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Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards

Mara Rivet

Here's a great way to recycle paper by making your own envelopes and note cards.

Materials

  • postal regulation envelope (for a template)
  • paste, or glue sticks
  • scissors or exacto knife
  • ruler
  • pencil
  • paint brush (if paste is used)
  • small amount of plain paper (you can uses pieces of envelopes, lined paper or whatever)
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  • various sheets of interesting paper ranging in size from 6.5x9-10 inches or 8.5x11 inches - these sizes are easier to handle and more readily available

Hint: I often use old maps and pages from old magazines.

Instructions

We will be creating a tri-fold style closed envelope, which is much simpler than the triangular style closure seen on many postal envelopes but you can use any envelope as your pattern.

Making The Envelope

  1. Place your template envelope in the center of the backside of the paper you want to use, or so that the image you want on the front of your envelope is in the center-ish of where your template sits.
  2. Fold the bottom up to within 1-1/2 inches of the top of your template. Then fold the sides of the paper gently up and over so that they overlap at least 1/3-1/2 inches. This will create the creases for the seams you will be using.
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  4. Fold the top down, ensuring it overlaps your bottom portion enough to create a closure (usually at least 1/2 inch).
  5. Now you will cut off the pieces you don't need. Cut the inside portion of the seams.
  6. Then cut these same pieces off of your top flap down to the top edge of the bottom flap, but don't cut below that. The edges left will be your side closures.
  7. Now we will paste the seam edges closed. You can "paint", dab or smear a small amount of paste or glue to the folded edges and then fold them on top of your envelope to create the closures on the sides. Only a little is needed.
  8. Let these dry.
  9. Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards

     
    Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards
     

    Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards
     
    Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards
     

    Making The Notecard

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    1. Measure the opening you have in your envelope from the bottom edge to the top crease. Subtract about 1/4 inch and double this to get the length you will want to measure for your note card.
    2. Measure from straight across from left to right and subtract about 1/4 inch to get the width.
    3. Cut out a sheet of interesting looking paper in using those measurements as a guide.
    4. Fold this sheet in half.
    5. Take a piece or two of your plain paper and cut it to the size you would like to write your note on.
    6. Paste this on the inside and if needed the back of your note card.
    7. Let this dry
    Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards
     
    Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards
     

    Recycled Envelopes and Note Cards
     

    Write your note and slide it inside the envelope. Fold over your closure. You can either paste your envelope closed after inserting the notecard, or just fold the flap inside the envelope. Or make a set and give them to a friend as a gift.

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    By Mara from Seattle, WA

Recycled envelops and note cards.
 

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June 7, 20070 found this helpful

I like this idea but - I can't understand the instructions. I think I know how to use the common style envelope as a template, But I would like to try this different style. Anywhere I can find a template for the style you are doing? Or maybe describe a trifold envelope? My memory may just need a little jog. TIA

 
Anonymous
June 7, 20070 found this helpful

I love making envelopes out of old calendar pages, magazine pages, wrapping paper, even tissue paper. I've got so many envelopes now that I'll never use them all. lol

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For varying patterns I had been going to suggest the Donovon Template site, but it's been suspended for some reason. There are however other templates available online.

Here are some links that people might find useful;

www.diynetwork.com/.../0,2025,DIY_14232_2278611,00.html

Business sized;

www.ewswa.org/.../templates.html

Pocket envelope;

www.paperworks.biz/.../

A tip for making your own out of a regular store bought envelope, for a long lasting pattern, trace around it and cut it out of stencil or quilter's plastic. Doing that also offers the added bonus of allowing you to see the underlying image and to use the picture more effectively.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 418 Feedbacks
June 8, 20070 found this helpful

The envelopes and notecards in your photos are quite beautiful.

 
By guest (Guest Post)
July 12, 20070 found this helpful

HI ALL , TO MAKE TEMPLATES THAT LAST I USE OLD X-RAY FILMS NO LONGER USED ,TRACE FROM OLD ENVELOPES YOU ALREADY HAVE , TRACE THEN SIMPLY CUT OUT , VOILA

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HOPE THIS HELPS YOU
SNOOPI

 
November 16, 20070 found this helpful

Judging by the pictures, I think that tri-fold means (1) fold up the bottom side of the paper (just slightly less than half the length) to make the back of the envelope (2) fold in the 2 sides then (3) fold down the extra bit on top to close the envelope.

I've been thinking of trying this for awhile, after seeing these pics I'm all inspired and determined to give it a go this weekend. Your envelopes and notecards are gorgeous!

 

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