January 29. Working on my concept for the Valentine Mail Art Exchange initiated by CBBAG (Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild). Today is the Lunar New Year, and I’m thinking about using the Asian aesthetic of black and white with a touch of red. Maybe sumi ink on watercolour paper with my red chop or a red dot as an accent?

I’m using a folded pen and auditioning different papers to create letters with crunchy edges: 140# CP watercolour paper, Rives BFK, and Arches Text Wove.

But what sentiment to share with a Valentine I’ve never met? Hmmm…

January 30. Using a folded pen dipped in sumi ink, I’m lettering each recipient’s name on the front of their card. The scribed graphic is unique—just as each person is unique in the Valentine universe.

February 1. It’s production day in the studio—measuring, trimming, pasting, and pressing. Waiting for more red card stock to arrive. Note to self: order anything red well before the Valentine’s market ramps up!

These envelopes are ready to be addressed to my CBBAG Valentines! Ah, mon petit chou! (Ah, my little cabbage!)