Going Postal

I recently purchased The Big A$$ Book of Crafts and I found a craft to make envelopes out of anything. I have so many magazines that I’m afraid to throw out so I decided that I should put them to good use. I found February 2008 Washingtonian and I thought PERFECT. I didn’t follow the template pictured in the book, I just looked at an envelope that was already made and I decided to make it accordingly.

I took two pages of the magazine. I used a glue stick to glue one on top of the other. One side will be the outside of the envelope and the other the inside. I choose to have the map of Maryland/Virginia on the outside and an article on the inside. I trimmed the edges to make sure it was even. I turned the paper article side up and I began to fold the paper the way the envelope would look (3 folds). Then I opened the paper up and folded .5mm crease on the right and left side of the paper. I trimmed the ceased edge from the lower section (which will be folded up and glued onto the remaining crease in the middle to hold the letter. I folded the lower half up and glued the lower half onto the creases to make a pocket. I then trimmed the crease edges off of the top fold (it’s optional). I trimmed the corners of the top fold into little curves (you can do triangles if you like). I placed address labels on the envelope and it’s ready to mail. If you like you can reinforce with tape. The only downside to this is you have to use glue or tape to seal the envelope. I prefer using my glue stick.











I have made several these so far and they have been delivered to the proper address. I was afraid the post-person would say they aren’t real envelopes. The best way to make these is to experiment. I’m sure that you have old magazine or decorative paper so just go for it. I wouldn’t suggest using newspaper since it’s thin paper, but I haven’t tried it yet so it may work.

Happy Mailing!!!