snail mail
ˈsnāl ˌmālnoun: snail mail; noun: snailmail
the ordinary postal system as opposed to email.
I love making cards and sending out snail mail. I believe it has something to do with reverting back to the way life used to be – before text messaging and emails took over.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for technology and the quick ways of sending messages, but I miss the good old days of opening the mailbox and finding a handwritten letter from a friend or loved one.
Every month, I send out handmade cards or handwritten notes. The part that I sometimes overlook and not pay much attention to is the envelope those cards or notes go into. In the past, my mail would go into a plain, boring, white envelope. Nowadays, I’ve stepped up my game.
Decorating the envelopes are just as fun as creating what is inside the envelope. When I use dark colored envelopes, I’ll use a white gel pen or colored gel pens that are specifically made to write on dark paper. But I will also create envelopes using decorative scrapbook paper. Whenever I grab the mail, the decorative and colorful envelopes definitely stick out among all of the other mail and junk mail that I receive. For more ideas on how I decorate envelopes (including plain white envelopes), click here.
Last month, my mother-in-law sent over some homemade Almond Roca (so delish) and a homemade jacket for Cinco (my dog). I usually send out thank you notes within 2-3 weeks, but I’ve been so busy unpacking and getting organized I kinda dropped the ball on that. But, my thank you note is going out to her this week.
Recently, I’ve been extremely partial to the looks of gold and navy so I’ve decided to incorporate those colors into the thank you note/envelope to my mother-in-law. The envelope was simple to create and turned out beautifully. Check it out.
Supplies
- Navy Colored Cardstock (12×12)
- Envelope Punch Board
- Kids Paintbrush
- Gold Liquid Gilding
- Washi Tape (thin size)
Step One
Using a punch board, I created an envelope that matched the size of the card insert.
Step Two
Then I used washi tape to create a border with symmetrical lines. First, I placed a strip of washi tape along the edge of the top left portion of the envelope. I added a second strip of washi tape right next to the first. Be sure the second strip is butted-up against the first strip, otherwise the lines won’t match up. Once the the second strip is placed, remove the first strip of washi tape, this is where the liquid gilding will go. FYI, if the washi tape is extra sticky this can cause the cardstock to tear or peel once the tape is removed. To avoid this, remove some of the stickiness by placing the washi tape on a pair of jeans (or carpet) first.
Step Three
After shaking the bottle of gold liquid gilding, I dipped my brush (I used a kids paintbrush) into the gold and started painting the edge of the envelope – right where the first strip of washi tape was. Remove the second strip of washi tape after the gold gilding dries (about 2 minutes).
-Once the top left portion of the envelope flap is dry, continue steps two and three for the top right portion of the envelope, etc.
-Just an FYI, the fumes of the liquid gilding is a bit strong, so be sure to work in a ventilated area.
