Tip 2: Storing your Washi off-cuts

As you explore the many ways of using your washi tapes - you may just discard your off cuts; the half-widths, the excess from a cut pattern, the words from the cromwell tape you didn't need... but I prefer to keep them just in case I can use them up.  The problem with that, is the many lengths of tape hanging from the edge of my crafting table, sticking to my clothes whenever I lean too close!!  

My solution is simple - Here's my "Before" photo:

Tip 2: Storing your Washi off-cuts
Save your off cuts to be used again by sticking them to clear acetate sheets.  I've punched some binder holes in mine to store it in an A4 folder that also have some of my nesting dies in (arranged on magnetic A4 sheets - AWESOME!)
The washi is easy to see, I can group by colour/size/style/whatever, and I can see at a glance that I don't need to cut the next 20cm from my Cromwell Washi Tape to get the word I'm after - as it's on this sheet!!

Here's my "After" photo:

Let me know how this tip works for you!
Thanks for stopping by
Jen
:-)

Washi Techniques - Slice n Dice a Background!

Have you realised that you can cut your washi tape lengthways?  I had a "derrrr" moment not so long ago when I realised I could not only cut or tear my washi tape off at different lengths - but cut it so I had different widths!!!

I am hopeless at making decisions regarding co-ordinating products for my projects; so I love that the Sawyer's Place Washi Tapes are not only sold in single rolls, but in co-ordinating packs - grouped together so I don't have to think!!

The following cards were made using wash tapes from the packs available at Sawyer's Place:

To make these Washi Backgrounds:
Place strips of washi on your cutting mat.  Using a ruler and craft knife - slice until you have the desired thickness/s - use the grid lines on the craft mat to keep the edges straight!

When laying your washi on your background - pick an angle and use the grid lines on the craft mat to keep everything uniform - Or not if that's how you want it!  Do break up the 'tyre tread' pattern I used the 'caution' co-ordinating washi from the  pack.

Peel your panel from the craft mat and tuck your edges over.  Attach to the front of your card and attach your embellishments - I LOVE this flair "look out"!  It was perfect for the theme of this card; celebrating success for passing a learner's driving test!

Here's the customary close-up :-)

Ingredients:
"Learner"
Sawyer's Place Washi Tapes - Sampson Collection
Sawyer's Place Rourke's Rounds, Flair - Sampson Collection
Stix2Anything Silicone Adhesive (I prefer this to foam tape for adding dimension)
Twiddleybitz C6 Card and Envelope - Black
Twiddleybitz Square Alphabet Letter - "L"
White Cardstock
Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Squeezed Lemonade
Stazon Ink - Black
Miscellaneous Black Ribbon


"Wishing You A Happy Day"
Sawyer's Place Washi Tape -Titus Collection (Steel Blue Robots)
Sawyer's Place Rourke's Rounds, Flair - Titus Collection
Stix2Anything Silicone Adhesive (I prefer this to foam tape for adding dimension)
Twiddleybitz C6 Card and Envelope - White
Stazon Ink - Black; Midnight Blue
Washi Tape - blue from ???
My Favourite Things - Die-namics name plate

I hope I've inspired you to get even more from your washi tape!  I'd love to see a comment with a link if you've been using yours!  Please stay tuned for more Washi ideas and tips and tricks :-)

Thanks for stopping by
Jen
:-)

Tip 1: Washi Tape Positioning and your Projects...

I love creating, and like so many people I agonise over the arrangement of my papers, card stock, photos, and embellishments on my layouts, cards, and other projects.  I have a few little tips and tricks up my sleeve for using different elements and techniques in my crafting and thought I might start sharing a few with you!!

Tip 1:  Using Washi Tape
This tip works especially well for lettered or patterned washi tape, although you could use it for any type.
A fantastic way to determine the arrangement of words from the Sawyer's Place Cromwell Tape is to stick it to clear plastic;  you can then move it around on your project.  You can also re-position the words on the plastic in different patterns, and then try it around your project again.  When you are happy you can stick the words onto your project once - avoiding any problems trying to peel it back off again to re-position!
(although Sawyer’s place Washi Tapes are “low-tac” so rarely rip your paper or cardstock anyway!)

I used this tip on the following layout - as you can see from the photos:

Finally satisfied with the placement of my tape I finished my layout - with no tears!!

I hope this tip is useful for you - stay tuned for tonight's technique tutorial on wash tape - something so simple but you may have never thought to do!
Jen
:-)

Cromwell Tape - Love is Awesome

I thought black Cromwell Tape was a rather exciting addition to the washi tapes at Sawyer's Place, but the addition of Teal Cromwell tape is even more awesome!!

I made this lovely card tonight - it was rather easy :-)  Three words sliced from the tape for the greeting - combined with some Bo Bunny Flower Child papers and a Flourish from Flourish With A Bling.  

I wanted to add the matte red washi to the card - but as it's slightly transparent, I used two strips of white matte washi tape under the matte red tape (only one white shown in photo - I added another after the photo as I wasn't happy :-).

 Then I added the Puffy Jasmine Flourish and trimmed the ends from the washi tape:

 I used Stix2Anything Silicone Adhesive to create dimension as an alternative to foam tape.  Just remember to let it dry for a few moments before attaching the greeting block to the card front and don't push down too hard!

 I stuck the Teal Cromwell tape on the Bo Bunny Flower Child Cut out for the greeting block...

 And wallah!  A quick and simple card all finished!! 

Ingredients:

Bo Bunny 12" Flower Child Patterned Paper - Groovy and Cut-outs

Sawyer's Place Washi Paper - White Matte

Sawyer's Place Washi Paper - Red Matte

Sawyer's Place Washi Paper - Teal Cromwell

Flourish With A Bling - Jasmine Puffy Flourish - Teal

Stix2Anything - Silicone Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by!!

Jen

:-)

Bling'dy Bling Blog Hopping with FWAB!!

Hello Everyone and welcome to my leg of the Blog Hop!

I hope you're having a fabulous time on the Flourish With a Bling Blog Hop, I'm really loving the projects so far and am getting lots of inspiration, aren't you? If you've been following the blog hop from the start and you arrived here from Ilene's blog - great! Don't forget to comment on any posts that make a note for you to do so. In case you visited today just by browsing the wonderful internet - I suggest you start at the beginning for an awesome treat, and go from there! 

Here's the blog hop in order: 

FWAB - http://www.flourishwithabling.com.au/blog/
Amanda Reddicliffe: http://areddicliffe.blogspot.com.au/
Angella Peardon: http://4ft9inchcreator.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Catherine Lane: http://a-stroll-down-memory-lane.blogspot.com/ 
Elena Olinevich  http://eleele-handmade.blogspot.com/
Emilia van den Heuvel http://few-favourite-things.blogspot.nl/
Ilene Tell: http://whatabunchofscrap.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Hodge: http://www.jennihodge.blogspot.com.au (You're here!!!)
Kate McCulloch: http://mumofheidi.blogspot.com.au/
Natalie Elphinstone: http://onescrappydoctor.blogspot.com
Sandi Smith: http://sandi-smith.blogspot.ca/
Sonia Thomason http://www.soniathomason.typepad.com/
FWAB - http://www.flourishwithabling.com.au/blog/

I was so excited to have my application accepted when Flourish With A Bling called for a Design Team. I've used their beautiful products since they first became available. I have loved every second of it, especially when I've been able to get a sneak peak and even a try out of the new products before they've been released! The FWAB team have forged onwards and upwards and even added a retail cart to the gorgeous website - yes, you can buy all your favourite bling straight from the FWAB store itself, they even have a section for colour co-ordinated packs!!! I can never go past the Chloe and Grace Pearl Flourishes, here's my latest project featuring the Grace Flourishes in Pewter and Chocolate - and a few (many) adhesive pearls.

I love that even though the bling is pearls and even though it's a 'swirly girly' thing - these flourishes are right at home on a boys page because of the rich colours that are available.

The next stop on the FWAB Blog Hop is the wonderfully creative and talented Kate McCulloch. I can't wait to see what she's created! Don't forget to follow the Blog Hop all the way back to the FWAB blog and leave a comment there for your chance to win the grand prize. 

In the meantime you can also win a little something from me by leaving a comment here on this post, and telling me how many lovely colours the grace pearl flourish is available in! You can find the answer HERE!!! I'll be drawing the winner next Friday the 19th. 

Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Mwah! XXX

Jen

Our Newest Family Addition

My first layout of this gorgeous sweetheart...
Isabella Jayde Canfield.  My Cousin Lee Lee's first child.  We seem to have a connection - I am so blessed to have three beautiful children of my own and be able to be part of Isabella's life. :-)

I used a lot of products that have been in my stash for quite some time.  I have no idea who the manufacturers of the doily, paper, or rub-on are.  Of course I added ink... Stazon Black :-)  All adhesives used were by Stix 2 Anything.  I needed to make sure the items are going to adhere and not come off - I am confident Stix2 will do the job :-)

Flourish With A Bling Adhesive Pearls, Twiddleybitz Chipboard Butterflies:

Prima Flowers and Iridescent Pain, Twiddleybitz Chipboard Passionfruit flower:

Twiddleybitz Chipboard Oriental Border:

Thanks for stopping by
Jen
:-)

Beautiful Sugar Beads Card

This card was quite a simple one to put together.  I grabbed my stamp set with the dress and matching quote, some ink, card stock, glue and sugar beads!!

• I used a black pre cut and scored card from Twiddleybitz, and used purple card stock with a white matt for my front.  
• I stamped the dress onto some white card stock, and the verse onto the small white doily.
• I attached the doily to the card stock and before attaching the stamped panel, I inked the edges.
• I then added a layer of Glossy Accents to the dress and poured my sugar beads on!!  I left this for half an hour while I had a culpa tea and came back and tapped of the excess beads
• I then added a bunch of rose buds and a white and silver prettied bow using a little hot glue

Ingredients:

Twiddleybitz black C6 card and envelope

Cardstock - white and purple

My2Angels - Sugar beads - Purple Passion

My2Angels - White Rose buds

My2Angels - White and silver bow

Glossy Accents bought from My2Angels

Stix2 Anything Double sided tape

Black Stazon Ink

Miscellaneous stamps

Hot glue gun

Thanks for stopping by!

Jen

:-)