Make Something Monday: Circle Seed Envelopes

I found this cool project in a book from the library called the Artful Card.
I find the triangle shape to be very interesting and appealing especially since it folds out into a perfect circle.  The authors had made these envelopes out of glassine paper, and I am not 100% certain where to locate this type of paper, so I decided to experiment with a variety of papers.

 Now a disclaimer, you will need to use very basic geometry to make your templates! Sorry, but this will give you the freedom to make an envelope the size you want.  The book gave me a small template and recommended to blow it up to a 6 inch circle, but an internet search found me a video on how to make and isosceles triangle within a circle which was extremely easy and again, gives you the freedom to design your own thing.

You will need a protractor or a pin tied to string tied to a pencil, scissors, a variety of lighter weight (thin) paper.  Optional: a circle cutter and ruler
I was going to try to explain the how and I will still do the step by steps below, but first consider watching this short video as it explains so much so easily.

Now, I will go over it again in 3 pictures.

 1) Draw a circle with the center marked and a line through it.

 2) Find the distance from the center to the edge and draw a line where it intersects with the edges of the circle. 

 3) Connect those points and I would recommend you do this step twice so you end up with a circle and triangle template.  Although I found after creating a few of these, I did not need the templates and just used a ruler to fold the edges.

 Here's my first template.

 Once you cut your paper, you can insert the triangle in to fold the sides.

 Is that not pretty?  I will update this post later with the cost to mail these.

 I then used the triangle template to make a card that fits within the envelope.  You will need to shave this card a bit so it fits better.

On the back of the card, I used another envelope so I had a built in pocket to mail things!

I hope you enjoy this project because I sure did.  I think the person who opens this will be in love with the shapes.  Plus, once you do it one, you will find it to be very, very simple.

-b
 

My Late MSM: The Shard Card

Earlier this week, I posted that I was not able to complete my posts because of a missing cord that attaches my camera to the computer.  With a few mischievous four legged friends running around, I had my suspicions and lo and behold, it turned up. 

Now I can present a project that I found this weekend while making a search on YouTube in recycling projects.  I haven't been able to locate the link, but it was ridiculously long for such a simple idea which I nicknamed the shard card.

First grab scrap paper, scissors, glue, card stock or cardboard if you want to make a postcard and start cutting.

 Take the pieces, pick a center and cut triangles that fit in to it.  To give the card depth, you should make fatter triangles on one side and skinnier on the other.  I like the space in between, but perfectionist could overlap the edges so they touch.  The last piece placed may take a couple cuts to make it fit, but the rest fall into place super easy.

 Here's what it looks like before you cut off the edges. 

 Cut the edges down and add a centerpiece.  I chose a quote I got in a recent swap.  And just sent this card off to a friend that recently got engaged.

 But I always take it to the next level.  The cardboard was from packaging and the paper from insides of security envelopes that bills came in. 

Here's another version.  I used the thicker pieces on the long axis to play with the perspective and then used cheap office dots to outline the shards. 

What do you think?  I like the effect and ease of the project.

My Best,
-b

MSM- Postponed

Hello all! 
A quick note to say I lost my camera cord and even though I did the project, it sits on my camera and awaits a way to unlock it!  I have a series I am still going forward with on gratitude starting Tuesday, but first 2 things.
1) My heart goes out to the thousands of people who lost everything in the Philippines and may they receive the aid they need as soon as possible. 
2) Thank you to all the veterans for their service.  We have a saying in the USA that "Freedom isn't free" meaning many lose their lives or limbs so that the rest of the county can live on. 

If you are looking for ways to give back, consider Operation Write Home - you can either make or mail an Any Hero letter.  I only make a few cards a year for the project, but I hope they send the love and heartfelt wishes I envision they will carry upon their inception.

I'll be back tomorrow and try to get the MSM post up as soon as the camera issues are resolved!
-b

Make Something Monday: Brad Booklets

Hello All!   Sorry it's a late post, but better late than never or so the saying goes! 

This project started with me finding a cheap set of brads and wondering what I could do with them. Well I was leafing through one of my craft books when I saw a project similar to this one.  Mine is actually a simplified version of this mini book.

 

 

Grab cardstock, thinner paper of a few varieties, a small punch or blade, a bone folder, brads, a cutting matt, and a paper cutter.

 For simplicity, grab a sheet of cardstock in the standard 8 by 11.5 inch  (notebook) size and split on the short axis.

 Fold this in half and then fold the top again with 1/2 to 3/4 inch margin, depending on the size of the brads.

 Cut you random sheets down to 1/4 of the page or 4.25 by 5.5 inches

 Stuff the pages in the book and poke the Exacto knife through it.  I did this first one in the wrong direction.  Look which way your brads unfold before poking through.

 Here's one I rounded the edges on and did 3 brads.  The other one had 2 brads and was square. 

 Here's it open with the pages.

And here is a semi-competed version.  Obviously I will fancy it up more before sending it, but it turned out really nice!  Great for a letter or a gift and it only took 10 minutes!
Have fun and you an do it!
-b