Handmade Envelopes

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

Templates: There are all sorts of ways to get them, but I’ll share my favorite: 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 are ready to make envelopes! I’m sure once you try this method, you’ll start looking all envelopes in a new way.

What to make envelopes out of? For this swap, please use decorative scrapbook-type paper. Personally, I buy the 12x12 scrapbook paper pads for making most of my envelopes. One of my favorite paper brands is K&Company. Their paper is of good quality and I especially like their double-sided papers. But other brands will work fine too. If you stay away from the flimsy paper, your envelope won't get crinkled or torn up in the mail. Note: In a previous swap, someone told me they make theirs with thinner paper, but they add an envelope liner. This is fine too.

Fine Details:

• You will have 2 partners.
• You will make and send each partner 3 envelopes.
• You will use decorative paper.
• The envelopes should be no smaller than the minimum allowed by United States Postal Service (5” long X 3 1/2” high). Other than that, you can make them as large as you want to.
• It's optional to put a double-sided peel off tape strip on your envelopes (when mailing, I usually just seal mine with clear packing tape, which helps to reinforce the sides too).
• It's also optional to include mailing labels (sometimes I use labels and sometimes I write directly on the envelope with a Sharpie marker).
• Sender's choice on envelope colors/patterns/designs.