I m not overly craft oriented, I did by a punch board to make envelopes. The first attempts were a disaster. Until I realized I was using the wrong paper size. Where do you find the square sized paper to make your envelopes? Or is there another way?
I m not overly craft oriented, I did by a punch board to make envelopes. The first attempts were a disaster. Until I realized I was using the wrong paper size. Where do you find the square sized paper to make your envelopes? Or is there another way?
InCoWri 2018, Letter Writers Alliance Member, Postable link: www.postable.com/bradharris, postcrossing
I use all kinds of papers. Recycled calendars & other large printed matter are good sources. For new papers, try scrapbooking paper sheets or pads (e.g. 8" x 8" or 12" x 12") from craft shops, ebay, etsy or other online sources. Best to get the lighter weight papers rather than thicker cardstock. Or try wrapping paper sheets or rolls & cut to size.
earthdawn (December 25th, 2016)
My punch board lists varying sizes of paper and the resulting size envelope they yield.
I have an inexpensive Cricut paper cutter which I use to cut my paper to the exact dimensions I need.
When I don't feel like doing all that, I have a cardboard pattern made from a real envelope's dimensions which I simply trace onto my paper, cut out, and glue.
"Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine
distracted_mom (December 27th, 2016), earthdawn (December 25th, 2016), Morgaine (January 2nd, 2017), Sailor Kenshin (December 27th, 2016), southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016), VegHead (December 26th, 2016)
I buy my square paper from Hobby Lobby. They have many different books of patterned paper that is suitable for making envelopes, and they aren't expensive. Especially when you search for a coupon, before you go, that will give you discount.
Otherwise I use paper from magazines or calendars.
I also have made cardboard templates from envelopes that I have received for when I don't want to make square envelopes.
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
Well dummy here had to Google what you lot are talking about . . . Liked what I saw and ordered one! And it was on special at half price with free postage.
I bought one a while back, but only used it like 3 times or so. I found it easier to download an A4 envelope template and paste it to a sheet of paper. I'm not even sure I could find it if I tried. If I do find it, I'll probably sell or get rid of it.
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
I'm not entirely sure if it is the same thing ("punch board"), but last year I picked up an envelope template guide from somewhere - isellpens.com, I think. It has 4 sizes of envelopes that you trace on paper and then cut out and glue. There is also a small art supply store near us that has these cool packs of papers, big random assortments of stuff for about $10, very colorful and varied in materials and texture. The only thing is that sometimes I have to make an additional 'label' for the address, otherwise, it would be hard to see (I *do* want the letter to get there!). When I have the time (and hell, let's be honest, my correspondence track record is pretty bad already!), it really is fun to make an envelope.
"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."
~ Benjamin Franklin
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
The envelope punch board and its cousin the box punch board are fantastic but they must be used in conjunction with a paper trimmer. There are hundreds of youtube videos on how to get the paper trimmed to size to fit these punch boards. Serious crafters invest in 12x12 paper and cut it down to size. That's the standard size for scrapbooks. However, you can use whatever paper: grocery bags, computer paper, copy paper, notebook paper. You just have to use the paper trimmer to get the correct dimensions to fold envelopes or make boxes.
Martha Stewart brand makes a nice trimmer; Westcott makes a trimmer, Staples has its own brand of trimmer. Get one with a ruler that fans out.
If you buy a tape runner to seal them shut (Staples make the best tape runner, imho) you'll never have to buy another envelope in your life! LOL
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
Sounds complicated and a lot of work, just the thing to put obstacles in my path. I'll go take a look, though.
The thing I got (was from JetPens.com, sorry) is a Handmade Envelope Template. Looks like this:
Last edited by Jon Szanto; December 26th, 2016 at 01:16 PM.
"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."
~ Benjamin Franklin
Chrissy (December 27th, 2016), southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016), VertOlive (December 26th, 2016)
distracted_mom (December 27th, 2016)
I never heard of these devices until I read this thread. But what would I do with the thousands of plain envelopes I have in my office closet, not to mention my vintage airmail envelopes?
Fred
Last edited by FredRydr; December 27th, 2016 at 06:46 AM.
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
My other pen is a Montblanc.
And my other blog is a tumblr!
And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
eBay and etsy have lots. And our own jbb will have them, too.
Fred
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
southpaw52 (December 28th, 2016)
I bought a pad of 8X8 paper from Hobby Lobby. I was successful in making my first envelope. After I figured it out, it is fun to make my own envelope(s). Adds a bit of class to my letters.
Thanks everyone for your ideas and suggestions.
InCoWri 2018, Letter Writers Alliance Member, Postable link: www.postable.com/bradharris, postcrossing
VegHead (December 28th, 2016)
I was introduced to the We R Memory Keepers envelope board by some InCoWriMo peeps.
I buy 12 x 12 (or sometimes 8 x 8) scrapbooking paper, but I cut it down to size using a stiff metal ruler and a craft knife. I also cut other sourced paper to square for making envelopes with.
southpaw52 (October 10th, 2017)
Came across a couple of useful calculators for envelope sizes not included on the punchboard:
http://www.thecraftyowl.co.uk/EnvelopeExpert/ and http://crafterskey.blogspot.co.uk/p/calculator.html
migo984 (October 8th, 2017), southpaw52 (October 10th, 2017)
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