Holiday & Special Occasion Envelopes by Linda Hess

Every so often the urge will hit to clean/organize my studio to see what I actually have in there.  This project is the result of one such clean up.  I found papers and inks and stamps galore in the cabinets and drawers and cubbies.  The thought came to me that my stamp collection would be best organized by season and/or theme.  From that my thoughts went to a project using the Kreate-a-lope envelope maker from Green Sneakers (www.greensneakers.com).  Wouldn't it be great to make envelopes for each occasion?  How extra special would that make a card or package??  Let's find out.

I began by pulling some papers from my extensive stash.  I placed them one at a time on my Helix cutting mat.  Following Step 1 for the Kreate-a-lope, I placed the sizing template on my paper and cut around it using an Exacto knife.

.

Each is flipped over and then folded following the Kreate-a-lope guidelines.  Nice crisp edges can be achieved by using a bone folder. 

 

Now to design 3 special envelopes.

 

CHRISTMAS ENVELOPE:  The green polka dotted paper was too perfect for a Christmas themed envelope.  I used Color Box Fluid Chalk in red to color the edges.  Use a glue stick to seal the edges of the envelope closed.  Rub with bone folder to assure it is sealed.

 

Using the "window" as a mask the front of the envelope was also stamped in red. 

 

A reindeer stamp and Ancient Page Pine dye ink pad form a festive border around the edges. I used a gold Pentel Brush Marker Pen to outline the edges and then gold filigree corners are added. 

 A Christmas heart stamped & embossing powder (heat to set) completes the envelope.

 

"TIME IS TICKING" ENVELOPE:  The edges are sealed.  I used some beautiful gold filigree corners  (Starform Outline stickers #1225  www.ecstacycrafts.com) to decorate the front.  The left side is stamped with the Angelic Pocket Watch (www.sincitystamps.com) and embossed with gold.  Heat to set.  Detail with Copper Pentel Metallic Brush Pen

Turn the envelope over.  Repeat the Angelic Pocket Watch on the lip of the envelope.  Heat to set.  Sometimes simple is best :-)

 

SPRING ADVENTURE ENVELOPE:  Super simple!  The edges are sealed with a glue stick.  Use the "flourish" stencil (www.sincitystamps.com) and eggplant Color Box fluid chalk to decorate the front and back flap.  Position the stencil so that it leaves enough room for an address.  Detail with a Green Pentel Metallic Brush Pen.  DONE! 

Seriously....that is all there is to creating a beautiful handmade envelope.  So go dig through your own craft supplies, visit some of the websites, and bask in the compliments from your family & friends.