Ashley Ann Laz - Totally Washi!: More Than 45 Super Cute Washi Tape Crafts for Kids

Avon, Massachusetts

CHAPTER 1
For You and Your Friends

CHAPTER 2
For Your Room

CHAPTER 3
For the Holidays

CHAPTER 4
For School

Welcome to the awesome world of washi tape! What is washi tape, you ask? Its a specialty tape thats made from washi paper, a handmade all-natural Japanese paper. It feels almost like masking tapebut a very pretty, colorful masking tape. It comes in so many beautiful prints, unique colors, and cool patterns. All these options make it perfect for whipping up some amazing DIY projects for you and your friends!

Here are some of the best things about washi tape:

• You can decorate almost any surface with it, since its removable and doesnt leave that gross sticky stuff behind.
• If you change your mind after you decorate something, you can change it, remove it, or start all over again.
• It doesnt cost too much, so you can afford to buy lots of patterns, create multiple versions of your favorite projects, and make cool gifts without spending a ton of cash!
• You can find washi tape practically anywherein most craft stores, online, and in small stationery boutiques. There are even websites starting to appear that will allow you to design your own washi tapes.

Time for a quick history lesson! Washi is the Japanese word for paper, wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper. Paper began to be made in Japan in the year a.d. 610. Washi paper is usually made from all-natural fibers, such as from the bark of the gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry (kozo), but can also be made using materials youve probably heard of, like bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat. The paper has been used throughout history for all kinds of things, including art, clothing, food (but duhdont eat the paper you buy at the store, though!), furniture, weaponry, toys, and even umbrellas. Traditional washi paper is made by hand, but as papermaking technology became more advanced, other methods have been used. In 2006 a low-tack acrylic glue was added to the back of the paper, and there you have itwashi tape was born!

In this book, you and your friends will find so many super cute ways to use washi tape

• Love personalized jewelry? The Initial Necklace is a must-have.
• Tired of your boring plastic phone cover? Make yourself a washi tape version! Better yet, make a few different ones and switch them out to match your outfits.
• Is your moms desk a mess? Make her some drawer organizers for her birthday.
• You know you can nail that biology exam. Bring some washi tapecovered pens and pencils youve decorated for you and your lab partner for extra luck on test day.

See? The possibilities are endless. Plus washi tape is so easy to use, you cant mess up these projects! You can follow my directions exactly, or use them as a guideline and customize however you want. Grab some friends, some cool rolls of washi tape, and lets get going!

What is more fun than getting together with friends and working on crafts together? Whether youre having a sleepover, facing a boring Saturday afternoon, or celebrating a birthday, these projects are perfect for doing with your BFFs.

Lets face it, those storebought jewelry-making kits are so expensiveplus, youre limited to the design options they give you. With washi tape, you dont need to spend tons of money to make your own cute accessories, and you can choose your own colors and patterns!

In this chapter, you will find tons of great ideas for decorating your electronics, as well as instructions for how to create your own unique jewelry and accessories. You can quickly customize all of these ideas to create something that matches your personal style. Retro? Sporty? Sophisticated? Bold? You name it, you can make it! So, what are you waiting for? Lets get started!

If you are the kind of person who likes to change things up all the time, then this project is perfect for you! You can use this same technique to cover practically any electronic device, like a tablet or iPad. With only a few materials, you can create an awesome cover that shows off your favorite colors and patterns.

Posterboard

Pencil

Ruler

Scissors

Washi tape

Magnetic dots (optional)

1. Wrap the posterboard over your electronic device to get a measurement for the cover. The posterboard should fit around your electronic device twice. It should wrap around the device like a book cover with a few inches of extra space on the ends.
   
   
2. Using your pencil and ruler, create an outline of where you should cut the posterboard to fit your device. Leave about one inch on each side just in case you make any mistakes!
   
   
3. Once you have measured the posterboard, cut out the part you are going to use.
   
   
4. Cover the posterboard with washi tape. Make sure you wrap around the front and back of the posterboard you just cut. You can alternate between different colors and patterns of washi tape for a unique design.
   
   
5. Add some self-adhesive magnetic dots on the inside of the cover to create a closure for your cover (optional). The magnetic dots will keep the device from sliding out.
   
   
6. All done! Now you have a totally unique design for your electronic device.

Turn your phone case from drab to fab in just a few easy steps! It is so easy and fun to make your own custom case using just a few pieces of washi tape and a blank case. The possibilities are endless! You can make a bunch of different ones to match your outfit, or even the season.

Blank phone case

Damp cloth

Washi tape

Scissors

Glitter or stickers

Superglue (optional)

Rubber gloves (optional)

Mod Podge

Brush

1. Completely wipe the surface of your phone case with a damp cloth and let dry.