Mapvelopes!

 

I’m obsessed with the mail. Ever since I was kid, my favorite part of the day has been walking to the mailbox to see what fantastic goodies came that day. It really feels quite magical to write some numbers and words on an envelope and have them arrive just where you wanted them to! Junk mail was my only disappointment. I was fascinated by the bills, by the postcards,

Sure, I’ll admit that having a pet owl that delivers letters simply based on the name on the envelope would be cool too, but I’m still waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance letter to arrive…

– Paper to make envelope out of. Most everything will work, but try to avoid construction paper since it’s a bit fragile. I used some random maps of Colorado.

-Pencil
– Scissors
– Glue
– Something straight to help you make lines, I used Tales of Beetle the Bard!
– Double stick tape (optional)

What to do:

1. Draw a rectangle the size of what you want your finished envelope to be.

2. Add approximately 1/2 inch margins to your rectangle.

3. Draw another rectangle that is touching the original. It should be the same length, but a but shorter than the original rectangle.

4. Draw your flap. You can make it rounded, square, traditional pointy, whatever!

5. Cut out the outside lines. DON’T cut any of the lines between the shapes.

6. Fold up the bottom rectangle along their common edge.

7. Fold the margins so that they are on top of the last rectangle you folded. Glue them down with a glue stick.

8. Create a crease in your sealing flap and poof! An envelope! When it comes time to mail them, you may choose either glue or double stick tape to seal the flap… Or get crazy and do a wax seal! All are far better options than licking the gross chemicals used in common envelopes.

Homemade envelopes are fabulously fancy and frugal- have fun trying this out!
Happy mailing!