If you want to make an envelope out of pretty scrapbooking paper but don't have a spare plain one to make a template, you can easily make one by following some basic principles of folding. This is great if you need a teeny tiny envelope like above, or a giant one. The basic construction of an envelope is fairly simple: a square or rectangular paper, larger than your note or card, which is folded around it to contain and conceal it. Sounds simple right? However when it comes down to making your own, suddenly there are corners and flaps everywhere and things get a little muddy.
Start with a square of paper and find the center. Either match up opposite corners and gently pinch the middle or use a straight edge and lightly mark lines with a pencil.
Fold two opposite corners to the center. (Then unfold) These will be the side flaps.
Now fold the other two corners past the center point and unfold. Just how far past the center you want to go will determine how square or rectangular your envelope will be.
You now how something like this: (turned 45 degrees)
The dotted square represents a shape slightly larger than your note. Fold all your corners in and take a look at what you have. You can adjust your folds or add some details. You will probably want to clip the excess paper where the folds meet and shape your corners; clip the folds at a wider angle to avoid bunching, round off the top corner and cut off the bottom corner flat where it meets the two side flaps when folded.
To fold your envelope, first fold in the two side flaps, then the bottom, and lastly the top. You can secure the sides to the bottom with glue or tape, or leave them open.
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