Shoebox: Locking Letters, Hubcap Clock, Earring Holder

Here are Dee's directions.

Materials:

2 designs *
8-1/2" x 11" paper or card stock
craft knife or scissors
glue
ruler
pencil

* This could be from wrapping paper, cards, photos, etc., no bigger than 3 inches wide. Almost any design elements can work. Dee has used handmade paper, recycled cards, and stamped designs.

1. Cut out designs. If they are thin, glue to stiffer paper first and then cut out.

2. Fold paper into thirds, as if to put into a business-size envelope (figure A).

3. Glue one design to LOWER LEFT side of paper (figure B).

4. Draw a line bisecting this flap. Use a ruler and 'jump' over your design, continuing on below it.

5. Open up paper and cut on line and around your design (figure C). No need to be precise cutting around the design--you can leave a little edge.

6. Refold and mark a line where you cut. Open paper and glue your second picture to UPPER RIGHT side.

7. Cut on the line you marked, going around the design (figure D).

8. Refold and 'lock' the letter by having your designs overlap the center (figure E). Turn card over and crease overall with your hand or ruler to make nice crisp folds.

You can use your computer to write on the inside first (use a three-column format, landscape orientation, and only type your message in the middle column). This works great for greeting cards or invitations where you would be duplicating your message many times, and the best part is that it fits into inexpensive business-size envelopes.