Use your envelopes to make a scrapbook album.
As a scrapbook enthusiast, you have probably accumulated a lot of supplies, scrap papers and small unused embellishments. Put these spare supplies to use with the help of a few envelopes to create your own mini envelope scrapbook album. This small album will be a charming addition to your inventory and will help you recycle your miniature scrap supplies, rather than letting them go to waste.
Envelope Book
Use wide envelopes that you have received from cards in the past to make an envelope scrapbook as featured on the Making Mini Scrapbook site. Cut out a variety of patterned paper from the same theme or color combination. The size of the paper should match perfectly with the size of your envelopes. Do not cover the flaps if you want to be able to store mementos inside the envelopes. Fold a piece of large scrapbook paper in an accordion-fold to serve as the book's spine. Card stock with patterned paper on top serves as a simple front and cover to the book. Glue the accordion spine in between the covers and glue each envelope in between each fold of the spine. Ribbon finishes off the look and provides you with a closing mechanism.
Scalloped Album
Make a decorative album out of six envelopes, as seen on the Making Mini Scrapbooks website. Glue one envelope about 1/2-inch from the top on another envelope's flap, then repeat for the other envelopes. The flap for the top envelope should be left free. Add patterned paper to cover the front of each envelope, which will hide the glued on flaps, and alternate patterns so that every other envelope matches. Add the same paper to the part of the flap that you left visible on the inside. Use scalloped scissors on the top envelope and cut around the flap. Add an eyelet to the center of the top envelope and thread ribbon through so you can close the album. Fold each envelope accordion-style, beginning with the top envelope. Open the album and begin decorating the envelopes according to your style.
Memento Storage
Scrapbook.com has a fun craft using business-sized envelopes to create an envelope scrapbook album to maintain your keepsakes. Adhere the envelope flap to the envelope, then cut the sides until your envelope measures 9 inches wide and is open at both ends. Fold the envelope at 3 1/2-inches to create a side flap. Glue the backside of the flap to the next envelope until you have a small book of six envelopes. Decorate each envelope and flap in different paper. The flaps you made earlier will allow you to insert pictures, journaling and various mementos inside. You can also add decorative paper inside each flap so your mementos are stored on their own small page.
Coin Envelopes
Make a scrapbook album out of manila coin envelopes, like the craft found on Scrapbook.com. Cut the envelopes until they are about 4-inches long. Punch holes in one side of each envelope and add a spiral spine from an old notebook through the holes on that side. Add decorative paper, embellishments, quotes, picture frames and pictures as desired. Add journaling or a small decorated page and tuck it inside each envelope. A circle punch lets you create a tab to easily remove each page from the envelopes.
