Custom Penpal Art Cards

A few years back, I came across an Etsy shop that looked neat.  What has happened since then is nothing short of a love affair with cards.  I’ve always been fond of custom cards, and I enjoy scrapbooking and styling my own cards occasionally.  But printed cards have never been within my realm of expertise.  Enter Jessica Bates, from Jack and Ella Paper Press.  

Over the past several years, she has designed custom Christmas cards for our family, has created an entire custom line of “thank you” stationery for my travel clients to meet a variety of needs, and now this- all to my design specs.  She’s talented, sure… a mind reader?  Most definitely!!!  I can send her my ideas and somehow it’s like we’re on the same brain wave length.  It always turns out perfect.

This project was no different.  I wanted Becca to be able to start writing to friends and family – via mail.  Granted, she could have done so on construction paper, but I thought Jessica would be perfect for this project, and she was!  (We’re already discussing modifications for additional cards!)

So I wanted a big circle on the front.  Becca normally creates her art on a blank paper.  I wanted to see how many different places she could go with a circle.  (We’re contemplating triangles and squares coming soon!)  I also knew that to begin, I’d be writing.  But soon, she’ll be writing more on her own and she’d need plenty of space, and some guidelines for her words.  I drew up my design idea and sent it over to Jessica, who of course made it better than I could have imagined!  I love that they are of heavy paper so she can do any type of art she likes- acryllic, glue, watercolor, anything.

For her first two cards, Becca chose to paint with acryllics.  She made a sprinkle donut and a butterfly.  She wanted me to help make zigzags on the butterfly wings and make the sun, so I held her hand.  She did the movements herself- she has much more talent for hand movements than she realizes.  We let them dry, and the next day we sat down to write our messages.

We talked about our two penpal families, where they live, how many kids they have, etc.  She decided which design of card needed to go to which family, and told me what to write to them.  We talked about letter structure- how if we want them to write back, we need to not only tell them something, but ask questions to learn more about them and show that we care.  She was very good at coming up with questions!  Then she had me help her draw a heart for her salutation, and she wrote her name on each card.

I showed her the parts of the envelope, and we discussed where the recipient address goes, where our address goes, etc.  She stuck the stamps on, and then added some stickers for a little added Becca flair.  She was super excited to mail her cards and she’s anxiously awaiting her penpal notes back.  She already has ideas for more cards she wants to make and send to more people.  So I don’t think we’re anywhere near the end of Project Penpal!

Have you done penpal projects with your kids?  If you’re interested in having some custom penpal cards like these for your kiddos, be sure to contact Jessica and I know she’ll be glad to hook you up!!  (Fyi, she’s not paying for this “ad” in any way… I’m just writing this simply because I love her work and know you will too!!)

Be sure to let her know you heard about her from Christy, and that you are interested in some penpal cards!