The first time I saw these folded square pocket envelopes, I wanted to learn how to make them. My envelopes shown at left are just 3 inches square, and are quite simple to make. And they can actually hold quite a bit; the one on the right has at least 5 sheets of cardstock in it.

What I was really looking to make, however, was a rectangular, not square, pocket, part of our planned design for my stepdaughter's wedding invitations. Not being able to find any instructions online or in books for rectangular pockets, I decided it was time to create a design for one. I quickly discovered it was not as easy as making the square. But where there's a will there's a way, and I had the will, so I found the way. Although I did take a bit of trial and error.

And this pocket envelope is easy to make. The difference is that there are more steps to make the rectangle than the square. And probably best to practice making one or two first. But overall I am very pleased with the result.

Have you ever purchased a handmade book with blank pages? Did you use it? Or did it end up on a bookshelf somewhere, or even as part of a display on a shelf? I've had a few people tell me that they hesitate to use a handmade book, unless its for a very meaningful purpose.

I've purchased several handmade books over the years from various artists, and I'm pleased to say that I've actually used most of the books, albeit a bit reluctantly at first.

Now that I've started creating handmade books, I am decidedly sitting on the fence. I've made some that I'm using, mostly because I had a specific purpose in mind for each when I created them. But there are others that I likely won't use because I consider them to be works of art, and so they are now on display or for sale.

So I guess the answer is, if you see a handmade book that you like, then buy it. I hope mine will all be used, whether its purpose is as art or as a notebook, journal, sketchbook, recipe book, or other.

And I would be most interested to know, if you have a handmade book or receive one in future, is what you hope to use to it for. Drop me a line [email protected]