Make Your Own Note Cards and Envelopes, Part 4

We made the envelopes last time for the note cards. This time I will show you how to easily make the note cards to go with it. 

To start with, you will need: a cutter (or scissors), a ruler, pencil, scorer, and the paper you will be using for the cards. If you want to add embellishments to the cards, then you may want to have handy an emboss/punch such as the one I have (or a niftier one would work just as well )

Okay, let’s make some note cards! The way that I show in this post is for just one but if you want to try to make more than one at a time, I would suggest either using more sophisticated tools than what I show here or thinner paper. I am using the remains of the sheet of scrapbook paper I made the envelope from in order to have a matching set. Plain paper, lined or blank, would work just as good (but it would perhaps lack the special touch using coordinated papers gives?)

First measure the envelope’s length and height. Write these down.

 

The reason for measuring these two are so that the note cards fit well inside the envelope when completed. 

Next, using the measurements (which I hope you wrote down!), you will measure out the paper for the note cards.

 

I made the width of the note card smaller than the actual width of the envelope because I didn’t want it to be too snug. You can make it to almost the exact measurement, just leave a little room to make it easier to insert and remove the card. For the length, double the measurement from the length of the envelope. I also cut this a bit shorter than the doubled measurement to make sure the flap would close. But be careful! If it’s too small for your liking, you’ll need to start over with the note card! It’s often better to cut it too big than too small

This is my note card beside the envelope. I definitely could have made the length a bit more but it will work

Now you will take the note card and measure it’s half-way point. You may not be able to see it well but I’ve used my scorer (aka: hairstick lol) to mark the point that is halfway –and if you are really swell with your maths, please don’t mention that I’m off slightly  

Now, turn the note card over and score the card to make it ready for folding. You want the valley to be on the outside of the card and the mountain to be on the inside. (If you don’t know the difference between valley and mountain folds, here is a good site that explains)

Fold the card with the lighter color inside (or if it’s plain paper, with the mountain on the inside).

I haven’t made many cards with ‘embellishments’ but I think it is a good idea and add appeal to the set. Here is my finished embellished note card with envelope.

Now that the card is made, you can add stickers, glitter, feathers, doodads, or whatever you would like to your note card! 

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial series. Have fun making personalized note cards and envelopes to give to others for a quick ‘thinking of you’, ‘thank you’, ‘love you’ or just ‘hi’ card!

See Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3.

Make Your Own Note Cards and Envelopes, Part 3

You’ve chosen your paper and you have all your tools together. Now you’re ready to make your note cards and envelopes! This post will be for the envelopes.

**Unfortunately, I’m missing my scorer (aka: hairstick) and had to improvise with a pen lid to score- and what do ya know! it worked just fine!) and please excuse my fingernail polish **

First, you’ll want to decide what size of note card set you want to make. It is important to have envelopes and note cards that fit together. An easy way to do this is to find an envelope you have already. Perhaps one that you received a birthday card in or a sweet little card from a friend or loved one. Depending on the size of paper you have chosen, you can make an envelope just like the one you received- but in whatever paper pattern you want!

I really like simple myself and to make this tutorial easier, I will use a basic envelope.

The envelope is about 5 3/4” wide and since my scrap book paper is 12x12, I will only be able to make one envelope per sheet. (I promise my math isn’t off- you’ll see ) In another part to this tutorial series, I will show you how to make smaller ones but it is based off of this basic envelope.

Gently, very carefully undo the envelope that you wish to use as a template.

The flaps on the sides of my template envelope make the actual size of the envelope that I will be cutting out of the scrap book paper larger than the 11 1/2” it would be if it were two envelopes side by side. Instead the width is almost 7 1/4” inches (too large for two envelopes from one sheet of 12x12 scrap book paper!)

On the paper you have chosen, trace the open envelope with the sharp pencil. With the paper I am using for this particular step, I cannot erase much because the eraser dulls the paper… I’ll just have to be very careful  

On the following steps the envelope that I use for illustration purposes is one of my smaller envelopes. They are 85% the size of the original envelope. The method is the same no matter what size envelope you are making!

Cut out either right on the trace line or a smidgen on the inside of the trace line (that way your envelope doesn’t have pencil marks).

Now you will score the envelope where the side flaps are and also the bottom and top flap of the envelope. It is difficult to show the score marks…I hope you can see them or at least tell what it is that I’m doing Here is when you use the bone-scorer. Using it at an angle and not too roughly, run it down the length of the ruler where it is on the paper. Clear as mud?

Fold the flaps of the side of the envelope in, lift the bottom flap up on top of those and finally bring the top flap down. Don’t press too hard when folding, it could crack the paper (which will cause it to tear and fall apart).

Does it sit right? Is it straight? One thing about these envelopes is that if you haven’t scored them in the right place, you can generally ‘scoot’ the flaps over, up or down to make them line up better without messing up your finished envelope.

Once it is the way you would like it to be, put glue on the inside bottom flaps, close to the edge and just to the top.

Fold the side flaps in and the bottom flap up and press for a few seconds. It doesn’t take long.

Voila! You have made an envelope that you can put your note card into.

Next up: Make note cards to go with your envelopes.

Make Your Own Note Cards and Envelopes, Part 2

Last time I talked about papers to use for making your own notecards and envelopes. This time I will talk about the tools that you will need to make them. None of these are specialty tools so you most likely have them on hand. I know that there are Cricuts and other nifty cutters out there but I don’t have one and so this will not tell you how to use one. I really think that it is very easy to make these notecards and envelopes with simple tools. Let’s get started, shall we?

Scissors- it really does not matter what brand or even the size. If you are comfortable with your pair of scissors, then I suggest using those. It is good to have a sharp pair however as it won’t leave a tattered edge- unless of course that is what you are wanting.

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Glue- I use Tacky Glue or Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive (the Scotch is my favorite and it takes very little so the bottle lasts for quite a while!)

 

Straight edge, or a Ruler- a metal ruler comes in real handy for crafts because it does not get nicked or dented like wooden or plastic. But if you have a plastic (or wooden) ruler, it will work just fine. Mine is an older plastic ruler that I ahem, borrow from my kids

Pencil and eraser- I would suggest a nice sharp pencil and a white plastic eraser. The reason is the sharper the pencil (as long as it is not an extremely hard ‘lead’) will leave a light line when needed. The plastic eraser does not leave behind residue like Pink Pearls or the eraser on a typical pencil. 

  

Bone folder/scorer- this will be used to crease the flaps after the notecards and envelopes have been cut out from the scrapbook paper. Honestly, I use a hairstick that was made by my mom This particular one would work well for creasing…and putting your hair up afterward!

Something that is nice to have but not necessary to make your own notecards and envelopes:

Paper cutter- I do have one of these and it helps cut down on the time it takes to make the notecards and envelopes but the scissors are still needed. This is something that saves time but isn’t a necessity. You can also purchase replacement blades (the little orange square on the cutter is the blade).

Next step: Making Your Envelopes for Your Own Notecards!

**Disclaimer: All the links to products do go to Amazon.com, with the exception of Lindercroft at Artfire, of which I am an affiliate. Purchases made from Amazon after clicking on my link provide me with an advertisers fee and, although small, it does help with my finances- and I am most grateful!

Make Your Own Note Cards and Envelopes, Part 1

With my recent giveaway, Trisha asked if I would make a tutorial so that others could learn how to make the notecards and envelope sets. I thought that was a wonderful idea! This is the first part of my tutorial. I’ve split it into parts to make it less intimidating. Click here to see all the how-tos for making your own notecards and envelopes. 

For this ongoing tutorial, I will be referring to the cards that I make which are made from high quality scrapbook paper. They are thick and durable. There are other ways to make these cards, of course, and any paper you choose is totally up to you

What really takes the most time, I think, is choosing the papers you wish to use to make the sets. With scrapbooking such a popular past-time, it is easy to find great designs and wonderful colors. Really any type of paper will work for this but certain thickness and textures work better. 

Some paper brands* I would highly suggest are:

*the themes are not what I am recommending but the brand, the images are there to give an idea of what the cover page may look like*

Paperabilities- it is similar to a different brand that I suggest against using but it is better quality. You can feel it. You may notice the “TM” after Printed Paper. This is the type of paper I would suggest starting out with to make the note cards and envelopes until you get a feel for it.

Karen Foster Design- these come in a lot of different styles/themes and they are generally resistant to cracking when creased. There are some papers from this brand that are thinner.

S.E.I –this brand sells so many different great textures of paper!

Here are a few I would suggest not using:

“Printed Paper”- the photo that follows isn’t exactly the paper I personally have because there are many different kinds/themes. This paper is extremely thin paper and just does not work as well for making the sturdy note cards and envelopes (just pick up the paper and feel the difference). It generally will have the gray lines on the cover and say “Printed Paper”. Or if you just want to have fun with cutting up and making things this would be the perfect paper

Textured Cardstock Pad from We R Memory Keepers – the paper ‘cracks’ when it is creased (it doesn’t matter what color scheme you choose, the texture isn’t conducive to this type of craft- unfortunately).

DCWV Glitter papers- Beautiful paper and some of it can be tricked into working but generally the glitter cracks because of the adhesive that holds it on the page (I do use these but have to be very selective-you may have noticed that a set of note cards in the giveaway were made with these papers )

With all that said, you can use any type, theme, or texture of paper for your notecards and envelopes. The different thickness, texture and overall quality of the paper will determine how easy it is to work with and also the finished product.

Next up: What tools do you need to make your own note cards and envelopes?

**Disclaimer: All the links to products do go to Amazon.com, of which I am an affiliate. Purchases made from Amazon after clicking on my link provide me with an advertisers fee and, although small, it does help with my finances- and I am most grateful!