The perfect tool for making envelopes out of recycled paper

A while back I confessed that my attention to detail could use some...attention. I've been trying to slow down and bring more Zen-like focus to whatever I'm doing. That's hard. I found an easier way -- find a tool that makes creating idiot-proof. And in the case of repurposed envelopes, I found just the thing! 

Voila! The Envelope Punch Board!

Until I got it, I didn't realize how lame my handmade envelopes were. I had devised my own lop-sided template, which produced dimensionally challenged envelopes for my collaged notecards. 

I researched several different envelope making tools. This one seemed to have the most fans. And at $16, I figured I could take a risk.

To prepare, I watched a few how-to videos. But when the board arrived, I was still frighted by the grid printed on its face. What could all these numbers mean?????

The grid turned out to be my new best friend, the key to making perfect envelopes, for any size card. It's this easy.

How to use the Envelope Punch Board

1. Measure your card.

2. Look up the size on the grid. (Round up, if necessary.)

3. Cut the paper you've chosen for the envelope into a square with the dimensions shown on the grid. In my case. since my card is about 4" x 5 1/2", I needed to cut my paper down to 7 7/8" square. 

4. Put the envelope paper onto the board and position it so the left edge lines up with the number shown on the grid. For my card, the point was 3 3/8.

5. Press the teal button in the center of the board, and then score the paper along the guide line. (Don't press too hard or you'll slice the paper in two.)

6. Rotate the paper counter-clockwise and align the score line with the notch on the teal button. Press the button and make a second score line.

7. Repeat steps 5-6 for the other two corners. Then glue the edges.

Here are some of my finished envelopes. They always fit the card, every time! (Well, as long as I measure the card accurately.)

As if this weren't enough, the board includes a second punch that cuts rounded corners. My upcycled cards have never looked so polished!

The tool is made by We R Memory Keepers. And no, I didn't receive a free tool or any compensation for my glowing review.