Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Give Away!

I wanted to let everyone know that I have a store wide sale, 20% off everything in the store!

Jane Austen Kit

This sale includes all the Jane Austen Letter Writing kits and letter writing accessories!  This is the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit, it is jammed packed ...bursting at the seams with all sorts of paper goodness.  It includes Jane Austen stickers, wax, wax seal....and more!  Here is a quick link!  Jane Austen Kit

Jane Austen Mini Kit

Would you like to win this Jane Austen Mini kit?  This drawing is happening on my instagram account:  JaneAustenLetterWritingSociety  The details of the giveaway are there.  

Jane Austen Mail Tag Cards

This is also in the shop...the Jane Austen Letter Writing Society exclusive mail tag cards!

Jane Austen Variety Stickers

Are you running low on your favorite Jane Austen themed stickers?

These and so much more!  Take advantage of my "Spring Fling " sale going on NOW!

Making Mail Monday

Let's make some MAIL!

Here is a new envelope that I just made using some pages from Pride and Prejudice and my rubber stamps.  Oh this is a good page...dialogue with Elizabeth and devious Wickham...be careful Elizabeth....don't fall for it!!!   Seriously, in my home we often categorize  people according to literary figures.  Have you ever done that? Dickens is GREAT for this as well as Jane Austen.  I think they both had keen insights into human nature.  So we have had our encounters with "Wickhams" trying to get to our daughters-- (I have 6 beautiful daughters, that we , my husband and I , protect fiercely!).  We have met good natured, generous , "Mr. Bingly's",  and it goes on.

Here is a little project that I did to add to my letters as little "tuck-ins".    Tea and Jane Austen...what could be better?

Here are  a few orders that went out recently with Jane Austen Kits!  You can purchase yours at my Etsy Store.  All my letter writing kits are ON SALE right now... perfect for holiday giving!

Here are some Jane Austen necessities that I have in my Etsy Store !   Top left:  The Complete Jane Austen Letter Writing Kit, which includes a wax seal, and a stick of wax! Top Right:  Variety of Jane Austen Stickers.  Bottom Left:  My very popular Jane Austen Mini Kit! and Bottom Right:  a pack of 4 Jane Austen "mail tag cards".  

The Jane Austen Letter Writing Society....a place for kindred spirits!

Have A GREAT DAY,

Write Letters,

Write often!

Lady Pamela

Some Austen Mail Making Its Way To the Post Office

Here are some of my recent outgoing Austen Mail!  Do you have an Instagram Account?  You can follow me there: Janeaustenletterwritingsociety , and if you do, share your pictures of mail that you send or receive.  

This is a LARGE wax seal...taking practically 1/2 a stick of wax!  Alright...maybe I do stretch the truth there.  But it really does take  quite a bit of wax.

This is one of my favorite wax seals...the pigeon delivering a letter.

I hope you are able to get off some letters this week!

Write Letters,

Write Often.

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Flip Book--Lady Cornell

Here is my most recent letter to my pen friend. This is the flip book from the Flip Book Tutorial  that I recently posted.  I decided to send her some things that she could possibly use in a future craft, or letter.

Let's not forget the tea!

Additional pages were attached by washi tape.

The Letter was  written on such thick paper that it was  a bit difficult to fold properly.

Yes, happy day!

I worked a charm "lock" onto the ribbon.

This flip book was sent into the mail by  placing it in a clear cello bag.  Postage was placed at the Post Office.

Write Letters,

Write Often

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Flip Book, for Lady Alyssa

Jane Austen Flip Book?  Why Yes!

I wanted to try making a few flip books on the Austen Theme,  Lady Alyssa spoiled me with her crocheted  letter pouch and I wanted to reciprocate with something special.

Here the flip book is opened. This is a piece of pink card stock paper that is cut and then folded into thirds.  I made it the dimensions of my journal cards that serve as the "pages".  They are taped into place using strips of washi tape.  I also have a Jane Austen Quote tag card taped in.

Hi, dear friend!  This, as you see is a journal card.

The goodies...  The page that has the polkadot bag with the feather, is also on a journal card.

This is the "Tea Time" page...

And the letter.

I used one of these cello bags to hold the letter, it worked out nicely.  So that is the flip book with a few Jane Austen touches.  I enjoyed putting it together so much that I plan on making a few more!

If you make some, send me a picture, and I will happily post it here to share with others!

Write letters,

Write Often!

Lady Pamela

How To Craft A Jane Austen Styled Letter

Creating Mail

Lady Alyssa sent me a most charming letter , but my delay in responding was  inexcusable.  The Holidays really did take its toll on me, and my letter writing and "creating mail" had to take a back seat temporarily.  The term "creating mail" is referring to the creative process of the crafting of a letter...taking the time to put thought and consideration into who I am writing to  and what I want to create for them.  The actual letter also takes a bit of time as I  must select my paper, pen, ink, nib.etc. I also always try to have the person's letter whom I am writing to, in front of me, so that I may refer to any questions they had for me, and for me to make comments on the contents of their letter.  Some times my entire letter is commenting on what they had written!  But usually it is about half and half. Comments on their letters, and what is going on in my little world.

This letter is dressed and ready for a wax seal to finish it off.

I enjoy this seal enormously.  It is the pigeon delivering a letter.  So quaint and charming!

Because of the doily on the outside of this letter, I have placed this envelope inside of a cello bag to protect it, as it journeys through the sorting machines of the USPS.  I put another stamp on the outside of the Cello Bag.  And now it has plunged into the mysterious seas of its postal pilgrimage as it winds its way to  Lady Alyssa.

What about you?  Have you crafted any lovely letters lately?  I welcome any letters that you would like to write, and promise to return the favor.  If you do send me a letter,  it may featured on this blog,  so that others may be inspired.

Write Letters,

Write Often!  

Lady Pamela

Announcing Pen Friend Sign Ups for February-April

A Scene Out Of A Book

I had received a letter before the holidays from one of my pen friends.  Included in the letter was a pretty sketch of Jane Austen.  I decided to respond to the letter with a picture out of The Jane Austen ten Guide to Life by Lori Smith,  and the charming illustrations are  by David Grant.  So out came my water colors and away I went.  I wish I could have done more justice to the sketch, but it is what it is.

A Jane Austen Quote...always a nice touch!

And the Letter Writing Society's official wax seal!

After my letter was written with a dipping pen ... and I included of course, Tea for two!  I had thought of sending this envelope in a clear cello bag, but  opted instead to just spray with some Krylon Kamar varnish on to protect it through its journey.

It is time to announce the next round of Pen Sign ups!   What say ye? If you are reading this, and would love to create lovely letters  (ha, ha, illustrations are not required!) to send to someone, then  go ahead and fill out the pen friend application  (you just need to copy it into an email) and forward me your completed application at jalwsociety@gmail.com.   Let's have the cut off by February 11th.  That is a two week time period.  So let your friends know about the sign up and let the letter writing begin!

Write Letters

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit On SALE!

Make Haste!  Make Haste!

Just a quick note!  If you have been wanting to purchase a Jane Austen Letter Writing Society Kit, don't delay!  My Etsy Store:  LostArtRevived is having a 20% off the entire store, which means all of my letter writing kits!  This sale is going on NOW and will end Monday at midnight. 

Write Letters,

Write Often,

Lady Pamela

My Jane Austen Letter .... Round 1

5 Hidden Quotes...

Did everyone get their letter off to their Pen Friend of the first round?  I was a bit rusty with my dipping pen.  I have been neglecting the art of writing with a dip pen.  Dear Mrs. Duffy at Letter Matters had sent me a feather quill that she had cut, but I was too nervous using it on this project.  I must practice to get the feel of a feather quill tip.  

  

  It is believed that Ms. Jane Austen used feathered quill pens for writing.  Handwriting in the Time of Jane Austen  is a nice article on what Jane Austen most probably used.  I'm afraid my steel nib was probably not  much of an option for Jane and my paper and ink are not period.  

Did anyone do the 5 Austen Quotes embedded in the letter?  I actually have 6 quotes and so I suppose one is a bonus quote.  I wrote out the quotes on a separate piece of paper and enclosed it in a mini envelope

After my letter was written to my satisfaction, I decided to see about adding a tad of interest to the outside of the envelope.  Before the Janeite gestapo get after me, I do realize that most (all?) of my letter is not "period"correct.  I am just trying to capture the spirit of genteel, thoughtful, civilized, letter writing.  But, if you are interested in doing things "period", then here is a great  article to show you how to fold your letter according to the time period:  How to Fold A Regency Letter .

Hmmmm.  You might think that the above picture of some cute stickers is a mistake on this blog post, but I assure you it is not.  I am inserting this photo because I made an astonishing discovery.  When I decided to place some string and a wax seal on the outside of the letter, I knew I would have to put it in a clear envelope due to postal regulations.  And here is where the discovery was made.  Did you know that the cello bag that holds these stickers fits a letter folded in this manner--perfectly?  So don't throw out those cello bags...reuse them!

Here is the letter protected with a clear cello bag (from the above sticker package).  Jane's silhouette is looking over the address, she is there to oversee that the letter reaches its destination. 

This letter is heading to the Netherlands.  I had the letter weighed at the post office after I had affixed my stamps and of course I had one too many. I count that as my donation to the USPS.

Please share your results of your letter writing experience.  I would be delighted to post them on this site.  Please email me at :  JALWSociety@gmail.com for consideration.

May all that is pleasant, be yours.

Lady Pamela

Let's Make Some Austen Mail!

DIY:  Vellum Window Envelope

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                                   Supplies needed:  

                                   Envelope template or a favorite envelope you can take apart

                                   1 sheet of scrap book paper

                                   1 sheet of clear velum

                                   Scissors, tape, glue

                                   Sequins or other  confetti

                                   Austen silhouette  stickers or die cuts (Austentation)

Old Script Scrap Book Paper 12X12

We are going to make some "Austen Mail", in this case we are meaning making  modern Austen themed envelopes in which to send your lovely crossed letter written by hand with  dipping pen.  But of course, if you do not own such an item, any nice pen will work.  Envelopes were not used during Jane Austen's time ...it would have added to the cost.  Manufactured envelopes appeared on the scene in the 1840's, well after Jane Austen's life.  

Envelopes would have been considered an additional sheet, so these very early letters did not include them.  A letter was simply folded over and sealed with wax that was stamped by a signet ring or a seal. [Jane Austen's World]

But let us continue on with our modern project. I am using an envelope template made by 

Kreate-a-lope.  But you do not need one of these contraptions.  You can simply take apart any envelope and  trace about it to make your own envelopes.

Here, I am positioning my template on this very nice old script paper, but the sheet is a bit too small , so the script will appear at an angle on the envelope.  That is perfectly fine.

 I have cut out the envelope according to my tracing of the template.

After cutting, then place the template piece inside and make your creases nice and crisp. But wait!  Do not glue the back flaps down just yet.  We will need to open the letter up and lay it flat and cut out a "window"  for this project.

Here is how the envelope looks at this point.  But I would like to make a cut away window to add a bit of interest to this envelope.

I have a large 2 inch diameter circle punch , but regrettably there is no way to punch the circle where I want it in the front of envelope.  So I cut out a circle template and traced around it on the envelope, then I carefully cut out the circle window.

The next step is to make a velum pocket.  Here is my sheet of velum.

I used a cutter to cut approximate dimensions for the pocket.

I laid the velum over the opened envelope to check by dimensions and make adjustments where needed.

I tried to use glue to close the pocket (all but one side) but with velum, the glue didn't work very well so I just used tape.

Next I glued in position one Austen silhouette in the pocket.

Things are looking good.  Next, it is time to add the "bling factor".  Sequins are nice and inexpensive, but you could use just about any confetti type of material. Pour a few sequins inside your pocket then seal  the pocket up.  I don't have a picture, but I did cut a piece of  pink scrap book paper  and glued it over the back of the velum pocket to give it a little color.   I then glued on a pink tag and added a smaller Jane Austen silhouette sticker on envelope as positioned below.   

This completes our "Jane Austen" modern themed envelope.  I hope you enjoy this project and that it offers you some inspiration for future envelopes.   I will be posting future "Austen Mail" here, so please stay tuned.

Affectionately,

Lady Pamela