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The different properties of ink will allow for layering. For example, a dye based ink works well as a “top layer” ink, as in the card above. The lighter mustard color is a pigment ink, that has been allowed to dry, and then because I didn’t want the base color to shift with an application of wet ink over top, I used a dye ink (the darker pumpkin color) to stamp the “Bonjour”.
Using paper with the same hues as the stamping creates a color coordinated look for the envelope. It doesn’t have to be stamped, especially when it is being put into the mail system, although the “Bonjour” card stamp wouldn’t be too much or interfere in the address area.
This envelope would then get an address label for the addressee rather than using a thick marker. An address label would define the address area and allow the postal people to read the address better. Don’t forget your return address label in the top left corner - you’ll want to let them know who made them this handmade card and envelope!
This is an A6 size card and envelope - the card and envelope templates are available from Green Sneakers.
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Here’s a card with an envelope just perfect for mailing. Just put on an address label and ship.
Did you know that these cards featured here on the Blog are available to see at the Green Sneakers Card Gallery? There are hundreds of cards to peruse. Cards for all seasons, for all occasions, are there. May I tell you my favorite way of viewing the Gallery? I love to set up “Slide Show” from the left menu, and then set the parameters for the slide show to 5 seconds and 640 pixels. Then the pictures just float by and I can view them all.
I hope you’ll take a look - and all of the cards feature their correct sized envelope! The featured card is an A6 Card and Envelope, created from the templates at Green Sneakers.
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This Birthday Card would be perfect for any lady in your life. The coordinating envelope is ready for the address, as is. Since it was created with solid colored paper it could be written directly on - or one could use an address label. Notice how my options expand when I set out to create the coordinating envelope - I don’t have to worry about the colors clashing with my card, nor do I worry about the blandness of a plain white envelope detracting from the whole presentation of my card.
Creating the coordinating envelope is even taking on a cultural change - as more and more paper and card magazines are publishing cards with their coordinating handmade envelopes. It’s the perfect way to expand the artistic endeavor of the card and to complete the total card making and giving experience.
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It’s the beginning of summer - which means I have “Congratulations” cards to mail out to my friends who are graduating, or who have children who are graduating. This one was made for a young lady who worked very hard and graduated with honors! We’re very proud of her! The felt tab is used to open the card, and the sentiments express what I wish to say beautifully.
This is another A7 (5″x7″) card, and I will print her address onto an address label and this one will safely make it through the mail. Notice that the envelope is made from the same paper as the background layer. This is one of the simplest ways to ensure a match! The card and envelope become a set - and the recipient knows you cared enough to make the very best!
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This one is called “Floral Thanks”. It’s a 5″ x 7″ (A7) card and envelope. Yes, someone pointed out to me yesterday that it seems to be my favorite size - and I guess it is. It has enough presence to be larger than an A2, but not too big. Layering the papers on the card gave the stamping depth, and using the same paper from the card to create the envelope works well, too.
Now, this is a card that can be mailed. All I would do is put an address label on the front, and send it on it’s way. I use a strong adhesive when I create my own envelopes, and I don’t have to worry about the big postal machines. In fact, my son just graduated and he sent out all of his Thank You cards, and everyone received them in perfect condition!
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Creating the coordinating envelopes to match your hand made cards can be simple. If you choose your papers in advance - it’s easy to use a piece of the paper you intend to make the envelope from as a layer or a mat in your card. Here I used the decorative paper as large layer under my stamping and chipboard embellishments. The A7 (5″ x 7″)envelope now coordinates beautifully, and since I didn’t use any embellishments on the envelope - I can adhere an address label on the front and mail through the post.
One thing to remember when creating envelopes for the post - you’ll want to use a strong paper, and great adhesive. Especially when your card may have dimensional accents (such as my chipboard sticker), it should be able to survive the big postal machines if encased in a well constructed envelope. I actually find that the ones I make myself using the templates from Green Sneakers are better and stronger than any store bought ones.
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This A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″) card and envelope would make a nice birthday card for a man or a woman. Inside the card sentiment reads: Aged to Perfection - Happy Birthday! By using a mottled green paper for the envelope - it’s decorative, but not too busy to accept an address label or just the hand written address. The post office will be able to read it just fine!
The card and envelope were both created by using the templates at Green Sneakers.
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This is a 4″ x 6″ card and an A6 envelope. One of the best things about a card like this is that being a 4″ x 6″ card, and folded this way - you can make 3 of these from one sheet of 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper. And, again, for a card like this one - using 2 sided patterned cardstock makes it so easy to create a ‘finished’ card in no time. The inside is already decorated! Just add your sentiment and it’s done. For the front, I just added some ribbon and some acrylic embellishments, and a metal word tag.
For the envelope (A6) I used paper that coordinated with the brown in the stripes. See what a difference the coordinating envelope makes? For me, the hard part would have been trying to find an A6 envelope to use - but when you make them yourself - you always have what you need on hand!