Envelopes

The Envelope, Please by Judi Kauffman

We’re welcoming Judi Kauffman back as today’s Guest Designer. She’s showing how to stretch one sheet of Dragonfly Ladies in Circle peel-offs to decorate seven envelopes!
And she included a bonus Flower Cuties envelope, too.

Thanks for inviting me back, Joset. Remember those pieces of paper that start with
“Dear (person’s name)” and end with “Love (your name)”? Yes, I’m talking about LETTERS,
and letters require an envelope, and I’m a firm believer that decorated envelopes are more
fun than plain ones.

That’s where today’s project comes in: I’m challenging one and all to decorate a batch of letter-size (#10) envelopes. Then write letters; fill those envelopes and mail them! Include a bookmark, a drawing or photo print, a clipping from a newspaper or magazine. I think you’ll be amazed at the impact real mail has on folks these days.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Design strategies:
*Pick interesting #10 envelopes (heavy weight speckled, flannel-finish, linen weave, or other)
*Use the sheet of peel-offs shown, Dragonfly Ladies in Circle, or choose butterflies, flowers, owls, Asian vases, cupcakes, or other themes.
*The goal is to create at least six or more envelopes from a single sheet of peel-offs. Use a single large motif for some of the envelopes and groups of smaller motifs for the rest of them.
*To further stretch the sheet of peel-offs, use one medium size heart per envelope instead of all three, fewer leaves or fewer circles and mini hearts, one bow instead of two, and so on.
*Option: Save a few of the smaller peel-offs and decorate the writing paper that will hold your letter!

2. After placing the peel-off(s) onto the envelope, cover with a sheet of lightweight (text/computer) paper and burnish well with a burnishing tool or the bowl of a spoon so the peel-offs won’t budge while in the postal system.

3. Color in and around the peel-offs using markers, colored pencils, or paint. Draw wavy or zigzag lines on which to write the recipient’s address and your return address. Add doodles and details with fine nib black and medium point white pens.

SUPPLIES

2565 Dragonfly Ladies in Circle in Black (Elizabeth Craft Designs)

ProMarkers (Letraset)

Pigma Micron 01 in Black, Gelly Roll Medium in White (Sakura of America)

Flannel-finish #10 business envelopes (Manufacturer of choice)

BONUS PROJECT

The shortest Flower Cutie Peel-off from Elizabeth Craft Designs sheet 2566 is the right height for a #10 envelope. Here she is, ready to wend her way through the postal system –