Tips & Trick - January 2013

Pin It

Welcome to the Wonderful World Of Washi

Today I want to talk about this little item that has taken the crafting world by storm. Not so long ago (just a few weeks ago actually) I was asking, "What exactly is Washi Tape and how the heck do I even use it?" I was mystified for sure. I had purchased some from DeNami way back in November of last year. I sat it on my desk, I looked at it and even ohh and ahhh'd at it's prettiness once in a while. However, I never touched it. :/   I was just intimidated and not quite sure what to do with it. So there it sat, staring at me, daring me and even giving me the stink eye on occasions. Yeah, I've seen it all over Pinterest and have seen beautiful cards where someone has torn off a few uneven strips, attached them to a card base and stamped a sentiment to make a lovely finished card. I didn't even try to kid myself, I knew I couldn't pull off something like that even if I tried. lol!

So what the heck is Washi................

Definition according to Wiki:

Washi (和紙^?) is a style of paper that was first made in Japan. Washi is commonly made using fibers from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia chrysantha), or the paper mulberry, but also can be made using bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat. Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner.^[1]

Washi is generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, and is used in many traditional arts. Origami, Shodo, and Ukiyo-e were all produced using washi. Washi was also used to make various everyday goods like clothes, household goods, and toys as well as vestments and ritual objects for Shinto priests and statues of Buddha. It was even used to make wreaths that were given to winners in the 1998 Winter Paralympics. Several kinds of washi, referred to collectively as Japanese tissue, are used in the conservation and mending of books. Washi has also found a new form, as a tape, usually combined with acrylic glue. It is similar to masking tape in that it is removable from most surfaces.

Okay, now we know it's paper and tape all rolled into one, but what the heck do we do with it......

Ahhh, now that's the million dollar question, isn't it? Well, thanks to the Wonderful Washi blog hop DeNami was hosting, I had no choice but to figure it out! I tore off a piece, looked it over, stuck it on paper, peeled it up and all of the sudden my mind went into overdrive...I had ideas flowing right and left! I not only made the little candle with matching card I showed for the hop, I made a few more cards, the cute treat box I showed you in my new, monthly project feature and these neat little things....

I had an old iPhone case that was kinda ugly. With a little Washi, it's gotten a new life. To make the flowers, I simply placed Washi on scrap paper, ran it through my die cut machine, peeled it up and placed it on the phone case. Then added a little gem stone using Crystal Lacquer for the flower center.

And I figured why stop there! I jazzed up my charger while I was at it...

Admit it, you've ran out of chip clips and have grabbed for the old standby...clothes pin. What about dressing them up a bit? Add a little Washi (I would have painted the clothes pin white, but didn't have time) and now you have a cute little gift!

Don't you just hate it when you're putting on those little finishing touches that make your card just pop with perfectness only to find out you don't have something that matches? A little Washi covered button is just the thing you need!

From bags, tags, boxes, and more, you can embellish just about anything with Washi Tape. Seriously, I could go on and on and on about the ideas running through my head to use Washi Tape on. Don't be scared of Washi, and certainly don't let it sit there giving you the stink eye. Pick it up, play with it...bettin you come up with something darling!

*little hint: if your Washi is too wide, simply adhere it to a piece of cardstock and cut to desired width using your paper trimmer. Peel it up and you're good to go ;)

If you didn't get a chance to follow the Wonderful Washi blog hop, here's the link to the list of participants. There's some WONDERFUL Washi eye candy to behold! I've decided to share my newly found love of Washi with all of you, so leave me a comment on this post by February 2nd and I'll draw a random winner for 2 rolls (of your choice) of Washi from DeNami!And don't forget to stop by the DeNami blog today,  DT member, Emily, is debuting a brand new feature that involves what else...WASHI! There's also a little give a way on her blog too, My Little Slice of Bliss!

Thanks for stopping by!