Let's Make Envelopes | Darling Magazine

Below is an article I wrote for Darling Magazine this month. Hop on over to Darling Magazine online to read the original article, and don't forget to Pre-order your copy of the Fall Print Edition. Issue No. 5 marks the one year birthday of the inaugural issue! 

Words these days tend to be bare, received instantly through an email, fax, text, and social media. But words received in an envelope? Words sent like that are covered, creating a waiting time—a pause between the writing, the receiving, and the reading. Although our world shifts the pace of words, where communication is sent quickly and read instantly, there's a nostalgia and mystery paired with the envelope. A wonder of “what could be inside?” and a slight pull from our heart to open something so basic and simple that now seems like a novelty.

To keep that sense of wonder, and send words that cause a pause and tearing of a seal—let's make envelopes! Let's create unique handmade envelopes that bring the details of nostalgia and delight to the recipient who's name adorns its exterior.

Upcyling Catalogues.

Catalogues these days are rich in photograph, pattern, illusion of texture, and story telling. Case and point: The Anthropologie Catalogue. More like pictoral magazines, lacking articles and text bulk, the photographs capture a world that seems like such a fantasy, with outfits near perfection and clean linens amidst walls with peeling paint and dusty floors. Much like when I was a girl and would read The Secret Garden, Anne of Green Gabels, Alice in Wonderland, so do the photographs in these particular Anthro pages take me to those beautiful places and paint a story on my mind. When an image takes the mind to a land far off, or a place so unique, it is exciting and inspiring! That is why the Anthropologie catalogue is so hard for me to throw away. As a lover of notes, letters, and old fashioned mail, the pages of these catalogues have & can become the canvas upon which ink can be placed, encouragement can be sent, and pen pals can be reached. All you need are your fingers to help you tear, an optional pair of scissors, a permanent marker (or a pen that is thick to show up on the glossy catalogue paper), an envelope, and the words to write your heart out.

Collection of Anthropologie Catalogues.

Without spoiling the inside of these catalogues too much (and for good measure), 

here is just a sampling of the photographs that can serve as your beautiful notecard canvas.

 Just tear your piece off to size and write your note on these lovelies:

Just today I sent out a note made out of catalogue paper.

 It was perfect as I did not have and notecards handy,

 and I wanted something handmade yet simple.

Shoe printed card, torn and worn edges.

Envelope of choice.

My little note to say 'Hello"
(The shoe print is on the back. Perk to Catalogue Cards: Double sided prints and patterns)

HERE is the link to order your Anthropologie catalogue. Of course, there are so many other catalogues out there that you can make your notecards with. How about J.Crew, West Elm, and Pottery Barn? I tend to be drawn to simple, minimal text, and rich patterns and color. What about you? Happy writing!