Letter to My Love...

The more you give it away, the more you have... Love, that is. And a sweet little envelope is the best way to send out love this Valentine's Day and beyond! I wanted to invoke a spirit of celebration in this project with the fresh colors of pink and violet. I've also included a simple recipe for a non-glue envelope, which I think you can use for many other projects!

Stamps -Be Mine Floral set

Papers -
Grass Green half-sheet, folded
Violet card stock - 1.75 inches x 4.25 inches
White card stock square - 5.5 inches x  5.5 inches
White card stock - scrap
White card stock strip - about four inches long

Inks -
Versacolor Boysenberry, Hyacinth, Sage, Green Tea, Peony, Evergreen, and Orchid

Materials and Tools -
Scalloped rectangular punch (this rectangle measures about 2.25 x 1.25)
Cuttllebug embossing envelope - Textile Textures
Tombow Monomulti glue

Embellishments -
Ribbon
Adhesive Pearls - Plum

Instructions -

 

Make the Card Base:
Run the Grass Green half-sheet through the Cuttlebug embossing folder. Then run the Violet card stock piece through the same envelope. Glue the Violet piece onto the Grass Green half-sheet. Then glue the decorative ribbon where Violet meets Green.

Make Envelope:
Start with a square piece of paper (this will work with any sized square but I have included dimensions, above, for this particular project). In order for the image of white card stock to show up better, I have stamped the border before folding. You may opt to stamp after you fold the envelope or simply make two envelopes and use one as the guide for stamping. For simplicity, I am going to assume that you fold first and then stamp. Just make sure that if you stamp first, let your ink dry compeletely before making the folds.

 
Place the paper in front of you so that the tips are at the North, South, East, and West position.

Fold North down to South, leaving a 1/4-inch border.

 
Now, flip this over vertically to that the point of the triangle is at North. Fold again by bringing North down to South.

 
Next, fold in the East and West sides and tuck one of the ends into the other.

This is an illustration of the final stamping placement.
 

Stamp the Little Envelope:
As you can see, I have already stamped the entire border of one side of the square sheet with the Heart Cluster stamp and Boysenberry ink. This will be the inside of the envelope.

Next, edge the border with Hyacinth ink. Flip the card stock over and stamp what will be the left and right envelope sides in green hues:

 
Heart Cluster stamp in Sage. It is nice to stamp a second time before reinking to add depth.

 
Heart Flower in Green Tea.

 
Then edge with Green Tea ink.

Stamp the Flap:

 
Heart Cluster in Sage, then in Boysenberry

 Triple Heart in Orchid
  

 
   Heart Flower in Peony

 
  Leaf in Green Tea

Sprig in Evergreen

 
  Then edge the flap with Hyacinth ink.

This is what your finished little envelope will look like. You can use it as an envelope that opens or, as in this project, simply a decorative element.

Stamp the Insert:
Use the rectangular punch and White card stock to make the insert.

 
Stamp Be Mine in Sage, turning the rectangle vertically and horizontally as you stamp. Here I stamped a couple of times before reinking, for added depth. Last, stamp the Be Mine again, this time in Boysenberry, in the center of the rectangle. Edge the rectangle in Green Tea ink.

Embellish with a little Journaling

On a thin strip of paper, hand-write "Letter to my Love" in black ink. Make the strip at least four inches long so it will reach the edges of the base card and allow trimming without losing too much of the stamped area. Then stamp using the Triple Flower in Orchid and the Heart Cluster stamp in Sage ink.

Attach the all the elements to the card base. Then garnish the little envelope with an Adhesive Pearl and you're finished!

What do you think?  Just enter your comment in the comment section below for a chance to win the Be Mine Floral stamp set. Today's winner is Christine Nixon, who will be receiving the Zoo Animals we used in our last blog. Congratulations Christine! 

Until next week, Happy Stamping from Susan and rest of the gang at Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

 

Comments

[Charis Harker]

Very sweet and lovely!

[Linda w]

This is such a pretty idea. I love the finished results. And thank you for giving us the instructions for making the cute little embellished envelope.

stamp on...

[Michelle Adams]

Gorgeous!!!

[Pam (PeeJay)]

That is sooo pretty! The envelope would be so versatile. Thank you for such a wonderful idea and a beautiful project.

[Phyllis M.]

Oh what a fantastic tut and just love, love that little envelope you have made on your card. Beautiful card too by the way and love the colors and the stamps sets. Thanks so much for sharing and for the chance to win.

[Elaine Allen]

Susan! This is just so lovely and elegant. What a beautiful project! Thank you for another wonderful tutorial.

Elaine Allen

[Susan S.]

Fantastic! Such a unique idea and layout. Nice stamp set, too.

[Kim G.]

Ooo what a beautiful set! So elegant looking! Love it!
Hugs~ Kim

[Jan Cool]

Thanks for the detailed instructions on the envelope..it is so VERY PRETTY. THANKS, Jan

[AK Donna M]

Oh so lovely! It reminds me of the children's song "A-Tisket, A Tasket...I wrote a letter to my love....". Such a versatile project. Can't wait to try it. Thank you for sharing.

[Marion]

How delightful is this! Such a pretty card and, as ever, the tutorial is clear, consise and just wonderful!

Thanks!

Happy New Year everyone.

Marion,
UK

[Bette]

I love little notes and cards. What a wonderful demo!!!!

[Carolyn]

The envelope is beautiful! And the card too. And very creative. I am going to try to make one sometime this week. I am thankful I have internet access so that I can follow the directions for the envelope.

I am also glad you made the African animal set.

[Bobbi Kamen]

I always love to see a new idea and this one is great. So many uses for the envelope. This stamp set works great with it. Thanks for sharing.

[Ruth Ann]

Thanks for the beautiful envelope tutorial. You make it look so easy. The Be Mine Floral Set is perfect for Valentine's Day cards.

[Sue Brownlow]

THis is beautiful THere are so many ways you could use this card. THanks for the inspiration.
Sue

[Sue D]

Very pretty--I like the colors and the cute little envelope!

[Audrey]

Beautiful!!

[Laurie]

Love this! The colors feel like Spring. Thanks for the envelope tutorial.I can't wait to try it.

[Dicki]

This is truly beautiful -- I can't wait to make the envelope. Thanks for the instructions.

[sue wisniewski]

Congratulations to Christine for winning the zoo animals.
This week's card is great! I really like the choice of colors you used ...... olive green & purple go great together.
stamping sue

[Audrey Joy]

Love the techniques,Beautiful Card!

[Ink-Pattie]

Lovely card! Love the little envelope, too. I will have to try that.

[KYCrafter]

Beautiful!!!! And I LOVE the little envelope. You do such great work!!! You are a great inspiration to me.

Thanks!!!

[Mildred]

Oh Susan, you make everything look so simple! Great card. Thanks.