Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Easy Peasy 3 Minute Envelope

The gals at My Sketch World wanted to know how I make my quickie envelopes for my cards of an odd size. Actually, I've never bought envelopes for my cards. I like to use up those odd pages in the DCWV stacks for envelopes, or I'll stock up when my LSS has those twice-yearly 10 sheets for $1 sales. This is SO simple that after the first one, you'll be whippin' these up in no time. Warning: if you're a measuring freak, stop reading. This envelope's so easy because it's based on eyeballing skills and guesstimating.
You'll need just the typical tools for this-
cutting mat
trimmer
adhesive
corner rounder with the guide thingy removed
six inch ruler (NOT for measuring)
something to score with (I use the wrong side of a knife blade)
scissors
stamps, ink, etc. for optional embellishing
Note that my bone folding tool is conspicuously absent, thanks to one very cute but naughty chihuahua who shall remain nameless.

Start by laying your paper face down, place the card on it and fold up from the bottom to cover about 2/3 of the card. Now would be a nice time to crease with a bone folding tool if you're fortunate enough to own an unchewed one.
Fold the top down, but don't snug it up to the card. Make sure that this creases the paper about 1/4 bigger than the card itself. You've now made the flaps that will form the body of your envelope.
Move the folded paper and the card to your trimmer. Using the card as a rough guide, cut away the excess paper leaving it at least an inch wider than the card.

Now for the end flaps. Unfold the paper and make slits at each end of the two fold lines. 4 slits in all.


You can do this next step without the trimmer but I'm not a good scissor-er so I slap it back on the trimmer and cut away a 1/2 inch or so. I start by slicing down from the top of the sheet and then up from the bottom of the sheet, leaving a wider part in the middle to form the end flaps. Turn it around and do the other side of the sheet.

Be careful not to overcut - finish with a snip from your scissors instead.


Use the corner rounder on the end flaps. Notice I've removed the guide. Also notice that I'm using it upside down so I can see if I've got it lined up correctly.
This is what your envelope should look like now, trimmed for end flaps and ready for take off.












Using the ruler as a guide, score the end flaps and fold.






Now's a good time to turn the sheet over and
stamp or embellish it to your heart's content



Since the flaps that form the body of the envelope will overlap by quite a bit (remember the guesstimate warning!) you'll need to glue each flap separately. So turn the envelope face down, and apply adhesive along the top edge of the top flap, on the wrong side of the paper.
Then apply adhesive to the edge of the bottom flap, but this time on the right side of the paper. Fold the top flap down over the bottom flap and press to seal.
Apply adhesive to one end flap; fold and seal. Insert card. If I'm not mailing the card right away, I apply a strip of Scotch Scrapbooking Tape to the remaining end flap without removing the backing. Or you can use Pam's Lick and Stick Glue on this flap http://mysketchworld.s2.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=527&mforum=mysketchworld
TaDa! Look at the lovely envelope you just made!







Now go snap a picture and PLEASE post it here. I'd love to see your results!

32 comments:

  1. This is a cool tutorial! Your way looks so easy, I will have to try it.

    Funny about your boning tool!

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  2. this is just rocks...thanks for doing this

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  3. Lori this Rocks!!! Love your tutorial........ I am so gonna have to give this a try you make it look so easy LOL

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  4. wow, how cool! thanks for doing this.

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  5. How easy was that! Thanks Lori. I'll using this idea soon.

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  6. Thanks for that. Briliiant tutorial!

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  7. Oh my gosh!!! I just started scrapping and card making and was wondering how on earth do you do an envelope for an odd size card? This is it!! I can't wait to try it...THANK YOU...hey, I have dogs also...they haven't discovered the scrapping supplies yet!

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  8. Thank you great idea............hope it works for me.........patm

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  9. That's how I make envelopes for my cards, only I use my Scor-Pal. My cards end up being odd sizes since "I make it up as I go", and I end up HAVING to do this envelope you describe - lol.
    :) It DOES work, even when you have Scor-Pal to make nice even & straight scores.

    *Kat

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  10. I am sorry that you've had this out here for almost a year and I'm just now finding it! THANK you so much for teaching us how to make our envelopes. I usually just line the bought ones.TFS

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  11. Magic and so clever!

    Kathy

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  12. I just found your page - so anxious to try it!
    Don't want to burst anyone's bubble but if you are mailing the card the USPS has regulations on size minimums & maximums - you won't know it cuz you'll put on a stamp but it will probably be 'postage due' for your receiver & that would be a bummer to send a nice card & then the receiver has to pay to get it!
    A reminder...
    Length - min. 5" max. 11 1/2"
    Height - min. 3 1/2" max. 6 1/8"
    Width - 1/4" max.

    Happy folding!

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  13. I've had this bookmarked for ages and finally got around to trying it - so wonderful! Thank you so much for posting these instructions. I have visions of my piles of annoying DCWV papers disappearing at long last.

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  14. This looks just awesome, I am definately going to use this !! thank you so much!

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  15. I did it!! It's so easy and so versatile, Thank you so much, when I make a really pretty one I'll post it. My one is rather basic, but it's just what I want. I too used up some pp that I didn't like on a Layout or card.

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  16. Such a neat tutorial! I always hate making envelopes, but I think I can do this!

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  17. Great explanation and photos. Even though I use the MS score board, I love to add new techniques to my "tool kit". Thanks for sharing.

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  18. I already do something similar but never thought to round the edges like that. I'll have to try it out! thanks :)

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  19. like the rounding..thank you!

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  20. I found your tutorial today, and made one when I got home from work. Truly easy-peasy!

    http://thecrookedstamper.blogspot.com/2011/06/something-new.html

    THANKS!

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  21. fantastic post thanks for that!

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  22. I can't believe how easy it is to make simple envelopes. I'm sorry I spent all that $$ on my Martha Stewart envelope maker. To keep from losing my $$, I will use my MS for scoring or box making only. Thanks again for the insight, I am very much pleased with my finish product.

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  23. Thank you! Worked great - made my first envelope today :)
    Celestial Things

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  24. I have no interest doing this...but will try it out for Gift Card envelopes.

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  25. And I will try it for the small pieces of jewellery I make. A box is often inappropriately important for simple earrings or stretchy bracelets but a handmade envelope made with pretty or interesting paper could be just perfect.
    Now I'm off to Google 'DCWV' to see what that's about.
    Thank you.

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  26. Could you tell me what your LSS is? I'd like to see this sale where you can get 10 sheets for $1.00. Thanks.

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  27. I just made this and it worked perfectly! thanks so much!

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  28. Easy and quick. I am a beginner, but had no trouble following your directions! Thanks

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