Fancy Envelope Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm going to share with you how to make fancy envelopes. I know this isn't a party favor type of gift, but we often need fancy envelopes for occasions that request "no boxed gifts".

This envelope only takes minutes to make and can be customized to fit any occasion.

Let's get started!

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Decorative paper (8.5 by 8.5 inches)
• Ribbon (30 inches)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Marker
• Scrap paper for envelope lining (optional)

Step 1- Cut and Crease:

• Download this template and cut it out (cut along the solid line).
• Trace the template on the back of your decorative paper and cut.
• Crease where indicated (dotted lines on template). Crease such that the flap close towards the back of the decorative paper.

Step 2- Add a Liner (optional):

•  If you would like to add a liner (so that your check or cash cannot be seen, or to add something pretty to the inside of the envelope), cut a piece of scrap paper 3 1/8 by 7.5 inches.
• Glue the liner to the back of the decorative paper between the top and bottom creases, with the right side of the liner facing up.

Step 3- Glue Envelope Together:

• Fold in the two short flaps on either side of the envelopes and add a little glue to the front of the flap (starting 1 inch from the top and going all the way to the bottom). 
• Then fold the bottom flap and hold in place.

Step 4- Add Ribbon:

• Cut ribbon into two pieces, each 15 inches long.
• Find the center of each ribbon and place it on the center of the front of the envelope (make sure the top flap is closed).
• Glue the ribbon on top of the envelope approximately 1/2 inch from each edge.

Now the envelope is complete! To use the envelope, add some cash, a check, or a gift card along with a note and then tie the ribbons (trim excess ribbon). You may wand to add a little bit of two sided-tape if the top flap doesn't lay flat.

Here's what the front of the envelope looks like when the envelope is closed:

 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Building Creative Confidence

Hi Everyone!

Today I want to share this TED video with you. In this video, David Kelly talks about how we all can build our creative confidence.

This video really resonated with me because up until recently, I always thought of myself as analytical and not creative (assuming that I could either be one of the two). Now I realize that creativity is a process and that with hard work and determination, I can awaken my creative side.

I hope you enjoyed this video!

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Beautiful Ring Box Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

Today I want to share with you how to transform an ordinary cardboard jewelry box into a beautiful ring box.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Cardboard jewelry box (I used one I received from a Macy's store)
• Decorative paper (I used a floral design for the lid and construction paper for the bottom)
• Foam (I recycled some I received from a package in the mail, but you can also buy foam at JoAnn Fabrics)
• Ruler
• Glue stick
• Laminating self-seal paper
• Craft knife
• Scissors
• Cutting board
• Pencil 

Step 1- Wrapping the box with paper and laminating paper:

• a. Place the lid of your box face down on the wrong side of your decorative paper and trace.
• b. Measure and draw a one inch border along all sides of the box you just traced.

• c. Cut along the outer border and cut out the small square boxes at each corner.

• d. Put glue on the lid of the box and then place the lid in the center of cut decorative paper.
• e. Put glue on one tab and fold the tab up and around the "lip" of the lid.
• f. Continue this for the remaining tabs.

• g. Once the lid is covered with the decorative paper, repeat steps a and b on your laminating self-seal paper. 
• h. Cut around the border of the laminating paper as you did in step c, but do not cut one of the small square out.

• i. Carefully peel back the sticker of the laminating paper, starting at the edge with the square still in tact. Then cut out the small square from the laminating paper.
• j. Place the lid in the center of the sticky laminating paper. Then wrap the tabs around each side like you did in steps e and f.
• k. Now your lid is complete! Repeat steps a through j for the bottom of your box. However this time leave a 2 inch border (or more depending on the height of your box- you want to make the border wide enough to go up and around the "lip" of the bottom of the box).

Step 2- Cut the foam and make slits:

• a. Now that your box is covered and looks beautiful, trace the bottom of your box on your piece of foam.
• b. Cut out the foam and place it in your box. You may have to trim the foam so that it fits properly.
• c. Cut out a second piece of foam, if the height of your foam is not as tall as the inside of your box. (This is what I had to do.)
• d. Once the foam is snug inside your box, take your craft knife and make three slits about an inch apart. The slits are where the rings will sit.

Now your box is done! Fill the box with rings and use it yourself or give the box to your friends!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. 

Best wishes,

Zaineb

Ombre Bracelet Tutorial

Hi Everyone!

I'm on an ombre kick at the moment and today I want to share with you how to make ombre bracelets.

Here are the supplies you'll need:

• Pearl/Glass/Crystal beads in three gradients of the same tone (I used glass beads from Michaels)
• Clear elastic (0.5 mm)
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Super glue (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)

Step 1 - Measure:

• Measure how long you would like your bracelet. You can do this by wrapping a measuring tape around your wrist to the desired length or measuring something that already fits you well (I used my watch).

Step 2- Cut Elastic:

• Cut three strands of elastic the length of your wrist measurement plus 5 inches (e.g. I cut each strand about 11.5 inches since my wrist measurement was 6.25 inches)
• Double knot one end of each strand.

Step 3- String beads:

• String each color of bead on separate strands of elastic. String enough beads to cover the length of your wrist.

Step 4- Tie Strands:

• Choose whether you rather have three separate bracelets or one bracelet.
• If you decide to have three separate bracelets, then double knot the two ends of each bracelet to form a circle for each strand. Add a dab of glue to each knot to secure in place.
• If you decide to have one mega bracelet (this is what I did), then place the strands in order of light to dark and double knot all three strands together.

• Next, double knot the three-in-one strand with all three of the individual strands on the opposite end. Trim excess elastic.
• If you have super glue, you can glue the knot to make sure it stays put (optional).
• The knot may look a little messy. To make it neater, you can tie some ribbon around it (optional).

• Now the bracelet is done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment.

Best wishes,

Zaineb

PS. Sorry for the poor picture quality!