Enveloping the Word: Christmas Card Envelopes

  "Not every act of art creates something special, but it does create something. It is the act of art that is important, not the result." Michael L. Goodman

Last week, I was hurkle-durkling [a Scottish term for waking up but lying in bed for a few minutes, thinking, pondering, reviewing the need-to-do list, and mentally preparing for the day]. I remembered with shock that it was already December, and I had not started decorating my Christmas card envelopes. I send out close to eighty cards every December, tucked in hand-decorated envelopes. We bought the cards in early November so I could get started earlier than in past years. Did I get started early? NO! I had not even decided what to doodle on the envelopes. Ack! I haven't written my yearly Christmas letter yet!

That morning, I hurkle-durkled for longer than usual, pondering and hoping for a quick solution. I needed a design that was simple and would not expend too much of my time to finish each card. I settled on circles, or globes, encircling the address field in a wreath. I cut a simple stencil of circles that I could easily and quickly embellish, and proceeded from there.

This is the stencil pattern transferred to an envelope.

This was the first attempt. I added another circle. Eh

This is the second rendition.

The third iteration. My wife likes this one, so I am going with it.

Here are a few of the letters I mailed in November while I should have been working on Christmas cards.

Commit Acts of Art Every Day!