Last week, I introduced you to Tara Bliven of Ephemera Press and her Elevated Envelope Exchange. This week, I thought I’d introduce you to my elevated envelopes!
The Elevated Envelope Exchange connects you with other creative souls – you create and send beautiful mail out into the world, and in return, your mailbox fills with awesome envelopes! What I love about this project, other than connecting with others, is that it’s an opportunity to try something new and to challenge yourself. As Tara says “You’ve gotta BRING IT! Anyone creative can join, and all confidence levels are welcome… But, you do have to be willing to put in some serious creative effort and work hard on it.”
So, I challenged myself, and these teacup-shaped envelopes were the result. And I love them so much, I thought I’d share how I made them with you! I think that they’d make pretty cute invites to a tea party, if you’re the type to engage in parties of that sort (I sure am!) And, if you’re not into tea, take it as a little inspiration that with a little creativity and some quality time with your sewing machine, you can make an envelope in any shape you please!
How To Make Teacup Envelopes
Materials:
- paper for envelopes (card stock / scrapbook paper – I used the backside of an old calendar)
- template <–click here to download teacup template
- markers / paint / your desired decorating medium
- twine or string
- brightly coloured 3″x3″ origami paper
- washi tape
- small glassine bags (I used these ones from The Wrappery)
- scissors
- sewing machine
- small ( 1/16″) hole punch
- bone folder
- craft knife
Let’s start by making the teabag-shaped notes to go inside the envelopes!
Fold your note into a size small enough to slip inside the glassine bag. Place the glassine bag (with note inside) so that the back is facing you. Fold down the corners of the open end, forming a point. Fold down the point (see middle image above for clarification.)
Cut a piece of twine about 6″ long. Take your piece of twine and glassine bag and head to the sewing machine. Tuck one end of the twine under the folded point of the glassine bag, then bring the twine up and over so that it extends over the flap and straight out. Using your machine, sew over the folded end and twine. (I went back and forth a couple times to make sure it was secure.)
To make the tag for the teabag, start with a piece of 3″x3″ origami paper in your desired colour. Cut in half – it will now be 1.5″x3″; then fold in half. Use a fine marker / pen to write the recipient’s name and/or any other message you desire on the tag. I drew a double border on both sides, wrote the recipient’s name on one side and the symbol for tea on the other.
Use your small hole punch to punch a hole in the centre of the fold (if you don’t have one, you can simply cut a slit large enough for the twine to fit through). Feed the end of the twine through the hole in the tag. Use a small piece of washi tape to tape into place on the inside of the tag. At this point you may need to trim the twine to your desired length.
Onto the Teacups!
Trace the teacup template onto your desired paper. For each envelope, you will need one front piece (with lid) and one back piece (no lid). You can cut out the teacups before or after decorating, whichever works better for you. In terms of paper, you can use plain paper, as I did, if you want to spend some quality time decorating. Or why not try cutting them out of some pretty scrapbook paper?
Decorate as desired. I used blue watercolour paint on my envelopes. A solid blue wash for the lids, roses on the fronts, and stripes or dots on the backs. After painting and cutting out the teacup shapes, I accented the lid, rim, bottom and handle with a paint marker in metallic gold.
Once your teacup is looking all pretty (and dry), head back to the sewing machine. Place your two teacup shapes back to back and sew around the edge – I think it looks great with a bold thread colour, but use whatever you have / whatever you are comfortable with.
Use your bone folder and a ruler to score and then fold the envelope flap over. You will need to mark and then cut a slit in the back of the envelope for the tab on the flap to slide into. Use your craft knife to do this, but first ensure you slip a piece of cardboard inside the envelope so that you have a surface to cut into!
Slip your teabag note inside the envelope, close the flap and seal with a small piece of washi tape. Make sure the string of the teabag hangs over the edge so that the name tag is visible. If you want to mail your teacups, make sure you slip them inside an outer envelope – I used A7 vellum envelopes.
Hope you find an occasion to craft up some teacup envelopes of your own!
Are you inspired by The Elevated Envelope Exchange? Do you ever send or receive mail art?
Huge thanks to Jessika for putting together the Teacup Envelope Template for us! Now go make some pretty mail already!
Thanks for sharing The Elevated Envelope Exchange & your fancy tea cup how to as well! They turned out awesome.
So cute! I am really behind on opening all the envelopes, but I did see yours peeking out of the stack at me. Thanks for sharing how you did it.
This was by far one of the best pieces of mail I’ve ever received. From the teacup down to the teabags in the teabag, it was a sheer delight to open. Wish I were as crafty as Marisa!
These are all kinds of adorable! What a fantastic idea. I’m sure your Elevated Envelope group was ecstatic to receive these little works of art.
Oh those are so so cute! I get a lot of fun mail via swap-bot, but not nearly enough mail art. I’m inspired!
I must say I am am blown away and very impressed by your creativity! Thanks for sharing Marisa!
Seriously!? Those are adorable.
Wow, what a unique and clever way to make DIY envelopes!
Thank you for sharing the instructions how to make them. It’ll be a perfect belated mother’s day gift for my mom and grandma! I know they drink tea and this will be a perfect way to show them I didn’t forget Mom’s Day 🙂
I loved every bit of this tutorial. I’m inspired to have a tea party with a wonderful circle of friends & then delight in making the invitations. Thanks, Marisa.
Thanks for all the awesome comments! Hope you try making these – or other elevated envelopes! Best way to get mail, is to send mail 😉
The old envelope never had it so good! Too clever for words. Love the idea of the elevated envelope.
I received mine this week and LOVED it. Thanks so much for showing your process!
As a recipient of the teacup, I LOVED finding this on pinterest!!!!! Love it – so creative!!!
Love love this project! So clever!
These are amazing! So creative!
Love these! I was part of the last Elevated Envelope exchange but I never thought of doing a shaped envelope. Very nice!
They are just lovely!
Would have loved to receive one of these
Awesome idea, thanks for sharing!!
brilliant, truly! i love your idea <3
thanks for sharing this 😀
I just saw these via pinterest, and had to comment on how creative and how beautiful these are! I love paper, stationery and tea — love your idea and your execution, too!
I stumbled across this on Pintrest. This is such a creative project! We’re throwing a Tea Party themed bridal shower for a friend in a few months. These will make and absolutely perfect invitation!
fantastic idea
يا سلام عليك فنانه
My friend LOVES tea and lives in Australia. This is the PERFECT letter to send to her! Thanks so much for this!
EverydayEphee.com
gracias por compartir tus ideas Dios te bendiga..