Tiny Treasures from the Heart

I LOVE tiny cards, especially ones with hidey-holes for secret messages or tiny gifts. The intrigue of tiny-ness must be universal, since everyone I've gifted with these cards loved to see what they contained and kept them just to look at.

If you've chosen to use just one envelope, you can skip this next step. One envelope will result in a card that opens and closes with one pocket for a treat or a message.

1. If you'd like to create a larger card, begin by attaching the flap of one envelope to the lower front of another, and so on, so that all of the pockets are on one side and the glued flaps are on the other. It will be necessary to use more adhesive than the gluey strip on the flap edge, as the entire flap needs to be attached. The bottom edge of the envelope should be lined up with the fold of the next envelope's flap. There will be one flap that is free...which will eventually become the front cover.

2. Next, choose the papers you'd like to cover the envelope with and cut them to fit the overall exterior dimensions of the main envelope body. You will need one for each side of the envelope, two to cover the envelope flap, and one for the lining. Actually, the lining piece needs to be only about 1/2-inch (about 1.3cm) wider than the back of the pocket opening. Apply the adhesive to the back of the paper lining. Glue the liner into the pocket, first lining up the top edge of it with the fold of the envelope flap, then smoothing it into the pocket. If you are creating a card using multiple envelopes as shown in the top photo, insert the lining piece into each envelope before beginning to cover the outer surfaces. Believe me, it is easier to insert the liner first!!

Apply adhesive to the outer side of the pocket and apply the paper covering. Turn the card over and trim the edge of the paper to the edge of the envelope.

Next, apply adhesive to the entire inside of the flap, and line up the paper with the flap's fold line. Smooth into place. This is now the inside of the front cover. Turn the card over and apply adhesive to the backside of the flap and the paper. Apply the paper you've chosen for the front cover. Fold the card closed and trim the papers to the edge of the envelope for a neater look. Open the card and attach the paper chosen for the back cover to the flat side of the envelope; trim it, and you're ready to decorate your card!

If you've chosen to create a card using multiple envelopes, insert the pocket liners on all the envelopes first as described above, then cover the pocket sides of the envelopes. Trim as necessary. Create the front cover of the card with the papers attached to the remaining envelope flap as described above; trim. Cover the remaining backs of the envelopes - each one individually - trimming to the edges of each individual envelope by folding the ones around it and cutting any excess paper away carefully.
Finish by accordion-folding the card, starting with the front of the card. If done correctly, the outer edge of the front will line up with the outer edge of the back of the card, with all the envelopes folded accordion-style within the booklet. Open the card up to decorate.

3. Now comes the fun part! Use stickers, glitter, cut-outs, computer-generated designs, etc. to decorate the card. Create a secret message or find a tiny treasure to include in the pocket of the card. It does help to attach a ribbon to the treasure or note to facilitate removing it from the tiny pocket. Decorate the outside of the card, both front and back, and don't forget to sign and date your artwork.

4. To keep your card closed or to make it seem more of a treasure, you can attach a system to keep it closed. A frog -type closure could be attached on the outsides of the front and back. A ribbon loop attached on the back could slide over a button sewn onto the front. Hide the ribbon ends by attaching them between the paper covering and the envelope back - before you put that paper covering onto the envelope! I chose to hot-glue an 18' length of ribbon to the front and another to the back of the card, securing each with a glittering tab or a button. To close the card, wrap the front ribbon over the back, and the back ribbon over the front, and twist back and forth as if you were wrapping a special gift package. Tie with a tiny bow at the front of the card and trim the ribbon.

Who wouldn't love to receive a card like this? Who needs a gift??