Paper + Tape: Craft & Create, by Marisa Edghill. Review.

Paper + Tape: Craft & Create

Cut, Tape, and Fold your way through more than 75 creative & colourful

papercraft projects & ideas

By Marisa Edghill

Walter Foster 2016

Paperback £12.99 UK/$19.99 US/$23.95 CAN

ISBN 978-1-63322-048-5

Star rating: ****

Papercrafters love washi tape. That’s a given. But what to do with the washi stash? All suggestions welcome. This new title by Marisa Edghill has plenty of fresh – yet simple – ideas for washi-wonderful creations.

Many washi-craft titles limit themselves to using stuck-on snippets of washi as decorative elements – an all-too-obvious and unimaginative use. This title even includes projects that use washi tape as a functional connective element (pleated doily bows, Paper Pyramid Pouches). Wow.

The author is especially good on generating decorative patterns using washi tape. The Vintage Flower Design teacup is a cinch – and delightful. The concept is to recreate the vibe of handpainted pottery using washi tape. Modern Geometric Mosaics and the Fruit Salad Stickers are winners.

Yes, you’ve seen the paper beads before – but they are well-executed and deserve inclusion. The Papercut Bouquet idea is good – using an engineered washi tape underlay with a papercut topper. Shooting Stars – pleated paper star-topped tassels – nice dimensional project – fun to fold.

Self-adhesive sheets of washi paper are now available for crafting. It would have been nice to include a project or two using this new creative material on its own or in combination with conventional washi tape strips. Also – the eraser stamp project looks like it belongs, but doesn’t quite tie in with the washi theme.

The book would make a fab gift for a child’s half-term break.

Bandana Gift Box

I have a thing for scarf prints, and bandanas are having a moment (not that they ever disappeared). Soo - here's a handy pillow gift box decorated in a bandana design.

Like all pillow boxes, it is a cinch to make. Just one flap to glue, pop in the ends, and you're good to gift.

Here is your free printable papercraft. Make by hand (.pdf) or digi-cut (Silhouette):
BandanaPillowBoxRed.pdf 
BandanaPillowBoxRed.studio3 

I've given you two sizes for the cutting file. The larger size is 20% bigger.

Enjoy.

Butterfly Box

Today's project is pillow box with two compartments. This butterfly box makes a great party favour - a different treat in each half!

Here's your free printable papercraft (.pdf):
ButterflyBox.pdf 

Butterfly Box

1 Cut out the pattern pieces. 90gsm paper or lightweight card works best. The paper needs to be flexible so the box puffs up smoothly.
2 Score the fold lines with a fine-point embossing tool held against a small metal ruler. Fold the creases, taking care to shape the curved folds.
3 Glue the strip on to the centre back of the box front. Use tacky PVA glue applied with a cocktail stick.
4 Glue a centre wing flap onto either side of the front piece centre spine. Next, glue the angled flaps. Let dry.
5 Puff up the box and fill it. 
6 Tie a narrow ribbon box around the box centre. Situate long bow loops at the box top to look like antennae.

Enjoy making your butterfly pillow box!