Directions for the Envelope Scrapbook

Several of you have requested details for the envelope scrapbook.  Let me first say that this idea was inspired by Dawn Olchefske -- what fun ideas she shared!

Supplies:
3 envelopes: Medium Crumb Cake (107297)
3.25"x5.75" pieces Patterned DSP, Subtles (117152)
2.5"x2.25" and 4"x5.25" pieces cardstock, 1 each of each color: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Perfect Plum
25" Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117291)
Whisper White cardstock (100730)
Simply Said stamp set (115066)
So Saffron ink pad (105213)
Perfect Plum ink pad (101437)
Pretty in Pink ink pad (101301)
Subtles brads (119736) - 2 So Saffron, 1 Pretty in Pink, 1 Perfect Plum
Big Shot (113439) and Buttons #5 Sizzlits Die (113440)
Full Heart (119883), Extra-Large Tag (119866), Curly Label (119851), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle (119854), and Eyelet Border (119853) Punches
Crop-A-Dile (108362)
Snail Adhesive (104332)
Blender pen or Stampin' Write markers
Crystal Effects (101055)

1) Open the first envelope.  Using your tag punch (or punch of your choice), punch an "indent" in the top center (not the flap, but the other side of the opening) of the envelope.  This does not need to be deep, but enough to make it easier to get hold of the photo card inside later.  Repeat this with each envelope.

2) Use your snail adhesive on the flap of the envelope (where you would normally lick it) to make the flap sticky along all four "edges" of the flap of one envelope.  With the flap open to the right, sticky side up, lay the next envelope on top of the flap so that the bottom of the envelope (or left edge, as it is turned with the flap open to the right also) lines up with the fold of the flap on the first envelope.  Press to adhere.  Repeat with the flap on the just-adhered envelope, adding the last envelope.

3) The envelopes fold together with a Z fold.  Starting at the flap, and working away from the flap: the first fold is a valley fold, which is the way the envelope is already folded. The second fold is a mountain fold (opposite the way it would fold naturally).  If you used additional envelopes with a project like this, you would have an accordion or fan effect.

4) Use the smaller piece of each color of cardstock to create buttons with the Big Shot and Sizzlits Buttons #5 die.

5) Use the Simply Said stamps with the punches on Whisper White cardstock.  The small flowers (which I punched with the scalloped circle) can be colored with Stampin' Write markers if you have them. If you don't, you can pick up the color from the stamp pads with a blender pen, and color the flowers that way.

6) Adhere the stamped/punched images and buttons to the patterned DSP pieces with Snail Adhesive, and then adhere those pieces to the envelopes.

7) Punch a small hole with the Crop-a-dile in the center of the long side (just in from the edge) of your larger solid cardstock pieces, and insert a brad in each. This makes it easier to pull the photo cards out of the envelopes.  I used contrasting colors for this.  Add photos to your cards. (You may want to wait and insert these after the scrapbook is done drying, to avoid getting Crystal Effects on your photos!)

8) Run a line of Crystal Effects down the back center of the flap and first envelope only.  I did not make a thick line, but did zig-zag it a bit. Adhere the ribbon with the Crystal Effects, roughly centered. Adhere a "button" (from step 4) to the ribbon in the center of the flap. Use the Crop-a-dile to punch a hole through the center of the button, ribbon and flap. Insert a brad through the hole.  Adhere a "button" on the inside of the flap to cover the back of the brad.

9) Allow 24 hours for the Crystal Effects to dry, and your scrapbook is complete!