Laminated purses WOW

Hi Crafters

Well today I have a great little project for you all. I cannot take credit for the design it was from a lady I follow on YouTube called GI Kerr, she makes some lovely journals and shabby chic folders to add to Albums and journals,  so pop along and have a look at her videos.

These looked so practical and I loved the concept as I am into folders and laminating, so took an afternoon and had a go. They are not difficult, and the purse inside uses up odd envelopes or you can even recycle some envelopes.So if you have some pretty papers, a laminator and some spare envelopes you want to use up have a go. The snap poppers work well on this but you can substitute them for a brad and some pretty binding tape, or lace fastening. 

I started with the envelopes that I wanted to use as I have lots of papers to choose from, so can cut them to fit. You need two the same size, the envelopes should be sealed, (if using recycled envelopes you need to have the long style, with the opening at the top, or if you are crafty nip into the top of a standard envelope on the top layer and fold the bottom layer to make a flap and glue down).

Then fold the envelope in half, at this stage the envelope will be fairly square or taller than width.

Unfold and glue a line of glue down the middle and along the crease inside, then press down to seal

Repeat with the second envelope and then add the same strips of glue to glue the two envelopes together. When you have left them to dry cut a tiny strip off the top to open the envelope, which will now look like the inside of a purse as in the picture below. 

Next measure the envelope and section and cut 2 strip of paper/card 1/8" wider  and 2.5 times the height.

Add the two pieces together,  face outwards to the inside of the laminating pouch and put through the machine. When laminated, cut around the card to seperate the 2 sheets. You will only use one for each purse. 

Think about any pattern you have on the papers before deciding which way up to use it. Lay the laminated sheet on the desk laminated side down. Place the envelope onto the sheet into the middle and fold up the laminated sheet to encase the envelope section. Take the envelope off and score a line 1/8" above the fold line to give a little space at the base of the purse. Allow 1/4"  from the top of the envelope and fold the top of the laminated sheet down. At this stage if the flap looks too long trim it.Next add your fastening to the centre of the flap either using your snap poppers or a brad. For the Brad system place a brad in the centre of the flap and another brad an inch below the flap , use a piece of binding cotton or lace and place in hte brad hole on the flap before putting the brad in and this will secure the tie in place, it can then be wound between the two brads to fasten the purse. 

Once that is done all that remains is to glue the back of your envelopes and sit into the folded purse in the middle section and then glue the front of the envelope and flatten the front down. Use your bone tool to press the laminated sheet down to the envelope. Leave for a little time to allow the glue to dry.

I love these and will be making more over the year. The ones made in this batch will be given as Happy Mail, to anyone purchasing from my Ebay sales or my Etsy shop during February.  Two have already gone out. 

Back soon with some more pockets using recycled materials with the shabby chic look

Dee