saving the date part 3: the envelopes.

There were several requests for a tutorial on how I created my save the date cards. Since there are quite a few steps, I'll break up the instructions into two posts. First up, the envelopes!

What you'll need:
- Self-healing cutting mat*

- X-acto knife*

- Bone folder*

- Tape roller*

- 8 1/2" x 11" text weight paper* (I used Paper-Source text weight (80 lb) paper in the color Lake)

- A2 envelope template (I used the Paper-Source template)

- Rubber stamps (I used the Paper-Source Small and Large Flourish stamps)

- Inkpad with embossing-compatible ink (I used a Colorbox inkpad in Eggplant from Paper-Source)

- Embossing powder (I used clear embossing powder from JoAnn's)

- Embossing heat tool, or iron (I used an iron)

- Return address stamp (I used a customizable stamp from Office Depot)

* You can omit these items if using ready-made envelopes

Instructions for making envelopes* (obviously, omit if using ready-made envelopes):
1. Line up point of template in top left corner, and highest point of the side of the template with the top edge of the paper.
2. If using an A2 template on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, the template will be slightly too big. This is okay as long as it's the lowest point on the side edge of the template that overlaps. This part will be hidden once your envelope is assembled.

3. Carefully use your X-Acto knife to cut around the template. If you want to do this the right way, you can trace the template and then cut on your lines. Since I'm lazy, I skipped this step. I treated my template as more of a disposable item because it saved me so much time when cutting 150 envelopes to skip this step. My template had a lot of extra cuts on it by the end of all those envelopes.

4. When all edges are cut, use a bone folder to score the folds of the envelope. This makes it much easier to get a straight fold.
5. When all 4 edges are scored, carefully fold along the score lines. Run your bone folder along the edge to make nice crisp creases.
6. Your envelope is complete! Now onto the beautification process.

Instructions for stamping and embossing envelopes

7. Place your envelope on top of a scrap of paper if you are going to make your design run off the edge like I did.

8. Load your stamp with ink.

9. Align your stamp on the envelope and press it down firmly (don't rock it back and forth or you'll get a double image.

10. Your envelope is stamped! Remove it from the scrap paper, being careful not to smudge the wet ink.
11. While the ink is still wet, pour embossing powder over the design and tap the edges of the envelope to completely cover the design with a light coat of powder.

12. When your design is covered, unfold your envelope along the edges near the design.

13. Heat embossing powder using an embossing heat tool or an iron. I find the iron works just fine, and saves me $20 and some extra space in my crafting area that would be used for the embossing tool.

14. When entire design is melted, removed from heat.

15. The front of your envelope is complete!

16. When design has cooled, flip envelope over and stamp on the return address. To do this, I found it easiest to center the envelope between two lines on my cutting mat, like so.

The line coming to the center of the envelope is what I used to align my stamp.

Press your stamp down and you've got your return address. Hopefully the post office won't actually need to use it!

17. Load your small stamp with ink.

18. Center on envelope and press down, again without rocking.
19. Emboss as you did on the front while the ink is still wet.

20. Line the edges of the bottom flap of the envelope with tape or glue.

21. Fold bottom flap in on top of side flaps to tape the bottom together.

22. Your envelopes are finished! Take a break to admire your work! Then address them however you like (I printed them out using my personal printer).

Next up in the series, the save-the-date card tutorial.