Monday, February 14, 2011

Things to Make: Felt Valentine's Envelopes


Happy Valentine's Day!

Last week at my Relief Society (church) Activity, we made and did some fun things to show our loved ones how much we love them! It was a great meeting, and we there were so many great suggestions for being more loving in our families. One of the porjects we made were these cute felt Valentine envelopes!

I know it may be a little late, but decided that I'd do a quick little how-to on how to make some for your kids! (These would also make great Teacher or Grandparent gifts or to tuck something special for your sweetheart in!)

Materials Needed:

1 sheet of felt, in desired color
1 sheet of felt in a coordinating color
ribbon, ric rac, lace or other trimmings
buttons, felt heart, etc,
velcro
puffy fabric paint (optional)
hot glue, and hot glue gun
scissors



First, fold your main color piece of felt in half, and cut it. Then cut a rounded notch out of ONE of the pieces...this will be the 'pocket' for the envelope.



Next cut your coordinating piece of felt into a triangle shape, big enough to cover the opening of the pocket.

At this point you can either glue the two pieces together, like I've done, OR if you want to add lace or something that sticks out, glue that on first, then glue down the top layer of felt.




If you decide to just do embellishing on the top of the envelope, glue down your ribbon or other trim onto the top around the edges of the felt. (I also melted the ends of my ribbon, so they wouldn't fray. You can easily do this with a lighter...just don't burn your fingers!)

For a handle glue a length of ribbon down on either side of the top opening of the envelope



After your ribbon or trim is adhered, start on the envelope flap. Add trim and something to embellish the point...I've used a little felt heart.




Glue a piece of velcro to the underside of the flap, and also to the envelope base. I used self-adhesive velcro, but still glued it down for added durability.




Next glue the flap onto the top edge of the envelope, covering up the handle ends of you've added them.



And here's the finished envelope! So cute!



Here's one I made with lace sticking out of the edge. I glued the lace down first, and then added the top layer of felt.



As you can see there's an endless amount of possibilities!!



I forgot to take a pic of the envelopes with my kids' names on them, but I just wrote their names on the flaps with puffy fabric paint...they turned out so cute! I'm putting little love notes and treats into the envelopes, and then I'm going to be hanging them on the kids' bedroom doors, so that when the older kids' get home from school they'll have a sweet surprise waiting for them!

(My little girls have been carrying them around the house this morning like little purses!! They would make a such cute favors for a girls' birthday party!)

Have a very Happy Valentine's Day!!



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