A Year of Paper Crafts

Time does go by so fast. It has taken me this week to realize that the year is almost over. I've done a round up of my favorite crafts of the year. Some which were quite popular, others which were not but I loved how they turn out.

I liked "sending tea" because of how a simple thing can make a gift look so much better, and I just love doilies.

The accordion envelope using paper bags was one of the most popular posts of the year. I really liked how they turned out.

Again doilies, only this time I enjoyed adding words and neon paint. They also make excellent gifts and they look great anywhere.

If I had to pick a favorite between all the strings I've made this year, this one would be it. I like this string a lot!

The crafts using old books was also really nice to create. I had never tried to destroy an old book before, but it turned out I really could!

Last but not least, the nesting envelopes where a "cool" project where I not only got the chance to make many envelopes but figure out how they could actually fit and look together.

Do you have a favorite craft of the year?? Doesn't have to be from this blog, I would love to know.

Have a wonderful Monday.
Giova.

Accordion Envelope Using Paper Bags

I think I should change the name of my flat project to the envelope project. For some reason I keep coming up with envelopes, but I must admit that envelopes are a weakness. More so, than the actual writing paper. 

This is a very easy and simple project. It is a little folder where you can fit almost anything flat that you wish to send to your pen pal. And you have a nice envelope made up with all those leftover paper bags (I'm assuming you have leftover bags, but I think if you only have the brown paper kind, they will look very nice too).

Here is what you'll need:

• paper bags, any kind (I got mine at Paper Presentation, and St. Augustine Paper Co.) 
• glue stick
• washi-tape if you want to re-enforce the lower part
• scissors or x-acto knife
• nice paper for the back (the bird one is from Sukie, the red chevron is from Igloo letterpress)

The glue goes in 2 places: On the lower part of each bag so they get stuck together, and on the last bag which a piece of paper will be glued to make the flap of the envelope.

I haven't sent out one yet, but I don't think it needs extra protection. Seal it with wash-tape instead of the twine and you'll be set.

Wishing you a lovely and crafty weekend.
Giova.

Another Type of Envelope

Hoping you had a most excellent Easter surrounded by family, and as Jillian says; with lots and lots of chocolate!!
Here is a little craft I want to leave you with, before our break. This won't take too much of your time, except the letter (of course).

This envelope or  folder or holder, I still don't know its name exactly, fits perfectly in a 23 x 16 cms envelope. It does have to go in another envelope otherwise it won't make it in one piece, (redundant, I know) but I'm pretty sure your pen pal will love it so much!

You will need:

• A doily cut in half (for the upper and lower flaps)
• A piece of thick paper measuring 21 x 14 cms
• 2 pieces of paper (for the right and left flaps) measuring 21 x 7 cms each
• Extra pieces of paper for the inside pouches
• and washi-tape 

Envelope closed

When you open the" holder of things" you will find; a letter, tea, and a quote.

The left side holds the tea, the right side the quote, plus the date (very important for us pen pals)

This is how the back looks. Not too much decoration, but you're welcome to.

The doily is from Talking Tables, the bird paper used for the envelope is from Sukie, and the one for the letter is from Uguisu, one of my favorite web stores!!

We'll be back in a week or maybe two. My older one will be on vacation for 15 days (yes 15!!), and we are trying to figure out, how to best entertain a 2 year old and an 11 year old together. Quite, quite difficult sometimes.

Wishing you much creativity and craftiness!!

Giova

Handmade Envelopes

One of the sponsors for the Alt Summit conference was Citizens of Humanity. They are a company that specializes in jeans. For the conference they brought a very beautiful magazine, and I grabbed one thinking; "Yeah, I can take this, no problem!" Well, no! It was heavy and very big, but did I mention beautiful? And the paper was just too amazing to throw away, so I did the best I could to save the nicest  pages thinking they would be perfect for envelopes, and since I'm a "snail-mailer" I'm always in need of envelopes. It is the simplest activity. Here are some instructions just for fun!

Gather the pages of your beautiful magazine, the ones you don't feel like parting with.

Take apart an envelope, in my case it is a size A6 from Paper Source and trace it.

Cut it.

Fold it and glue it 

Write your letter and adorn the envelope as you wish

Here is my collection of "new" envelopes. I'm admiring them a bit longer before sending them out!

"To get a letter, you must send a letter." It is the Letter Writers Alliance motto. If you are in need of a pen pal check them out.

Have a very crafty Sunday!
Giova