Washi Tape Christmas
Easy Holiday Craft Ideas with Washi Tape
By Kami Bigler
David & Charles, 2014
Paperback, £9.99 UK, $14.99 US, $16.99 Can
ISBN 13-978-1-4463-0503-4
Star rating: ***1/2
The frost is on the pumpkin. Christmas crafting season is in
full swing, so it's time for another festive makes book review. Today I am featuring a fun new paperback that rides
in on the washi tape trend. Washi tape is beloved by papercrafters and here to stay. Washi Tape
Christmas is a craft title that was begging to be written - Kami Bigler has done an admirable job with
the assignment. The book is colourful, jolly, inventive, and respectful of the qualities
that make washi tape such a wonderful craft material.
Washi tape being what it is, printed masking tape, its very
nature decorative and self-adhesive – lends itself to quick-makes. Regarding
the fun factor, the table of contents is a master class in alliteration, clock
these chapters: Clever Cards, Darling Decorations, Opulent Ornaments, Table
Treasures, Gorgeous Gifts, Wondrous Wrapping (see what they did there).
Washi tape looks its best when used in clusters of co-ordinated
prints, with edges torn. Its semi-translucency is a major design plus, contributing
an unmistakable character to washi makes. The projects in the book (I counted 31) show
an appreciation of these qualities of washi tape. Cue a spontaneous “look what I just whipped up”
effect.
In the Winter Wonderland card, for example, the torn edges of the washi
tape are concealed by snowflake sequin shapes, but an irregular border and a
kraft card blank retain the casual effect.
The Happy
Holiday Berries card,which features a fun wreath effect inventively created with
notched ribbon tails of washi that poke outwards from a central circular
cut-out. Other fun ideas include the Sweet Candyland garland, in which round beads are covered with
washi tape to create a sweet wrapper effect. A simple stunner is the Natural Place Setting, in which a small
fir branch is taped in place onto a dessert plate. For paper manipulation
geeks, there’s Lovely Lollipops, in which the lolly shape is
fashioned out of washi-covered punched
paper circles that are arranged in an attractive 3-D spiral.
There are written step-by-steps for each project, with tips
and photos aplenty. There’s a handy list of washi tape suppliers at the back,
with UK as well as US contacts – so you can top up your hoard.
Many of these projects are ideal for crafting together with
kids. To make things as simple as poss, there are photocopiable full-size
templates back-of-book. This title would
make a delightful pre-Christmas surprise for a crafter you know with a washi
stash.
Note: I was supplied
with a review copy of this title.
