Do you agree that the envelopes always give us the feeling of a secret? Something unexpected? Something more than the usual? Something still hidden even in open envelopes? Maybe another message has been forgotten there and is waiting for us to open it? Ok, maybe these are only my fantasies, but they pushed me to create this envelope pocket notebook. If you like little pockets, see also my article Easy to make pocketed gift tags.
How can you use the Washi decorated envelope pocket notebook? For almost everything! For family documents, for tax documents, for love letters, for those smart little messages to yourself, which you can read when the day is sad or you need more inspiration… The usage depends on you. This is why I am not giving strict sizes for this notebook. Mine is A5 size, but you can make it smaller, or larger to suit to your own ideas.
You can also give it more or fewer pages and pockets. Still don’t know what the purpose could be? Just have fun and the purpose will become clear afterwards.
The main structure of the Washi decorated envelope pocket notebook
The main structure is fan-folded like an accordion. To create it easily without making a lot of measurements, you just need a few rectangular pieces of the same size.
Creasing 1-2 cm from the edge…
will help you to easily fold the paper.
Then you only need to glue the creased areas together, keeping the accordion shape. The last piece will also have a creased part. Just cut it off. This is a little trick which will save you from lots of measuring or making mistakes by gluing the wrong piece of paper.
See, it is very easy! And now, because I call it Washi decorated envelope pocket notebook, you need to decorate the edges with your favourite Washi tape. I love beautiful Washi and am always looking for ways to keep some of the designs forever. Actually, by making something useful in projects like this it’s one way to preserve my beautiful Washi.
When the main structure is ready and also decorated, you have to make the envelopes. I chose a simple template for a coin envelope.
Match the envelopes with the Washi tape
Of course, the paper was matched the colour scheme of my Washi tape selection. These are one of my favourite and I will tell you a secret: One of my most beautiful Washi finds with great quality are from Office Works – an office stationery store. My husband and I go there at least 2-3 times a month and he gives me these little presents. He definitely knows that, “Washies are a girl’s best friend”.
In my project there is one envelope on every side of the accordion shape, facing each other. But you can also make one big and one small, or four smaller ones. I suggest still not to glue them and to leave this for the moment when the covers are fixed to the notebook body.
The importance of the covers
Of course, after gluing the envelopes on you can just fold the accordion and hold it closed with a simple (or decorated) elastic. But to create a real notebook, I suggest making covers too. Covers are important. As a paper lover, you know how tempting it is to buy a notebook with pages you don’t like, but with beautiful covers. So, let’s make irresistible covers!
For them you need two pieces of the same paper you used for the “pages” and with the same size. Also, you’ll need beautiful and strong cotton thread and a button. I prefer flat buttons with holes, not with shanks. The shank will make wrapping easier, but can bend the pages and the covers.
Before adding the thread and the button, we need to make the cover beautiful. For this I am using the same Washi selection – covering and folding over onto the back side.
This is how one of the covers will look. Using Washi tape is a great craft opportunity to create absolutely stunning colour combinations from opposing style selections.
Last steps
Now make a hole in the cover located as shown and push the cotton thread through.
Make a flat knot on the back side and glue the knot very well a small distance from the hole.
Then, using a bright thread sew the button on the other edge of the cover, in a line with the first thread.
And glue the cover very thoroughly. Do not skimp on glue in this phase!
And when both covers are well fixed, glue in the envelopes.
See, your Washi decorated envelope pocket notebook is ready! Such a long name for something so easy to create!
You can use all your different Washi tapes to create different designs. Stored together on your desk they will look amazing!
Enjoy your craft time! ♥
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