Love You...

A card I made for my upcoming wedding anniversary...

 

27 years!!!

 

 

Stamps - Just For Fun Rubber Stamps

 

Steampunk Washi - 3 from 1

Today I wanted to share a fun way to really extend your washi tape (or other similar embellishments)...I'm going to make three cards from a single piece of washi covered paper!

 

To start off with I cut a sheet of 4x5.25" cardstock and began covering it with various washi tapes.

 

I trimmed off the excess and lightly sanded the edges.
(the sanding is so I can ink the edges easier later on.)

 

I then die-cut the paper into 3 different pieces...

I cut a large wavy piece leaving a nice frame and then cut gears from the center of the wavy piece.

 

Each of the elements went onto a separate Steampunk themed card....

 

Here is the frame....

 

 

And the wavy piece...

 

And finally the gears....

 

 

1 Washi Covered piece of Cardstock

Several Inky Steampunk Images

3 Fun Steampunk Cards!

 

How's that for some inky fun?

Miss You Washi Postal Art Tag

I realize that washi tape isn't for everyone

but I'm having lots of fun with it, I like being able to take something *inexpensive and use it to create backgrounds, embellish with it, mix and match in any old way I please.

So, I wanted to show and share a bit more.

 

*NOTE - Yes I said washi tape was inexpensive.... I know lots of people think otherwise but just think about it....  When you consider how many feet are on the normal roll divided by the price it's actually a really cheap embellishment.  I have found tape for around 2.00 - 3.50 a roll, the new Scotch tape is only 1.49 or 1.99 a roll which is even better.  Most rolls have 25-45 feet or more tape per roll; even if you paid $3.50 for 25ft. that's only $0.14 a foot!  Far less expensive than stickers, gemstones, fancy ribbon, etc. AND it's more versatile too!

Someone else mentioned that you can make your own washi tape by using regular masking tape, stamping and coloring it any old way you please!  That is a great solution and very economical as well.  You not only save money but it's far more personalized to your project.

 

Miss You

Washi Postal Art Tag

 

I found some washi tape that screamed postal art and would pair perfectly with a few stamp sets I have.  I started off with a black tag...

 

 

and added some strips of washi in a diagonal pattern.

I left enough space between each strip so that I could stamp a few postal related images...

 

So now you've got a fun tag already but let's kick it up a notch...

 

I used Picket Fence Distress Stain on an "Air Mail" and a Cancellation Mark stamp.

These were alternately stamped in each strip between the washi tape.

 

Here's what it looks like at this point...

 

I then stamped a little postman and package and mounted them onto the tag

added some ribbon and finished it off with a little Miss You on the package.

 

You could add a little message on the back of the tag with a white gel pen.

 

and here's a close up of the little guy...

he was colored with Spectrum Noir markers.

 

All stamps are: Stampers Best - Deep Red Stamps

 

Have a wonderful day!!

Now, go get inky!!

 

Tea Time... finally!

Ever have one of those days...

Yesterday was my day!

 

I had the grand plan to clean our Excursion.  We bought if from some folks that had kids and dogs...and never cleaned it out!  I set about the task of cleaning the leather seats on Wednesday but wasn't having much success so after 2 hours I gave up.  Dh suggested I look on line to see if anyone had any tips or magic tricks. 

 

I did and I found a detailing forum and they had an article about leather not being as delicate as mfg's like to make you think.  They said to use a leather cleaning product (which I had) with a soft bristle brush!  So I ran right out to dollar general, picked up a brush and set to work.

Well, I must say that guy was right!  The cleaner and the brush worked like magic...slow magic but still, it worked REALLY well.  It got all of the grunge down deep in the little crevices of the leather and it looked great.

 

Here is the seat...left side before cleaning, right side after!

Eeeeeeeeewwww!!!!

 

 

All of the seats were like that...

so, by the time I cleaned all the seats (3 rows); vacuumed & used carpet cleaner and then armor-all'ed everything I was exhausted!  I spent almost all day on it (10-4:30) minus an hour lunch break.  My hands hurt, my arms hurt and I was ready to quit so that's why there was no post yesterday.

 

The good part is the Excursion is now bright and shiny!

And it smells good too - LOL!!

 

I had planned on a couple more washi tape ideas (yesterday and today) but I got an order of brand new rubber!!  7kidscollegefund is now carrying Crafty Individual stamps!!!

 

I LOVE these stamps!

I've wanted them for quite a while now but with the conversion rate & shipping to the US I never thought I'd be able to get any.

 

Well, since 7kids are now carrying them I ordered several different stamps....

This being one of my favorites...

 

Take a Little Time for Tea....

 

 

I used Distress Stains and Spectrum Noir to color the image then I added a wee bit of Stickles (on the flower centers and tea cups) then finished off the clock with a layer of Rock Candy Crackle Paint.

 

I can't wait to cut up the rest and start playing with them.

I don't know if you're metric measurement challenged but I should warn you some of the stamps in a few of the sets are tiny...

Seriously tiny... 

 

For example, the star (by the deer's rear end) is about 1/4" and the ornament is about 5/16" wide.

I think once stamped they will be cute with the trees which are between 1 3/4" (the small evergreen tree) to 2 1/2" (feather looking tree by the deer). 

 

 

 

I'm sure I'll be sharing lots of cards using these new stamps soon...

I can hardly wait to get stamping with them.

 

Next week I'll share a couple more washi tape ideas

and announce the give-a-way for some.

Hope to see you then!

Washi Halloween Cards

Today I wanted to share how you can mix traditional washi tape with Halloween tapes to create some fun looking Halloween cards.... and no, these aren't those bright cheery cards you see all over the place!

 

 

 In this first card I used several Non-Halloween washi tape designs (orange/yellow stripes; green vines; black stitches) to bring together a fun border strip.  With the addition of some spooky stamping it's a perfect match.

 

Note: all stamps used are Just For Fun Rubber Stamps.

Washi Tapes - all sorts of mfg. 

I've been collecting decorative tapes for a few years now.

 

For this card I used a purple lace washi between a spooky looking Trick or Treat washi tape plus the flowers are made from purple argyle washi and the leaves are green script washi tape.

 

 

On this card I used a diamond border tape between the spider & web tapes.

This card needs something else but I haven't decided how to finish it off....

Maybe a glittery spider die-cut.

 

And here's a hodge podge of different Halloween & traditional tapes.

The stitches, loop and lace tapes work well to break up all the holiday designs.

Again, this card needs something but not quite sure just what I'm going to use to finish it off yet.

 

So there you go...

don't be afraid to mix and match your tapes

or

to go a bit dark on your designs....

not everything washi needs to be bright and cheery.

Washi Tape Collage - Butterflies & Blooms

Washi tape comes in all sorts of colors but my favorites are the black and whites.

Why you might ask?

Because like b&w pattern paper or white flowers & ribbon ~

it gives me the luxury of coloring it myself. 

I can color match the tape to my existing project or create my own color palette to match any theme.

Today I wanted to take some of this black and white washi tape, a black tag and a bit of color to create a fun washi tape collage.

To begin I simply started layering on the various washi tapes in random patterns.

Some over lap while others are butted side by side.

I just continue to add more and more layers....

If you happen to get a piece of tape that doesn't want to stick simply use a tape that has more sticky power to cover the disobedient piece of tape.

Continue until virtually the entire tag has been covered.

Now trim off any tape hanging over the edge and use an exacto knife to trim around the reinforcement ring at the top.  The tape peels off very easily once cut.

Now you don't have to but I like to go over the tape with my bone folder to make sure all of the various bits and pieces are securely adhered to the tag.

You can use the tag as it is or you can go ahead and color it as desired.

Today I went ahead and used my gelatos.

I scribbled color over various areas of the tag then used my finger to spread and blend the colors over the tag.

Here's how it turned out.

I went ahead and added some fun embellishments to finish it off...

(the Frozen Charlotte doll is one I made using the FC mold.)

Ha!

So there you go...

a really fun way to use LOTS of your washi tape in a not so conventional way.

You could also take this same random collage approach using colored washi tapes. 

Maybe go for a monochromatic color theme or a rainbow effect or... well, you get the idea.  The possibilities are endless!

Washi Tape + Iris Folding

Did you know that the Scotch Tape people are making washi tape now?

Well they are!!

I was at Meijers the other day and found a new display of their tapes and couldn't resist.

I have a large collection of washi tape but nothing like these so I had to grab a roll or 4 or 6 - LOL!!

I have been wanting to do some projects using the tape so I figured this was as good a time as any!

Today I wanted to share an idea that's been rolling around in my head ~

Washi Tape & Iris Folding

coming together as one!

What do you need?

Washi Tape, cardstock, iris folding template.

I am using a square template I found at Hand Crafted Greetings - Iris Folding.

You don't have to use this pattern, if you do a search for Iris Folding templates you'll come up with hundreds of links.

The first thing I did was to cut a hole in my cardstock which matches my pattern.

I checked the sizing just to be sure.

You should trim your card to size once you know that the pattern fits.

I didn't do that until afterwards and had a heck of a time cutting it later as all the washi tape wanted to stick to the cutter.

I taped the template down to my craft sheet so it didn't slip while I was adding my layers,

then I taped down my cardstock over top with the right side facing down.  I'm using a cardstock that has color on one side and white on the back...you don't have to worry about right and wrong sides if you're using regular cardstock. 

I applied a line of adhesive around the frame opening.

It's time to start adding the tape.  Now since washi tape is sticky on one side I had to figure out how to add the layers and keep the pattern in tact SO, you add each piece of tape with the sticky side up.  That's why we had to apply the layer of adhesive around the frame.

The first layer will stick to the frame but all the rest will stick to each other since it's sticky side up.

There is no need for any additional adhesive from here on out!  

I started by sticking down the first piece of tape (sticky side up) then...

Alternated with a different pattern so it went mint, lime, mint, lime.

When I added the next layer I simply moved my mint tape over the existing lime tape and lime over the existing mint.  I continued to alternate following the pattern for placement each time.

We're getting there......

If you've ever made an iris folded card you know how thick the card gets by the time you reach the center of the design.  The really nice thing about using washi tape is it's so thin all of the layers really isn't an issue.

And we're almost finished...

And here it is!!!

Once you flip it over the pattern becomes apparent

and of course no sticky parts.

I trimmed out the card to the size I wanted. 

I should have done this BEFORE I added all the tape (it kept sticking to my cutter) but you can benefit from my mistake and cut it ahead of time.

Then mounted it on a lime green card base.  You can press all the tape down and it adheres wonderfully...it is tape after all  ;)

Added a few pearls along the frame edge

And finished it off with a nice stamped image and sentiment!

(Stamps - JFF Rubber Stamps)

The bird image was colored using Spectrum Noir markers.

And a closer look....

I love the see-through effect you get with the washi tape, it's like using really cool pattern vellum without all the adhesive issues that come with the vellum.

So there you go...

a really fun way to incorporate washi tape on a card,

in your scrapbook, or other projects you might have in mind!