How I Corral my Washi Tape.

I always do a lot of thinking before getting rid of anything that could potentially be used for storage or organizing. My little girls needed some cropped leggings for summer, and when I removed them from the packaging I discovered that the nifty little hangers that they came on opened on one end. It took me a few days to figure out what they would be good for- washi tape! I have found this to be an excellent way for me to corral my washi tape. Each hanger will hold about five rolls of tape. Now they don't roll around all over everything in my drawer, which helps to streamline packaging as well. Perhaps someday I will have a prettier way to store and display my washi tape collection, but for now this is working just fine.

Unclutter-the-Refrigerator Display // Bible Verse Display

It is such a comfort to me to have Bible verses displayed in a high travel area at home. If I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed, or even on rare days when I'm not, it's like a breath of fresh air to be able to stop for a moment and read promises from God's word. It makes me feel rejuvenated and hopeful.  I like to keep my refrigerator pretty uncluttered, so I wanted to be able to display Bible verses in a way that was contained, simple, and made it easy to switch out. Of course this display can be used for inspirational quotes, snapshots, or to-do lists as well!

SUPPLIES:     metal wreath frame
          mini clothespins
          kraft tags or index cards
          washi tape (optional)
          fabric scraps (optional)
          scissors (if using washi tape or fabric)
          pretty pen

To create my display I first covered my mini clothespins in washi tape on both sides (if you don't already have washi tape on hand you can easily leave the clothespins uncovered). I then wrote my verses on the kraft tags and index cards, and clipped them around the wreath frame. To soften it up a little bit I added some fabric ties. That's it!

Improved Packaging.

I'm pretty sure that my quest to better my shop packaging is going to be the sort that goes on into eternity. Last year when I had this stamp made, I began to attach my goods to manilla tags for shipment, doing away with the hand cut-card stock that I had been using. Big improvement. A few months later I added glassine bags to the mix, doing away with the tissue paper wrapping.  Not only does this look suit me better, but it actually streamlines the process and allows me to package orders more quickly.

At Christmas my packaging was looking like this, with a manilla tag taped across the front. Thanks to the addition of washi tape I was getting there, but the current state of packaging still felt lacking. In the past couple of weeks, I started to cut my own kraft paper sleeves to wrap around the glassine bags, and I'm liking it so much better! It feels more professional to me.

This is now the look of my bare bones packaging. All items are still attached to manilla tags, and then slipped into the bags. The bags are sealed with washi tape, as is the sleeve.

Orders shipped in boxes will also include a sweet mini clothespin that has been lovingly covered in washi tape on both sides. This element is a little more time consuming than I had expected, but I think I've got it down now and I love the accent. Plus I'm pleased that it is a part of the packaging that the customer can keep and reuse.

Next up, I'm working on a new design for my business cards that is more fitting with the new look of my blog. I also plan on going back to full size business cards. Also on the agenda for this year is getting a new stamp made that's more clean and likely text only.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Bits and Pieces of Little Projects.

I thought I would share some of the little projects I have been working on this past week! My husband and I share a birthday (it's coming up on February 4th). He's been telling me that he wants a walrus mask for an owl based on my masked owl series, so when I found a sketch he had made sitting on the table I tweaked it and stitched up a walrus mask for him. Now all he has to do is choose the colors for his owl!

One of the other things that I've been working on is updating my shop packaging. Mini clothespins covered in washi tape are one of the new components. It actually took more time than I expected to cover two dozen of them. Most orders that ship in a box will now include one!

There were a few paint chip circles left over from my last DIY project, so I covered a piece of paper by overlapping and layering them. I plan to hang it in the girls' bedroom as a small piece of "art".

I've also spent quite a bit of time working on a new business card design, and giving this blog a mini makeover. I had lots of fun designing new elements for the sidebar!

What fun projects have you been working on this week?

DIY :: Washi Tape Magnet Tutorial

I recently started using washi tape to pretty up the packaging for my orders. This stuff is so versatile, and I really have to control myself when it comes to buying it. Thankfully I'm not terribly compulsive.I was going to wait to shoot this tutorial until my new and more colorful tape arrives, but I became too impatient. Compulsive, no; impatient, yes.

SUPPLIES.   washi tape
            magnets (I used 3/4")
            scissors

Wrap a length of washi tape around the magnet, leaving the loose ends in the back. Press down on the corners to flatten them.

Going in the opposite direction, wrap a piece of different coordinating washi tape around the magnet to cover up any visible parts of the magnet.

Have fun mixing and matching the tape on your magnets! These make great gifts for bridal showers, housewarming parties, or stocking stuffers! Please be sure to keep them out of reach of small children, as they could pose a serious choking hazard.

PS. isn't that bear drawing in the top photo precious? My daughter drew that back in the Spring before she turned four. It's my favorite.