Washi Tape Crafts book review, project, and announcement!

Washi Tape Crafts book review, project, and announcement!

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books, crafts, DIY, kids, Mod Podge

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I received the book, Washi Tape Crafts, in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% mine. This post may contain affiliate links.

I'm sure you are all familiar with washi tape, right?  Paper tape that comes in pretty designs which which you can decorate all sorts of stuff?  As usual, I'm late to the party because wow, I love this stuff now!  I wasn't sure about it though until I was asked to read/review Amy Anderson's book, Washi Tape Crafts.








Amy (of Mod Podge Rocks! fame) is a craft guru and I am not surprised that her book rocks, too!  It is filled with fun, sweet projects to jazz up your home, gifts, etc. The pictures are clear and the steps are easy to follow. I love that she includes a section in the beginning where she shares some basic tips, tricks, and techniques. Perfect for a novice taper such as myself!

The paperback edition comes with some cute rolls of coordinating tapes to get you started too.  Bonus!  I used those washi tapes to create some cheap but pretty desk accessories for Ellie. She is always carrying around and misplacing her drawing notebooks and pencils. I used a box and an old tin can, plus washi tape and the ideas I gleaned from Washi Tape Crafts to help her organize her things.

How cute are these?  She loves them too!

I found it adhered better when I overlapped each layer the slightest bit. Plus, be aware that the light colored tapes may be translucent and the material you are trying to cover may show through. I double wrapped those areas and that worked nicely!

Washi Tape Crafts would be a wonderful gift for a teen, teacher, or just anyone who is crafty.  I also think it is a great addition to your own library if you have kids or enjoy crafting yourself.

Now here is my announcement!  I'm so excited about it too.  I, along with these other amazing bloggers, will be co-hosting a link party!  Join us every Sunday night to link up your latest DIY, craft, recipe, or home project and to browse others' projects for new ideas!

See you on Sunday!

Cheers!

Jenny

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Mod Podge Glow-In-The Dark Masks (Halloween Craft)

Mod Podge Glow-In-The Dark Masks (Halloween Craft)

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crafts, fall, Halloween, Mod Podge

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Nothing says "Halloween" like a mysterious mask to wear to a Halloween party!  I saw some gorgeous ones in a store that were full of sparkle and luxurious details.  But I knew better than to buy one because I knew with some Mod Podge and my imagination that I could create my own elegant and mysterious masks!

Luckily, I received a box with some of my favorite, tried and true, craft products from Mod Podge that were perfect for this Halloween party project!  

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Old Plaques New Again

Old Plaques New Again

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decoupage, DIY, garage sale, Mod Podge

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I've been busy on some decorating projects for our house. Some worked out and some did not (stupid homemade shower curtain). Here is one that worked! A while ago I got these hideous plaques at a garage sale for the (very appropriate) price of $0.00. Free!  Super!  Jim thought I was insane but again just hauled them away. 

Here they are from way back when:

Clearly they were old but really...when were these
ever pretty?  When did someone look at these
and say "oh yes! I have just the spot!"

So I did what any reasonable DIY blogger would do. I spray painted them white and Mod Podged the heck out of 'em with sweet pictures of my babes.  Then I dug out my wedding portrait (um, not quite a portrait, I know. But remember, I was young and giddy at the time I chose it) and did a little leaning vignette on my mantel.

I know what my fellow teachers are thinking right now.
I know, it's also a cause/effect lesson. I picked right up on it.

Truthfully, I don't mean for them to be permanent. They aren't even fantastic copies since I just printed them on printer paper from my computer. But they make me happy and it makes me thrilled to know I paid nothing for them. How can you not smile at that belly peeping out on Ellie?  Luscious.  I have one more that I'm still working on and I'll post that as soon as I'm done!

If I get that stupid shower curtain up I'll post that soon too. It has the potential to be so cute!  We'll see.

Hope you are all happy and well.

Cheers!
Jenny

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Vintage Crates

Vintage Crates

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crates, decor, DIY, Mod Podge, stain

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I feel like I haven't written a new post in ages!  We were at the house all weekend and barely came up for air long enough to go to our town's community day (which was fun!).  We primed and primed and primed some more. I used to think wallpaper was alone in its evilness but now I know that its evil twin is actually paneling. 70's brown grooved paneling. But now it's primed and will soon be painted and I actually believe I heard the house begin to purr.  This house is filthy with a capital YUCK. I took down a sconce and when I turned it over about 30 stink bugs fell out. They were all fried. I told Jim to dig out the old FOR SALE sign because we were outta there.  But I think the house is happy we are tending to it now.

Girl cannot live by priming alone so I took some breaks to finish up a couple of projects too. I found these crates in the recycling center at our apartment complex. Someone had books in them and just left them in the area. So I grabbed 'em!  They are super sturdy and I knew I could find uses for them.  I grabbed some stain that the previous owners left in the basement and got to it.

I wanted them to look vintage and worn so I didn't sand or do anything else other than stain. I printed out some vintage crate labels I found on Google Images. Then I dyed them with some coffee. I didn't even use a fresh K-cup but rather I just ran the water through twice and so the second cup was my dye.

Then I cut and Mod Podged them to the crates. They are a tad small but I really don't care.  I also wanted them to look faint and old so I ran out of ink in the printer printed them on the draft setting. I ripped the tea and coffee label so it would like like it was coming off.

When they were dry I sprayed them a clear polycrylic spray and that was it!  I am going to use one to hold baking stuff in my pantry and the other to hold towels in the bathroom.

And of course I keep a fresh sunflower in my baking supplies.
Doesn't everyone??

I have one more stained but I don't want to decoupage a pretend label on it. Not sure what I want to do so I'm holding onto it for now. We'll see!  The best part of these crates is that I paid exactly $0.  Here's the breakdown:

crates--found
labels--printed
coffee--reused K cup
stain--left behind by previous owners
polycrylic--was my mother-in-law's who was cute and crafty
I didn't even pay for the sunflower. It came from my sister's garden.

I hope to get back to posting most days. Sorry I have been a little MIA.  I'll have some house pics coming up!  Yippee!

Cheers!
Jenny

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