Painted Flower Envelopes
You don’t need to be a painter to create these whimsical floral envelopes—just a few simple supplies are all it takes! Perfect for adding a personal, artistic touch to your journals, cards, or happy mail, these envelopes also make a great beginner project if you're curious about art journaling but not quite ready to dive into a full page.
You’ll Need:
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Watercolors
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Junk mail or recycled envelopes
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Flower stencils (or foam stamps, optional)
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Pens, gel pens, acrylic markers, or your favorite detailing tools
Getting Started:
Begin by gently brushing the glue seam of your envelope flap with a little water. Wait a minute or two, then carefully separate the top flap from the envelope. Don’t overdo the water—too much will weaken the paper. Some envelopes come apart more easily than others.
Paint Your Flowers:
Look for whimsical hand-drawn flower styles for inspiration. Choose a few simple shapes you feel comfortable trying—circles are the easiest and a great place to start. Pick two or three colors and begin painting small sections of the envelope. Start with larger shapes, then fill in gaps with smaller ones. Try simple forms like circles, Xs, or V-shapes. Add leaves or other patterns to create interest.
If freehand painting feels intimidating, use a stencil with floral or abstract shapes. Lightly brush watercolor through the stencil—just enough to create a loose outline. Imperfection adds charm, so don’t worry about precision! Let some wet areas naturally blend together for a dreamy effect. Foam stamps are another fun option for a more defined base.
Add Detail:
Once the watercolor is dry, enhance your design with a second medium—gel pens, acrylic markers, or fine liners work great. Add details like outlines, flower centers, veins, dots, stems, berries, or vines. Use black and white for contrast and definition, or add a pop of metallic or a complementary color to fill in gaps. Aim for balance by repeating colors and shapes across the envelope.
Finishing Touches:
Once everything is dry, reseal your envelope and cover any leftover markings with a handmade faux postage stamp or decorative label.
Painted envelopes are a fun and forgiving way to experiment with color, composition, and mixed media. Whether you keep them for journaling or use them to send happy mail, each envelope becomes its own little canvas.
Just start—each one will build your confidence!
Happy paper crafting!