DIY Botanical Print Envelope

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

We recently starting homeschooling our 7 year old son. As our son started to really get into his copywork and dictation lessons, he asked one day why we didn’t write letters. Good question. I send text messages and emails daily, but when was the last time I wrote a letter? I’ll tell you when: 8th grade. I grew up on military bases and often moved every 2 years. So, I always had friends to write (yes, I lived before email was the norm). My diligent first grade student/son also asked me why he had to practice his handwriting if he could just email. Hmmmm….good question.

I do like to hand write. I often hand letter quotes and am teaching myself calligraphy. However, I do not write anyone via snail mail regularly. So I decided to change that. I came across an old botanical print book in the basement and I was inspired to make pretty envelopes.

Get Some Pretty Paper

I used this envelope template. For the paper, I used an old botanical poster book. If you do not have access to a book or do not want to cut up your own prints, check out Vintage Printable. They have a bunch of free public domain prints ready for download. I really like their collection because their pictures are vintage and colorful.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

 

Print out the template and cut it out. Lay it on top of the botanical print and trace around the template with a pencil. Cut it out along the traced lines.

Assemble the Envelope

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

Once you have the envelope cut out, fold along lines indicated on the template. I used double sided table to adhere the side flaps to the bottom flap.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

Fold down the top flap.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

 

Write a Note

Now you have pretty envelopes! Let’s make a spot for you to write an address.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

I cut a rectangle out of a piece of card stock. Make it smaller than the envelope, not so big that it covers most the pretty paper.  I used a pair of decorative edge scissors to make the scalloped edges.

DIY Botanical Print EnvelopeWhile I was busy addressing the envelope, my son wrote a letter to his grandparents on a piece of cardstock I cut down to fit in the envelope.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

Be creative with the way you address the envelope. I mixed cursive with print to dress up the lettering. Use double sided tape or glue to adhere the address label to the front of the letter. I have a round return address stamp, so I stamped my address on a piece of cardstock and cut it out. I then taped in to the back of the envelope.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

 I love the look of a wax seal on the back of a letter. Here’s an easy way to do it. Grab a crayon and a long handled lighter. Peel the paper back on the crayon and heat the end and let the wax drip on the center back flap of the envelope.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

 To make my “seal” I used a metal button. Let the wax cool slightly (about 30 secs) and stamp the melted crayon with the metal button.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

 Voilà…nice finish.

DIY Botanical Print Envelope

Send a bit of happiness to someone you love 🙂 This will make a perfect surprise for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or a Just Because card.

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