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!

Eye Candy - Crafty Colours

Hello again! I've so missed our time together...

I have so many things to tell you...

So many ideas to share...

But before we leap back in to all things cute, clever and crafty...

Feast your eyes on a few things full of colour!

There's just something oh-so-satisfying about craft supplies (or anything at all really) arranged by colour, don't you think?

Do you have any eye candy to share? Blog posts, instagram shots, ??? - leave them in the comments. My eyes are hungry too!

Muji Yourself

One of my favourite shops to frequent in Japan is Muji. Filled with well-designed basics from clothes to housewares to stationery (and oodles of delicious snacks), there's always something simple yet delightfuil to discover.

While I was a little sad to see that my favourite Muji snack is no more (curry flavoured "chips" made from okara aka soy lees), our local Muji is five (5!) floors of fun including a lovely cafe, so I guess that makes up for it. (Plus, with their big food section, I'm sure I can find a new snack to love... guess it's time to start taste testing!

But what really made me forget about my snack disappointment was the fabulous Muji Yourself section! Most (all?) Muji stores include a free stamp counter where you can customize your Muji stationery or create unique wrapping for gifts. Different cities/stores usually offer some unique stamp designs and I've heard rumours of seasonal ones too.

Not one to resist a casual craft opportunity, I purchased a simple wirebound notebook (only ¥100 / $1.10) and got right to work.

Of course, I didn't discover the provided stamp ruler until after those tragically lopsided eyes, but in the end decided that quirkier is more fun anyway!

Luckily, there are two sides to play with, so added a little Fukuoka love to the back of the book. (Before you think I'm getting too cheeky, I'll pause to point out that FUK is Fukuoka's airport code!)

That was fun, but I think I need more stamping fun - there were so many I didn't get to use and I keep daydreaming about patterns to try. I did spot a pack of blank postcards in the stationery section...

Do you have any Muji favourites? I always loved their hair elastics when I lived in Japan - the perfect amount of stretch!