WRMK Envelope Punch Board

Today I want to talk about one of my favorite craft tools: The We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board.

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I got this punch board back in June, but it had been on my wish list since last summer. It has been so much fun! We used 3 of these at the Teachers of Good Things Craft Day last weekend, and several ladies mentioned that they had plans to get one for themselves. In fact, my mom has plans to pick one up at the first opportunity.

While the Envelope Punch Board may look complicated, it's actually super easy to use, and I wanted to do a quick tutorial. First of all, the measurements you need for just about any size envelope are printed right on the board. It also comes with a sticker with the metric version of the measurements so you can adhere that on top of the standard measurements if you prefer.

It tells you the correct paper size for the card you're using, and it gives you a measurement mark to place the edge of your paper on for scoring. You can make envelopes from paper sized up to 11.5 x 11.5 inches. These for are for 4.5 x 6 inch cards, and I just squared off some 8.5 x 11 scrapbook paper for this size.

For the Craft Day, as well as for some note card sets I've made as gifts, I used 6 x 6 paper to make envelopes for 3 x 4 cards.

Today I'm going to make a 3 x 4 envelope using this sweet 6 x 6 paper I picked up at Tuesday Morning. 

To make this size, you will take your 6 x 6 sheet and line it up at the 2 5/8 mark.

Once it's lined up, push down on the button at the top to punch your first notch. It's important to note and remember that this is the only time during this process that you will line your paper up with this mark.

Then take the handy score tool included with the punch board and score the paper down the score track.

Now this part is important. Turn your paper COUNTER clockwise, so that the notch you just punched is on the left.

Now, you want to align the line that you just scored with the little guide arm that leads off the bottom left of the punch button. If you try to line the paper back up with the 2 5/8 mark again, your notches will be off and your envelope won't fold correctly. I bumped the contrast on this photo way up so you can see the score line a little better.

Now punch and score just like you did on the first side, then turn counter clockwise again. Repeat until all 4 sides are notched. It will look like this when you're done. I've folded up the sides a bit here so you can see all the score lines. Each score line should meet another at the inside point of a notch.

Now you want to round your corners. To do this, just insert each corner into the space at the top of the punch button and punch.

Ta-da!

Next fold in the sides of your envelope.

Line the lower edges of your side flaps with the adhesive of your choice. Elmer's Glue-All works great here, but I prefer and generally use a glue or tape runner like this one. 

Fold up your bottom flap and press where it meets the side flaps to seal the adhesive, then fold down your top flap and press flat. 

Isn't it so cute?! I love the "just stay little" sentiment  near the point of the closing flap. Perfect for a baby girl gift! If you're adding a card for giving, you can go ahead and do that and seal the envelope with your glue runner. If this is for giving someone to use later, you can include a sticker for them to seal it closed when they're ready.

These little envelopes are so easy to embellish too. For this one I just added a scalloped circle and a little bow, both secured with the glue runner. My SIL Leah's sister Deborah made one like this at the craft day and I loved it!

For this one I just added ribbon, sealed into the bottom flap and wrapped around the front.

Then I just folded a little ribbon rosette to accent it.

The Envelope Punch Board retails for $19.95, but both Hobby Lobby and Joann carry them, and there's always a coupon for at least 40% at both. And of course you can get them on Amazon, which is where I got mine, and they're forever going on sale there. In fact, they're $12.75 on there right now.

Besides envelopes, you can also make gift boxes and 3d envelopes with this punch board, as well as darling little paper bows and lovely little treat boxes. For more ideas for the Envelope Punch Board as well as other WRMK punch boards, check out my Pinterest Board, Punch Board Projects.