Our local group’s challenge this week was to create an envelope book. Paula showed us how to put the envelopes together. We were actually supposed to collage the pages but I didn’t end up doing much collage work.
I decided to paint my envelopes first. I did that with watercolors and high fluid acrylic dark brown paint. I used a variety of threads, cheesecloth and plastic wrap to get the various organic designs. Afterwards, I had to iron all the envelopes as they got very warped from the liquid applied. The glue also didn’t hold well and they all started to come apart.
Here is an example of one envelope after the paint dried and the envelope was ironed.
I then put the book together. You slide the flap into the previous envelope, fold the envelope back in the opposite direction and then just keep adding another envelope until you have a book. In the right hand photo, you can probably see that the envelopes haven’t been glued yet. I had to glue them all back together and then glue each flap into the prior envelope. That way the book holds together. Now on to embellishing.
This is the front cover. I added some paint pens, markers and colored pencil. Always fun to see what you can find in these very organic looking designs.
Here’s another set of pages where I added some collage elements on the right hand side. The darker grey torn paper can be lifted to see what’s underneath. The plan is to add some poetry to the blank papers that I am adding in. I’m still working on finishing the book but I’ll show you more next week.
Stay safe!
Ruth Lane Art 
Just WOW! I love this idea, and your decorative technique is fab. I’ll have a go at this when I can get out to buy the right sort of envelopes. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Judith, it’s a simple process and very versatile. You can decorate the pages with gelli printing, paint, collage…
You can use any kind of envelope so I would love to see the results if you make one.
Very attractive decoration on the envelopes – it will be a lovely book once the poetry’s in.
Thank you 😊! I am trying to decide whether to hand write the poetry or print it. My handwriting can be messy.
Wow! This is looking terrific and I particularly like your colour scheme!
Thanks Karen! Those are colors I have in my watercolor paints without mixing. Easier when you are in a hurry 😊
It looks simple but lovely. I think I shall have to try it to understand how it works.
Thanks! It is pretty simple but doing it is the easiest way to figure it out 😊
This is just beautiful, Ruth. More power to you! And hats off!
Thanks Penny!
Oh Ruth! You are such an inspiration! What a great project!
Thanks Tesi, you should try making one 😉
Very cool!
Thank you Marilyn
This is such a neat idea! And if you only glue the envelopes on one side you can use the pockets to stash things. 🙂 Thanks for sharing Ruth.
You’re welcome Kim! Yes, it is a fun way to make a book. And yes, you are correct, you can leave the pockets open to add extra fun stuff inside the book.