Snail Mail Envelope Flipbook

So I've gone and got me a Youtube channel! I know, right? So instead of awkwardly showing you by picture how to create a certain project - or awkwardly describe it, because let's face it, I'm probably pretty damn bad at it... I can show you! I managed to find the courage, pull my finger out and create my channel. Okay so it's not got many subbies at the moment but I hope to inspire as many people as I can!

So that being said, I'm not going to post all of the videos i have so far in a blog post - because to be honest I just didn't think to do that...I should've done...I know...I suck...but what is done is done and I'll post my videos from now on! (So she says! perhaps I shouldn't make promises when I've had a glass of Weston's vintage cider. You have to like cider down here in the West Country. It's the law. or they kick you out!)

Anyhoo...let's get onto the creative stuff shall we...before I get too shlozzled!

So I created a snail mail envelope flipbook! This one is different to the other's I've created because it's more of a deconstructed envelope. I was planning to keep it open but when I closed the flaps down I saw such great potential! 

I love this theme. I created it by using digital papers - which I love to use as I can print them out as many times as I want and not worry about ruining them and have an endless supply (well...as long as I have the paper and the ink!).

 Please feel free to pay a visit to my channel! And if you're lovely please feel free to comment, subscribe and show a little love! 

Happy crafting, lovelies!!

Much love!

Dannii xoxo

Snail mail tips series - what to send...

So do you want to spoil your pallies with some nice goodies but aren't quite sure what to send?

Do remember that you don't have to get your pallie goodies to along with their letter. If your pallie really enjoys your correspondence then they shouldn't mind not receiving anything but a lovely letter from you.

 However if your pallie gets all touchy about you not sending them loads of pressies then I think it's about time you give them the heave ho! 

And if you are only into snail mail for the gifts then shame on you! Dishonour on you! And dishonour on your cow!

 However, if you've been writing to your lovely pallie for a while and you feel like you would like to treat them a little then here are some ideas to get your mind thinking!

So you can go the traditional route with these ideas...

Stationery

It's pretty clear that if you like writing letters then you are most likely a stationery lover. Am I not correct? Yes, I'm looking at you missy, you with the hoard of letter paper! It's most likely your pallie is a stationery lover too.

So why not send along some lovely little stationery goodies such as -  

Letters sets

Sticky notes

Paperclips

Mini notebooks

Pens

Stickers

Project life cards

Washi samples

Die-cuts

Paper ephemera
Ink stamps
Planner charms
Adhesive crystals/enamel dots
Cards
Postcards
List pads


Other craft supplies -

Trims and ribbon
Beads
Buttons
Sequin mixes
Patterned paper
Glitter
Paper flowers




Items that are personal to you


Show your pallie a little something of yourself. No...not dodgy pictures or just loads and loads of awkward looking selfies. People don't need to see that. That's right, put those things away...

Basic things, like things that give your pallie an idea of where you live and what it's like -


Things from where you live

Leaflets

Artisan local foodstuffs (like sweets, cakes, biscuits...not like a leg of lamb or something...)

Post cards

History sheets of your town/city

Magnets

Handmade local items

Things that make you happy. 

Things to open when...(angry, happy, sad, bored) 

Your to-do list
Your favourite tea/sweets
Pictures of you and your family.

Swatches of favourite... 

Nail Polishes 

Washi tapes 

Paints 

Pens

Handmade items


I absolutely love receiving handmade items that my pallie has especially made. I think I treasure these most and they have a place of honour on my craft desk.

It doesn't have to be big or even the brilliant thing. If you've made an effort to make something for your pallie they are sure to love it!



Info/about me booklet

Art journal pages

Handmade Jewellery/charms

Handmade embellishments

Mixed media art tags

Handmade tags

ATCs.

Handmade envelopes

A quotes book

Doodles

Mail art

Mini art journal

Mandala/painted stones

Handmade notebooks

Handmade bookmark

Shaker pockets

Random items

You don't just have to send stationery! Your allies might have other likes too. The possibilities are endless! Just don't go OTT!

Your could send -

Small candles/wax melts
Tea/drink sachets
Socks
Nail art supplies
Make-up
Banners
Bunting
Mini Dreamcatchers
Cosmetic samples
Bath and shower goodies

Thinking out of the box

Get creative! If you can send it in a letter, then why not? (so long as it's not inappropriate)

Lists can tell you a lot about a person. There are loads of ideas for lists. And they don't just have to be about you. Sometimes it's nice way of giving your pen-pal ideas or inspiration.

 Song playlist

 Pamper day list

 Rainy day list

 Things your pallie should try

 How to be happy

 Things to do that make you happy
Things to do when you're sad/angry/bored
Your 'To be Read' list
Your bucket list
Things you would like to learn
Things you do to stay creative
Thing you do on a sick day
Funny things you or your family and friends have said.
Your favourite websites
Inside your bag list



Overheard conversations can be great entertainment for your pallie. If you can't fit it in your letter anywhere you can always write down what you heard in a list or story form.

Mail tags are a nice little addition. It gives you the chance to ask questions that wouldn't otherwise fit in a letter. It can turn into a game if you want to get creative. Instead of asking just questions you could ask for random items - doodles, pictures of particular things, a paperclip, favourite washi swatches...again,you could even have a scavenger hunt! Get creative!

Travel journals/postcards - if you have a creative pallie you could exchange a travel journal. Or instead of writing on letter paper you could write in the journal instead - the cost of posting might be higher but it would be fun to look back on what was written. The only down side is when it is finished with is deciding who gets to keep it! Perhaps both of you could send your own so you both get to have a keepsake.



A Happiness jar can be a lovely thing to have especially if you're having a particularly crap day and are in need of a pick me up. Why not start one with your pen-pals and get them  to send you little bits for it. So long as the bits aren't very big you can put lots of lovely things in them like quotes, doodles, jokes, nice printed out pictures...anything you can think of that will fit in a jar.



Care packages


If you have known your pallie for a long while and you really want to treat them you could send a care package. This is especially nice if you live in different countries and have different foods or cultures. 

Of course agree with each other about sending and the expectations of this. If you send a care package expecting one back and your pallie is thinking "WTF? I never agreed to this" they might be slightly annoyed with you...

Here are some care package ideas -

Items from your hometown
Food package
Pamper package
Crafty kits
Art supplies
Fitness package
Coffee package
Tea package
Rainbow packages
Box of Sunshine (everything is yellow and happy)
Self care packages
Glitter package
Open when...(sad, happy, angry etc)
Chocolate package
Baby care package
Seasonal care packages
Nurse/doctor/teacher survival care package




There is so much you can send to your pallie to give them a smile!

Just get creative!


I hope I've helped a little!

Toodles for now!

Dannii

Accordion Zig Zag Snail Mail flipbook

So I saw this tutorial on YT of a accordion zig zag mini album and thought to myself that it would make a super cute snail mail flipbook. The original tutorial I saw was by Kay F. If you prefer video tutorials then i suggest you head over there because it's pretty much the same, except I added more envelopes and belly bands to make it a snail mail flipbook.

I absolutely LOVED making this. A believe it or not it IS actually really easy to make! No really!! It is!

Tools and stuff required!

- Paper trimmer

 (unless you can cut, really really straight...show off!)

- Score board 

(unless you can score without one...show off...)

- Desired patterned paper

- Cardstock 

 (any colour of your choice)

- Scissors

- Scor tape 

(or any chosen tape...make sure it sticks!)

- Glue

- Ruler

(because you are going to be measuring a whole bunch of shit...)

- Ribbon

Things you can have but aren't required

- Embellishments

(stickers, enamel dots, adhesive crystals)

- Boarder punches 

(to make decorative belly bands)

- A good music playlist to listen to whilst creating!!

Measurements

This flipbook will require a whole load of measurements. So let me tell you all of them now so you can go and cut your papers and cardstock!

Measurements for covers (you will need 2 pieces)

- 6 1/8 inches x 2 3/4 inches

Measurements for inside pages  (you will need 7 pieces)

- 5 1/2 inches x 2 1/2inches

Measurements for pockets (have any many as you wish, but it will bulk up your flipbook)

- 3 1/2 inches x 2 1/2inches

Matting

Here are the measurements for the matting papers.

So the matts are the patterned paper that you'll be 'matting' on top of your blank cardstock to make your flipbook look pretty! Apologies if you know this already!

(if you'd rather not have that border, or rather not use cardstock and go straight to using patterned paper, you can miss this step and cut your papers to the sizes above - just make sure your patterned papers are strong and not flimsy!)

Measurements for cover matting paper 

- 5 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches

(You will need 4 of these)

Measurements for inside papers

You will require 3 sizes for this if you include the pockets so it might get slightly confusing here...

- 4 1/4 inches x 2 1/4 inches 

(the amount of this size will change if you have pockets, because the pocket will more likely fall on the pages that are 'longer')

- Page with 2 scored edges - 3 1/2inches x 2 1/4inches

- Page with pocket - 2 1/4 x 2 1/4

Measurements for scored edges

(to make them pretty! If you you've just used patterned paper and not cardstock just skip this!)

- 3/4 inch x 2 1/4 inches

Measurements for pockets

(again skip if you've just used patterned paper)

- 2 1/4inches x 1 3/4 inch

Scoring

So more measurements! Yaaayyy...... This time for scoring!

You're going to need to score the bits of paper you have just cut.

For the covers score at - 5 3/4inch.

For the inside papers score at - 1 inch 

(but on 6 pieces ONLY! Leave the 7th piece alone! that's going to be the bottom piece)

For the pockets score 3 of the 4 sides at 1/2 inch.

Gah!! That's all the measurements done with now! Phew!

Clear as mud?

Oh well...let's just get going anyway....

After all of that it's pretty simple.

Covers

- Burnish the scored edges

- On one of the scored edges of the spine, put down some tape on the inside.

- Making sure they are nice and flush, sticker on top of the other spine edge.

- To create the closure, stick down a bit of ribbon on both sides. I just used scor tape to do this.

For the zig zag accordion middle

- Start with the bottom piece of the inside papers,  (the one that's not scored).

- Using the scored edge of one of the inside pieces, glue down to the bottom piece. You'll need to make sure they are flush against it so using a respositional glue - like a wet glue or really good glue stick.

- To create the zig zag/accordian look alternate the sides you stick the scored edges down. So I did right, left, right, left etc. 

- Stick bottom piece to the right side of the cover.

Now all you need to do is add the matts and pockets!

- to add the pockets, burnish the scored edges and stick some scor tape onto the edges. Cut the corners to prevent bulkiness.

 - Stick down onto the 'longer' pages (the pages without 2 scored edges). 

- Note - make sure you alternate what side you put the pockets on as if you put them on the same side it will bulk up your flipbook. If you wanted to add more pockets you could make the cover longer and  make the spine bigger so there is more room.

Now, stick down the matts and embellish the crap out of it!!

To make it slightly more snail mail friendly I added belly bands using border punches and i made some tiny envelopes and stuck them to the pages without pockets.

If you'd rather them not be so bulky, you can reduce the number of pages.

Have fun!!

Take care, lovelies!

On My Craft Table - Snail mail envelope flipbook

So I've been on bit of a roll recently making a lot of creative snail mail. I absolutely love making things like this and can't wait to send them on their merry way to all my lovely pallies! 

It's made from envelopes from a letter set by Paperchase. The collection it is from is called Hello Sweetie. It's super cute, with pastel colours perfect for spring/summer.(I have to admit, I'm ready for a bit of Spring and Summer now! I'm bored of all this cold weather! Roll on Summer!!)

This one is particular is more for those pen-pals who you just can't shut up to in your letter! It gives plenty of for a lovely, long letter in one pocket and then the other two can be used for goodies or a mail tag.  

I used 3 envelopes from the set and stuck them down with scor tape (since that is the best tape I have at present - the tape runner at the moment is failing dreadfully!).

Rather than stick down side by side with washi tape I stuck the envelope's flap on the other envelope, giving it better stability. I also alternated the way round I stuck them down so that it looked more accordion-like.

I then punched a hole of the front and set an eyelet with my Crop-A-Dile. I plan to use this for the closure. 

On the edges stuck down some washi tape to prevent the sides getting ripped and worn.

Then I decorated the crap out of it!!

I used a selection of project life cards, the washi tapes from the Hello Sweetie collection and a selection of different stickers, enamel dots and die-cuts I had in my stash. I wanted to keep it looking pretty simple.

I made a different version of this using the same collection but instead of using the letter set I used the treat bags. 

This one is pretty easy to make. Just stick together with washi tape. I stuck a notecard inside, again from Paperchase.