Altenew Washi Tape Release Blog Hop + GIVEAWAY!

One of the main things I love about the internet is that if you're ever feeling low on inspiration, bright shiny ideas are just a Google search away. In this case, things are even easier than that because this is a Blog Hop! I'm so excited to be part of Altenew's Washi Tape Release Blog hop. If you’re coming from A Rare Ruby and you’re new here - welcome! Please check out the other blogs in the hop and see the amazing creations people are coming up with all these beautiful tapes.

These washi tapes are so colorful and interesting. When I say they are out of this world, I’m not exaggerating. The second I saw them, I was already planning out new and exciting things to try with them! They come in so many different widths and patterns, you could use one for literally *any* occasion. I used them in three very different projects with incredible results— you can see for yourself below. The first was a scrapbooking page that I created layering the beautiful, cosmically themed washi tapes and placing photos around them later. The effect is so rich and multi-dimensional. I added some doodles, stamping, and hand-lettering to finish it all and really bring the vibrant pinks, purples, and golds together.

The second project was a spread in one of my most recent traveler’s notebooks. You can read all about our family’s adventure RVing along the California Coast. Some of the washi tapes are wide enough to turn into awesome shapes and backgrounds. That’s what I got to play around with here:

And last but not least, I simply tore a strip of the amazing rainbow washi tape and stuck it down the edge of my Hobonichi.

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 10/3/2018 for a chance to win. 6 winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 10/6/2018!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - Thanks to all who commented. The winner is Tracey Magner! Congrats - please email us so we can get you your prize! A $30 Gift Certificate is also being given away here. Leave a comment and a winner will be chosen and announced on this post on 10/3. Good luck!

The next stop on the hop is the Altenew Scrapbook Blog!

Crafty Travel Essentials

I often get asked about what I take with me while crafting on the go. You know those "what's in my bag" posts? Well, I think the obsession goes along those lines. I've been documenting my life while on travels and away from home for nearly a decade. There have been times where I have taken a lot of crafty items with me, but most of the time I try and narrow it down to just the essentials. Through many travels on nearly every continent (Antarctica is the only one I haven't really had a desire to visit considering it's 50 degrees in LA today and I think that is cold), I've learned that you can really get creative with just a few necessary supplies. So along with the mini book or traveler's notebook I am working in, I have found these to be my crafty travel essentials.

We shot a little video and Ann-Marie snapped some behind the scenes photos in the new studio while I was filming. 

My filming set up pretty much remains the same as in this video. The Canon G7X is beyond perfect for filming needs and this tripod + ball head - my 222 is discontinued, but this one is similar.

Ashley Mary Tote from Target - I mean how cute is this, right?! | Amy Tangerine washi tape - I just stuck them on a binder ring, perfect for travel and occupying a toddler waiting at a restaurant | American Crafts Sticky Thumb Adhesives | Tim Holtz Detailer Tip Brush - this waterbrush is amazing and I don't know how I ever painted without it | Micron Pens |Watercolor set | Instax Share printer - my absolute favorite Instax ever, totally recommend it for printing photos while on vacation or multiples of the same shot for friends and family | Versafine Ink Pad | Amy Tangerine Finders Keepers Phrase Stamp | Date Stamp | Sakuralala stamps | Acrylic Blocks 

Using Embossing Folders to make a simple card

Though I'm not a card maker, I wanted to try my hand with my new embossing folders with We R Memory Keepers and the Evolution Embossing Machine. I used washi tape too, because I love it. I usually get really eager to try something for the first time and I want to take photos and film video of the process. 

To come up with the idea for my card, I began by experimenting with different embossing folders and settings on the Evolution. I thought the sweetest thing sentiment on a scrap piece of cardstock would be a good place to start.

To use the embossing folder, I tucked a sheet of cardstock (making sure the smooth side would feature the embossed image) into the folder and held it in place. 

Next, I adjusted the dial on the side of the Evolution to the "Emboss" setting.

From there, I sandwiched the embossing folder between Mat B and a Cutting / Embossing Platform and inserted it into the Evolution.

Once everything was securely in place, I cranked the handle until the mats and embossing folder ran through the center of the machine.

Look how cool the embossed image turned out!

Once I was familiar with how the embossing folders worked in the Evolution, I decided to create a card by using a different die and pearlized cardstock. I first began by folding a sheet of kraft cardstock in half and trimming it down to the standard card size to use as my base.

Next, I mounted my embossed image onto the kraft card.

Then, I embellished the card with various strips of washi tape.

For a finishing touch, I punched out three hearts from misted white cardstock and added them to my card.

Here's the finished project along with a video that shows the entire process. There's also a behind the scenes look at my filming set up, which I find to be pretty funny. But it gets the job done.

Supplies: We R Memory Keepers Evolution | Embossing Folders available here and here | Fiskars trimmer | American Crafts adhesive | Washi Tape Dispenser | MT Washi Tapes 

Ginko Papers discount code

If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you know I love cute things. Especially when they are stationery/paper related. I think it goes back to my childhood and various obsessions, including the normal stamp collection and not so normal Post-It note & eraser collection. Oh and there was also the mechanical pencil collection. Now as a grown up, I have a bit of a washi tape obsession/issue collection. You can see it evidenced here and more recently here. The first time I purchased washi tape online over 5 years ago was from Ginko Papers. It's a lovely company based in Los Angeles and I placed many subsequent orders from them. And in May, while at the National Stationery Show, I was excited to see their booth and finally meet the owner in person. We chatted and she wanted to offer you awesome readers something special.

I hand-picked some of my favorite products, and I have a feeling some of you will love the same things! Sushi Erasers | Gold Pouch | Sewing Washi Tape | Town Tape | Notebook

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED:  A $25 Gift Certificate for Ginko Papers! To enter: Like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, follow them on Instagram. Comment below on which social media things you did. Each thing earns an entry (so does just commenting). Winner will be chosen on Saturday, August 16 at 8am PST and contacted shortly after. GOOD LUCK! Winner is: #11 Amelia Woodbridge - congrats!

DISCOUNT: Through August 21, use code: TANGERINE for 20% off your entire purchase.

Oh For Cute...

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A squirrel washi tape holder? Yes, please! This little guy is joining my camera one, which sits on my desk permanently. Cute Tape sent a delightful package of goodies... stamps, mt casa washi tapes and my favorite white pen.Because I didn't have an actual project in mind for the mt casa tape, I just stuck a strip underneath the Kal Barteski piece made from vinyl. And I used it to hang some pieces in Jack's play room. If you have any suggestions of what cute items I should put into the house, please let me know! Collage of me & Jack by Michelle of Paper Tales || You Are My Sunshine print by Matt Wilson of The Well Kept Thing.