envelope book tutorial

You may remember I put a kit together for each of the Handmade U attendees. (They are the same ones that were on my work space two weeks ago- see here). The contents can be used for any project, but what I had in mind for the kit was to make a tiny, envelope book. My intentions were to use the book as a birthday "card" (it would also be good to use for mother's day, as well). My thoughts were for it to hold a gift card or money.

Today I'm sharing the tutorial for the book.

Each kit contained 3 envelopes, coordinating paper, text flowers, pearl gems (for the tiny flowers), 2 labels, paper clip, button, 2 brads, organza ribbon (instead of the book ring pictured), heart veneer, and flair badge from Shelley's shop A Flair for Buttons.

First I decided to add some texture by distressing the edges of the paper.

Then, I cut the flaps of two of the envelopes. And on the one with the remaining flap, I stamped 3 tiny hearts on it.

Then I glued my paper down on the front and back of the envelopes.

Next I added the embellishments- the flowers, the buttons, the labels, and the paper clip.

Then I added the brads to some of the cardstock, and put them in the 2 envelopes with the flaps cut off- to use as tags with messages for the recipient.

Next, I punched a hole on the corner of each of the envelopes and looped them together with the organza ribbon. I tied a bow to finish it off.

Then... I personalized the book for the recipient.
I decided to give this to my sister Jasmine for her birthday. I had some special pictures printed to put in the book.

I stamped her birthday date on one of the labels and "xoxo!" on the other.


Then I added some messages and pictures on the tags hidden in the pockets.

Finally, I added a gift card to the envelope with the flap.
And that's it. :)

I am selling 3 of these kits in my etsy shop for $4.50. That's a fairly priced birthday / mother's day/ thank you / everything "card," I think. ;) Buy the kit here.

I'm not much of a card maker. I am definitely a book maker. See more of my envelope books here.

Related: tiny books + mini books + paper bag albums. Oh my.