Paper + Tape: Craft & Create, by Marisa Edghill. Review.

Paper + Tape: Craft & Create

Cut, Tape, and Fold your way through more than 75 creative & colourful

papercraft projects & ideas

By Marisa Edghill

Walter Foster 2016

Paperback £12.99 UK/$19.99 US/$23.95 CAN

ISBN 978-1-63322-048-5

Star rating: ****

Papercrafters love washi tape. That’s a given. But what to do with the washi stash? All suggestions welcome. This new title by Marisa Edghill has plenty of fresh – yet simple – ideas for washi-wonderful creations.

Many washi-craft titles limit themselves to using stuck-on snippets of washi as decorative elements – an all-too-obvious and unimaginative use. This title even includes projects that use washi tape as a functional connective element (pleated doily bows, Paper Pyramid Pouches). Wow.

The author is especially good on generating decorative patterns using washi tape. The Vintage Flower Design teacup is a cinch – and delightful. The concept is to recreate the vibe of handpainted pottery using washi tape. Modern Geometric Mosaics and the Fruit Salad Stickers are winners.

Yes, you’ve seen the paper beads before – but they are well-executed and deserve inclusion. The Papercut Bouquet idea is good – using an engineered washi tape underlay with a papercut topper. Shooting Stars – pleated paper star-topped tassels – nice dimensional project – fun to fold.

Self-adhesive sheets of washi paper are now available for crafting. It would have been nice to include a project or two using this new creative material on its own or in combination with conventional washi tape strips. Also – the eraser stamp project looks like it belongs, but doesn’t quite tie in with the washi theme.

The book would make a fab gift for a child’s half-term break.

Washi Tape Gift Box

Give the gift of washi tape! Washi tape is an ideal, affordable gift for a papercrafting friend. With that thought in mind, I have abbreviated my Washi Tape Storage Box and come up with a mini version suitable for gifting. The box holds three rolls of tape - which should make a papercrafter you know extremely happy.

Here are your free printables:
WashiTapeGiftBox1of2.pdf
WashiTapeGiftBox2of2.pdf

WashiTapeGiftBox1of2.svg
WashiTapeGiftBox2of2.svg

For how-to on making the gift box, check out my previous Washi Tape Storage Box Tutorial. 

Of course, the mini gift boxes could be used to package other small surprises besides washi tape!

 

Washi Tape Storage Box - Washi Rolls!

Here's another version of my Washi Tape Storage Box (link to tutorial). I thought it would be fun to decorate the box with faux rolls of washi tape (I've always been a pushover for trompe l'oeil designs). 

Like my original Washi Tape Storage Box, I have designed boxes with and without a ribbon handle.

Here are your free printables:
WashiRollsStorageBox1of2.pdf 
WashiRollsStorageBox2of2.pdf 

WashiRollsStorageBox1of2.svg
WashiRollsStorageBox2of2.svg

I hope you make lots of lovely projects with your washi stash. Next post: stay tuned for Washi Rolls Gift Boxes. Washi tape is a lovely gift to give and receive!

Washi Tape Christmas, by Kami Bigler. Review.

Washi Tape Christmas

Easy Holiday Craft Ideas with Washi Tape

By Kami Bigler

David & Charles, 2014

Paperback, £9.99 UK, $14.99 US, $16.99 Can

ISBN 13-978-1-4463-0503-4

Star rating: ***1/2

The frost is on the pumpkin. Christmas crafting season is in full swing, so it's time for another festive makes book review. Today I am featuring a fun new paperback that rides in on the washi tape trend. Washi tape is beloved by papercrafters and here to stay. Washi Tape Christmas is a craft title that was begging to be written -  Kami Bigler has done an admirable job with the assignment. The book is colourful, jolly, inventive, and respectful of the qualities that make washi tape such a wonderful craft material. 

Washi tape being what it is, printed masking tape, its very nature decorative and self-adhesive – lends itself to quick-makes. Regarding the fun factor, the table of contents is a master class in alliteration, clock these chapters: Clever Cards, Darling Decorations, Opulent Ornaments, Table Treasures, Gorgeous Gifts, Wondrous Wrapping (see what they did there).

Washi tape looks its best when used in clusters of co-ordinated prints, with edges torn. Its semi-translucency is a major design plus, contributing an unmistakable character to washi makes. The projects in the book (I counted 31) show an appreciation of these qualities of washi tape.  Cue a spontaneous “look what I just whipped up” effect. 

In the Winter Wonderland card, for example, the torn edges of the washi tape are concealed by snowflake sequin shapes, but an irregular border and a kraft card blank retain the casual effect. 

The Happy Holiday Berries card,which features a fun wreath effect inventively created with notched ribbon tails of washi that poke outwards from a central circular cut-out. Other fun ideas include the Sweet Candyland garland, in which round beads are covered with washi tape to create a sweet wrapper effect. A simple stunner is the Natural Place Setting, in which a small fir branch is taped in place onto a dessert plate. For paper manipulation geeks, there’s Lovely Lollipops, in which the lolly shape is fashioned out of washi-covered punched paper circles that are arranged in an attractive 3-D spiral.

There are written step-by-steps for each project, with tips and photos aplenty. There’s a handy list of washi tape suppliers at the back, with UK as well as US contacts – so you can top up your hoard.

Many of these projects are ideal for crafting together with kids. To make things as simple as poss, there are photocopiable full-size templates back-of-book.  This title would make a delightful pre-Christmas surprise for a crafter you know with a washi stash. 

Note: I was supplied with a review copy of this title.

Washi Beads & Gift Container

I'm still on my paper bead binge. Today's beads make use of washi tape - the papercrafter's favourite. All you have to do is cut out a paper bead strip from coloured paper and stick a piece of washi tape on the tip of the bead (the final 5cm/2in). Trim off the excess tape and get rolling. 

It's lovely how the colour of the bead strip shows through the translucent washi tape. And the subtly lustrous look of the matte sealer (Mod Podge Paper Matte) perfectly complements the translucency of the washi tape. Classy!

When the bead is rolled, gluing the washi tape is just a little bit tricky because the waxy finish of the tape resists gluing. To overcome this little glitch, I apply tacky PVA glue to the entire underside of the taped bead tip (instead of the usual little dab), then hold the tip in place for a moment or two until the glue sets. If you are impatient, you can secure the bead with masking tape until the glue sets (instead of holding the bead and waiting...). 

I've made you a fun gift box to go with the washi beads. Clock how the box resembles stacked rolls of washi tape! :) The contents of the box are up to you. Fill it with a completed necklace or with a kit consisting of beads plus a length of waxed cotton bead cord. (You need 12-15 beads to make a necklace.)

Here are your files:
BasicBeadShapes.pdf
WashiTapeBeadBox.pdf

BasicBeadShapes.svg
WashiTapeBeadBox.svg

For a refresher course in paper bead making, check out my Paper Bead Masterclass. 

Washi Bands: washi tape friendship bracelets

The Loom Band craze is difficult to ignore. (I'm sure that when I purchased my own loom, the sales assistant thought it was for a daughter or niece!) I got to thinking: how about coming up with papercraft friendship links... and tie that in with the washi tape trend. So... here they are: Washi Bands - friendship bracelets made out of washi tape links. The translucent effect is lovely.

Washi Bands are really easy to make: cut, fold, link. The bracelets above are the hand-cut version (digi-cut Washi Bands to follow in my next blogpost). I have devised a system so that you can cut the links from standard 1.5cm (5/8in)-wide washi tape. 

The secret: you print out rows of washi tape links on an ordinary sheet of tracing paper. The outlines are greyed out, so they don't show through. You stick the washi tape onto the flip side of the printout, then cut the links apart.

A bonus: a gift presentation/storage container for the wash bands. You can fill it with completed bracelets or pre-cut links. (The container is supposed to look like stacked rolls of washi tape.)

Here are your files:
WashiBandsHand-cutPrintable.pdf
WashiBandBoxPink.pdf

Print the template onto a sheet of tracing paper or vellum.

Washi box: lid, base, tag.

Following - step-by-step how-tos:

Washi Bands (Hand-cut)

1 Print the grey template onto an A4 sheet of tracing paper or lightweight vellum.

2 Turn the printout over and stick a strip of washi tape over each row of outlined shapes (visible through the translucent paper). Make sure the edges are aligned.

3 Cut out each row of attached shapes. Using a craft knife, carefully cut out the little triangles. (You may prefer to use a craft knife to cut the initial slit at the triangle's base, then use small scissors to cut out the remaining sides.)

4 Cut the links apart, finishing any other necessary shape-cutting.

Cut out links in three or four colours.

To assemble the washi band:

1 Fold all the links in half crosswise, creasing the centre fold crisply.

2 Start with the first link - the one with the centre bar. Fold it in half with the bar at the top.

3 Open out all the other links. To thread the links, squeeze each link in half lengthwise - but do not crease the fold. Pass the link through the triangular hole of the previous link, then open out the link and re-fold the crosswise fold. Continue this procedure to finish the band, alternating link colours. Make the band as long as necessary to fit around your wrist (probably 10-13 links). Stick the final link together with a snippet of double-sided tape. To fasten the band, pass the bar through the hole in the last link (you must fold the bar ends to pass it though). Open out the bar ends to secure the fastening.

Washi Band Box

1 Print and cut out the template. Cut out the pieces: lid and lid side,
base and base side, tag. 

2 Fold all the tabs on the lid and base to the underside.

3 Join the lid side to make a ring. Join the base sides to make a cylinder.

4 Lid: apply tacky glue to all the tabs. Place the lid ring on a tabletop.
Carefully lower the lid, face down, into the lid ring. Make sure the edges of the lid are flush with the tabletop. Glue down all the tabs.

5 Glue the base to the bottom cylinder in a similar manner. (The dotty "roll of tape" belongs at the bottom.) 

6 Pierce or punch a hole in the gift tag and thread it with a piece of craft thread.

Now try this:

* You don't have to use the links to make friendship bands. Use them to make pretty borders for cards and scrapbook pages. 

* Of course, you can alter the link sizes. Big the links up to make room-sized paper chains.

Have fun playing the chain game.

Washi Tape, by Courtney Cerruti

Washi Tape:

101 Ideas for Paper Crafts, Book Arts, Fashion, Decorating, Entertaining, and Party Fun!

By Courtney Cerruti

Quarry Books 2014

Paperback, £14.99 UK, $ 22.99 US, $24.99 CAN

ISBN 978-1- 59253-914-7

Star rating: ***

Chances are that if you are reading this review, then you are in possession of a sizeable washi tape stash. And you are most probably on the lookout for project ideas. Yes, the craft book world has been in need of washi tape book. Look at the cover of this title by Courtney Cerruti.  Yum. It says “buy me.”

Washi tape – the semi-transparent Japanese low-tack tape, often patterned – has taken the craft universe by storm. The subtle colours and intricate designs of this decorative masking tape are irresistible. The ribbon-like tapes have a charming and ephemeral beauty (like many Japanese papercrafts).  But what to do with washi tape, apart from sticking artfully torn snippets on any available surface? That’s where I was hoping this book would provide an assist.

Well, I was just  a teeny bit disappointed – not that this isn’t a very lovely book. Its production values are swish, the photography is beautiful.  But it is more a washi tape lifestyle book than a craft title. An appreciation. Crafting lite – no dazzling new techniques requiring a small learning curve.  More the results of a brainstorming session on what to do with washi. There are lots of pleasant and inventive ideas for using  washi tape. Ideas that are appropriately pitched to tie in with the temporary nature of the material. Which I suppose is what the subtitle promises.

There are plenty of inspired ideas – like the impromptu indoor hopscotch (a half-term life-saver, for sure) – but not much crafting. Flash of brilliance – the “colorized” vintage photos – big fun. Or the surprise message on the Venetian blinds. But also lots of predictable stuff – washi on paper cups, washi tea light holders (these clock in more than once). Also some “get a life” stuff – like the chair partially wrapped in washi tape (looks like a mistake – should have been edited out). Or the washi tape nail art. Just no.

I loved the washi tape photo wall. The perfect combination of form and function.  A temporary gallery affixed with temporary tape. A delightful patchwork of pics and patterns. Speaking of patchwork, the washi tape patchwork design and washi tape plaids are good ideas – I wish practical projects had been made with them.

A couple of the projects which involve covering objects with a patchwork of washi tape strips are very do-able – like the jumbo papier maché letterform or the wooden coat hanger. But, ultimately, they are just washi-covered stuff  – you could have thought of it yourself. 

The section on Washi Tape Storage is very good indeed. Love the idea of using a wall-mounted thread spool organizer. Also the recycled cigar boxes and tin foil box. 

You will also find some handy tips for working with washi. For example, which type of pen to write or draw the slightly waxed washi surface. Or the idea of sticking washi onto waxed paper while assembling larger washi shapes (it can be peeled off later). 

So, a nice gift book.  More of an idea-browse than a making spree.

Note: I was supplied with a review copy of thist book.