Who doesn't love a nifty envelope? These days security envelopes are all the rage in crafty circles, and it's not hard to see why--they combine good, clean design with a little mystery.

In the spirit of that mystery and the fun that comes with surprising friends and family with a surcee or two at the holidays or any other time, I came up with a set of gift cards (or calling cards or charade-clue-cards or whatever else you want them to be) and tiny, matching envelopes that feature two of my favorite fabric patterns. And because I can't ever leave well enough alone, I went wild and added 4 new colorways to each pattern.

I designed the cards to be compatible with Avery pre-cut business cards (look for products 5881, 8373, 8869), but I printed mine on plain-ole cardstock and just cut-em out. I've included cut lines to make it a little easier if you go that route. If you want to type a message on the cards, you can use the fill-in-able fields in the PDF--whatever you type in one field will automatically show up as the text in all the others.

But, really, it's all about the envelopes, isn't it? These are just the right size to enclose a single card or a store-bought gift card. And they come together in a jiffy. Just cut around the edges, slice into the slit marked on the big flap with an x-acto, and tape the two side flaps to the big flap. When you're ready to seal the envelope, the top flap slips into the cut you made in the big flap. Fun!

Each card file contains 8 cards, 4 in each pattern. And each envelope file contains 2 envelopes, one in each pattern, and some strips of patterned paper that you can use to enrobe a tiny box, hang an envelope from your christmas tree. We used these at my house on Thanksgiving as place cards and napkin rings.

I meant for us to tuck cards into each envelope with a word or two about what we are all thankful for, but we never got to it. C'est la vie, non?

I've grouped each download into the colorway to which it belongs, each inspired by my dreams of Morroco (nope, never been there, just dreams)--download one or download 'em all, just remember these are for your personal, non-commercial use only.

Fez: Download the printable cards. Download the printable envelopes.

Marrakech: Download the printable cards. Download the printable envelopes.

Casablanca: Download the printable cards. Download the printable envelopes.

Byzantine: Download the printable cards. Download the printable envelopes.

Tangier: Download the printable cards. Download the printable envelopes.

Wasn't that fun?

If you haven't already entered my Holiday Fabric Giveaway, there's still time to enter--get crackin'!

Favor Box © 2009 Cottage Industrialist // Cameron BlazerSo here's the deal. I have made you a favor box for your Halloween treats. In return you owe me nothing. BUT. If you like my little box and the other things like it that I share on this wee blog, I have a favor to ask of you in return. We'll get to that in a minute.

So. Teeny take-out boxes. They are cute, non? Well. I am going to level with you. They are kind of a pain to cut out and make. But if you have a free evening, say, while you watch the best two hours on television,* you could whip out a bunch of these. They are the perfect size for just a couple pieces of candy. Or a tiny toy. Or a monocle. Because...monocles? Awesome.

© 2009 Cottage Industrialist // Cameron BlazerAnyhoo, if you set out to make these, don't say I didn't warn you about the drudgery factor. Still, I think the end result is cute enough to warrant the effort if you're having a small party or want to limit the nutso candy consumption of your small-but-mighty child at Halloween time. Or maybe that's just me.

If, in spite of my entreaties to the contrary, you want to make these little guys, download the free, printable PDF here. All the instructions are in the printable file.

 ***

Now. The favor. If you're not really the you-scratch-my-back-i'll-scratch-your-back type, just skip this and go about your freebie business. Seriously, I don't mind. But. If you read this site with any regularity and are of a mind to help a sister out, I would love your advice. See, I have changed jobs recently, and though the work is generally the same, I have had to up my game in every way for this new playing field. It means that I don't have as much time to doodle and fidget and take pretty pictures. But I want—no, I need—to keep this blog going strong. And, truthfully, it's not that I am at a loss for content--I have OODLES of printables just waiting to be packaged up and shared, recipes that have been road tested and kid-approved, and nifty projects that are ready for prime time.

If, at this point, you are thinking, "So, then, what's the big problemo, señora?" you are probably one of those reasonable people who adjusts sans drama to the changing of the seasons and does not have a crisis of confidence in the face of complimentary valet parking. You are one of the lucky ones.

The point is that I sweat this stuff. I fret over photos and pixels and color schemes. And even more? I fret over the words. A lot of times I think people don't really read my blog but just pop in the way I pop into Whole Foods for the free cheese. But the words really matter to me. I don't just want to post braggy pictures of whatever goofball thing I've just made. I like to share the story behind the pictures and projects. But sometimes that impulse keeps me from posting because I don't have time to explain why I just came up with a printable baby announcement (i.e., no, I am not having another baby, mom). And, on the flip side, sometimes I have things I'd like to talk about that aren't connected to a cool project and that don't fit into the 140 characters I regularly exploit on twitter.

I really am getting to the favor part of this blather. Just stick with me for another minute. The favor is really simple—I'd just like to get your feedback. If I post more frequently without projects or freebies, will you tune out? If I post random freebies without the cute story behind them, will you still tune in? Do you think I should invite guest bloggers? Would you like to be one, or do you have one to suggest? Any suggestions, words of encouragement, rotten tomatoes, or golden eggs are welcome in the comments. Cheers, and happy Halloween!

*Wednesday nights: So You Think You Can Dance and Glee. Obviously.