Monday, January 19, 2015

Make Your Own Tiny Envelopes

Easy DIY tiny Envelopes 
These are so cute and easy to make. I love using these to put little cards in, hold my coins inside my purse or a business card to a customer.
They can be used for so many things. Whatever you want.
I used to buy them and draw on them for friends and myself. Now, I found an awesome tutorial on Poppytalk! And her guest by the name of Ruth Bleakley. She does such a good job and this is not something I could ever come up with on my own.
I will link to her blog and have the tutorial below!
Here goes nothing...

1. Choose an envelope you already have that you like the size and shape of
2. Soak it in a bowl of water (lukewarm is probably best) for about one minute, or until the glue releases from the paper easily. It will not take as long as you think!
3. Pat the now unfolded envelope dry - it doesn't have to be completely dry, just not drippy - and trace it onto a thin piece of cardboard - chipboard works well, as would something like a cereal box. Try to be accurate at this stage and trace neatly.
 
4. Cut the template out with a pair of scissors, and you may want to label it so that in the future you (or whoever you live with) won't say "what is this strange piece of cardboard?" and toss it out!
5. Use your new wonderful template to trace out an envelope design on any and all types of paper! Think gift wrap, maps, magazines, old calenders, stamped cardstock - you name it! I like to trace using pencil on the side that will be the inside so the marks won't show.
 
 
6. Carefully cut out your envelope with scissors and fold it up - I like to do the sides first, then use the folded sides as a guide on where to fold the top and bottom. Use the handle of your scissors or a bone folder for really crisp edges.
7. Use a glue tape roller  to stick your envelope together, or glue stick but I find glue stick gets brittle after just a few months, go ahead and get a glue tape roller, they're like $5 and you can find them in the adhesive section of an office supply store or craft store.
8. *Bonus Points* if you've ever wanted to be able to lick and stick your envelope flaps, check out this Lick& Stick glue I originally bought from Paper Source (they don't seem to carry it anymore). If you can't find it, you can also D.I.Y. your own envelope glue (2x craft bonus points!)
9. Ta-da! Admire your finished work! Ideas for use include: penpal & swap envelopes, gift card envelopes & storing small things in your studio - if you happen to make some yourself, I'd LOVE to see them! Post a link in the comments.
 
I was happy to come across this and cannot wait to make a ton more of them!!
Picture available on her blog post!
 
 
 

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