How to Recycle Envelopes into a Tri Fold Journal

Hi everyone! I’m back with my first post of the month. I want to share how I altered three envelopes and turned them into a journal. I used a wide assortment of diecuts from Eileen Hull’s newest collection to create this fun project. Anyways let’s get started!

A handcrafted journal featuring a vintage autumn theme, with a decorative window frame, floral elements, and black-and-white photographs of two women. The cover includes various layers of cardstock, embellishments, and a sentiment that reads 'FRIENDS'.

I have no step out photos of how I put together the envelopes. But I glued the top envelope flap to the middle envelope. The bottom envelope I adhered to the middle envelope to create a trip fold journal.

I went with an Autumn/Vintage theme and picked cardstock and embellishments to match. I covered both sides of all the tri fold journal with cardstock. I had chosen a section of a sheet of cardstock that had a butterfly and florals and cut the largest arch die from the Tunnel Arches Framelits Diecuts. I also cut the window frame die from the Windowsill Flowers and Vase Thinlits Diecuts. I glued the window frame on top of the arch and lightly inked with white chalk ink.

A close-up of a decorated journal cover featuring a window frame, floral designs, and a vintage photograph of two women sitting together. The word 'FRIENDS' is prominently displayed below the window, surrounded by embellishments like leaves and floral accents.

I added an assortment of scraps of cardstock along with two of the longest arrows from the Rainbow Wheels Thinlits to the cover. On the edge of the cover I adhered a piece of velvet ric rac. I added Foam Pop Dots to the back of the window frame and placed on the cover. I dug into my stash and added a yellow flower to the corner of the window frame.

A decorated journal cover featuring a window frame with floral designs, the word 'FRIENDS', and vintage-style photographs of two women, surrounded by embellishments like leaves and stitching.

I created three bows out of thread and glued one behind the window frame and two behind the flower. I cut a part scraps of lace and glued behind the window frame along with a floral circle that I lightly inked with brown chalk ink. I inked with brown chalk ink a friend sentiment and adhered to the window frame. I picked a set of women from the Mini Paper Dolls and glued on top of the flower. I cut a total of four leaf sprigs from the Windowsill Flowers and Vase Thinlits Diecuts. I glued three under the large flower and one to the top of the cover.

A decorated journal cover featuring a window frame design, floral elements, and two vintage-style images of women sitting together. The journal has autumn-themed colors and embellishments like ric rac and layered cardstock.

The middle page of the journal I created a pocket with a journaling spot from my stash. I added glue to the bottom edge. I cut a squirrel, rabbit and two suns from the Home Sweet Home Thinlits Diecuts. I also cut out one label and two key holes from the Journal Hardware Diecuts. I embossed the top edge of a piece of cardstock with the Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder. I folded over and stapled some scraps of cardstock to create a place to add photos or journaling. I glued the label, the outer part of the sun and rabbits to the fold over. I adhered the squirrel to the bottom corner of the journaling spot.

A tri-fold journal created using altered envelopes, featuring a vintage autumn theme with die cuts, cardstock patterns, embellishments, and a decorative window frame.

I cut two of the largest arches and two of the next size down arches from the Tunnel Arches Framelits Diecuts. I added glue to the top edge of both smaller arches and placed on top of the largest arch. I then added adhesive to the top of both largest arch and placed both onto the journal page. I cut two each of the following: lace trim, smallest flowers and larger flowers from the Windowsill Flowers and Vase Thinlits Diecuts. I also cut five of the leaf sprigs from the same set of dies. I adhered two leaf sprigs, one circle from the center of the sun diecut and two leaves cut from one of the leaf sprigs and the small flower to each outer flap. I placed a Flat Back Pearls to the center of each flower.

An embellished journal page featuring two decorative arches with floral designs and a patterned background. The page includes cut leaves and a circular embellishment with a flower.

The inside flap I glued a key hole die side ways on each flap. I adhered the large flower to the middle of the key hole die and placed a sequin in the center of each flower.

Close-up view of a tri-fold journal page featuring two decorative pockets adorned with orange sunflowers and embellishments on a textured gray background.

The other side of the journal. I embossed two strips of cardstock with the Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder and inked with white chalk ink. I glued one piece to the back edge of a page along with a strip of cardstock. The middle page I added adhesive to both end of the embossed cardstock. I placed in the center of the page to create a tuck spot and added a folded piece of cardstock. I glued a strip of cardstock to the center of the embossed cardstock. The other page I added a piece of ric rac to the edge of the page. I glued the circle from the center of the sun and a fox from the Home Sweet Home Thinlits Diecuts to finish.

Craft project showcasing a tri-fold journal made from altered envelopes, featuring a variety of patterned cardstocks and embellishments including a fox cutout and decorative ric rac trim.

This project is a great way to recycle envelopes you get in the mail and use up scrap of cardstock that you might have laying around in your supplies.

Also if you haven’t been by Eileen Hull’s blog lately to see what her team has been up to you can find the latest post HERE. As always if you have any questions or comments please leave them below.

A handcrafted journal featuring an arch window design, decorative paper, and vintage-style embellishments, including a photo of two women labeled 'Friends'.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Tunnel Arches Framelits Diecuts

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Windowsill Flowers and Vase Thinlits Diecuts

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Rainbow Wheels Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Home Sweet Home Thinlits Diecuts

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Journal Hardware Diecuts

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Lacy Leaves Embossing Folder

Diecut Machine

Foam Pop Dots

White and Brown Chalk Ink

Lace, Ric Rac, Pom Pom Trim and Brown Thread

Various Embellishments

Mini Paper Dolls

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Various Plain and Patterned Cardstocks

Sequin and Flat Back Pearls

Tiny Attacher

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, or quote should be checked with each manufacturer. Verify other representations about a product or service with the provider or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links. Clicking these links helps to support Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction. It’s at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Sizzix, Eileen Hull, Scrapbook.com and Spellbinders Products. 

A handcrafted journal featuring a vintage aesthetic, adorned with die-cut elements, including a window frame, floral designs, and black-and-white photographs of two women, set against patterned backgrounds and decorative cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope your Tuesday is great and enjoy creating!

Artistic design featuring a bird and floral elements with the name 'Tonya' in an elegant font.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Friendship-Themed Craft

Hi everyone! I am back after a break from the holidays and ready to share my first Eileen Hull project of 2025. This month’s theme is friendship. For this post I’ll be sharing how to create this floral frame using the Charms Thinlits. Along with several of Eileen’s dies and embossing folder. Anyways, let’s get started!

First, I picked out the brown cardstock from the Sizzix Making Essentials Cardstock for the frame. And I cut four frames from the Shadow Box Frames Set 02 Thinlits.

I folded and glued each frame.

I added adhesive inside the opening that has a tab. And placed it into the straight edge of the next frame. I did hold these while the glue set before adding glue to the next one. I cut and adhered a piece of cardstock to the back of the frame to give the frame stability.

I cut out fifteen of the teardrop heart charms from the Charms Thinlits.

I shaped each teardrop charm with a Stylus.

I glued the center of each teardrop charm on top of each other.

I cut a center from the Sunflower Diecut and embossing that with the Floral Damask Embossing Folder. I inked the center and petals with a Pink Chalk Ink.

I cut an assortment of flowers from the Bookmark, Pockets and Topper Thinlits. I shaped and inked each flower. I adhered on top of each other before gluing to the center of the teardrop flower.

I added two Foam Pop Dots to the back of the flower. I also added a Green Gem to the center of the flower. I placed the flower in the center of the frame. This would make a great gift for a special friend. It can also be displayed as a home decor piece.

If you have any questions or comments about this project please leave them below.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Charms Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Floral Damask Embossing Folder

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Bookmark, Pockets and Topper Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Shadow Box Frames Set 02 Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Sunflower Diecut

Diecut Machine

Sizzix Making Essentials Cardstock

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Stylus

Scraps of Cardstock

Foam Pop Dots

Green Gem

Pink Chalk Ink

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, or quote should be checked with each manufacturer. Verify other representations about a product or service with the provider or party in question.This blog contains affiliate linksClicking these links helps to support Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction. It runs at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Sizzix, Eileen Hull and Scrapbook.com Products. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Monday is great and enjoy creating!

Hey Friend Card

Hi everyone! As I’m slowly getting back into the swing of crafting, from a busy couple of months of things pertaining to family and all things summer, I want to share a card I created for Eileen Hull’s Inspiration Team! This month’s theme is cards and I used the Skinny Mini Elements Thinlits along with a few other dies, embossing folder and thinlits by Eileen. So let’s get started!

I originally was going to cover a per-cut card base with the Skinny Mini Elements Thinlit and do the usual decorating. But when I I placed the Thinlits onto the piece of glittered cardstock ( I ran the die through the machine two times) it didn’t cut through. Instead of tossing I decided I would fold in half and create a card base. I did back the inside with a piece of light pink cardstock before decorating the front.

Next I cut out the circle from the Ornament Box Diecut and embossed with the Woven Leather 3D Embossing Folder. I lightly inked over the raised areas before adhering to the card base.

I dug into my big stash of scraps and cut out flowers, wreath and leaf sprigs from the following thinlits: Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits and Folio Page, Pocket and Flowers Thinlits. I placed Foam Pop Dots onto the back of two strips of patterned cardstock and placed onto the card base.

Next I glued a piece of wood looking cardstock under the raised patterned cardstock along with the wreath die.

I shaped the flowers and leaf sprigs with a Stylus and adhered to the card base.

I added Glossy Dots to the centers of each flower. Also I printed, cut and chalked the edges of a “Hey Friend!” sentiment and placed onto the card to finish.

If you haven’t stopped by Eileen’s blog lately you can find the latest posts from Inspiration and Educator Teams HERE and HERE.

Supplies

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Skinny Mini Elements Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Ornament Box Diecut

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Woven Leather 3D Embossing Folder

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Wreath and Snowflake Thinlits

Sizzix/Eileen Hull: Folio Page, Pocket and Flowers Thinlits

Diecut Machine

Foam Pop Dots

Stylus

Glossy Dots

Various Patterned and Plain Cardstocks

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesives

(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Paper Addiction at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Sizzix, Eileen Hull, Scrapbook.com and Cherry on Top Products. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Tuesday is wonderful and enjoy creating!

A Cup of Tea Warms the Soul Tag

Hi everyone! I wanted to hop on the blog today and share a quick tag I created using Pam Bray’s Chat Time Rubber Stamps by Emerald Creek. I received this stamp set while I was at Creativation and I was super pumped because Pam is a dear friend of mine and because I finally had my hands on one of her sets of stamps.
I started by placing the larger of the two mugs onto the MISTI Stamp Tool and stamping on a piece of patterned cardstock from the Prima Dulce Collection. I fussy cut the stamped image out and with a Craft Knife cut around the outer edge of the stamped mug to create a slit.
I already had a tag that I had added excess inks from pervious projects to so all I did was emboss it with the Brush Dot Embossing Folder and start adding bits of patterned cardstock I had laying around. Before I adhered the mug to the tag I placed one of the Paper Dolls in the slit.
I decorated the mug with flatback pearls and sequins. I also added flowers and leaves that I had cut from the Floral Garden Diecuts, I shaped the flowers and leaves and adhered loops of thread to the back before gluing to the mug. I also placed the “A Cup of Tea Warms the Soul like a Good Friend” sentiment (I cut it from a scrap piece of G45 cardstock) underneath/next to the mug. 

Next I added a bit of pom pom trim to the bottom of the tag and instead of cut off the excess I left it hanging and I tied a lace bow at the top of the tag. There you have it! I’m so happy with how it turned out and if you would like to see more of Pam’s creativity you can stop by her blog HERE. If you would like to purchase Pam’s stamps, digital images and embossing powders you can find the shop HERE. 

As always if you have any questions about this project please let me know.
Supplies

Emerald Creek/Pam Bray Designs: Chat Time Rubber Stamps
Tim Holtz: Paper Dolls
i-crafter: Floral Garden Diecuts
Various Patterned Cardstocks
Pom Pom Trim and Lace
Thread
Beacon Adhesives: Zip Dry Adhesive
Tag
Gems and Sequins
(Products listed above are Affiliated Links for your convenience)

DISCLAIMERS

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites, and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.This blog contains affiliate links, clicking and shopping through these links helps to support and run Tonya Trantham Designs – Creative Addiction to Paper Blog at no additional cost to you. Today’s features are Pam Bray Designs, Emerald Creek and Scrapbook.com Products. 
Thanks for stopping by, hope your Thursday is great and enjoy creating!

Friendship Tag and a Winner!

Hi there! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was great since I celebrated my birthday. It was a day spent with my husband which we went out to eat and a little shopping at Michael’s. I was looking for some type of storage containers for my craft room. I bought some snap together kraft paper covered boxes to store my massive amount of cardstock in. Well, after putting both boxes together I am not so sure about them. :-/ A couple of snaps would not snap together for anything…I guess that was why they were on clearance. Oh well, I will make them do since I demolished the packaging. 
Also I want to share the winner from my blog of this past Saturday’s post for the Crafty Card Gallery Blog Hop. 

Drum roll……and the winner is: Sarah Biswabic!!! Congratulations Sarah! Please message me at Mscraftyt@aol.com with your mailing info. Also in the subject line put Blog Hop Winner (I get a ton of emails and might miss it). 

Also I would like to share a tag I created. I had added cardstock to the base but laid it aside and never got back to it. I found it under a pile of cardstock and decided to finish it.

I used some leftover scraps of cardstock, mini pom pom trim, flatback pearls,dew drop and a sequin to the tag and I topped off the tag with a sentiment that I had received in a swap. Lastly I added seam binding and ribbon to the top of the tag. 
If you have any questions about this tag please let me know.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your Monday is awesome and enjoy creating!