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Mini Envelopes - The Wonderful World Of Papercraft

Since buying a Sizzix Bigshot recently for embossing metal I've suddenly discovered the world of dies. Dies are wonderful things you can use with your Bigshot, Cuttlebug, etc to cut out all sorts of lovely things including envelope templates. I also discovered the world of scrapbook paper. I love patterned paper and most things stationery. I used to love going into WH Smiths each year to buy my new pencil case, pens, rubbers and pencils for the start of the new school year (that was quite a long time ago!) and I still like buying stationery stuff even if I don't really need it!

I thought I'd use my Bigshot to make some mini envelopes so after trawling the internet for a suitable die and picking up a scrapbooking pad from The Range I ventured into papercraft. I've got to say it was a nice change from metal and beads and really therapeutic to do. The folding and glueing is my favourite part and I loved seeing these cute little envelopes take shape.


It then struck me that maybe I wasn't allowed to make stuff to sell from the scrapbook paper I'd used. I know a lot of companies have an angel policy but I couldn't find one for Grant Studios who created the artwork for the paper so a quick email to them and a very quick reply (on a Sunday from Australia!) and they were fine for me to sell anything I made with their paper. The issue they have is if someone claims the artwork as their own or reproduces it to sell. I also checked with the company who make My Mind's Eye scrapbook paper and they were fine about it too. So I felt slightly relieved to know I was ok to carry on.


I've just started listing the mini envelopes in my Folksy shop and I'm going to add them to my eBay shop in a couple of weeks too. I have no idea if they will sell but I like making them so hopefully they will then I can make some more!
The envelopes measure just under 3.25 inches x 2.25 inches with a pretty scalloped edge and they are just so darned cute!


I tried Fotofuze as I'd used a white background for the photos and I was really impressed with the results..........until I noticed how some of the colours had changed and no amount of editing could sort them out. Then I noticed the photos weren't as clear. Fotofuze reduces the image size (to half in my case) and that caused them to be pixelated when I used the zoom while I was trying to edit the colours. So after spending an afternoon playing around with them I went back to normal editing - they don't have the same blinding white surrounding them but at least the colours are true!



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Comments

  1. CassieWednesday, August 01, 2012

    Hi!
    Beautiful little envelopes! I make jewellery too but my mum loves paper craft, so I frequently "borrow" her dies.

    I also use fotofuze and found the size frustrating, so I sucked it up and paid the yearly subscription to get bigger images.

    I'm glad I did to be honest, I love using fotofuze as I haven't mastered the art of Photoshop and I get too frustrated with waiting for natural light!

    So I would look into paying for f.f., it's well worth it (and not too expensive as you can choose how much you donate).

    Hope that helps!

    Cassie.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cinnamon JewelleryWednesday, August 01, 2012

    Thanks Cassie :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Miss Val's CreationsSunday, August 05, 2012

    Beautiful work! The envelopes are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eve SmithThursday, September 06, 2012

    These are just gorgeous, i love the turquoise ones

    ReplyDelete
  5. ThisIsHannMadeFriday, May 17, 2013

    I love these little envelopes - would you be able to send me a link to product name//number for your envelope die cut? i think i would be the happiest girl ever if i could make my own stationery! x ps i have that paper from the range - almost too pretty to use!! x hannah x
    this.is.hann.made x

    ReplyDelete

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