Getting Creative with Envelopes!

By special request from a customer, I held an envelope technique class--where we got creative with envelopes. First off, we went over the basic construction of an envelope while taking a large envelope apart and using it as a template to make an envelope out of good quality wrapping paper (we used some of the wrapping paper that Stampin' Up! carried in a Holiday Mini awhile back). Sorry, I didn't take a picture of that envelope.

Then we made this:

The box is made out of 2 card stock envelopes (cut out using the Scallop Envelope Bigz Die with the Big Shot) and 2 small pieces of card stock for the sides (1-1/2" x 2"). I found the simple box idea on Laura's blog. You may have noticed the crochet flower (Fleurette) and clear rhinestone brad... don't they coordinate perfectly with the papers?! These are new in the Spring-Summer Idea Book & Catalog!

Of course, we couldn't make a box and not have something to put inside. So we also made a 3" x 3" card with matching envelope. The envelope is made with the same principle as the large envelope, by taking apart a small square envelope and using it as a template to make an envelope--this time it was out of designer series paper (Bella Rose).

Stamp: A Little Somethin' (level 2 hostess set)

Tips:

• Create heavy duty envelope templates using cardboard from various packaging.
• The large envelope is quite long, so either tape two pieces of cardboard together or use a flatten cereal box when making a template.
• When assembling an envelope, don't use too much adhesive on the flaps--you don't want to glue the inside of the envelope together or have your card get stuck inside.
• Consider using other non-conventional materials to make envelopes: wallpaper, crumpled up tissue paper or napkins ironed onto freezer paper, vellum, acetate, newspaper, old calendars, magazines...
• Check with your post office to see if your handmade envelopes (if they're made out of anything but paper) will cost extra to mail.

Happy Stampin!