From Sweet to "WHAT THE??"

Have you heard of the online Australian Scrapbooking Magazine, the Scrapbooker Journal? It is a bi-monthly digital scrapbook created by a wonderful Australian named Louise Turner, hosts on Facebook, and it's a pleasure to read and draw inspiration from. Lou put out a call on the Facebook Page this month asking for contributors, so, of course, I put my hand up. We were asked to create with Washi Tape. Of all things, I haven't touched my washi stash for oh so long, so it was a great opportunity to dig through it and see what I had.  

While I was rifling through my stash, I started to wonder where and when Washi Tape came from, so I did a tiny bit of research. Washi tape was born in Japan in the mid-2000s — but its roots go much deeper. “Washi” literally means Japanese paper, made from traditional plant fibres like mulberry, bamboo, and hemp. Beautiful, delicate, yet surprisingly strong,  just like a good embellishment should be. In 2006, a group of Japanese artists approached an industrial tape company, Kamoi Kakoshi, asking for masking tape in pretty colours and patterns. The company said yes and the first decorative washi tape line, MT (Masking Tape), launched. Crafters in Japan went nuts. Word spread. The West discovered it. And the rest? Scrapbooking history.

 So for my layout, which you can see in The Scrapbookers Journal I pulled a few Washi Tapes and then had to work out how I was going to use them; I ended up using it four different ways; as a feather (step by steps below), as a fringed tab for a hidden journalling card, decoration on the journalling card and as part of my background banner effect. 

I had a few photos of Bronte and Paige printed off where they are playing with our Rainbow Lorikeet Scarlet, so I thought that I would pull a few bright Washi Tapes to go along with Scarlet's bright feathers. At first, I was thinking of doing a background of Washi Tape strips, but the idea of making feathers popped into my head and I went with that. Below my finished layout I will write out how I made the Washi Tape feathers. 

I was still stuck on the idea of strips, so I cut out strips of coloured paper to match the red, green and blue of Scarlet's feather, but they were a bit overpowering altogether, so I added a strip of woodgrain Washi Tape. Still going with the feather theme, I used my four-way punch and turned the bottom of the strips into a "v" banner shape, then I inked the edges and tucked a few strips behind the photos. 

I also used the Washi Tape to give the journaling card a bit of decoration, it is a quick and easy way to add interest and embellish the card. 

As I knew I was going to be hiding the journalling, I wanted to create a tab where I could pull the journalling card out from it's hiding spot, but I also wanted to keep in trend with my feather theme.... so I used a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the Washi Tape at the top of the card and gave it a feathered look. 

Last but not least was the journaling. 

In the photo below, you can see where I tucked it, to hide it..... but also be part of the design with the fringed Washi Tape popping out. 

Are you still with me? Just a few more photos of close-ups of feathers and how they look on my layout, and then you can read about how I made them. 

For some reason I decided to place some of my title words onto the feathers to help anchor them to the page. I wouldn't normally place my titles across such an embellishment, as it would distract from the design, but for this busy layout, it worked. 

My last feather cluster is off to the left side of the layout, and a small word sticker helps to tie it all together. 

Washi Tape Feather 

 1. Cut a piece of string to the length you want your feather to be. This will form the feather’s spine.

2. Tear or cut three equal strips of washi tape, a bit shorter than your string. Lay one strip sticky side up on your table or mat. Place the string straight down the centre of the sticky tape. This is the spine of the feather.

3. Stick the second strip on top, sticky side down, lining it up as best you can to sandwich the string inside, half of the sticky side of the washi will not be stuck to anything yet. 

4. Repeat on the other side.

5. Flip the washi over and fold the hanging side of the washi to line up with the edge of the centre strip of washi. 

6. Cut the tape into a feather shape – rounded ends, and a pointed top.

7. Snip small angled cuts along both sides to mimic feather barbs, stopping short of the centre string.

8. Gently bend or fluff the edges to give it some shape and texture.

5 reasons why I use Washi Tape on my creations.

1. It’s pretty. Let’s be real — that’s reason enough.

2. It’s repositionable. I can move it around without wrecking my page. Magical.

3. It’s lightweight and flat. Great for adding decorative work that won't bulk up my albums.

4. The patterns are endless. From florals to flamingos, stripes to snarky quotes, there’s a washi for every mood.

5. It’s a low-commitment embellishment. If I am not sure what my layout needs? I try a strip of washi. If it works — yay! If not, I peel it off and pretend it never happened.

Washi tape has gone from a humble roll of sticky paper to an essential scrapbooking supply. Whether you're layering it, framing photos, or creating paper feathers, washi’s here to stay. 

Hugs.

A Cut Above Design Team Reveal for August

 Welcome back to my creative corner. This month, I’m excited to share my latest layout for A Cut Above Blog Challenge. If you’re not familiar with this fantastic blog, it celebrates the art with a special emphasis on die cuts. Although many creations are cards, the versatility of die cuts makes them perfect for scrapbooking, journaling, junk books, and so much more. 

You can check out A Cut Above here.

For my August layout, I captured a delightful summer moment featuring Bronte, Paige, and one of their friends. While the weather didn’t quite feel like summer, that didn’t stop them from paddleboarding in the basin at Sanctuary Point and enjoying ice cream. Initially, I bought this patterned metal die cut, thinking it was a decorative border. However, I discovered it was actually a confetti die cut, which only cut out circles and dots. You can see the recess of the cut-out pattern on the paper behind my hand in the photo. By the time I realised this, I had already created most of my layout, so I had to rethink my approach.

I ended up tearing around the leftover recess of the patterned paper to separate it from the paper that didn't have any cutouts on it.  To my surprise, it looked good. I then tucked the recessed torn paper around my photos, adding interest and texture to the page. Waste not, want not, right? I used the confetti cutouts just like I would usually use enamel dots, but with the added joy of knowing it was essentially free. This allowed me to use them generously, without the usual hesitation that comes from wanting to stretch out a packet of enamel dots.

One of the great things about metal die cuts is their vast range of shapes, sizes, themes, words, and numbers, they literally come in just about everything you could want or think of. Which opens up endless creative possibilities; it does, however, create a few problems. How do you store all of them, and when are too many metal dies too many?? At a craft show a few weeks ago, I couldn’t resist purchasing a few more metal dies and one of my new dies wasthe word "Summer," which I jsut had to use in the title of my layout. In Australia, we often experience days where the sun beats down and the temperature feels like summer—even when it isn’t. This "Summer" die will definitely make frequent appearances in my future layouts.

Tip: When removing fine cutouts, like scripted words, from metal dies, using a fine pair of tweezers makes it much easier. They allow for a gentle grip and can get closer than fingers can, ensuring a clean separation.

Thank you for stopping by to check out my latest creation. I hope it inspires you to dive into your own projects and explore the wonderful world of die cuts. Happy crafting.

August Design Team Reveal for Craftin' Around the World

 I’m back with my latest creation for the Craftin' Around the World Facebook group monthly challenge. For August, I drew inspiration from the moodboard for my first creation, which featured beautiful tones of blue and grey. Instantly, I thought of cold days, and that led me to scrap about a particularly chilly day in South Korea when we explored the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). 

The atmosphere that day was quite glum, reflecting the historical weight of the place, making this challenge the perfect fit for my photos.

In addition to the moodboard inspiration, I wanted to challenge myself to use up some of my old stash. I dug through my embellishments and unearthed some real gems from the past (you can see some of these in the photos below). 

After gathering my embellishments, I focused on selecting papers that complemented the moody greys and blues of the moodboard.

Now, here’s where things got a bit tricky—I hadn’t printed my photos yet. I was so eager to get started that I didn’t consider the moodboard while printing. I ended up with a photo of me standing next to the bright, primary-coloured DMZ letters, which clashed with the moodboard's colour palette. It’s one of those classic moments we’ve all experienced, right? Additionally, I didn’t think about photo orientation and ended up with three portrait images and one landscape. Arranging them in a way that felt right turned into a lengthy process of trial and error. Have you ever faced a similar dilemma? Sometimes I think sticking to sketches might save us some of that time and hassle. Luckily, my next challenge for Craftin' Around the World is the August sketch, so I’m hoping for a smoother experience.

Once I finally settled on my arrangement, I felt my layout was missing something. I rummaged through my pile and found a few photo negative strips. However, the colours didn’t quite match my scheme, so I used some ink and a dauber to change them up a bit.

In the end, I think my layout came together well. It’s a departure from my usual style, as it leans more towards flat patterned papers without any mixed media. But given the somber theme of the photos, I felt that simplicity was the right approach.

I can’t wait to see how everyone else interprets this month’s challenges.

Hugs.

August Craftin' Around the World Design Team Reveal

 

Creative Team Reveal for Craftin' Around the World Challenge Blog

Welcome back for my second reveal for July for Craftin' Round the World Blog Challenge. As a reminder, each month we offer a sketch and a Tic-Tac-Toe challenge, where you can choose a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line of prompts to inspire your creations. Playing along is easy—simply select your line, incorporate the elements into your design, and share your masterpiece with us.

I’m excited to reveal my layout for the Tic-Tac-Toe challenge. I chose the first vertical line, which includes layers, die-cuts, and patterned paper. This was a breeze for me, as I have a massive stockpile of patterned papers just waiting to be used. Layering them up is one of my favourite techniques, and it creates such depth and interest in a layout.

When it came to die-cuts, I had a blast rifling through my extensive collection of metal dies. I found a cute little cruise ship and a suitcase that were perfect for my theme—our family cruise from earlier this year. The Fancy Pants World patterned paper I used matched perfectly, enhancing the travel vibe of my layout.

Here are a few design tips for scrapbooking travel memories:

Use Patterned Papers: Choose papers that reflect the essence of your trip—think about colours and themes that represent your destination.

Layering: Don’t be afraid to layer different patterns and textures. This will not only add dimension but also keep your layout visually engaging.

Die-Cuts: They’re incredibly versatile. Use them as focal points, borders, or even journaling spots. They can help tell your story without overwhelming the design.

Remember, scrapbooking is all about having fun and expressing your memories, so let your creativity shine. I can’t wait to see what you all come up with for this month’s challenges.

July Reveal for A Cut Above Blog Challenges

Welcome to my July reveal for the Creative Team of A Cut Above Blog Challenge. At A Cut Above, the theme is always "Anything Goes," but there’s a catch: you must include at least one die cut in your project. This can be from either a manual or electronic die-cut machine, meaning no prefabricated die cuts allowed. Challenges are posted monthly on the first Monday at 12:00 AM (Eastern Time) and run until the 28th at 8:00 PM. Winners are announced on the 30th, showcasing the incredible talent within our community. It's a fantastic way to stretch your creative muscles and explore new ideas while sharing your work with fellow crafters.

This month, I created a fun and funky layout to celebrate my baby turning 15. Time flies, doesn’t it? For her birthday, the theme was Stitch, which suits her vibrant personality perfectly. Stitch is quirky and a bit odd—much like my Paige. I chose bright rainbow colours paired with blue to complement the Stitch theme.

I used a double balloon metal die for this creation, cutting it out from two blues and a rainbow pattern paper. For this creation, I reached for my leftover scrap paper to cut the die shape, breathing new life into bits and pieces that would otherwise go unused. Using scraps not only reduces waste but also allows me to create tailored embellishments that perfectly match my project’s colour scheme and theme. It’s become my go-to method, turning leftovers into something special that truly enhances my designs.

From just one die, I crafted a bunch of balloons, attaching them to a three-dimensional sticker of Stitch, giving the illusion that he’s floating away. To add depth, I used three-dimensional tape on the balloons, layering them to create a big, cheerful bunch. I also lightly inked the edges with black ink to make them pop off the page.

I encourage you to join the fun at A Cut Above. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting, this community welcomes all skill levels. Share your projects, get inspired, and connect with other creative minds. I can’t wait to see what you create.

July Reveal for Craftin' Around the World

Welcome to another reveal for the month of July for Craftin' Round the World Blog Challenge. Each month, there are exciting challenges, including a sketch (both for cards and scrapbooking) and every other month you can choose from a Tic-Tac-Toe; where you pick a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line of use the prompts to inspire your creation or an inspirational Moodboard to inspire you. This month, I’ve tackled both the scrapbooking sketch layout and the Tic-Tac-Toe challenge, but today I’m thrilled to only reveal my creation based on the scrapbooking sketch. You’ll have to stay tuned for my Tic-Tac-Toe layout later in the month. 

Using sketches as a foundation for your projects is incredibly versatile. They can serve as direct inspiration, or you can modify them to suit your style—flipping or rotating them as needed. This flexibility allows for endless creativity and personalisation. Here is this month's sketch; I hope it inspires you to be creative. 

I had a fantastic time with this month’s sketch. The moment I saw the round element, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: I had to include a wagon wheel. As I didn’t have one on hand, I decided to hand-paint one using watercolours and then fussy cut it out. It turned out beautifully and adds the perfect touch to my photos of the girls having fun with a big old Clydesdale horse.

Another element of the sketch that caught my eye were the tags. Lately, I’ve been incorporating tags into just about every layout I create. There’s something about them that gives the perfect finishing touch, whether for journaling or hidden journaling or just as an embellishment—perfection.

Fussy cutting out the florals from some beautiful Cocoa Vanilla patterned paper was such a therapeutic experience for me. There’s something calming about the process, and it allowed me to immerse myself in the intricate details. Once I added those pretty blooms to my layout, they brought a stunning vibrancy that truly elevated the overall design.

I can’t wait to share more of my creations with you and I hope you feel inspired to jump into this month’s challenges. Be sure to check back for my Tic-Tac-Toe reveal later on.