Sending Out Pretty Parcels

As I packed up a pile of pretty parcels this week, I couldn't resist snapping a few shots to share with you!

You see, I was wrapping up a big pile of washi tape grab bags...

Which, unfortunately (fortunately),  were snapped up so quickly, I didn't have a chance to share them here. But, as the wrapping of this round turned out so nicely, I wanted to do a little show and tell.

Pretty pretty, right? That's a sticker set on top - placed in a clear flat bag and then sealed with a piece of origami paper as a header card. I'm totally in love with the gorgeous floral paper - it's from a set of origami paper I picked up in Japan!

To replicate this look...
1. Place your gift inside a colourful paper bag. Fold and seal the bag at the bag with your favourite washi tape.
2. Attach a set of assorted stickers (or other flat treat) to the top with more washi tape. Pretty header cards always appreciated!
3. Tie colourful twine around the parcel.
4. Top with a trio of gift tags - first a collage-style tag decorated with washi tape, stickers and a piece of paper doily. Next a triangular tag cut out of polka dot paper. Finally, a bold circular tag punched from bright pink scrapbook paper.  A touch of eighties style, a whole lot of fun!
5. Finish with a lovely twine bow!

You can really use any paper or cardstock as a tag - just punch or cut into the desired shape, then use a holepunch to make a hole for your string.

Then I packed them up in basic manila envelopes to ship across Canada and the world.

But basic envelopes never do around here... I think my personal mantra might just be more is more!

So strips of washi tape plus a medley of stickers were just the thing to fancify these boring envelopes.

Each one dressed in its own unique combo of tape designs and stickers. I do love a good washi tape sticker!

I can't decide which one is my favourite! Can they all be my favourite?

How about you? Have you sent any pretty parcels lately?

Tassel Tags!

I've been crafting up a storm over the last little while - most things I can't share here - but I can share this fun pile of tassels and tags.

I love the look of layered washi tape pieces - and they're even more fun with wooden message tags.

It's a great way to use your favourite tapes and to try out new combos.

But do you know what's even better? Adding a colourful twine tassel!

So. Much. Fun!

This is my new favourite way (ahem - lazy way!) to make twine tassels. A strip of washi tape works just as well at keeping your tassel together as wrapping twine around - and it's quicker too!

Every combination makes me happy - here's a less in-your-face colour combo.

But what's with all the tassel tags?

I'm prepping for Omiyage's next round of Surprise Packs - my favourite thing I do all year - and I always love to include a few handcrafted details inside and outside. This might be the last time we do these packs, so I want to make sure that they're extra-extra-special this time.

Hope you're inspired to mix and match some new colours, techniques and materials into your gift wrapping!

Spring Swap Parcel

Do you ever take part in swaps? I just finished a fun mail swap with Karen of One Girl Circus and wanted to share some (okay, far too many) pictures of the package I sent. The theme, in case you couldn't tell, was Spring! At a grey point in the year, a parcel filled with all things Spring is a great mood lifter.

I started with the idea of sending spring flowers and picked a soft colour palette as a jumping off point - hopefully I didn't overwhelm Karen with the overwhelming parcel of pinkness that landed on her doorstep!

I've been playing with taking some of my drawings off the page and onto useful objects - like cards - so this was a great opportunity to use my daily doodles for good.

I've received lots of questions about the markers I use - they are POSCA paint markers - essentially poster paint in marker form. So much fun to use! Mine came from Japan, but you can find them at JetPens or other places online.

While the contents of the swap package are important, what I really love is the excuse to try out new wrapping and packaging styles!

5 Ways To Wrap A Book (or anything else)

Since it's Book Week, it seemed like the perfect time to wrap up a stack of books! Of course, these ideas can work for any package, not just books!

So, I challenged myself to come up with five fun ways to wrap using kraft paper, washi tape, pretty twine, a white marker and not much else. They are wonderful for holiday gifting but still relevant all year long (though you might want to pick a different pattern than holly, if that's the case!)

Wrap it cute! Big sketchy polka dots and a pleated washi tape bow.

Make polka dots by tracing around the inside edge of a roll of tape then colour in the dots. Create a pleated bow out of a piece of washi tape covered paper - regular printer paper will do. Apply tape strips to paper then pleat back and forth as if you are making a fan. Secure in the middle with a piece of tape.

Wrap it modern! Angled washi stripes and collage tag.

Apply three strips of tape around the package on an angle. Wrap twine around the package in a different direction.  Slide the tag onto twine when you're about halfway through the twine process. You can find tips on creating this style of tag here. 

Wrap it geometric! Triangle patterns plus a matching colour block tag.

Snip small triangles of tape off the roll and arrange into larger triangles. For added fun make one of the small triangles a contrasting colour. Each large triangle uses 9 small triangles. Make a matching tag by applying tape to card stock then cut into the desired shape. Finish with pretty twine tied into a simple bow.

Wrap it in layers! Combine sketched patterns, washi tape details and a twine tassel.

Start by sketching on holly (or your desired pattern). Accent the pattern with washi tape dots. Wrap a few strips of tape around the package to create the illusion of a wide piece of ribbon. Next wrap twine around multiple times, adding a colour block washi tape tag at the halfway mark. Finally, create a tassel out of twine. Here's a tutorial on twine tassels - I usually just wrap the twine around my hand rather than bothering with cardboard.

Wrap it sweetly! Mini dots and an oh-so-lovely rosette ribbon.

Dot all over with your white marker. Then top with a handmade rosette made out of a paper doily and washi tape covered card stock.

There you have it - 5 ways to wrap a book! Do you have a favourite?

Are you wrapping with washi tape this year? I'd love to see how you use it!

Make Pyramid Paper Pouches

Awhile ago, I promised to show you how to make these pyramid-shaped paper pouches. We got in some new origami paper this week and so it seemed like the perfect moment. These vintage-inspired florals aren't particularly Autumn-y, but they are a cheerful reminder of Spring in the midst of a blustery week!

Want to try? They're really easy and all you need is paper, scissors and washi tape.

Start by cutting a piece of origami paper in half. Or any pretty paper will do really. You need a piece of paper that's twice as long as it is wide.

Connect the 2 short ends of the paper with a piece of tape, creating a tube. Cut off the excess tape ends or fold around to the inside of the loop.

Now here's where it gets a little tricky... well, tricky but pretty easy once you get the hang of it! Position the tube so that the washi tape-d seam is in the centre. Flatten one side of the tube so that your pouch takes on a shape not unlike a tube of toothpaste. Fold a piece of washi tape over the flattened end of the tube. Trim off any excess tape.

Before you do the next step, you'll want to fill your pyramid pouch - candy, little love notes, confetti are all the perfect size!

Rotate the pouch so that the center seam is now on the side. Flatten the open end of the pouch, creating the pyramid shape.  If your pouch looks flat like an envelope, turn it 90 degrees and try again. Fold a piece of washi tape over the open end. Trim off any excess tape.

Clever, right? Bet you can't make just one!

Happy crafting!

Make Ribbons!

I've been glaring at the big pile of tape on my desk (trust me, it's a BIG pile), waiting for a little inspiration to strike! Yesterday, it struck me - ribbons!

I always think that projects which are both simple and practical are the best for sharing. These washi tape ribbons are cute, endlessly adaptable and would make great gift toppers, don't you think?

They're fun, easy and slightly addictive to make. Here's how...

To make your own washi tape ribbons, start by punching circles out of washi tape covered card stock. I used 1 inch and 2 inch punches. Then lay strips of tape onto the card stock. Cut out strips and trim into 3 to 4 inch lengths.

For each ribbon, you will need 1 large washi tape circle, 1 small washi tape circle and two strips with angled ends. .

Glue the smaller circle in the centre of the larger one. Then tape the strips to the back side of the circle.

Have fun mixing and matching different colours and patterns.

Would you try making these washi tape ribbons?

Happy crafting!

Wrapping With Origami

Do you ever make something other than origami with origami paper? Cute patterned paper is lovely for crafting up sweet packages.

And these papers are particularly cute! Don't you love that fruit print?

Why not fold a piece of origami paper over a clear bag when packaging up treats and small gifts? It's super easy and looks great!

Or how about making small envelopes? You could use a template or create your own with a bit of folding, a few cuts and some washi tape. (I'll show you how soon!) Slip a note inside or use one as a gift card enclosure.

And if you're looking for an extra-cute idea, these triangle pouches are always fun! A DIY tutorial on how to make these is in the works too.

What would you use these cute origami papers for?