Hello Everyone,

I’ve missed talking to you all so much. The move has gone well and I’m down to a minimal amount of boxes left but since I’ve been aching to get back to you I’m going to let those sit for a bit and share some happy mail. I made this a little while ago and am just now getting around to posting it. I’ve got a few others ready and waiting for voiceovers so after this drought, you may find yourself in video overload!

You can check out the process video here:

And now for some close-ups:

This is the full pocket letter as I sent it, with the tags.

Here it is with the tags taken out. I like to decorate behind the tags too so that when the recipient takes them out it still looks nice and full.

I was really happy with how these tags came out – it was hard to give them up!

I’d like to find more of the poolside collection that these chipboard stickers came from – it’s older so I was lucky to get these and they are so much fun.

I’d love about 10 sets of those flip-flop stickers. I’m very much a flip-flop girl, I’m in them until there’s snow on the ground (and still wear them around the house in the winter).

I really love all the butterflies in the Simple Stories collection too – I picked up this snap pack at Tuesday Morning and it’s full of really fun summery images and patterns. I previously made 5 cards from it and still have some of the pack left over so it’s gone quite a long way.

That sticker is from the Maggie Holmes sticker book and just went perfectly with this theme. (I’ve heard rumors that these sticker books are showing up at some Tuesday Morning stores and I’m going on the hunt this weekend.)

I used one of the SS ephemera pieces and hot-glued that to a pink paperclip, then just cut a slit in my background paper to slide it on to.

Then I filled this sunshine section with some of my favorite Studio Katia crystal fusion sequins.

I stuck some 2-inch snap cards in the pouch on the side and added balloons on the outside for extra dimension – I attached them with removable glue dots so the recipient will be able to re-use them.

Wasn’t that Soak up the Sun sentiment was the perfect center title for the project?

Both of these stickers are also from the Maggie Holmes book.

I used some of the Tim Holtz small talk stickers on a few of the background papers and love the look of the black type with that watermelon.

I added another MH sticker and these chipboard sunglasses to finish up the final tag pocket.

Isn’t that bathing suit gorgeous! It’s so retro and so much fun 🙂

Finally, I always like to include a little something extra when I send my happy mail so I used some scraps to cut out some bows and added those to a card with some removable glue dots.

It’s wonderful to be back with you – hope I was able to give you some inspiration today. More coming soon! xoxo, Sarah