Creating Washi Tape with Masking Tape

Washi tape seems to be one of those "must-have" art supplies among us mixed-media + collage artists.

I bet you have seen many varieties of this delicate, transparent tape - decorated in just everything you can imagine. You can find washi tape in varying widths + decorated with glitter, butterflies, mustaches (ha haa), text, numbers, faces, inspirational words, scriptures (my fave!)...the list goes on.

I finally decided to try my hand at making my very own - you know - so I don't spend a fortune on buying them. This girl likes to buy in bulk! So, my experiment begins... 

Creating Washi Tape with Masking Tape

I already had two rolls of semi-transparent masking tape on hand, so I used them. (You can purchase them from the Dollar Store, too!)

Next, I had to find a surface where I could lay the tape down + reposition, if needed, without tearing it.

I create hand-made stencils and templates with transparencies so I had a lot of them in stock. I decided to use a clean transparency as my base to keep the tape stationery while I stamped.
...worked like a charm!

STEP 1 // Cover the entire surface of the transparency with strips of masking tape. 

STEP 2 // Select a variety of stamps + inks you want to use

 

RubberMoon Alphabet stamp + my own, hand-carved numbers stamp

STEP 3 // Ink the stamps

I really like the coverage of VersaFine inks (by Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko). They are archival, instant dry pigment inks and the colors stay bold and vibrant - perfect!

For this project, I used Onyx Black and simply applied the ink by dabbing a generous amount on top of the stamp I was working on.

Oh, look at these cute pandas! I LOVE me some pandas! 

STEP 4 // Drying time + Varnishing

Now, the only complaint I have about working on masking tape is that it takes forever for the ink to dry. I did use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process but once the ink was dry, it still smeared just a bit.

I'd recommend letting them dry overnight and spraying them with a matte finish varnish to protect them.

Other stamps used: Script and border flourish stamps from Stampendous Stack Art Kit; Butterfly (A Stamp in the Hand Co.)

*Note: this project has been submitted to: Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #6  - STAMPS!*

 Overall, I'm super happy with the results!

Have you ever made your own washi tape? If so, add a link in the comment section...I'd love to see it!


Happy creating, xoxo

Stampendous Stack Art Challenge and GIVEAWAY

WELCOME to day 5 of the Stampendous Stack Art blog challenge inspiration week! If you're just joining, don't miss the great projects created earlier this week, from some amazing artists. * Full blog hop list is at bottom of this post *

I was invited by Stampendous to play along and I would like to take this time to say THANK YOU!!

Stack Art is a fantastic, project-oriented product for creating place cards, gift tags, mementos, favors and more. So easy and perfect for beginning crafters!

Let me break it down for you:

1. You start with one of the three Stack Art Kraftboard Kits
The Stack Art Kraftboard Kit (kraftboard pieces for 4+ amazing creations; adhesive for all the kraftboard pieces; and sentiments to make each piece special).

 


2. Choose your stamp set
The Stack Art Stamp Sets which include an assortment of terrific background stamps and other images plus an acrylic handle.

3. Choose elements kit
The Stack Art Elements Kits each include five jars of embellishing goodness to stick to your adhesive covered kraftboard pieces.

Here's my completed project! My focus was on using what was already on my craft table to create a magnet.

I'll show you just how simple it is to use this kit when you don't have much to work with to create something truly unique and beautiful that will inspire you to keep on creating - with attitude!

Here's how I created my little art piece: 
I made a simple design by adding white dots, in varying sizes, with the end of a paintbrush handle.

Next, each dot was given a 3-D look by creating a small shadow underneath, with a pencil.

Another simple embellishment I added was a string of embroidery floss. Being very careful and only using very small amounts of hot glue, the floss was easily attached.

(While the hot glue was curing, I went ahead and colored one of the kraftboard pieces with a beautiful yellow ink and distressed the edges with black acrylic paint. --not pictured--)

I set that aside and continued working on the next section. Using one of the sentiments, I applied heavy-bodied white gesso over the words "Follow your" (leaving the word "art" untouched) and colored with oil pastels.

Sprinkled on some deep turquoise glitter on to the small crown...what a rich color!

Using a bookbinding awl, I pierced a whole in the bottom of the kraftboard and inserted a string of vibrant orange embroidery floss with decorative charm.

Next, I glued a heavy-duty magnet and some scrap pieces of matboard to the back of each kraftboard piece.

Finally, I finished the look by scumbling a thin layer of liquid gold leaf (with a paintbrush) onto the surfaces of the kraftboard. 

and here's a final close-up...I love the dimensionality of this! 

Well, that's my inspiration for today! Thanks for visiting :)

supplies I used:
Stack Art Cling Rubber Stamps Royal Heart Kit – SAS03
Stack Art Elements – Sumptuous 5-Jar Kit – EKM03
ColorBox Blends Sunshine ink from Clearsnap
oil pastels
liquid gold leaf
Heavy-duty magnet
embroidery floss
Fluer-de-lis decorative charm

Visit all the blogs below and leave an insightful comment. We’ll give away 3 Stack Art prize packages this week based on your blog comments. Your comments will be your entry into the drawing.

  

I hope you enjoy all the amazing creations of my team mates!

 You're welcome to connect with me via Bloglovin', Facebook, and Flickr! 

Thank you for your comments!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5 ---- you are here!