Project: Laced letter holder

3 Lace board
With a 3 mm (1/8") hole punch, make holes 6 mm (1/4") in all corners of the shorter front of the mail holder. Make corresponding holes on the back of the holder. The holes at top should be 17 cm (6 1/2") up from the bottom. Also make a hole at the top of the board for hanging. Cut .9 meter (3 feet) of string and lace the front of the holder to the back. There are a number of different ways to do this. Knot the ends together at the back and secure with a dab of glue, or tie the ends in front with a bow. Also make a small knotted loop for handing and thread it through the hole at the top of the holder.

4 Add words and seal
To spell MAIL, use rubber stamps, an alphabet stencil and paint, or handwriting. Cut out and layer two small, red circles, one slightly larger than the other to make the seal, or use a sticker, rubber stamp or real wax.


Shortcut/variation:
Cut out one flat piece of board and cover with a piece of fabric 5 cm (2") larger all around. Apply the fabric to the board using spray adhesive. Fold the edges to the back and secure with quick-grab, permanent fabric glue. Create a pocket with a prehemmed piece of fabric, such as a napkin or bandana. Glue the fabric around the board to create the pocket. Glue a ribbon loop to the back of the board for hanging.

Quick tip:
Using a glue stick rather than liquid glue prevents thin paper board from warping and speeds up drying time.

If the hole punch is too dull to make holes easily, use a craft knife instead. Don't worry about the holes looking messy - they will be hidden if they are just big enough for the cord to fit through.

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Excerpted from Quick Crafts: 30 Fast and Fun Projects by Livia McRee. Copyright 2001 by Rockport Publishers. Excerpted with permission by Rockport Publishers. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

 

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