Thursday, May 31, 2012

Washi Washi WOO!

Washi Washi Who you say....no - it is Washi Washi WOO!!  So what is Washi (Tape) you ask?  Well sit back and allow me to tell you a little story!

About a year or two ago I saw this stuff start peeking here and there on the web and the odd company line.  I of course fell in love with it and wanted it all....yes, I mean all!  My stash has grown quite large and I am NOT embarrassed to admit it!  Only that I do not like to use it in case I ever should run out...then what would I do?!



The original washi tapes came from Japan.  They are a 'tissue' type, printed and or colored sticky back decorative strip of paper on a roll.  Think of that cheap dollar store masking tape that doesn't stick to anything...only washi tape does stick...to just about everything!  It is not 'sticky' but more tacky if that makes sense, but alas...it sticks!  Widths seem to vary per company, but the most common one seems to be about half and inch.  Also, depending on the company seems to depend on that 'base' you will get.  By 'base' I mean tissue, paper or masking.  Those seem to be the top three and how I find them to be best described.  One could if they so chose, put Gaffer tape into the mix, but I think not...that is a field all in it's own and 7 Gypsies owns it!

So speaking of companies - who has jumped on the washi bandwagon?  I think it is safe to say that 7 Gypsies was the first (here in North America...but don't quote me on it), theirs were marketed as Paper Tapes and many of their signature lines had this as a coordinating embellishment.



Then there is the Collage Tapes: These are more like a light masking tape.


Then of course Tim Holtz brought out his Tissue Tapes and it all exploded even more.  Amazing how one man can make such a drastic change in the industry isn't it?!
One interesting thing to point out is that all his tissue tapes are formulated to accept ink!  Yup, if you want to change it up a bit, simply drag over the tissue tape with your favorite Tim Holtz Distressing Ink or Stain and you will have your own chosen color.

Who else...well how about K & Company!  They too brought it out with their SMASH line!

SMASH Collection - Calendar Tape
SMASH Collection - Swatch TapeSMASH Collection - Black Dots Tape
Then there is Queen & Co and their Trendy Tapes:


Cosmo Cricket Washi Tapes:



We R Memory Keepers Washi Tapes:


There are several 'fabric' tapes as well put out by Prima & Love My Tapes.  For a complete showing of all available 'tapes' currently available at W2 Scrapbooking - check out here.

You can also do the obvious and 'google it' as most of us do and just see for yourself the vast of items available for you in this area and just what you can do with it.

You can simply add it to tags to create you own unique personalized gift tag; decorate your gift paper or bags (white, kraft or whatever) with your own designs; make a card; decorate and create your own background on your next layout; bind a book; shall I go on?

There are also many blogs out there that have demo'd making their own washi tape.  I have tried the one using images from the web and putting it on mailing labels...ya - not for me!  There are ones out there that have used their Xyron or ScorTape / Be Creative Tapes with tissue paper that I may have to try just for something different.

Well I hope this rambling has inspired you to perhaps use some of your tapes or venture out and try something new.  I am thinking I may have to add 'use some of my washi tapes' to the 'Goal List'!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Goal!?!?

I was talking to my friend today and the topic of goals came up...(insert laugh here).  Anyone that knows me, knows they don't work well with me.  So, this has got me thinking (yes, I do that often...while surfing the net needless to say).  What is a goal? According to Websters Dictionary on line...


goal/gōl/

Noun:
  1. (in football, soccer, rugby, hockey, and some other games) A pair of posts linked by a crossbar and often with a net attached behind it,...
  2. An instance of sending the ball or puck into or over this space, esp. as a unit of scoring in a game.
Synonyms:aim - purpose - target - object - objective - end - mark
hmmm...something is not right here!  Let's try this again....


this one is looking a bit better (Collins English Dictionary)!

goal [gəʊl]
n
1. the aim or object towards which an endeavour is directed
2. the terminal point of a journey or race
3. (Team Sports, other than specified) (in various sports) the net, basket, etc. into or over which players try to propel the ball, puck, etc., to score
4. (Team Sports, other than specified) Sport
a.  a successful attempt at scoring
b.  the score so made
5. (Team Sports, other than specified) (in soccer, hockey, etc.) the position of goalkeeper
[perhaps related to Middle English gol boundary, Old English gǣlan to hinder, impede]
goalless  adj


So it is once again looking like there is a lot of reference to sports here...what gives with that?  So back to goals...I will try and work on some - really I will!  I AM GOING TO CREATE!

Here we go, I'm going to put it in writing...

1. Finish Jenny's Album;
2. Work on the 7Gypsies Photo Shadowbox Tray, just like this one!

or perhaps one of these!

3. Create a mini book using...
  • Jenni Bowlin
  • October Afternoon
  • Studio Calico
4. play with embossing powders!

K, I'm gonna quit now and not strive too high - don't want to let anyone down!  Oh, and this will be done by September 2012!  Be sure to check back and make sure I succeed....


Monday, May 7, 2012

What is with all these bags?

So many of you are asking what is with these bags...well - I love these bags, that's why!

Bigger Bitty Bags 
Bigger Bitty Bags:  6.25 x 9.25"

Middy Bitty Bags
Middy Bitty Bags:  5 x 7.5"

Little Bitty Bags
Little Bitty Bags:  2.75 x 4"


What do we do with these bags you ask?  I say...whatever and wherever your imagination will take you!
  • Goodie Bags
  • Envelopes
  • mini books
  • secret journaling pockets
  • wrapping paper
  • holiday treat holders (many are food safe)!
  • envelope liners
  • cards
  • business card holder
....shall I go on?  There is so much more to 'scrapbooking' today.  We don't just display our photo's anymore, we also display our creativity!  Bitty Bags are from the über creative company that has also brought us Divine Twine!  The two work amazingly together and the ideas are simply endless.

Divine Twine™ Bakers Twine

Be sure to check out the Whisker Graphics Blog as it is LOADED with ideas (did not go all the way back, but they used to have a blog on Blogger, here is the link).  There are also many more places to look for inspiration...simply google it OR here is a quick link via Pinterest that has a ton of Whisker Graphics images from all over the web on in one convenient place!

Check out what is in stock right now at W2 Scrapbooking!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Dream a Dream...

believe it or not, I finally got around to creating something again!  This is an idea that stemmed from two different canvases that Glenda Schoepp-Drake created and I squished into one.  I took bits from each and made my own creation....turned out pretty good.  


Glenda had a great idea to have a canvas that you would continue to use by cutting a spot for the picture that would allow you to change it up (genius).  The 'canvas' here is one of Tim Holtz's District Market Burlap Panel.  You will need a very sharp & sturdy cutting blade (I used a box cutter) as the backing on these Burlap Panels is  1/8" K3 board.


Once it is cut, you will see that the burlap is of course frayed, so to prevent any further fraying you will need to seal the edges.  Here I have used the 7 Gypsies Off the Wall Paper Tape to 'seal' it off.  Embellishments included on the front include Graphic 45 Geometric Metal Door Plate and Knob, Metal Tags, and Stamped Metal Brads; Prima Artisty Flowers.  There were some dies used as well - Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Flower Garland was used for the red/black paper flowers, Butterflies were cut from the Stampin' Up Die Beautiful Butterflies and Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die (paper used in both flowers & butterflies was Bo Bunny's Serenity).  The word 'dream' was cut from the new Tim Holtz's Alteration Die Word Play.  I embossed it with Tim Holtz's Black Soot Distress Embossing Powder, then sprayed it with Tsukineko Goosebumps Texture Spray just to add some more shine and of course texture. 


The opening is just under 4x6" and the backing for the photo is made out of  layered Grafix Medium Weight Raw Chipboard.  I cut the chipboard slightly larger than the opening and layered it so that the photo once slid in will be secure.  I adhered the chipboard using Provo Craft Terrifically Tacky Tape.
It was a blast to make, can easily see how it can be adapted to just about anything.  Thinking another one or two is to be made...thanks for the inspiration Glenda!

That Other Neutral Triptych

  That Other Neutral Triptych wrapped canvases 10x10x1.5" (x3) professional grade artist materials I worked on this smaller series at ...