The (DIY) Envelope, please!

(click on any pic to en-biggan)

Let's get one thing straight: I'm really not one for making my own envelopes when it comes to the standard A-2 (4.25 x 5.5"). No. 1 I'm lazy, and No. 2 I'd much rather invest my time and energy into the creation of the card itself. *wink*

HOWEVER, when it comes to envelopes being used for some other type of project or a specialty size that isn't otherwise readily available, I'll go all out! Custom job? Oh, yeah, I'm all over it!

An envelope doesn't necessarily have to be an envelope... For instance:

mini envelope die + washi tape covered card stock + enamel dots

= adorable purse embellishment

Could this be any more fashionable???!!! (said in best Chandler Bing voice)  It's like Kate Spade for your card! *fist pump*

There are a number of useful envelope dies available, depending on what your project is:

Basic

Coin

Disc

Doily Style Envelope Liner

Fancy Edged

These are all fun and enable you to make envelopes, from any paper you like, very quickly and easily! 

Another envelope-making tool you might consider is the WR Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

Just watch the video below, by WR Memory Keepers, for the basic how-to's:

I was kind of surprised by how much fun it was to make envelopes with this board and I think a lot of that has to do with the manufacturer taking all the guess work out of the measurements!  They have provided a fantastic reference chart and guide right on the product and all you need to do is to look for the finished size envelope you'd like to make, and the chart specifies what size to cut your paper and where to align it along the ruler to initiate your first score line.

As I was working with this tool to create the projects for this article, I made note of a few things and wanted to share them!

TIPS:

• Before you begin, make sure your paper is measured and cut precisely (in other words, properly squared), otherwise it will throw off everything else and you'll end up with wonky fold lines. Wonky fold lines = wonky envelope

• Make sure you place your paper flush against the ruling guide so that your score lines are also straight/accurate

• As you rotate the paper to create each score line, take care to center the little guide/arm (that protrudes/extends diagonally from the punch mechanism) along your previously scored line; this will also help ensure accurate placement of your score lines

Note: Be sure to work in a well lit area; patterned papers were the most difficult for me to see the score lines well enough to make sure I had the guide properly centered

• Also, I discovered that with some of the patterned papers I was using, a more gently scored line greatly reduced the "cracking" that sometimes occured when creasing the fold lines

• The scoring groove on the tool measures approximately 7.25" or so in length; this can complicate things a bit when trying to make [finished] envelopes that are any longer than that because the span of the paper required won't fit entirely onto the board. I didn't actually try to make larger sized envelopes, but it is something to be aware of.

 

Read on for more project-specific details!

The above String-closure style envelope would be great for tucking a large cookie or a gift inside--I love that it could also be re-used because this style closure isn't glued down!

How-to:

1. Make your desired size envelope (this one happens to be square)
2. Close the flaps and use a ruler and pencil to mark where the reinforcers will be placed; re-open all flaps
3. Punch holes at markings and make reinforcers from scrap card stock
4. Secure reinforcers to envelope flaps with either mini brads or eyelets, including a length of twine under one of them
5. Close envelope by wrapping twine around reinforcers in figure-8 fashion

 

On this design, a gift-card size envelope was rotated to a vertical position, modified and then one of the flaps was glued to the card front to create a hidden pocket. You can then tuck a gift card inside as a nice, interactive surprise for the recipient! Niiiiice!!!

How to:

1. Create a gift-card size envelope (this envelope is supposed to be horizontal, but we're rotating it to a vertical orientation)
2. Trim the corners two of the longer flaps and one of the shorter as shown
3. Glue the two flaps together then fold up and glue the bottom as shown
4. Apply a strong adhesive along the remaining top flap

The envelope can then be decorated/embellished as desired and then mounted to your card front.  This style of envelope could also be used as a "coin" envelope and you could also add a String-closure (as shown previously), if desired.

 

This 3 x 4" envelope "pocket" features a slit or "tuck-style" closure that is very simple to do!

How to:

1. Create your desired size envelope (this one happens to be 3 x 4"). If desired, you can trim off the corner of the lower flap as I did
2. Close the flaps and use a T-square and pencil to make a mark on each side of the top flap, where you want the slit to be located
3. Re-open the envelope, place it on a cutting mat, and use a metal edge ruler and craft knife to cut between the two marks (I actually like to punch holes into the tiny marks because it's easier for me to see where to start and stop the blade as I'm cutting the slit)
4. Close the two side flaps, then fold up the bottom flap that has the slit (gluing this bottom flap to the side flaps is optional), tuck the upper flap into the slit and voilá!

 

Hope these ideas inspire you to make all kinds of custom envelopes!

 

Stamps: My Favorite Things Gift Card Greetings

Inks: Unicorn White • Graphite Black

Papers: White Linen Card Stock • Black Card Stock • Sunflower Card Stock • Tide Card Stock

Specialty Papers: POW! Silver Glitter Paper

Patterned Papers: (Chartreuse Stripe) Studio Calico Abroad 6x6 Paper Pad • (Chartreuse Polka dot) Studio Calico Take Note 6x6 Paper Pad

Embellishments: Metallic Gold String • Black & White Baker's Twine • Black Shape 'n Tape • Enamel Dots • Eyelets • Mini Brads

Tools: Savvy Stamps Mini Envelope Die • WR Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board • 1/2" Circle Punch • Crop-a-Dile • 1/16" Power Punch • Big Shot Die Cutting Machine • Tiny Attacher • Tim Holtz Ruler • Craft Knife • T-Square Ruler

Adhesives: Kool Tak Foam Squares •  1/4" Be Creative Tape