A Stranded Island

Yes, I did take this shot from "above" for dramatic effect

I had this idea for envelopes in my head and wanted some cool paper to create it with. I went to Jo Ann Fabrics and found a very cool “Heirloom” scrapbook paper collection complete with Bingo Cards, Playing Cards, and Antique Key images. My thrill level at finding this was probably at an 8 when I broke out my handy dandy Jo Ann Fabrics iPhone app and realized I had a coupon for 40% off one object and $5 off a purchase of $25! At this point I’m pumped and probably at a 9.5 on the excitement scale (it’s the little things).

I head on my merry way but decide to stop at my local Salvation Army to try my luck at finding a cool book chalk full of photographs for this project. Being a Goodwill girl, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked in. I walked out with the same doubts about this new thrift store when low and behold I see a “Salvation Army Boutique” one door over. What could this be? I wander in and head straight to the book section. It took all of 2 seconds for the clouds to part and the oversized “Earth From Above” book to catch my attention (as seen above, circa 1999). EUREKA! I’ve found exactly what I had imagined! Elated and at an excitement level of 15 I skip over to the counter. I’m having such luck so I decide to blurt out “This isn’t the type of place we can barter is it?” All of a sudden my arms are being thrown into the air (not a joke) as I hear a “Sure, I’ll knock $5 off reply”. Holy smokes, could this really be happening?!? I’m SO ready to craft these bad boys.

What you’ll need:

• Envelope templates
• Fun paper, perhaps from your local Salvation Army
• Scissors/X-acto Knife
• Double Sided Tape
• Optional: White Glossy Paper for a liner

My Freehand Envelope!

I decided to start by making templates of envelopes on manilla folders since I didn’t have any fancy ones to begin with. This also made it MUCH easier to trace. You can create your own or rip apart ones from the drug store to trace. I labeled all my paper envelopes and templates so I could easily make sure cards fit and know which template to use.
I put my cutting mat under the pages I wanted out of the book and sliced them out with my X-acto knife so I didn’t ruin pages below. Then I placed my templates on my image and cut it out.

I mainly put this picture here to show off my chubby fingers.

After that it’s really just folding and taping. I used the edge of a manilla folder to get a sharp strait fold in the envelopes. I then placed double sided tape on the flaps to close it all up. I thought a liner inside made it look more professional and gave me a nice clean place to write what the image on the envelope was. To me that was a fun little touch and makes the image more interesting to the recipient. Some of the images on the opposite side of my paper were equally cool looking so I omitted the liner on those envelopes.

My first round of envelopes!

Camels!!

Who says snail mail can’t be fun?! Whatever doubter believes that can sign up for my mailing list and receive my new ENVELOPES! This is a super easy project and has been my favorite to date (yes all of two weeks since this blog started).  So liven up your mail and make that 45cent stamp really worth it!

Snail Mailer out. Katie