Ten Ways to Use Washi

Washi tape is a versatile supply to have in your paper crafting collection. But all too often, the rolls of gorgeous decorated tape pile up in your stash—forgotten and unused. If you've run out of creative ideas to put washi to work in your projects, you're in luck! The teachers at Big Picture Classes have compiled ten inspiring ways to use your washi, adding dynamic design and pops of fun to your future projects. Create unique Planner Clips with Cara Vincens. Add washi to your Inspired Art Journaling with Olya Schmidt. And use washi to add Hidden Journaling with Jamie Leija. You'll be pulling out your washi tape for every project with these inspiring ideas from our teachers! Try them out today.  

Make your own unique planner clips. 

Planner Clips, Cara Vincens

Ribbon and washi clips are the easiest way to make a statement with your planner. Depending on the style of ribbon or washi, you can carry that style and feel to your planner. Keep in mind: go slowly, and you can maneuver the washi the way you want it on the clip; if you don't get it the first try, there's more washi on the roll, so try again; trim the ends into banner shapes for a happy little festive clip.

Pleat washi tape.

Product Playground | Washi Tape & Wood Veneer, Jennifer Gallacher

As you place washi tape on your layout, fold and pleat the tape. This will create a ruffled effect on your page. You can layer tape, machine-stitch it in place, or combine patterns to change up the look.

Use washi to decorate an art journal page. 

Inspired Art Journaling, Olya Schmidt

What I like about these pages is that they don't require a lot of planning or color coordinating with other elements on the page, unlike scrapbook or pocket pages would. In art journaling, there are no rules, no right or wrong ways to create a page. The only requirement is to show up, have fun, and make something.

Combine washi tape with stamping on a tag.

Like, April Foster

To start, you'll need to stamp the entire tag with the "Like" stamp on a slight angle in dark gray ink, making sure that one of the "Likes" is almost fully visible on the tag and only goes slightly over each edge of the tag. Once the background is stamped, use your X-Acto knife to cut out the inside of the letters from one of the "Like" images, making sure to cut inside of the stamped image and not to remove the inked part. Then, cut a piece of white cardstock the same size as your tag. Position the cardstock behind the tag to see where your cut out "Like" will be. In that area, wrap washi tape around the cardstock, layering and alternating them as you go. Use adhesive to adhere the cardstock to the tag, allowing the washi strips to show through the cutout.

Use washi to hide your journaling with flips.

Hidden Journaling, Jamie Leija

Flips are what many people think of when they think of hidden journaling. Essentially, one part of your project flips up to reveal the hidden part. There are two ways to approach a flip; you can either hide the joint or make it visible. It all depends on whether or not you want to signpost the hidden part. You don't need anything fancy to recreate this for your projects—just some tape! To reinforce a visible joint, add tape to the underside of the element as well.

Add a washi tape cascade to your planner.

Interactive Planner Elements, Carla De Taboada

I love washi tape! I use it to decorate my daily planning pages, my dashboards, dividers, and more. That’s why I created this idea: I wanted to have pieces of some of my favorite washi tape on hand to use anytime.

Store your washi in creative ways to ensure it ends up on your projects. 

Workspace, Marcy Penner

Open storage allows your supplies to be visible. You can see what you have and, therefore, are more than likely to use those items. It can make great use out of items you may already have (like baskets and containers), so it may end up being a cheaper option. However, because it leaves your supplies highly visible, it can also be visually chaotic and is more likely to expose any organizing weaknesses you may have.

Use washi to create a mask for watercoloring. 

Paige's Pages | 13, Paige Evans

There are a few different techniques on this layout, but I mostly wanted to feature the washi tape mask title. It doesn’t matter what design or pattern is on the washi tape since it will be removed. Use the packaging technique to apply watercolors over the washi tape, essentially turning the washi tape into a mask.

Use washi to mark multi-day events in your planner.

Plan It Out | 18, Morgan Stockton

Washi is my favorite way to mark spans of time. Mom is coming to visit for three days? Mark that off with washi. I need to plant-sit for Katie while she’s on vacay for a week? Stretch some washi across those days. Washi is seriously the best for that. My personal preference leans towards the skinnier washi tapes in my planner. Don’t get me wrong—I love the really wide tape with the fun patterns, but it can take over the page in a snap. Drop some quarter-inch tape on my desk and I’ll have heart-eyes for days.

Create DIY stickers by stamping on washi.

Planner Stamping, Zinia Amoiridou

fun option to create your customized stickers would be to stamp on some washi tape. It's a really cool technique since it already has its own adhesive and lovely patterns to chose from. This is a great option if you want to stamp words and phrases because the size fits perfectly. Plus most of us have a big collection of washi tape and in many cases, we don't use it enough.

Planner Stamping starts on Monday, November 13th. Be sure to check back next week for even more planner stamping ideas from Zinia!

Are you feeling inspired to pull your washi tape out of your crafty stash and put it to use on a project? Join these BPC teachers in the classroom and start today! Remember, as a member of Big Picture Classes, you get access to our entire library of classes. Sign up now and start exploring!

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