I never, ever claimed to be logical.
Today's card plays up the Asian influence of the bamboo with a charm I picked up at Marco's Paper a few months back. I bought only two because it's hard to mail these heavy metal embellishments in a regular envelope. This card is destined to be delivered by hand.
The sentiment is from a set from SU whose name escapes me now.
To be entered in today's give-away of assorted pieces of art papers, please leave a comment answering the following question:
Do you think about mailability when you make a card? Does it ever keep you from using some cool embellishment, or do you just plan your hand-deliveries as needed so you can use the cool--yet bulky--stuff?
I don't think about mailing the cards, I just try to make something I'm happy with. I think the name of the set is "Artfully Asian" for the sentiment. I LOVE this card. It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI start out thinking that way but my cards have a strange way of 'morphing' into something else that is not always mailable. I either hand deliver those or put them into a bubble wrap envie.
ReplyDeleteI do think about the mailability of the card...if it is a card for a woman, I usually just decide that if I am going to take the time to make the card, who cares if it costs a little extra to mail. But, for guy cards, I keep them fairly simple and flat, and they don't usually require extra postage
ReplyDeleteI love this way of using the metal piece. I've only put it on either horizontal or vertical twine. This is new and different. I struggle so to get a card I like that mailing never enters my mind--just does it work?
ReplyDeleteYes, I think about mailability, because I mostly make cards to sell. I also give classes, and THOSE people want to be able to mail what they make.
ReplyDeleteI do use buttons and charms, but they just need additional postage. I rarely make anything that needs a bubble envelope.
Yes, it keeps me from using big embellishments or bows, and yes, I am sometimes sad.
Again: DO NOT PICK ME, OR SEND ME ANY MORE PAPER! If you pick me, I'll send YOU some paper.
WV: prequ
A bunch of people got in line last night to buy a stoopid phone. Those in line the earliest prequ'd.
I do not think about the mailability of a card. I just CASE and hope it turns out as well.
ReplyDeleteI always think about mailability, and yes, it does prevent me from using some cool embellishments! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat card, by the way!
Yes - need to be a bit careful as most of my mailings are for overseas and I'm worried that in countries like South Africa, the bulkiness will be mistaken for "goodies" then my card won't be delivered.
ReplyDeleteI do think about mailability as I send most cards to family and friends. That doesn't stop me, sometimes, from adding a little extra to a card. Some people are worth the wait of up to 20 minutes at the Post Office (it's not uncommon to walk into my neighborhood P.O. and get into a line of 25 people waiting for two clerks). Sometimes I just put a card in a bubble mailer and slap on way more stamps than I need. The value of the stamps I lose is worth more than my time standing in line.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! The font on the sentiment is perfect. If I know my card will be hand-delivered, I don't worry about the "lumps". For cards I sell, it's important they look good in the protective sleeve and fit in the display racks, so I keep embellishments to a minimum. Many people don't like paying extra postage so the weight is also a factor.
ReplyDeleteYes, I always think about mailability (love that word, by the way; I love making adjectives into nouns!) as I mail most of my cards. And yes, it does keep me from using cool embellishments, especially if hand-carrying the card is impractical (e.g. from WI to NM).
ReplyDeletePlan ahead? You can do that?
ReplyDeleteI try to make most of my cards mailable. Sometimes I just have to use the bulky, pretty stuff. Hey, I bought it.
i usually don't ever think about that even tho i have to mail most of my cards. i use buttons all the time and have only ever had one returned for extra postage.
ReplyDeleteI consider it, but it doesn't necessarily stop me.
ReplyDeleteNever thought about mailability until several cards came back postage due...making them late for the receivers!!
ReplyDeleteNow I plan for this. Either one layer, or fold inside out or pay the price. depends on the recipient!
Blessings
Patti moffett
Word verification patie
I make 30-50 cards a month on a regular basis so I try to keep costs down by using embellishments or layers that won't affect the bulk or weight of the envelope. For swaps I let my hair down and 'bulk up' as I see fit.
ReplyDeleteI think about "mailability" AFTER I make the card. LOL I think, uh-oh, this isn't going to mail very well--wonder if it will get to the recipient in one piece! But, truly I don't use many embellishments, so most of the times it's not an issue.
ReplyDeleteI always think about the mailability of my cards. I only add bulky or heavy stuff if I know ahead of time that I will be hand delivering it. It sort of frustrates me when I see the over the top cards that couldn't even be put into an envelop--would likely need a box. They are beautiful--often even works of art--but not practical as cards.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to card making/rubber stamping and have quickly realized that the embellishments are promoted to increase sales of that product/company. For the company and their chosen designers it's all about increasing the bottom line. Don't get me wrong--I love the embellishments but they are just not practical most of the time.
I don't think about mailing a card until it's too late. Then I just put extra postage on it and hope for the best. So far so good.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this card! Yes, I do think about mailability with embellishments. I use a lot less of the bulky ones now, which actually adds to the CAS look.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of my cards are mailed, some internationally, so I definitely consider the mailability of them. But these cards are for family and a few friends that are like family, so if a large bow, handmade flower with brad, some chunky bling or a really cool metal charm suits the occasion, I get out the bubble mailers and go for it!
ReplyDeleteSusan, your card is beautiful, the sentiment font just perfect.
I have used that same paper to cover journals for my husband, who is totally intrigued by bamboo.
Lovely card! I don't think about the mailing issue, (although I probably should). I have some 1/2
ReplyDeleteinch clear boxes for 3D cards and I
use crimped card stock to protect
other embellishments. I guess I
just use what suits the card. I love
your blog and all the inspiration that your provide. You gave me the
validation I needed for my CAS style
when all around me I was seeing
layers upon layers.
I think the only time I think about making mailable cards is around the holidays. Most of my cards tend to have lots of layers and embellishments on them. I just box them up to be mailed. They really are 'gifts' to the recipients.
ReplyDeleteI do not think at all about the bulky card. If i like something and i think it needs to go on a card i put it there. Most of my card are hand deleviered but if i have to mail it i don't mind putting another dollar out to mail it!
ReplyDeleteSince I mail most of my cards, I do think about mailability but sometimes I just do the extra postage and use an embellie that I want to use for that special and personal touch.
ReplyDeleteThe vast majority of my cards are sent in the post. Even when a little bulky I find that it is still possible to mail and not pay more than usual. If in doubt, try it out! Does it fit through your letterbox? How heavy does it feel in your hand? If you're unsure I suggest going to the post office and getting it weighed there. Nothing worse than the person at the other end having to pay for their OWN birthday card!
ReplyDeleteI only consider mailability for Christmas cards, when I send out many. If I have a bulky metal or button item I must use on them, I scan and print it to get the same 3-D effect with less bulk. For family and friends, the card is a "gift" and I don't mind shelling out a few more cents for postage.
ReplyDeleteI do plan out how bulky a card might be when mailing it, especially my holiday cards! That being said, it usually doesn't stop me from adding an embellishment and slapping on the extra postage or the puffy envelope!!
ReplyDeleteYes--I definitely think about mailability on the cards I make and it does limit creativity and the supplies I use. I am part of a card ministry at church and sometimes cards that have been sent have required the recipient to pay extra postage so we try to make cards as flat as possible to prevent that.
ReplyDeleteEverything about today's card just makes me feel like, "OMG, everything is right with the world today." When that happens, I want to bottle the look and peek at it several times a day, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteI ALMOST bought those coins from MFP, a couple of months ago but couldn't see, in my mind's eye, how to use them with the Asian stamps I have. The coin affixed that way is just way over the top genius, Susan.
Mailability became a huge issue when our local post office lines out-stretched my husband's patience. Happily that coincided with landing here and prizing Simplicity style. BUT, if I need to use some small something,(like that Asian coin) I make sure that side of the card is on the back side of the envelope and then I put 3 layers of tape over it, on the outside of the envelope, so the sorting machine doesn't tear the envelope. AND I put on an extra stamp just in case it's like leaving a tip for careful handling. So far, so good.
Leslie and Patti thanks for fun with the Word Verifications :-) Mine today is plitive, the opposite of explitive. The Psalms are plitives.
I never think about the mailability of cards!! I just create. I figure if I want to mail a heavily embellished card, if it is the perfect card for the specific person I have in mind, then they are worth the cost of mailing it in a bubble envelope or whatever it takes!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that bamboo paper ... and your reasoning behind buying the sheets sounds perfectly appropriate to me ... but then I'm addicted too!! LOL!!! heheheheh!!!
I don't worry about mailing - if need be, it can go into one of those Priority Mail boxes (the small one). Normally my cards are NOT that bulky,though. Lovely paper on this.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the size of the embellies will stop me from giving that specific card to someone I have to mail it too. If it's huge, then I'll hand deliver it instead.
ReplyDeleteIf I am planning on mailing a card, I try to stay away from big embellishments. I find that if I stick with small ribbons or brads and put the card in a translucent envelope it goes through the mail ok. (BTW, I try not to place the bulky stuff at the top or bottom where it goes through the machine.) Sometimes I just have to use the big stuff for an added kick!
ReplyDeleteI don't really think about mailability but my cards are usually okay as I don't like big embellishments or wide ribbon that makes large bows. I find that small rhinestones, narrow ribbon that makes small bows, using dimensionals to pop up sections of the card, etc. all go through the mail just fine. Sometimes I do what someone above said and put tape on the envelope over the embellishment area.
ReplyDeleteLove your card - it's so perfect.
I start out thinking about mailability, but that gets lost in the joy of crafting the card. I just let the design take me where it will with the embellishments. Just want to say that I'm really enjoying your blog and the focus on simplicity in design. I'm finding that my own work is starting to take on a more clean look these days. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI almost always mail my cards, so I try to keep the amount of bulk down so that the card will fit into a regular envelope. I must admit that sometimes, I get a little carried away, then I have to wait to hand deliver the card to someone.
ReplyDeleteI believe that's one reason that I've really started loving the one layer cards...even though I still a raw beginner!!!
Oh...beautiful card today!
I have just started thinking about the mailability of the card. I always did flat cards before, but I am falling in love with all the fun embellishments, so it's harder!
ReplyDeleteas of now, I stick to buttons and ribbons and try not to get too lumpy! I have enjoyed using patterned paper to add "dimension" to my cards.
Beautiful way to attach this coin on your card, Susan. It is suitable with the bamboo prints.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I just make a card or cards as I wish. I love making flat cards, and also love making cards with light/heavy embellishments. I never thought about the mailability, because I already plan how many cards should be sent in a week, in a month, etc. While making the card and other crafts, I was always thinking of the person who would receive it.
I almost never mail cards. All but one person I make cards for lives close by so I can hand deliver everything. This gives me a lot of freedom to make what I am inspired to make with limited restrictions.
ReplyDeleteThe only exception to that are my mother's holiday cards which I make for her. Those I keep very simple since they go all over the world. And thanks to you, I have several new, clean and simple ideas for this year
Love your bamboo card! The colors are great and I like that something like this could be used for a male.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am making a card that needs to be mailed, yes, I do think of the mailability. However, depending who is going to be receiving the card, sometimes it really doesn't matter. I just use a bubble envelope and the extra postage.
Lovely card! I don't think about mailability too much unless I'm making invitations for someone. I've had good luck -- my post office doesn't appear to care about buttons or bows or other lumpy things, and I've never done extra postage or poofy envelopes. Of course, I probably just jinxed myself!
ReplyDeleteClassic simple and classy, that's your card Susan!
ReplyDeleteI have to make my cards the way I see them but do try to avoid big buttons xx
I let the moment take me. If it ends up bulky, then I use a bubble wrap envie and pay the extra postage. Creativity wins out every time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card!!! Love that bamboo! I find if I stick to A2 cards, the most it takes to mail is two stamps. I either put a blank piece of CS over the fru fru before putting it into the envelope, or I turn the entire card inside out to mail. Folks that I mail cards to are worth two stamps in my humblest of opinions, and I love fru fru... :)
ReplyDeleteI love your comment about never claiming to be logical. That's my motto. It excuses so many random purchases in my life! I do NOT think of mailability when I make a card. Although it would be an organized and practical step, I must enjoy making my life complicated!
ReplyDeleteDonna
I do think about mailability, just sent a card with raised brads and had to wrap the card in tissue paper. I also have that pop dot obsession, so I can't send too many cards in one envelope, which is too bad b/c my friends and family do buy my cards and I've got to mail all of them internationally, which makes it all very expensive. I love your one layer cards b/c I can fit up to 6 one layer cards in one int'l letter, whereas I'd probably only fit 1 or 2 of my normal pop dot/many layers.
ReplyDeleteLove this paper! Your card looks great. I never think of mail-ability when making a card. Most of my cards are not made with someone particular in mind. I have a box of cards and pick a card as I need it. Most every card I make is mail-able anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI only make a bulky card when I know it will be hand delivered.
ReplyDeleteLove the bamboo card. Here I've been so good about not looking at the pretty papers at my art store so I couldn't be tempted. Now I'll just have to go see.
ReplyDeleteI never think about mailability when making my cards but that's because I don't have bulky embellishments in my stash. I love bling and pearls, small ribbon and glitter.
When I'm in the store, I can't get over the cost of the bulky embellishments. (Think of how few embellishments you can buy for the cost of a punch!) So this tends to work in my favour.
I think I've only ever made 3 or 4 cards that weren't mailable and it irritated me. I tend to hand deliver half of my cards but it bugged me that I was limited with them. (Two had candy as embellishments and they tend to break in the mail.)
This card is beautiful! The green base is perfect with the paper. I rarely make bulky or heavy cards, as almost all of mine are destined to be mailed. How helpful that I'm not a big fan of buttons! :P
ReplyDeleteAll your cards are awesome, this one included.
ReplyDeleteyes i do think about mailing and try (but don't always succeed) to limit layers and dodads.
also i keep away from making many many square cards 'caus they cost more too.
Oh - this paper reminds me of a visit to the Paper Ya at Granville Island at Vancouver....I bought sheets of it and other things there years ago....you should have seen the looks I got carrying this precious roll of paper unto the plane...I wouldn't let it out of my sight. Lovely paper and lovely card.
ReplyDeleteI always think of mailability since I live over 2,000 miles away from my extended family and must always mail cards and/or gifts. I save the bulky cards for neighbors and friends to whom I can just hand the cards.
ReplyDeleteI don't really use many bulky embellishments.....but if I think a card is bulky...the intended person is surely worth the extra postage! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely Love your card!! Perfect in all ways!!! No worry bout the bulk!! lol
Thanks again for chance to win! :)
Lori Morton
Your card is so fabulous! Love it!
ReplyDeleteAs to the mailability...it is always first and foremost in my design. I make a lot of cards that I give to older relatives as gifts. I don't want added postage to be a problem for someone with a fixed income. But, if it is a card that will be included with a gift, say, I'll bling it all up!
Most of my cards are hand delivered. If I am mailing it I usually try to keep down the bulkiness. On the whole I'm too plain a gal to use a bunch of bulky stuff ~ guess only when I'm stretched outside the box.
ReplyDeleteThis paper is really delightful!
That bamboo paper is so etheral. Really lovely and simple card.
ReplyDeleteI always take in to consideration mailability for my cards since every single one of my cards gets mailed. So I don't use heavy or thick embellishments. I don't even purchase them anymore because I know I won't be able to use them.
I do think of mailing my cards when I am making them. Usually I just add more postage if necessary rather then sacrifice the design!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think about dealing with the mail when I make cards. I hardly ever make them thick. It annoys me to have to go to the post office to get them weighed.
ReplyDeleteThe bamboo paper is lovely - very soft, and the sentiment has an Asian feel.
I sometimes think about it as I used a small bling once and the post office charge me more to send the card. So, I try to use anything too large unless I hand give them
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think about the bulk, but often I see it as worth the extra cash it takes to mail. Take my Christmas cards, for example. It would, indeed, make a lot of sense to cut the bulk but I see it as a gift that I'm sending out.
ReplyDeleteWell, I won on the first day, so I don't really need another chance, but I wanted to stop by and say "thanks!"
ReplyDeleteAnd, in answer to your question, I definitely think about mailability when I make a card or even when I shop for card making supplies. A lot of the cards I make are just for fun, and I don't know if they will end up getting mailed, so I avoid using something bulky on them. I do occasionally use something like that when I am making a card that I know will go inside a package or be hand delivered.
I save my bulky stuff for those cards I'll be either selling or hand delivering!
ReplyDeleteThanx for the inspiration!
Your card is so fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteI do think about how a card can be mailed....I am usually pretty careful to make them pretty flat. Now if I know I will be delivering a card then I go all out with the embellishments.
I don't do heavy embellishments because of the mailing factor and believe the theory that 'less is sometimes more'. I may do several layers with ribbon, etc.
ReplyDeleteYes, as much as I like all the handmade flowers - from old books, magazines, ribbon - I don't bother. I KNOW they won't mail.
ReplyDeleteI NEVER think about the mailability of a card. I make it and then fork over the extra bucks...
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I never think about it in advance. Once I've finished a card I have to decide if it's 'right' for the occasion at hand. If it is, I mail it and just pay extra. Of course *most* of my cards are hand delivered just because of where family lives, etc - but some great stamping friends live very far away - and they deserve the best! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely card (but what else is new?!)
ReplyDeleteI go for mailability when I know I'll be mailing it... otherwise the sky is the limit!! :D
Wow, your card is so beautiful. I love the handmade and art papers. Wish I could afford to do all my cards with such gorgeous papers, but living on SS doesn't make that possible.
ReplyDeleteI also think about mailability when I create my cards, however, that doen't stop me from making them bulky sometimes. I cannot make a card with ribbon, which usually means a bow! Then I also love pearls and other bling. I love Simple cards, but for some reason I don't seem able to make them and think they look good.
I do appreciate the advice in one of the comments above about putting the card in the envelope with the bulk to the back and then using tape to prevent the envelope from tearing. I will definitely remember that in the future.
I know my problem isn't with weight, so much as bulk and on occassion I have gone into the PO and paid the extra for hand stamping.