WASHI TAPE TECHNIQUES

 I'm sure we all have many rolls of washi tape which has great potential for various techniques. I like to use it to mask off the edges of my watercolour paper to keep a white border around a painting, and I frequently use it to hold down a die to my card or paper before die-cutting it so the die doesn't move out of place. These few samples of mine below show that it can also be the star of the show when using dies or even just as a background. It works best with non-intricate dies so you have an easier time getting the shape from the die without tearing or breaking the washi tape covered card. I use 176GSM weight card to add the washi tape to before die-cutting and if your washi isn't very sticky (as some of them seem to have no tack to them at all), apply some double-sided JAC paper to your card before attaching the washi to it so it adheres well.

"State of mind"


"Possessions"

"Normal people"


"Nature's graffiti"

"It's ok to decay"

"In the notes"

Other die-cuts using washi tape. The flower in the middle took
quite a while to get all the little bits out so I'd suggest using
a die that isn't so fiddly. The leaf worked great!


Another sample bug that wasn't used on my ATCs. Top wings
and body were washi tape, black is normal cardstock.

GLUE CRACKLE BACKGROUND

Crackle techniques are one of those techniques that you either love and have complete success with or absolutely hate, because you can't get anything to work.  I must admit it's easier now with the fool-proof Ranger Rock Candy Crackle but this technique is a totally different look to that.  Rather than me explain, just Google "glue crackle technique" and you'll see loads of examples and instructions how to do this easy but effective technique. 

 

Below I have used a range of different colour combinations with the cardstock either in black or white, or coloured cardstock (I simply inked mine up with Distress Ink Pads in my chosen colour).  The type of paint you use does seem to have a bearing on it.  I couldn't get the Jo Sonja to work for me but found the Ranger Distress Paints worked wonderfully well as did some of the other ordinary, cheap acrylic paints.  Not sure if it's because the Jo Sonja has that chalk in it to make it matte or if it's simply too thick but whatever, have a play and you could try watering down your acrylic paint if it seems too thick.  The one trick though that I must mention is to lay on your top layer of paint in long, even strokes, not going back over where you've already been and do this step while the glue is still tacky, not dry.  Otherwise it won't crack!

 

"A dirty book"...

 

"Kinky"... (this one also has a Washi Tape feather from the previous class)

 

"What you think"...

 

"Modesty"...

 

"Rhinestone"...

 

More samples to come......

WASHI TAPE

Washi Tape is probably something that most people who have been doing any type of papercraft, would have come across over the last couple of years.  There are loads of "how-to's" on places like Pinterest and I have compiled a few ways to utilise this strong and versatile tape on my atc's.   I don't have that many purchased Washi Tapes, just the basics like gold, silver, some text ones and a few others.  However, that doesn't stop me from making my own!  I purchased some tape from the Pharmacy called Micro-pore Tape, it's used to tape down gauze bandages, has the same consistency as Washi Tape and comes in several thicknesses.  I colour mine with Distress Stains and Watercolour markers as I find the Distress Ink Pads don't really give enough colour to the tape.  The Micro-pore is also quite transparent when dry so you can still see some of the underneath card which is a similar effect of most of the purchased Washi Tapes.  I use Black Archival Ink (or Stazon) to stamp my designs.  Below are my samples for this class.

 

"Art is not a thing"... (Washi tape has

been made into a feather

using wire and beads)

 

"Focus"... Washi Tape is underneath the

word as well as the four

corners of the image.

 

"Besot"... (Washi Tape has been adhered

over a piece of string then

cut into a banner shape)

 

"Nature Concentrated"... (Washi Tape is

placed around all four

sides of the image)

 

"Once is enough"... (Washi Tape in silver is

placed underneath the wording)

 

"Side effects"... (Washi Tape has been

stamped with HOT and then

attached over 2 sides of image)

 

"Nothing in it"... (Washi Tape is used underneath

the wording as a contrast as well as the 3 fine

strips up the top and also covers the square

brad in the bottom left corner)

 

 

The above image "Nothing in it" is also from the previous class "Tissue Paper Stamping" and below are the last few samples from that particular class.

 

"Clue Deficit Disorder"...

 

"Cheap, Fast & Easy"...