Archive for August, 2007

Cutting Mulberry Paper Shapes with a Punch

I want to punch shapes from Mulberry paper but the paper always tears and makes a mess.

Mulberry paper is a very thin paper with lots of fibre inclusions. Punches tend to chew the paper rather than cut it cleanly. There is nothing wrong with your punch although it may seem like it. The solution is to place the mulberry paper between two sheets of copy paper and punch the sandwich. When punched in this way the mulberry paper will be cut cleanly and crisply and you will have the shapes needed to make your invitations punched out in no time.

Once you see how easy it is to punch shapes like this you might want to decorate the backs of your envelopes with punched mulberry shapes to match your invitations.

How to line an envelope

Lining an envelope with a decorative paper that matches your stationery creates a luxurious finish. Once you have made a template it is easy to do multiple envelopes and when your invitations are received they will have that extra special wow effect.

From The Wedding Crafter You will need

• Decorative Paper
• Envelope(s)
• Scissors
• Glue Stick

You will also need

• Card to make your template (A Cereal Box would be perfect)
• A Pencil

Lay the envelope with the flap open onto your template card. Draw round the envelope and flap with pencil. Cut out with scissors, trimming the sides slightly narrower.

When lining your envelope you need to leave the gum uncovered so it can be sealed as normal. To do this you need to trim the flap part your template down. Place your envelope onto your trimmed template card with the flap opened out, but this time about 1.5cm down from the top. Draw round it and trim your template.

Place your template inside the envelope to check it fits and leaves the gum uncovered. Trim again if necessary.

Next take the envelope that matches your card and the paper you have chosen to line it with. Using pencil draw round the template and cut out. If you are lining multiple envelopes think about the way you draw them on your paper so you get as many as possible out of a sheet.

Using the glue stick lightly cover the back of the lining paper paying particular attention to the edges and slide into the envelope. Rub firmly with your hand to make sure it is stuck well then leave to dry before using.

Pearlescent papers make great linings - in the example shown we have used bronze pearlescent paper with a cream envelope. Choose the combination to best compliment your invitations.