WIYM: Handmade Envelopes

Envelopes are so fun and super easy to make! Plus, we all use them for the swaps we send.

Templates: There are all sorts of ways to get them, but one of the simplest ways is to take an envelope you already own and carefully take it apart. Trace it onto a piece of heavy card stock or lightweight cardboard (cereal boxes work great), cut it out, and now you have your very own template and are ready to make envelopes! I’m sure once you try this method, you’ll start looking at all envelopes in a new way. :)

There are also several new tools on the market that make envelope-making a snap. One of them is the Martha Stewart scoreboard, and my new personal favorite - the envelope punch board - which was well worth the price! With both of these tools all you have to do it cut your paper square, then use the tools to score the paper. The punchboard punches the corner notches for you - so cool!

As far as an adhesive for the flaps, I use double-sided tape, but a good glue stick will work too.

For this swap, we will make our envelopes out pretty craft papers. I love to get the 12x12 scrapbooking pads when on sale and "go to town" making envelopes out of all the pretty papers.

Fine Details:

• 2 partners
• 3 envelopes to each partner.
• Minimum size: no smaller than the minimum allowed by the US Postal Service (5 inches x 3 1/2 inches / 12.7cm x 8.89cm). Other than that, you can make them as large as you want to.
• Sender's choice on colors/patterns

Joining requirements: 10 recently completed swaps of type 2 or 3, all rated favorably.

Optional:

• Adding a double-sided peel off tape strip on your envelopes.
• Mailing labels (sometimes I use labels and sometimes write directly on the envelope with a Sharpie marker).