Showing posts with label book love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book love. Show all posts

Lovely Things In My Mailbox


There have been some lovely things arriving in my mailbox this month (birthday treats to me!) I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures to share with you.

First, the anniversary edition of Q&A Letterbox. Such a gorgeous selection of cards this month!

If you don't know Q&A Letterbox, it's a monthly subscription service which delivers a curated selection of 3 greeting cards from independent designers and a stationery goodie (stickers / washi tape / pens /etc) right to your mailbox.



A couple of Toofifteen tyvek pouches and a set of Jonesy paper pens. Really clever Canadian products!

I've had my eye on the pouches since Toofifteen launched last year. I think they're a wonderful blank canvas to create a little useable art on - if it turns out, I'll definitely report back! Toofifteen also makes incredible tyvek bins and poufs - clean and modern design for your home.

And the Jonesy paper pens are really fantastic - and made out of recycled paper. I love having them around the house for making lists, jotting down messages or doing the morning puzzles in the newspaper. (Quite analogue around here - paper & pen rule the roost!)


And finally, a copy of Marie Maglaque's first book - roughly translated "French Style Accessories".

Marie is French living in Tokyo and creates the prettiest sparkly embroidered accessories under the name Etincelle Creative Studio. I've started dipping my toes into embroidery but am excited to learn how to incorporate sequins and beads.

The nice thing about Japanese craft books (and craft books in general, usually) is that the step by step photos are so good that if you can't read the text, you can still get the gist. Kind of like video stills!

Want to peek inside the book? Click here. And if you'd like a copy and are not in Japan, you can buy from Marie directly.

Book Giveaway - Paper + Tape: Craft & Create

Now that I've introduced you to my new book "Paper + Tape: Craft & Create" and given you a peek at at some of the projects inside (perhaps you've even tried one or two), I thought it was the perfect time for a book giveaway!

I'd love to share a copy of this project-packed craft book with one of you PLUS a fab grab bag filled with eight assorted rolls of washi tape. Just add some pretty paper and a pair of scissors and you'll be ready for crafty fun!

For a chance to win, simply leave a comment below answering the question:
"What's your favourite thing to create with paper and tape?"

For an additional chance to win, tweet about the giveaway with the tag #paperplustapegiveaway.
For additional chances, pop over to Instagram or Facebook and look for the above photo!

Good luck!

THE FINE PRINT...
Giveaway prize valued at $50.
Giveaway open to Canada / US residents over the age of 18. 
Giveaway closes Sunday, May 15th, 2016 at 11:59pm.
Winner will be randomly selected from all entries on Monday, May 16th, 2016. Winner will have one week after notification to claim their prize. If winner does not claim prize, a second winner will be randomly selected.

Make Shooting Stars! A "Paper + Tape" Project


Here's an excerpt from my new book "Paper + Tape: Craft & Create". Make Shooting Stars out of paper and tape...



Craft a galaxy of pretty paper stars using your favorite shades of washi tape. These stars are simply satisfying to create all on their own, but you can also use them as decorations, gift toppers, or ornaments. Keep it simple with a single star or string together a whole constellation! Prefer to make your stars out of pretty paper? You can fold these paper stars out of any paper you please by using a ratio of 1:12.


TOOLS & MATERIALS
Paper (standard 8.5" x 11")
Washi tape
Glitter tape (thin masking-tape style)
Scissors
Glue
Small hole punch
Twine or ribbon


ARTIST’S TIP
Standard printer or copy paper is perfect for this project. For easy folding, thin paper works best, as the tape adds extra bulk.


STEP 1
Apply one strip of standard-width (5/8") washi tape along the length of the paper. Apply a second slim-width (¼") strip of washi tape next to it so that the two strips of tape are aligned without gaps or overlapping. Cut out the strip. Repeat for as many stars as you wish to make.


STEP 2
Starting at one end, with the tape-covered side facing away from you, fold the top right corner down to meet the left edge of the strip, creating a triangle shape.


STEP 3
Using the first triangle as a guide, continue folding the strip back and forth in a triangular pattern, making sure that the edges align with each fold.


STEP 4
Once the entire strip is folded, it’s time to assemble the star. The slim strip of tape will be the outside edge of the star. To create the star shape, apply glue to the first five inside folds and press each together. Allow to dry.


STEP 5
From the fifth point, count two triangles (one square), and cut off the excess paper. Overlap the two ends to finish the star shape. Make sure that the end with the slim tape strip along the edge is positioned on top. Glue into place, and allow to dry.




STEP 6
To transform the star into a shooting star, make a sparkly tail! Apply three strips of glitter tape to paper, approxi­mately 5” long each. Cut out the tape strips, angling the edges. Then create a fringe by making long cuts from the bottom edge up to about ½" from the top edge.


STEP 7
Punch a hole in the top of each glitter strip. String onto a piece of twine or ribbon; secure with a note. Then punch a hole in the top and bottom of the star. String onto the twine above the glitter tape strips and, if desired, tie a second knot on top of the star.

MAKE IT A GARLAND




The only thing prettier than one shooting star is a whole string of them! Determine how long you’d like your garland to be. Cut a corresponding length of thin ribbon or pretty twine. Attach shooting stars at evenly spaced intervals, approximately 4 to 6 inches apart.


Can't wait to see your galaxy of folded paper stars!

Paper + Tape: Craft & Create


I'm so excited to share a project that I spent so much of last year working on...
My new book "Paper + Tape: Craft & Create"!

Many books featuring washi tape are based on the idea of using tape to decorate things - which is always fun - but I wanted to create a book packed with projects that challenge and inspire you to use your tape collection for papercrafting and creating art rather than just jazzing up existing items.


"Paper + Tape: Craft & Create" is filled with practical and inspirational craft ideas for paper crafters of all skill levels. Cut, tape and fold your way through more than 75 creative & colourful paper craft projects.


While washi tape takes centre stage in most of the projects, you'll also find mini projects which challenge you to find creative uses for popular paper craft materials and tools like scrapbook paper, doilies and paper punches.



When designing the projects for this book, it was important to me that each one taught a skill and/or provided a flexible framework for your own creativity. This means it's filled with templates, techniques and multi-purpose projects. Paper dolls that transform into greeting cards, gift toppers that double as decorations and skills that you can apply to your own unique projects.

(And, here's a secret tip, many of the projects can be made with no tape at all - simply grab your favourite pretty papers or a handful of markers - they're that adaptable!)


And with handy templates for things like paper bags, tags and envelopes, I hope you'll find yourself turning to the book as a resource for crafting your own paper items rather than buying them. (The templates can be traced, photocopied or printed - whichever you prefer!)

Oh - and we had so many projects, that there's even an additional assortment of projects posted online. Look for that link in the book!

I hope you'll enjoy reading "Paper + Tape" as much as I enjoyed writing it! You can find it at Amazon, Indigo or your favourite bookseller.


If you pop over to the Quarto Creates blog, you can learn how to weave washi tape baskets. Tomorrow, I'll share another one of my favourite projects right here. See you then!