December Daily® 2025 | DIY Envelope Tutorial

Hello everyone. It's Kelly Ishmael here and in this tutorial I am sharing instructions for creating DIY envelopes using the digital version of the December Daily® Envelope Bundle.

There are two basic options to create the envelopes using the digital versions: 1) a manual method which involves printing the designs on cardstock and cutting out and assembling the pieces and 2) using an electronic cutting machine (like a Silhouette or Cricut) with your own cardstock or patterned paper and then assembling. I'll be demonstrating both methods, but either way, you'll need some basic supplies to get started.

Supplies
Cardstock (for demonstration purposes I am using 8.5x11 65lb White Astrobrights Cardstock for the manual method and 12x12 Bazzill Cardstock for the Silhouette version)Scissors, Craft Knife, and/or Paper Trimmer Adhesive (rolling or sticky tape) Hole Punch Vellum (not pictured) for Frame Envelope Optional: Scoring Board and/or Bone Folder

Manual Method

To get started, print all of your envelope pieces onto the cardstock of your choice. (Please note that when setting up your print job we recommend NOT using a borderless printing option to preserve the original envelope design dimensions.) Next, cut out the pieces using scissors, craft knife, or paper trimmer (or any combination).

Note: We have updated the download file with a printable version of the envelope pieces as well as an updated version of the FaLaLa pocket. 

All of the envelopes basically consist of two parts - a base and a front pocket with tabs that will fold and adhere to the backside of the base. 

You can follow along in the process video below to see how I assemble each of the envelopes.

Note: in the video I said to place the printed pink side down for the frame envelope, but meant to say to have the pink side facing out. 

I love how by using some very basic tools you can create a fun, interactive element to add to an album.

Silhouette Method

In the download file, we have also included basic templates and Silhouette cutfiles if you would prefer to use an electronic cutting machine to create your envelopes. Unfortunately, the ‘Print and Cut’ functionality isn’t an option since most of these designs are larger than the margins required for the registration marks used with most home printers. But we wanted to include these options if you would like to create envelopes using your own patterned paper or cardstock.

In the process video below I am demonstrating how to set up the Silhouette workspace to cut out the green scallop envelope. In addition, I am also including instructions for setting up the foil quill to add the gold foil detail along the scalloped edge. The basic process of using the trace and cut feature is the same for all of the envelope pieces, and once you have your pieces cut out the assembly process is the same as the manual method. 

Silhouette Settings (for reference):

Foil Quill

Passes - 1Force - 25Speed - 4

Cut

Blade Depth - 3Passes - 1Force - 32Speed - 4

Note: Be sure to allow 10-15 minutes for the foil quill to heat up before using. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. The envelopes are a new digital offering this year and we hope that you enjoy being able to use these files to create your own envelopes to hold all of special December photos and stories.