Occasionally my budget stomps on my happy and I have to figure out ways to spice up my life without spending a dime. This project grew out of my insatiable appetite for deco tape (also called Washi tape).
Deco tape is all the rage right now – fancy decorative tape to stick on packages, journal pages, notes and envelopes. Some people create entire projects using just paper and deco tape. Its inspiring and amazing. Click HERE to see what images Google gathers for “Deco Tape.”
If you’re like me, sometimes spending money is harder to come by than a yeti in a ballerina tutu. If you want some fun DIY Deco Tape to adorn your creative endeavors, grab some masking tape, wax paper and your permanent marker supply – It’s DIY Time!
First step is to tear a piece of wax paper approximately the size of a standard sheet of paper. Actually the size doesn’t matter much as long as its large enough to hold the piece of masking tape you tear.
The next step is to tear or cut off a piece of your masking tape. Any length will do as long as it suits your needs.
Now grab your markers and get creative. Try stripes, shapes, patterns, amorphous blobs of color, words… trace things, use stencils. If you have permanent ink stamp pads, get stamping! I think its best to use permanent color. (Notice my disregard for staying inside the lines. My waxed paper is now decorated too lol).
After you’re done decorating the tape, peel it off the waxed paper and go crazy with it.
I cut bits off my tape and used it to tape some fortunes into my journal. Don’t feel trapped using it just one way – maybe grab some decorative edge scissors too!
I’ve thought of using a small piece of wax paper cut to size of my day planner to keep some DIY Deco Tape close at hand. You never know when you might have to brighten up someone’s day – even your own. I loved using my first two pieces on a package I sent out. Doesn’t the envelope look much better?
Currently I’m hoping to get different widths of masking tape. Wouldn’t a package look adorable with some brown kraft paper and tape? The holidays are coming up really fast and I bet I could have some fun.
I hope this inspires you. Please leave a comment if you give this a try. I’d love to see what you come up with! Be well.
Jane T in NW Louisiana
Wonderful idea and thanks!!! I believe I have seen different sized of the masking tape at Walmart. I will have to see the next time I go to town.
donna!ee
my oh my … you’re a genius AND your DIY has made the possibilities of deco tape more personal AND endless…seriously, you’re a genius…thank you so much for sharing this!
Dawn D. Sokol
Cute! You are such a smart girl!!! :)
Anita
I commented on your pics on Flickr this morning, but I just have to say again how brilliant you are! I don’t know why I never thought of it. I had to go to town today and I made sure to pick up a roll of masking tape.
You know, I was thinking while I was buying it that maybe I could decorate some strips on wax paper and just leave them there so I could have them readily available. maybe fill up a few sheets sized just right to go in a pencil pouch…the kind that are designed to go inside of 3-ring binders.
Kudos for the great idea and thanks for sharing!
♥Anita
http://aseknc.blogspot.com/
http://asesaj.blogspot.com/
aseknc(at)gmail(dot)com
hereswith
Very clever. I’ve often decorated my own wrapping papers (from brown paper rolls) but now I have a new trick up my sleeve thanks to you. Thanks!
susanna
Caity O'Connor
Love it! Thanks!
PostMuse
Love this idea! I am not fond of most of the commercial deco tape because it is too cutesy, but I could get very attached to using my funky rubberstamps and permanent ink on masking tape and creating some nice decorative touches for handmade envelopes.
cynthia
This is a great idea and so many possibilities. Thanks so much for sharing.
Lotus Vele
This tutorial is one of those “forehead slapping” moments for me…!
LOL! This is fantastic! I”m reading along and telling myself, “Well, duh!” ; ) I love the patterns you’ve chosen and now my head is swimming with possibilities!
Thank you!!!
Lotus
betzzz
great idea! love it!
Jackie Flaherty
It’s inspiring! And so creative!
Thanks!
Betsi Goutal
FABULOUS! I bet rubber stamps would be loads of fun too! :)
Keira
Oh I love this! Where I live we don’t have any craft or art supply stores, and I don’t get to the city very often to buy things there. I’ve found deco tape online but it always seems kind of expensive and thats before shipping! This is an awesome idea and I can’t wait to make some up!!
stacy m
soooo cute! I am about to go in search of my roll of tape :0
Kate
Great idea and something we can all use! I have to admit to having paid a lot of money to buy multiple rolls of washi tape which is the same as decorative masking tape.
Maria
great idea! possibilities are endless!
Going to check out my Dollar Store for masking tape! Thanks for posting!
Stephanie
What a fantastic idea! I’ve been a little jealous of deco tape as well but this is a great solution.
Pingback: 2010 in review « Miscellaneous Ramblings of a Thirty-Something DIYer
joyce
so cute!
Jhayboy
Lovely
Pixeltrash
Super cute!
Cheryl Moore
I love this!
Pingback: Washi Tape Can Be Better? | Miscellaneous Ramblings of a Thirty-Something DIYer
Pingback: New notebook | ReveDreams.com