While I didn't actually make any of these envelopes today, the girls have recently been cutting and folding, and as I tidied around their creativity, I thought I'd show and tell!
We have a bit of a family thing going with these - someone will get the urge to 'make envelopes' and pull out the box and start tracing; and someone else might pick up scissors and cut; and usually I get the folding bit because I happen to like it! We have made literally hundreds of these - magazines, old geography or map books, used calendars, kids paintings - anything thats colourful and big enough gets turned into envelopes!! I simply used the outline of any bought envelopes that I liked and traced them onto stiff card, although now we are using quilters plastic (not sure what it's real name is!) which is more durable and doesnt wear away at the edges.
I use these envelopes for everything - the darker colours need a small white sticker for the address and I have a special black permanent marker to address them all. We have had one almost mishap though - we sent a cheque to one of our suppliers and his wife thought it was one of those mass mail outs wanting money, so she threw it out!!!! Now, I always write our name in big letters on the back!
Last year when we had a stand for our heaters at the Penguin Sustainable Living Day, we tied up sets of 12 envelopes with op shop wool and coerced the Fairy Girl and her little friend to wander the show and sell them....... and they sold all 18 sets!!! Not bad for a bit of fun on a wintery evening!
Ever done this before? Try it, it's quite relaxing in a mindless sort of way!
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Progress report - maybe posting about my paltry stresses has been therapeutic because I crossed off three and a half items on my lists and had a relaxed kind of day (yes I've only done half of one of them but its a big messy one ;-)
That is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing. They look beautiful. They would certainly put a smile on my face if I received one in the mail.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! I make cards using pictures from old art catalogues that my husband has in his picture framing shop in Launceston. I find that relaxing as well. My daughter sells them at the Latrobe Makers Market.
ReplyDeleteDeb
I used to make envelopes from ads torn from magazines. Just folded into thirds and glued together. I think I should dig them out (or make some more), it is certainly an easy art fix.
ReplyDeleteOur post office man thinks we are mad and says he always knows when a funny envelope comes through it's either for us or from us!
ReplyDeleteDeb, I make a few cards too but they are a bit more exacting and need more concentration than I can give at one time....sigh!!
That is a really wonderful, clever idea. I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteThose are amazing! I can remember my mom making envelopes from National Geographic magazine when I was younger. I've never tried it myself, but you've sure made me want to!
ReplyDeletei have that same envelope makeing book with templates! i love it!! yours look so cool i'm inspired to go find mine again. it's the perfect way to recycle!
ReplyDeleteHi Evi, first visit here and I love those envelopes! We call that plastic 'template plastic'. It's great to have on hand and the templates last and last.
ReplyDeleteOh, we LOVE doing this too! It's so fun to see how the envelopes turn out. I should get going on making some more though, as the saved-paper stash is becoming unruly.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful idea..thanks for sharing ♥ Jo
ReplyDeleteBLD - we too use magazines of all sorts and have quite a large stash of torn out pages!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, thanks for that... I did know that once....;-)
And to every one else that commented - thank you! I hope you all have a go, it's quite a mesmerising activity and makes such a pretty 'gift' in the mail box!!