Create with Washi Paper Masking Tape

We all know that masking tape is commonly used when we are painting to cover up areas we want to avoid. But recently, I’m drawn to the delicious variety of colors and designs found in the stationery stores around Japan. Soon I was picking up a role of red here and a 3-pack of teal patterns there and in no time at all, I had amassed quite a collection of pretty colors and knew I had to figure out a way to use it on my scrapbook pages.

There are a number of companies that make colorful masking tape, but most of mine seem to come from Kamoi Paper. As I opened the packages of Kamoi's MT masking tape, I was immediately inspired by the gorgeous hues and the soft feel of the tape. This is no ordinary tape; this is made of rice paper! Intrigued, I turned to the company’s website. Using Kamoi’s English Menu, I began to read about the making of washi masking tape and how they came to offer such fabulous colors.

It seems this little company was contacted by a customer who made a little book out of their tape and requested more colors. Kamoi's aim was to please this artistic customer, so a partnership was formed and they set about with a passion to color the rice paper in hues that make a crafter sigh with pleasure! The site not only includes their history, but a fun factory tour where you will learn how they color the rice paper and add the sticky. There is also a gallery where you can see the myriad of uses their customers have found for the rainbow of colors.

Speaking of rainbows, let me share with you my ideas for using washi masking tape in scrapbooking. The first page is inspired by a sketch at Let’s Scrap and created for the rainbow challenge at Scrapbook.com. It is constructed of Bazzill black cardstock, masking tape and Thickers. I’ve include a tutorial below on how to do the washi blossom at the end of this post.



The next page is inspired by a sketch by LG challenge at MAF.





So let's get on with the tutorial. I was inspired to make this flower out of washi tape after viewing Helen Croft's beautiful page at Scrapbook.com. To begin, you will need washi tape in the color or colors of your choice, a ruler, a small pair of scissors, a pencil, a glue stick, and some rough-cut circles. My biggest circle is about 2 inches across.

Start by covering a few of your circles with washi tape, trim off the excess tape and glue the circles together with the smallest on top.

Now choose a color of washi tape and cut it about six inches long. Lay it printed side down on the table - the sticky side will be up.

Take another piece of washi tape in the same color and lay it down on top of your six-inch strip - sticky sides together. Trim this peice off the role about a half to 3/4 inch longer than the first strip. Trim the other end so that there is no sticky showing at all.

Now, turn your circles over and attach the end with the 1/2 inch of sticky showing to the back of the circle. Flip it back right side up and wrap the long end around a pencil until your flower petals are the length you would like.

Now cut a tiny square of matching washi and lay it part way on the roll and part way on the longer part of the flower petal. This will hold the roll in place. I left mine sticking up a bit so you could see it, but you will want to smooth down the edges.

And there you have it - a pretty flower to add to your scrapbook pages!

Kawaii

Living in Japan, I just can't help myself when I visit the local craft store and stand in front of all that beautiful washi paper. It comes in so many colors and patterns and is in huge sheets on bolts like rows of colorful fabric.

You may recognise this flowered washi from my Abe Lincoln birthday card. It is such a beautiful pattern enfused with pink, purple, turquoise and yellow flowers on a black background further enhanced by gold threading.

To make this layout, I simply cut the washi papers into 1/2 inch strips and wove them together. Once I matted the photo of Miwa, the rest of the page just came together.

The vines are made with Fancy Pants clear stamps. I cut them out once they were stamped and traced the lines with Black Diamond Stickles.

The row of gems along the bottom are from the 100 yen shop and are meant to decorate a cell phone. Oh, the fun things I find in Japan! Miwa's name in kanji on the bottom is also a sticker I took off of some packaging.

Journaling: Miwa, who can resist your big brown eyes? Everywhere we go, it's "Kawaii!" One look at the picture of Miwa, and I'm sure you can tell that kawaii means "Cute!"

Happy Birthday Abe Lincoln

This February 12, Springfield, Illinois is celebrating the birthday of our 16th President in a big way. Though born to humble beginnings in Kentucky, Springfield is where Abraham Lincoln lived and worked as a lawyer. We are all familiar with the legacy of honesty and integrity that Mr. Lincoln imparted. But he also taught us that we should keep believing in ourselves, keep working to overcome our defeats and rework ourselves to fit our new dreams. It is no wonder that Springfield would want to honor this great man on his 200th birthday. They are hoping to receive handmade greetings for Mr. Lincoln from all around the world. For anyone who would like to send birthday greetings to be displayed during the Springfield bicentennial, here is the address:

Abraham Lincoln
Old State Capitol

1 Old State Capitol Plaza

Springfield, Illinois 62701

In honor of this occasion, I made a folding screen card and am rather proud of myself for figuring out the design without the benefit of a template or directions. If you would like to make a folding screen card like this, I can break it down for you.

1. The main part of the card consists of 6 panels that are 3 1/4 wide each. Choose a sturdy peice of cardstock and cut it to 19 1/2" x 9". Score every 3 1/4 inches and accordion fold.

2. Cut out a 10" x 5" square from the center. This should fall directly in the middle of the four center panels.

3. Cut slits in the center of each panel, top and bottom, for the inside card to fit into. Each slit should be 1/2" deep.

4. The inside of the card is made from a 13" x 6" peice of cardstock. Score and fold into 4 panels - each panel is 3 1/4 inches wide.

5. Decorate your card and assemble. It's as easy as that and the whole thing will easily fit into a legal size envelope! Have fun with it and show me what you come up with.