Autumn is...

I recently took a class on Killian Caps and although interesting, I found the caps hard to do. (Maybe i need a smaller/thinner pointed nib. OR maybe my hand isn't that steady or use to such delicate writing!)

SO, I then decided to mix it up and instead of making the ends rounded (as true K Caps), I decided to used Yukimi Annand's version.

I still struggle with making straight lines and making the letters delicate but also not a bad start!

a page from another fall-themed mini book

bigger piece i did for a snail mail insert (for Nele!)

Close up

Book page leaf

The ABC's of Autumn

I made another mini book, this time using a handmade paper card that came with a stationary set I bought a long time ago. (This was the last one!)

I lettered parts of my original Autumn poem, watercolored over then cut out in a leaf shape

Used this piece to cover up a weird paper that clashed with the leaf

close up

I then did all the alpha in italic and tried to use autumn themed words

and as I was doing so, a poem emerged! (BUT it needs a LOT of work)

The cadence is off, and like I said, it was coming together as I was lettering. But I can always redo for next year!

I'm on Substack! :)

If you read my posts (or follow me on IG), you'll know that I've been writing poetry for the past year. I've posted bits and pieces of my creations on here in but never truly shared completely (although I have with my BlackOut poems).

i don't know why I haven't shared more on ig (maybe b/c that is for my fine art?) but I hesitated to share there even though I do have many followers (more than my blog -- WAY more!)

I thought about creating a blog to share my writings (as I've also gotten into fiction) but i'm still unsure if blogs are becoming a bit "obsolete". SO I found out about Substack recently and decided to post my creations there. 

Here is the link if you'd like to follow me! (@iwrite4me ) --

https://iwrite4me.substack.com/

This is a new poem I composed recently (Yellow Leaf Falling) -- written on the right in "weaver writing" with a gel pen. Full poem is on my substack! (my home page:  https://substack.com/@iwrite4me?utm_source=user-menu )

I tried to watercolor the below pic. Not bad!

The brown strip has "yellow leaf falling" writing in script with a Posca but you can't tell from this angle.

Fun Sized Art Show

I found out about this Art Show in Valley Junction and was so excited to partake!  https://www.mixcreativedsm.com/events/fun-sized-art-show

The criteria was that it had to be less than 4". So many things to choose from, but I decided on this (a remake from one of the pages of my mini fall book: https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/2025/09/fall-booklet.html

Thought it perfect for fall.  :)

Redid it a bit differently (a happy accident actually!) Still with 3d leaves and one of them going off the backing. I wanted it to go off more, but this was barely 4".

I messed up my leaves a bit too (as well as my lettering on the left), but overall, i'm happy with it!

Simplest Things Challenge (meh)

 I signed up for a 5 day art challenge, via Amy M (Mindful Art Studio), and each day we were given a prompt. We could do whatever we wanted but the goal was to keep it simple.

First off, I made my own handmade watercolor journal (but ruined a few pages as i didn't like how they turned out). However, I was thrilled with my creation of the journal itself!

I love that I thought of this closure as the journal is too thick to lay flat.

At first, I tried gluing on (and to cover up a weird spot, but it fell off (waaaa.), so I ended up sewing on. Need to find a better way to do this though.

Below are pics from each day. Not my best work, but it was still interesting.

Day 1, Closer

Final piece. See process /steps/explanation below.

The brush strokes themselves looked too plain to me, so I tried coming up with my own poem. However, this song started going through my head (which I've always loved -- the song that is, not having it go through my head! -- har, har) SO, I added the title within the strokes and the lyrics to the side.

I wasn't thrilled with my first attempt, so I added more layers. I'm tempted to add more pink within the lyrics, but for now, am leaving as is.

Day 2, Squiggle

Final piece. Got this idea after my 1st 2 attempts.

"There is magic in the falling leaves of autumn."

Book leaf

*I actually sent this to jessica for the Sept. PTEx:

 https://snailmailingmadness.blogspot.com/2025/09/book-leaves-to-jessica-sept-ptex.html

2nd idea. Was going to letter something along the lines of "trust your journey", but then got my other idea. (failed w/c piece)

My first attempt was actually playing with masking (white grease pencil, crayon and color pencil). Did not like, and when I tried fixing, I just feel like I made it worse. Ugh. Glad I came up with the leaf idea.

Day 3, Dot

Decided to do some good 'ole Pointilism for this prompt! (Still need to add lettering.)

Close ups of butterfly

*SO, I didn't really like the last 2 prompts (Branch and Smash) as I wasn't inspired by either. Plus, I struggled with the previous challenges, and I feel that those weren't the most awesome pieces I've ever done. SO I decided to skip.

However, if I by chance happened to come up with something, I will update!

Autumn!

I lettered this in my handmade w/c journal (upcoming post) and although I don't like the whole page itself, I loved how my italic turned out!

I tried penning another original poem about fall (green hues morphing) with watercolor over but I don't like my script.

I need to revise as I'm not thrilled with this yet:

Green hues morphing into the brilliant colors of autumn

Like watercolors merging, soft yet vivid

Reds, orange, plum

Maybe teal is present too

So dazzling each year

Splendid are the views.

Finished page (i think) with 3d leaves.

close up of small leaf

 

Another fall themed mini book

In going through my watercolor papers, I came upon this trial piece which I decided to convert into a lovely little mini book (that of course, is flawed!) BUT I still had fun with it and still plan to share with someone.

I had painted brown over a failed w/c piece and then added some swirls/ marks with my old Pentel metallic brush pens (however, now i could also use my ZIG Fudebyori metallic brush markers).

I then added a paper strip (with script writing), as not only did I want to give it character, but i tried to cover up another mistake.

Full piece (forgot to take before folding pic)

"Ode to Autumn". I decided to add the piece of paper from a book in order to match with the back page

"welcome" page with 3d leaf

"welcome" in posca and pastels, gel pen and ink wash and strip of paper from book page.

original poem (but I messed up quite a bit)

Center spread using various fonts and colors. (another original poem...from 2020 -- my first! "Autumnal") I tried to duplicate this spread: https://foldedpenfan.blogspot.com/2025/08/sneak-peek.html but looks different b/c of the colors, etc.

Page before other poem page:  "fall" with posca and again pastels, connected caps in black pen with metallic watercolors (autumn musings), and grease pencil with watercolor overlay. (just a fun design, trying to resemble falling leaves)

Back page with book art leaves

"There is magic in the falling leaves of autumn."

Before adding lettering.

Video showing the complete book: