So, a few weeks ago, my lovely friend, Julie NotesOnPaper (yep, that's her name), sent me a message about her new blog series, Going Postal. It sounded pretty fantastic from the outset, but then she used the words 'epistolary' and 'larks', and I was sold.
I've got two postal-themed posts planned between now and the middle of August. The second will be along next week, but for today I have what might be the world's easiest DIY project.
Up until now, my love of security envelopes has been something of a secret shame, but it's time to come clean.
My name is Kirsty and I am obsessed with turning envelopes inside out.
When I get a bill, it goes something like this: You want to charge me how much, now? Oh, but look! Pretty grey houndstooth inside the envelope, and it's A5 size, too. Score.
If you recognise yourself in this little situation, welcome to the Club of Shame. If you don't, congratulations. But seriously, look inside the occasional envelope and find yourself some free patterned paper. You can use it for all sorts of things, like making strips of super-useful deco tape.
Here you go with the very simple how-to:
1. Open out a security envelope and place on a cutting mat, patterned side facing down.
2. Cut a length of double-sided sticky tape in a width of your choice.
3. Press the tape down onto the white (plain) side of your envelope.
4. Cut along the edges of the tape with a craft knife. You can use scissors if you prefer.
5. Trim ends to neaten, and then turn over to admire your finished strip of tape.
6. Make as many as you like. Keep them stored together so they're ready whenever you need a fancy-but-useful piece of tape.
Use it to fix down paper scraps or details . . .
. . . as a closure on parcels and gift bags . . .
. . . or fold around a cocktail stick to make tiny flags.
If you're feeling really perverse, you could even use a strip to seal the envelope next time you pay your phone bill.
For lots more postally-inspired projects, ideas and giveaways, head to Julie's blog (I'm especially in love with her postage-stamp cards) or the Going Postal Pinterest board. You can also find out how to take part yourself, even if it's just by posting a picture of how you used your DIY deco-tape, or writing a blog post about how some pestilential woman told you to start looking at the inside of envelopes and now you can't stop.
I'll be over any day now to apologise.
x
(Please note: no cupcakes were harmed in the making of this blog post. In order to avoid any 'cake, meet hideous amount of unknown post-office germs' situation, the paper strips wrapped around the cupcakes above were cut from brand new, straight-out-of-a-sealed-packet envelopes.)
