Special Delivery Postcard Club Issue 4

Shelly’s Postcards

You can see a selection of her cards in the gallery above.

Shelly is a textile artist and has used scraps of material and coloured threads to make her postcards; she has even stitched some of the pieces of fabric to add patterns and texture.

You can see that her work is all about the natural world—leaves and raindrops, bonfires and the setting sun all provide inspiration for the pictures she creates.

What shall I write about?

Shelly’s postcards are about early spring smells and sounds – and a favourite sweetie, a jelly bean.

Here are some of the things she writes about: –

• Wisps of smoke curling up from a bonfire
• Scrunching dried leaves
• Listening to the gentle sound of raindrops
• The sweet taste of jelly beans
• The glorious sight of the setting sun

Is there something in particular that you like about this time of year? Or maybe something that you really don’t like?

Tips for writing postcards

• You don’t have to write loads—sometimes a simple ‘hello’ is all you need to get started
• It may seem strange to write to someone you’ve never met—but that’s the joy of it—you can tell them anything BUT …
• Don’t tell people stuff you don’t want them to know
• Don’t worry about keeping it neat—this is a different sort of writing, and any style goes, just try and write so the other person can read it.

Tips for collaging postcards

Once you’ve written your message it’s time to start creating your beautiful collaged postcard.

Here are a few tips, to get you started.

Remember—your postcard can be a picture, a pattern or a celebration of your favourite colours.

If you don’t have any fabric, don’t worry, you can still make cards like these using different textured paper, for example try using tissue paper with slightly thicker paper or even card.

Shelly’s suggestions include:-

• Try threading pieces together and stringing them across the front of your card. Make a small slit either side of the card to hold the thread
• You can stitch smaller bits of material onto a larger piece, and stick that on the postcard – or do the same with paper and card
• Layer different thicknesses of fabric or paper to add depth and contrast
• Just by adding a few simple stitches (or lines with a pen) you can make all sorts of different images
• You can use little bits of felt and glue them down, if you don’t want to stitch anything
• There’s no right or wrong, have fun.

Finishing touches

When you think you’ve finished—look again. You might want to add details using fine pens, or create a border around your card.

Posting your postcard

Use the envelope provided or send it to a friend, but either way please email a photograph to us at candida@suffolkartlink.org.uk