Washi Tape: So, what’s the Big Deal?

Maybe I am a bit behind the curve on this trend, but before Stampin’ Up! offered Washi Tape (a couple of months ago in the Epic Day This & That Kit), I’d not heard of this crafting accessory.  “What’s the big deal?” I thought. Why is everyone so excited about a roll of tape that has designs on it. I ordered the Epic Day This & That Washi Tape as a part of the bundle, and when we could order the Gingham Garden washi tape, I added it to my list. It was a “must have” that I wasn’t sure I’d use. Well, I finally popped open the tape. Now I get it! Now I know what all the fuss was about. Here’s a card I made with Gingham Garden Washi Tape:

Happy Day, Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Stampin' Up!, Brian King

More about the washi tape. If you have never used washi tape before, then you are curious like I was. The tape has a very different texture from gift wrapping tape. It’s almost like the thinner, prettier version of floral tape (in my novice estimation). It’s repositionable and easily torn from the roll – no need to fiddle around with scissors. I wonder what the origin of “fiddle around” is…sure seems disrespectful to bluegrass musicians who spend their lives mastering their instrument.

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

  • The design. I knew I wanted to lay down layers of washi tape. and then crop them from one of the shapes in my Floral Frames Collection Framelits. So that I could avoid wasting washi tape (I don’t always have a good frame of reference for these things, I laid down the framelit and made four little dots on the paper outside of the frame area. Just gave me a good guideline.Washi Tape
  • Pop of color.  Don’t forget that these washi tapes are paired with Stampin’ Up!’s colors, so you can match the tape to your paper and ink just like you can with DSP.  When I was done with my flower and card base, I was left with a lot of pink and yellow.  I decided to add a little green (Pear Pizzazz) with the Betsy’s Blossoms leaves.  They added a third color and grounded the flower a bit.
  • I don’t always take my own advice. I generally think it’s a good idea to have the darkest color on a card as the base of the card. I think it grounds the image on top of it. As I finished my flower for the center of this card, though, I felt that it was heavy. I decided to not take my advice and made my card base Daffodil Delight. I think it lightens the card a bit. What do you think?

Stamp Sets: Happy Day, Betsy’s Blossoms Inks: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz Papers: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White Accessories: Gigngham Garden Washi Tape, Floral Frames Colletion Framelits, Basic Jewel Pearls

Swatch books. There’s still time to order up a set of Designer Series Paper swatch books. Mary Fish calls them a must have. My Mom really wants you to get a set. Bandit says, “Meow” and rolls over to look really cute for you. Click here to buy them now!

DSP Swatch Books

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

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23 Comments

  1. What a great card Brian…love it. Washi Tape is getting bigger by the day here in Australia and your card is great inspiration for me to try some different ways to use it. Always love reading your blogs and seeing your wonderful creations. Thanks 🙂

  2. I think your card reeks of summer and happy…a good thing!

  3. Really a happy look, This would cheer up anyone that receives it! Nice job, thanks so much for sharing.

  4. Who wouldn’t SMILE receiving this card! Super cute and I love WASHI tape!!!!
    It’s great to decorate boring boxes too!!! Have a great week!

  5. You have gotten me excited to open my package of washi tape and use it. I love the card and you are right the daffodil background is perfect.

  6. I like Washi Tape and I am going to have to get some of this to match my Kind Of Cozy and Gingham stamps !! It is fun to play with and a quick way to perk up a card . I started using it with my Smash Book and then it crept into the cards (it`s sneaky like that ) Cute cute card !! Starts off monday with a smile !!

  7. that’s even happier than polka dots and I rarely find anything happier than that! All of your choices came together nicely!

  8. Happy day indeed! This washi tape print reminds me of a summery country picnic. I have this in my order which is to arrive today. Woot woot! I do have quite a bit of this new crafting accessory (other brands) in my stash. So many ways to use it. There are a lot of great blogs out there for washi tapes ideas. Brian, just love how you used the framelit and tape together. Another winner! Thanks for the peek of all the DSP swatches. You are such a tease. I can’t wait until my arrive.

  9. This is so nice, Brian! I COVET your yellow gingham tape! I am gaga for gingham!!

  10. Hi, Brian…. This is the first thing with washi tape that I have liked! I might actually use some now…. see you at convention!

  11. I think you’re exactly right in using the yellow base…the layer of pink ground it. Thanks for the tip on marking the framelet. Now you have me wondering about fiddle with it too…I just may have to google it to see. Thanks for the inspiration, I struggle with the brighter colors.

  12. O.K. – so I must live in the back woods or something! I never heard of Washi tape or if I did I blew it off. I do see the crazy masking tape in all the stores but my thought was always “you can’t run this through your die cutting machine – it will make a mess”! From your description Brian, I take it the Washi tape is more like a paper tape? Hmmmmm, I’ll have to think about trying some of that. I really loved today’s card, it brought a smile to my face.

  13. What a pretty, clean card. Inspiring on a number of levels! Thanks.

  14. Washi tape is a lot like paper tape, yet sets a perfect center stage as you have done! And while I was commenting, Mr. Brown just brought MY package!!! YAY, Whoopeeee! Now I get to go have some more fun! Like CASEing your beautiful blossom on that gorgeous yellow CS, Brian!!!!

  15. lovely card Brian, one for sure I will case! my group meets tonight and I think the tape will be on the order form for sure now. Thanks for sharing, eh 🙂

  16. LOVE this card with all the trendy washi tape!!! Very creative to use the tape over the flower shape! And, a yellow card base is just fine for I believe you have a wonderful balance of all the colors! Well done…LOVE IT!!!

  17. This is a definite case for me, Brian & thanks again for the morning smile!

  18. Great card 🙂 I also wanted to leave a note to mention that I subscribed to your blog, but because the email feed does not show the full blog post, I unsubscribed. I’m one of those people that just likes to skim the photos in my email and then click on what catches my eyes, so partial feeds don’t work well for my organizational style. There wasn’t a place for me to list why I unsubbed, so I wanted to make sure I left you that feedback somewhere, in case this makes any difference to the way your email feed is set up 🙂

  19. Kathryn Stutzman

    Brian, You are an amazing designer! You are one of my favorite stampin up
    bloggers! I LOVE your cards! Thank you so much for sharing your talent and wisdom!

  20. How very cheery! It made me smile!

  21. Love it! Beautiful card!

  22. Pingback: Quick and Easy Hills and Some Amazing Promotions | stampwithbrian.com

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