Handmade Envelopes

Darn--going on vacation tomorrow-won't be back till the 12th. Hope you do this again in the near future.

Thanks, I have been waiting for this kind of swap again. I have lots os envelopes that I have made from several types of paper.

Okay, Beth, I'm in!!!! your new buddy Carol in Colorado

@funkhoup don't worry, I'll host this again. I love to make envelopes! @atinagrace thanks for joining. @CWarner I'm happy you've signed up to play!!

Sounds like fun!

cool I just made a big batch the other night of several different sizes!

do they have to be different styles/sizes?

Oh this is so fun. To bad I have company coming tomorrow right through till the send date. I will keep my eye out for this swap again as I LOVE making my own envelopes. Happy swapping everyone.

I'm kinda at my limit for swaps right now, but I look forward to when you host this swap again. I've been saving calendars and interesting ads for just this purpose.

BTW, can someone make some suggestions concerning how most people seal their homemade envelopes. I had bought a type of roll-on adhesive which was specifically made for this purpose, but because it's so wet, it puckered the paper. I tried putting on a lighter coat of the adhesive, but then I wasn't sure if there was enough to seal it securely. I know some people buy the plain round labels, white or clear, and use them to close their envelopes. Some people I think also decorate the labels or use store bought decorative labels. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance. :)

CraftyTweetie, I purchased doubled faced Res-Q Tape (made by dritz). you can find it in the sewing section of your craft store. Its really easy to use, you just cut off a strip and attach to your envelope and then when you're ready to seal, you pull off the white paper that is attached to the tape. They sell it in all sizes :)

I use glue sticks - works perfectly. Glue is all you need. I would love to join this swap, but I don't want cute envelopes with huge strips of packaging tape (of any kind) on the outside. I will have to think about it.

make your own glue here

Bruxbaby, I think the reinforcing packing tape mentioned in the swap description is not added to the envelopes being sent to the swap partner, but rather to the envelopes when the recipient of the thinner papered envelopes uses it and mails to someone. In other words, I also reinforce the edges of envelopes in which I am sending a letter to someone before I mail it so that the machines won't tear my mail. Some envelopes I receive are made with stiffer papers and don't need to be reinforced before using. But for those made with thin magazine papers, I put packing tape around it after enclosing my letter and addressing the envelope. Otherwise it can be received torn or destroyed altogether because of the postal processing. I hope that better explains what the swap coordinator meant when she mentioned putting packing tape on her envelopes. I understood that she does that when she USES the premade envelopes, not that she does it to envelopes she makes and sends to a swap partner. I might have misunderstood, but this is what I do, too, so I thought that's what she meant. I love making handmade envelopes, too!

I'll try to answer some of your questions below.

@institches no they don't have to be different sizes, you can make them all one size as long as they are a minimum of 5” long X 3 1/2” high.

@CraftyTweetie as far as sealing envelopes. When I make them, I use a gluestick for the flaps. When I mail them, I add packing tape to the sides if it looks the envelope needs it. Some envelopes I've received, people have added a 3M strip of double-sided tape that has a strip ready to peel off, for sealing the top flap for mailing.

@Catalinacrafts this sounds kind of like the 3M tape I spoke about above. I may have to try to find this Res-Q Tape you talk about.

Thanks, @KarlaKC you are exactly right and explained it perfectly. We have a lot in common when it comes to making & sending handmade envelopes! (smile)

Ok, with that said, thank you all for signing up to make & send envelopes. We have 36 participants! I wish I could receive from all of you - LOL!! I'm assigning partners now.