last minute envelope book
When a big event or a holiday is coming up, I am one to have big ideas about things that I want to make for a gift. Suddenly, the event is here - and do I have my project complete? Usually, no! One of the things I have wanted to make for a long time is a mini book for Chad of him and the girls for Father's Day. That project will be made someday, but obviously did not come together this year. This project I put together was something that I know he will love, is a step above just a card, doesn't require too many supplies, and I was able to complete it very quickly. Let me show you what I did to make this envelope book for Chad's Father's Day gift...
I am loving the Guide Lines set that is coming out with the release this month and so I used to to create two background papers to use with my project. One color of ink (white!) and one color of paper (kraft!) Easy. The pieces of cardstock are 4 1/4" x 11" (a 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock cut in half the long way.)
I got these 5 1/2" square envelopes from a paper supply place (Anchor Paper for those of you in the Minneapolis area.) You could easily adapt this project to whatever envelopes you have on hand. I attached the envelopes together by adhering the flap of one envelope to the bottom back of another envelope - see the pictures above and below.
So looking at the picture above, you can see that I have 3 envelopes attached together in a long line. I also want my project to stand a bit like an accordion book.
I used the Father Knows Best set to create sentiment blocks for my project. Each square has a stamped tree and sentiment from the set - you can see all 3 of them below.
Here is my quick and easy layout for each envelope. The Spring Moss base measures 5 1/2" x 4 3/4" and the strip cut from my stamped background paper is 1 1/2" X 5 1/2". The layouts are all the same except for the placement of the squares. Repeating something in your design, or repetition, is pleasing to the eye and helps you put together your project more quickly!
I added a few accents to each section - a bit of vintage brown trim and stitched on buttons. I put all of this together before I adhered them to the envelopes. I also covered the top flap of my envelope book with the stamped background paper.
For inside each envelope pocket I printed out pictures in a 4" x 4" size and adhered them to 5" x 5" kraft bases. The twill tape pulls on the side are stitched on with my sewing machine using a zig-zag stitch.
Here's how the pictures slide into the envelope pockets...
A look at everything all put together. The twill to tie the envelope book closed is stitched to the top envelope flap with a sewing machine and is long enough (coming around both sides of the book) to tie the whole book closed when it is folded up.
Here's everything all bundled up and ready to give to Chad this Sunday. This project would be so easy to make for so many occasions!
Good luck with your holiday projects and thanks for stopping by!
Father's Day Envelope Book
stamps: Guide Lines, Father Knows Best (Papertrey Ink)
ink: Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Unicorn Memories (Stewart Superior), Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!), Jet Black Archival (Ranger)
cardstock: white, kraft, Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink)
accessories: Spring Moss twill (Papertrey Ink), 5 1/2" square envelopes (Anchor Paper), vintage trim, vintage buttons, linen thread (Stampin' Up!), dimensionals, sewing machine/thread
Loving it! I'll make one for my mom's upcoming birthday for sure. Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial!!
Posted by: Nina | September 01, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Hi,
I like this idea and would you be willing to share the instructions, as i have a ton of envelopes i purchase from a stationary store that was closing down?
It's great idea to use up those extra envelopes.
Thank you.
Hugs&Smiles
greenmango
Posted by: greenmango | June 23, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Your style is so distinctive. I love this project because it is beautiful and clever, as so many of your other projects are as well. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Stephanie P | June 21, 2008 at 12:57 AM
I really like the idea you have here. Although my father passed a few yrs. back this is very lovely for many occassions.
TFS.
Posted by: Tam | June 17, 2008 at 08:54 AM
That is gorgeous! TFS!!
Posted by: Sherri | June 16, 2008 at 07:34 PM
WOW, I have no other words.......just WOW. I want one... :)
Posted by: Jane Harrah | June 16, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Heather - Thank you so much for showing this project! I loved it so much I made one for my DH for Father's Day. I used Pond Life for the accents and most of the quotes were from my kids. Great idea!
Posted by: Teresa | June 15, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Lovely idea! You are a great inspiration for newbie's like me; I make cards, but am over- awed with altered art and scrapping (I've done 4 layouts to date!).
Thank you for such a nice idea for a special present; for a special person's special day. Even a novice like me can get into this one and enjoy making it as much as giving.
I can't wait to get started..
Posted by: polly peirce | June 15, 2008 at 09:52 AM
what?! last minute?!! This looks like it could have taken days! Thanks so much for such a fun idea (and making it look so easy).
Wonderful xx
Posted by: elizabeth | June 15, 2008 at 09:38 AM
WOW! What a great book! You got a Shout Out for Scrapbook Saturday over at www.CardoftheWeek.com. You can check out the post at http://www.cardoftheweek.com/2008/06/scrapbook-page.html
Posted by: Susanna | June 14, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Oh Heather...I love, love, love this! I can't wait to try this. You always inspire me, not just with your creativity (which would be enough) but with how you choose to live your life. Thanks...
Posted by: Denise Kessler | June 14, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Love this Pine! You make it look so easy - now if I can pull one these off for my hubby. Love how you make kraft & white look so different with each project.
Posted by: Karen (stampin3) | June 13, 2008 at 11:13 PM
This is beautiful - what a great gift!
Posted by: Shari | June 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM
This is a great project. Thank you for sharing it!
Charmaine
Posted by: Charmaine | June 13, 2008 at 04:15 PM
How adorable! He will love it.
Posted by: Christy | June 13, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Absolutely love this project and your tutorial is great! Too late for me to make it for Father's Day this year, but definately plan to do so next year.
Posted by: Judy S | June 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM
OMG doesn't even begin to cover it. This is just amazing. There are no words. What a fantastic project.
Posted by: Sara | June 13, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Absolutely gorgeous and really has so many design opportunities, too! Thank you for sharing this!
Posted by: Kelly | June 13, 2008 at 11:18 AM
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOve it Piney!! You almost make home made SO awesome!!
Posted by: Michelle Wooderson | June 13, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Beautiful project, and so easy to put together but still with the WOW factor! :-)
Posted by: Bee | June 13, 2008 at 10:41 AM
This is a fabulous project! I love those gridlines-great designs you made! I can't wait until the release so I can get my hands on them! I hope I can give this project a try for fathers day! Thanks!
Posted by: Danielle | June 13, 2008 at 10:10 AM
this is really cute! I should do this for my DH since I have lots of pictures out from my daughter's graduation picture board!!Thanks for sharing this cool book.
Posted by: maryjo marshall | June 13, 2008 at 09:38 AM
This is amazing! What a beautiful gift for your husband. Your *sneak peek* just put me over the edge....I *have* to order this Grid Lines set (and the new papers, etc.!) Thanks for sharing such a beautiful project with us! :)
Posted by: Lisa Beeman | June 13, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Pine, this is absolutely amazing! I just love it my friend!
Posted by: Joy Kennedy (JoyOfStamping) | June 13, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Genious, pure genious! I love this book, I wish I had more time! UGH! Beautiful Heather!
Posted by: Kacey | June 13, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Pine....Chad is going to cry....this envelop book is amazing and I know it will touch his heart.
Posted by: MichelleY | June 13, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Love:Love:Love:it!!!
Thanks for the inspiration...
Have a Great Weekend..
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | June 13, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Sooo beautiful! And what a wonderful gift for such a nice holiday! I'm sure this is something any Dad would cherish! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Edith Demshar | June 13, 2008 at 07:54 AM
What a great project and just in time for last minute people like me! I can't seem to get away from square cards so I have a box of 250- 5 1/2sq envelopes from thepapermillstore.com (lots cheap). I'm definitely going to make this for daddy this weekend- thanks for the inspiration and great directions!
Posted by: Heidi Karpen | June 13, 2008 at 07:43 AM
WOW this is the most gorgeous thing I have seen in a long time!!
Posted by: Regan D'Agostino | June 13, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Beautiful project. It looks complicated (to me) but well worth the effort. I can't wait to try this. Thanks for sharing your work with others.
Posted by: Vivian | June 13, 2008 at 07:06 AM
Very creative! I really appreciate ideas I can not only try but I know will continue to be appreciated by anyone I give it to! Thanks for a great project!
Posted by: Beverly T. | June 13, 2008 at 06:49 AM
What a wonderful project. The patterned paper you created is great. And I love the way you matted the pictures and added ribbon as a pull. I'm sure your husband is going to love it!!
Posted by: Sandy B | June 13, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Just a fabulous project!!! And I can already see it using many other stamp sets. Thank you for the wonderful inspiration.
Posted by: Gail | June 13, 2008 at 06:34 AM
This is stunning! What a great idea!!
Posted by: Tracy | June 13, 2008 at 06:32 AM
Great project, Heather! I could use a last minute gift, too, so I may just have to use this wonderful idea.
Posted by: Jenn Ellefson | June 13, 2008 at 05:55 AM
I love this. I am going to try this with whatever envelopes I can find...hope it turns out as great as yours. Thinking of making some for grads of pics when they were kiddies.
Retired Heather
Posted by: Heather Fullerton | June 13, 2008 at 03:12 AM
VERY cool project! I've never seen this done before.
Posted by: MacKenzie Bruckler | June 13, 2008 at 01:54 AM
Gosh, what a lovely idea. Simply adore the way you put together the envelopes into 1 accordion album look-alike. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely idea.
Posted by: Mei Ling | June 13, 2008 at 01:32 AM
WOW! What a stunner of a project! I adore your style--you are amazing, Pine!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | June 13, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Such a wonderful gift! Thank you for the tutorial. I'm putting this one in my "keeper" file.
Posted by: Sylvia/Georgia | June 13, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Awesome book! Beautiful style!
Posted by: Shelly W | June 12, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Beautiful job!
Posted by: Adela | June 12, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I love this project, especially the stamped paper. Thanks so much for the tutorial on the envelope book. So quick, but it's so neat!
Posted by: Niki Estes | June 12, 2008 at 10:55 PM
This is incredible. It's beautiful, it's clever, and it's a treasure of a gift. Nice work!
Posted by: MissyC | June 12, 2008 at 10:48 PM
WOW! stunning!! what a gorgeous project!!!!!
Posted by: Kimberly | June 12, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Pine...this is just beautiful! WOW!
Posted by: Becky | June 12, 2008 at 10:00 PM
This is wonderful, I'm sure your husband will cherish this!
Posted by: Lynn | June 12, 2008 at 09:39 PM