POCKET LETTER INSERT IDEAS

(Note this is multiple pages so scroll down)

This is an ongoing cumulative/collaborative list of ideas from myself, as well as lifted from others/elsewhere

  • Janet Lane's basic configuration layout  suggestion
  • Custom made puzzles (with solutions): custom Crossword or Word Search (you can Google for “Word Search Generator” or “Crossword Generator”); for example to make your own word search puzzle you can use something such as on this website: http://tools.atozteacherstuff.com/word-search-maker/wordsearch.php ); or, Make a jigsaw puzzle from your own photo or a picture by cutting it out with a die cutting machine and appropriate puzzle piece shape cutting file..
  • comics, jokes, bizarre pictures, hilarious things
  • ATC made by you using art supplies (i.e. not scrapbook stuff)
  • Collage
  • Choose one art medium and do all the pockets with art using that one (for example all of them are done in watercolor, or all in collage, or all with rubber stamps etc.)
  • some “kid art” made by your child for one or two pockets
  • tea bag
  • quotes
  • “pick-one” game, e.g. page of products from a catalog or mag, person picks their fave item and circles it or tells you which one they chose
  • “which would you rather” - lists where person chooses their preference “this over that”, then could send it on in next pocket letter adding more entries, or, same entries for next person to fill out their choice and compare
  • penpal letter - of course since this is the entire cornerstone of pocket letters
  • cute post-it notes for partner to use - say 4 or 5 of each
  • journaling cards (maybe one filled in/written by you, and then the same one blank for partner to use)
  • mail tags: (i.e. “tag you’re it”, not gift tags) things you send for person to take action with and then either sends back to you or forwards on to next pocket letter pal -- for example questionnaires, “I’ll cut, you paste” collage images, “which would you rather” lists, “pick one” pages from mags, catalogs etc.
  • photo you took (reduced to pocket size in Photoshop etc., or Instax is a perfect size) and write a little bit about the subject matter
  • recipe - could add relevant mini spice packet if swapping with a good friend who trusts you to add loose spices to a little bag in a sanitary way, otherwise send pre-factory sealed; or for example add yeast packet for bread recipe, etc.
  • interesting article from magazine or newspaper
  • instructions on how to do/make something (with illustration if needed)
  • mini-zines (print and trim at 80% size and it will fit in the pocket)
  • inchies made by you
  • flower or vegetable seeds
  • Folded page from a local brochure from your area of a point of interest or showing about where you live
  • mini mail items like small handmade envelopes, tiny postcards you make in Photoshop http://content.photojojo.com/diy/make-the-worlds-smallest-photo-postcard/, tiny letters
  • personalized address labels or swap cards
  • unmounted rubber stamps,  or clear acrylic stamps
  • creative “coupons”, like “this card good for one hug”, etc.
  • gift cards
  • hand drawn treasure map
  • corner bookmark
  • origami folded item and instructions on how to do it
  • flat packaged lens cleaning cloth, packaged cosmetic “towelettes”. Biore strips, etc.
  • ransom note
  • positive thought/happy jar notes
  • self help/inspiration type cards you make, for example “end of day reflection questions”, gratitude list
  • mini “bunting”, i.e. string of little flags
  • string of mini prayer/garden flags (or one mini flag if its an ongoing swap series of that theme/type)
  • funny made-up horoscopes or fortune cookie fortunes
  • thin magnets (decorate/glue something over one of those free ad magnets you get to personalize)
  • store coupons (if person specifies they want certain ones)
  • mini-4 page photo book made from one piece of paper, or a cascade/”fall” type photo book, or accordion type, etc. keep it thin enough to mail cheaply - you add the photos and note what they are
  • trading cards, interesting playing cards if people collect those specifically
  • iron on patches
  • paper airplane with note inside
  • watercolor paint samples/dried blobs on a piece of watercolor paper for re-wetting with brush and partner can use for painting (this could be a mail “tag” idea)
  • postage - new unused stamps, or used stamps if partner specifically collects them to use for art
  • squished penny
  • a mini paper “mobile” connected with baker’s twine or embroidery floss or dental floss for the string
  • children’s book illustrations
  • your favorite poem or song lyrics that are meaningful to you, and explain why
  • Haiku that you write and illustrate
  • sew “shakeables” into a pocket for pretty look, but make it so they are sealed in there and don’t fall out, like interesting confetti
  • alcohol ink on the plastic to make it look interesting, or use StayZ-on type ink to rubber stamp on plastic, or use rub ons etc.
  • zentangle
  • book recommendation reading list
  • music playlist
  • drawing/doodle/hand lettering
  • recipes for homemade bath products using essential oils
  • needle book with some embroidery floss and small pattern; or with beading needle with seed beads and thin bead thread and pattern
  • felties - little flat ornaments/animals etc. made from felt with hand stitching or fabric glue
  • cute design band-aids
  • temporary tattoos
  • lists - “my top ten FILL IN BLANK things” etc.
  • tell about a favorite travel destination you visited, add photo you took there, recommended attractions or hotels (or ones to avoid)
  • bizarre or hilarious ads/graphics cut from magazines/junk mail - something to make your partner laugh
  • an adorable picture of something to make your partner smile/happy, cheer up for a bad day
  • slice pocket with X-acto blade if you need to slip in something long, like a bookmark, across a row of the pockets
  •  a 'Currently' card - lifted from a project life card - list/type card of what you are currently watching, reading, creating, etc.
  • write out “what made you laugh today”

  • BACK of plain pockets: cut up a full size photo/collage/Gelli print or decorative paper (double sided, or cut single sided paper 2x pocket size folded into a card), into pocket sized pieces and reassemble it full size across all the pockets
  • BACK - spell something across all the pockets
  • BACK - fill the blank  backside of the pockets with “about me” card with info about yourself, your address if you’d like people to write back to you;  map of US with your state and city highlighted (or whatever country/city you live in); a card with the reminder quote, "Don't compare your pocket letters to others, how boring it would be without your creative uniqueness"; “Here and Now” info card with time, date, local weather, etc.

  • ephemera/crafty bits: ( try to limit craft supplies to 30% of pockets or less, be creative with ideas other than just sending craft supplies and little bits and pieces of stuff like that, unless swap specifies all crafty or if partner prefers all crafty. We all have so much of this stuff already and we don’t want to just keep recirculating all these little bits onto the next person)
  • cut outs for collage
  • punchies/die cuts
  • metal dog tags, flat charms
  • flattened brads, not too lumpy
  • shaped or decorative paperclips
  • interesting fiber or baker’s twine samples
  • washi tape samples
  • rub ons
  • stickers
  • ATC backs to use for writing info, or interesting/unique ATC substrates for partner to use