Getting mail is fun. (Well, when it's not a pile of bills and junk.) It's even more fun to get mail when it's packaged in a way that makes you smile before you even know what's in it.
Adding that smile to someone's day can be as simple as sending a note in a handmade envelope. Leftover papers from scrapbooking projects, scraps of wrapping paper, pages from old calendars, and graphic magazine pages all can be cut and folded into unique, custom envelopes.
If you already have scissors, a pen or marker, and glue on hand, this craft project is free!
There are many different tools and templates available for making envelopes. Tools like die cuts and stencils can be purchased to aid in the creation of custom envelopes. There are also downloadable, printable templates for many styles of envelopes available for free on the internet.
These special tools are handy, but not necessary. A factory-made envelope can easily be disassembled and used as a cutting guide for creating your own envelopes.
When choosing paper for making envelopes, be sure it is sturdy enough to hold up in the mail. Calendar pages and magazine covers are usually sturdy enough to be used on their own. For lighter weight papers, such as interior magazine pages or wrapping paper, reinforce them with another sheet of paper. Use a glue stick or other glue to cover the entire back side of the paper you wish to use and attach it to another sheet of paper. (If using liquid glue, spread with a brush for even application.)
Click on the slideshow below to see how to make your own envelopes.
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