--everybody else is already taken." --Oscar Wilde

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Lady Onogaro View Post
    JBB Pens has some very nice paper (onion skin, Crane's distaff, etc.).

    Make envelopes from old calendars. Or from magazines or any papers. They are cool and easy to do. You can buy an envelope maker at Michael's, or templates at Paper Source or JetPens.
    Or Hobby Lobby.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    I bought my envie maker from Amazon! I have to be in an envie-making mood. Still got some festive paper envies left.... dare I use them? I suppose the more wintery than festive designs could be!

    Sometimes, if you surprise a person with a letter, they also do the same to you and the letters wave to each other in transit!

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Morgaine View Post
    I bought my envie maker from Amazon! I have to be in an envie-making mood. Still got some festive paper envies left.... dare I use them? I suppose the more wintery than festive designs could be!

    Sometimes, if you surprise a person with a letter, they also do the same to you and the letters wave to each other in transit!
    That passing in the night thing happens to me and some of my pen pal who write oftener the average
    Tom
    @silverbreeze
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    Forgive any ignorance on my part.
    Any stupidity is my brain not being malleable enough to understand
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    Tomasz S Suchecki
    77 Meadowpark Ave North
    Stamford CT 06905-2221
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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Next time I'll make better nous on who I write because I wrote a bunch at the beginning, then couldn't remember who I wrote when I replied to letters I received. I'd also like to ensure that I write with different ink the second time I write somebody. I too love when the ink and pen/nib are documented.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by distracted_mom View Post
    A little over halfway through my first InCo and here are the things I have learned so far:

    1. This might be better than Christmas Card season since I have no idea what you are going to write to me about. I know most of the Christmas cards are going to be a family photo with no personal greeting. Boring. Appreciated, but boring.

    2. I need better paper. Some of the inks on some of the papers are so gorgeous that I just sit and study them.

    3. I need to up my envelope game.

    4. I really like it when people include the pen, ink and paper info.

    5. I think I have found my people.
    If you don't want to buy Correspondence writing tablets (like what the Goulets and Andersons sell)
    You can buy reams of 24lb or better paper.

    I am partial to Southworth Parchment
    Box of 500 is about $25. And if you fold it in half top to bottom and rotate it you have a size close to the A5 tablets that fits nice into a #6 envelope.

    Can't take credit for the folding idea Ira Stone taught me
    Tom
    @silverbreeze
    ---
    Forgive any ignorance on my part.
    Any stupidity is my brain not being malleable enough to understand
    ===
    Open to anyone writing me. Will do my best to reply quickly
    ====
    Tomasz S Suchecki
    77 Meadowpark Ave North
    Stamford CT 06905-2221
    United States of America

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Morgaine View Post
    I bought my envie maker from Amazon! I have to be in an envie-making mood. Still got some festive paper envies left.... dare I use them? I suppose the more wintery than festive designs could be!

    Sometimes, if you surprise a person with a letter, they also do the same to you and the letters wave to each other in transit!
    Isn't life funny sometimes?

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Bri View Post
    Next time I'll make better nous on who I write because I wrote a bunch at the beginning, then couldn't remember who I wrote when I replied to letters I received. I'd also like to ensure that I write with different ink the second time I write somebody. I too love when the ink and pen/nib are documented.
    Oooh! I didn't think about documenting the inks I use. I started the month with just a list of daily recipients. And then I realized I needed to make a few short notes so I could remember what I wrote about, so now each recipient has a page in a small notebook. Am I going to need an entire new notebook to track this? I mean, if I am going to track this, I should do it right...
    (My husband has long since given up questioning my pen and paper purchases!)

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by distracted_mom View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Bri View Post
    Next time I'll make better nous on who I write because I wrote a bunch at the beginning, then couldn't remember who I wrote when I replied to letters I received. I'd also like to ensure that I write with different ink the second time I write somebody. I too love when the ink and pen/nib are documented.
    Oooh! I didn't think about documenting the inks I use. I started the month with just a list of daily recipients. And then I realized I needed to make a few short notes so I could remember what I wrote about, so now each recipient has a page in a small notebook. Am I going to need an entire new notebook to track this? I mean, if I am going to track this, I should do it right...
    (My husband has long since given up questioning my pen and paper purchases!)
    a whole, entire notebook! I agree.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Lady Onogaro View Post
    JBB Pens has some very nice paper (onion skin, Crane's distaff, etc.).

    Make envelopes from old calendars. Or from magazines or any papers. They are cool and easy to do. You can buy an envelope maker at Michael's, or templates at Paper Source or JetPens.
    If you need to go cheap, you can search for and print out envelope templates (online, lots of different sizes available). I trace those onto poster board, cut the template out, and trace around those.

    It generally is a good idea, though, to not skimp on tape/glue for homemade envelopes. I have learned that it's especially important to reinforce any folded seams. I generally do that with a strip of good tape on the inside of the envelope, right along the fold. While some homemade envelopes arrive without a scratch, others have almost exploded during transit, and the weak spot appears to be seams and flaps.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    It's fun when the paper, ink, and pen are documented. I should do more of that. I document the ink but need to do that for the pens and paper I send letters with. For paper, I've been using my loose sheets of Tomoe River paper.

    I never thought of making home made envelopes, but that could be a fun project. Lots of creativity there. Been just using regular envelopes but each one gets a wax seal.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Lady Onogaro View Post
    JBB Pens has some very nice paper (onion skin, Crane's distaff, etc.).

    Make envelopes from old calendars. Or from magazines or any papers. They are cool and easy to do. You can buy an envelope maker at Michael's, or templates at Paper Source or JetPens.
    An envelope maker? What is this strange beast of which you speak? I just fold my own around the letter and use double-sided tape.
    Online arguments are a lot like the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
    As soon as the audience begins to participate, any actual content is lost in the resulting chaos and cacophony.
    At that point, all you can do is laugh and enjoy the descent into debasement.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Learned to check my ink level before I leave home when I'm bringing my letter writing supplies to work. Had to switch pens and inks mid sentence twice this week! Sorry recipients!

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    When I was in FL last September, I bought my envelope maker from Hobby Lobby. I also bought several sticks of white glue, a thick book of about 100 sheets of beautifully patterned paper, a pair of scissors, a small paper cutter and loads of other stuff that had to come home to the UK in my suitcase (oh and I bought a new suitcase too, from Macy's)

    I even had the forethought to print off my 15% off coupon and take it with me to Hobby Lobby. What a great store it is. They need to branch out to the UK.

    When it rained, I sat in my room, making envelopes and writing letters while OH went to the gym.
    Last edited by Chrissy; February 19th, 2016 at 05:36 PM.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    When I was in FL last September, I bought my envelope maker from Hobby Lobby. I also bought several sticks of white glue, a thick book of about 100 sheets of beautifully patterned paper, a pair of scissors, a small paper cutter and loads of other stuff that had to come home to the UK in my suitcase (oh and I bought a new suitcase too, from Macy's)

    I even had the forethought to print off my 15% off coupon and take it with me to Hobby Lobby. What a great store it is. They need to branch out to the UK.

    When it rained, I sat in my room, making envelopes and writing letters while OH went to the gym.
    Oh, I just threw my head back and laughed aloud! That is awesome.
    Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
    ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Dreck View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Lady Onogaro View Post
    JBB Pens has some very nice paper (onion skin, Crane's distaff, etc.).

    Make envelopes from old calendars. Or from magazines or any papers. They are cool and easy to do. You can buy an envelope maker at Michael's, or templates at Paper Source or JetPens.
    An envelope maker? What is this strange beast of which you speak? I just fold my own around the letter and use double-sided tape.
    Google envelope punch board (it is by We R Memory Makers)

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    When I was in FL last September, I bought my envelope maker from Hobby Lobby. I also bought several sticks of white glue, a thick book of about 100 sheets of beautifully patterned paper, a pair of scissors, a small paper cutter and loads of other stuff that had to come home to the UK in my suitcase (oh and I bought a new suitcase too, from Macy's)

    I even had the forethought to print off my 15% off coupon and take it with me to Hobby Lobby. What a great store it is. They need to branch out to the UK.

    When it rained, I sat in my room, making envelopes and writing letters while OH went to the gym.
    Hobby Lobby and I are at odds over a recent court decision, ergo I have not set foot in the store since then.

    I liked its offerings better than Michael's, but there you are--Michael's it is.
    Lady Onogaro

    "Be yourself--everybody else is already taken." --Oscar Wilde

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    Quote Originally Posted by mailartist View Post
    If you need to go cheap, you can search for and print out envelope templates (online, lots of different sizes available). I trace those onto poster board, cut the template out, and trace around those.
    http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread....lope-templates

    Quote Originally Posted by mailartist View Post
    It generally is a good idea, though, to not skimp on tape/glue for homemade envelopes. I have learned that it's especially important to reinforce any folded seams. I generally do that with a strip of good tape on the inside of the envelope, right along the fold. While some homemade envelopes arrive without a scratch, others have almost exploded during transit, and the weak spot appears to be seams and flaps.
    As long as the paper is not too thin/lightweight the folded seams will probably not blow out as long as you don't seal the flaps nearly airtight. Do not skimp on the glue/tape, but don't glue/tape the edge of the flap from fold-corner to fold-corner. Manufactured envelopes don't have glue all the way to the corners of the flap for a reason. Leave 10 or 15 mm unglued near the corner/fold of a triangular flap. It is less likely you'll glue a straight flap type envelope close to airtight.

    If you seal the envelope nearly airtight, the letter inside will try to unfold and push the envelope sides just enough to cause it to suck in air over time. But when you try to squish it flat, it can't let all the air out in a tiny fraction of a second; it has become a little slow-leak air pillow. As the envelope goes through sorting machines they will try to squish it flat which puts a lot of stress on the folds unless there is a path for the air to freely leave.

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    Default Re: Lessons learned | InCoWriMo2016

    As far as UK is concerned when mailing letters we have to comply with size, weight and thickness restrictions. Worse yet our letters to US need to be less than 10grams for the £1 ($1.44) stamp price, or it costs £1.33 ($1.91) for the 20grams price. So taping envelopes or using thick paper are things I don't usually do for my US mail.

    Often I use my C6 plastic envelope template as that makes me an envelope big enough to fold my TR paper twice. I always press it really flat, and I don't glue to the edges of both closing flaps.

    I have found that when receiving envelopes with sealing wax on, that the sealing wax is hardly ever still there on receipt, and there is always a large patch of whatever colour it was marking the letter inside. So I guess that's from the machinery.

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