Create Amazing Gift Wrap with Paper Ribbons and Tape

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ProjectAmazing #CollectiveBias 

Creating personalized gift wrap in one thing my daughter loves to do. I wrap the gifts in plain brown craft paper and then let her have at it with markers, stickers - anything she wants! Well, why should she have all the fun, right? Now, I have never been know for my own gift wrapping skills, but lately I have been a bit obsessed with changing that reputation - and what better way to do that than to let my imagination and creativity run wild, like my daughter does! I get to cut and punch and glitter and tape to my hearts content. Oh, and I get to go shopping not only for the gift but for fresh crafting supplies, like Scotch® Brand products.

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Idea Book: Boy Edition

It is so easy - way too easy -
to make pretty sparkly things for myself or my girlie.
I am on a never-ending quest to make things - or try to make things - 
that an eleven year old boy will think is "OK" enough to use.
Well, with this project, I may have done it.
It is simple, purposeful, and not sparkly.

My son's head is FULL of ideas (hmmm...wonder where he got that from?).
He is always asking...

"Can you make a note of this?"

"Can you remember...?"

"I'd like to...?"

"I have an idea for...?"

I am tired of sticky notes everywhere...and they get lost...so now,
he has his own personalized notebook to keep track
of his many brilliant ideas, thoughts, and whatever!

I used a simple three ring binder...and wait for it...
the coolest product (EVER) to create this notebook 
 - Shape N' Tape sheets from Lifestyle Crafts.

You know us bloggers and crafters love our tape...
well now we can get it in 6" x 12" sheets - yes SHEETS!

 Shape N' Tape Sheets

"Decorative rolls of tape just got a full size make over! With 6”x12” Shape ‘n Tape sheets, you have the freedom to cut out any shape using cutting dies or scissors. Have unlimited options to shape your creativity. Look for Lifestyle Crafts Tape It cutting die kit (sold separately) which includes 18 cutting dies designed specifically to cut out Shape ‘n Tape sheets!" (Lifestyle Crafts)

Of course using this in a die cutter is amazing...
but just to show you that you do NOT need a die cutter
to use the Shape N' Tape, I traced letters onto the sheets
and cut his name out by hand  - we can all do that, right?

I then pulled out the Epic to cut some shapes- I had to test it out! I simply used the nesting circles to play with. I played with placement a bit.

For this project, I eventually used only one circle
and cut strips of the Shape N' Tape Sheets.
I then simply peel the backing off and applied my design to the notebook!

We filled it with lined paper and now Joe has a cool
(at least in my opinion) place to organize his thoughts.

Now, I cannot wait to create more with Shape N' Tape! FUN!
It comes in great colors, including
PINK, ORANGE, NAVY, and YELLOW.
I think I need all of the colors!

Shape N' Tape sheets work perfectly with the Tape It Die Kit,
"18 tape dies perfect for creating tags & cards, party & wedding details,
scrapbook pages, school projects, journals, home decor and more!" (Lifestyle Crafts)

Be sure to use the code "504Main"
to take advantage of the 20% discount! 

 This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: dies and shape n tape were provided to me. I am a lifestyle crafts affiliate and I LOVE their products.

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DIY! Wood-Dyed LOVE Banner

I have written about it before...Valentines and I have a love/hate relationship.
I love the sweet nostalgic details
but I hate the hype associated with it
and in my family nothing good happens on Valentines day.
This means every year I procrastinate when it comes to this special day.

Late the other night I had inspiration - more like I just had to try something and I had to try it NOW (yep, it was 1 am, but I knew I could not sleep until I knew the answer!).

I already had cut the shapes with  my Jigsaw that I recently received from Rockler, but decided to use them for this experiment.

Supplies:

• 1/4" sheet thing wood (at craft stores) or thin plywood. I used the basswood I had on hand...cut very slowly with the jigsaw - this wood does not hold up well to the saw - the edges chip and split - which is OK for this project. The slower I went, the "smoother" the cut. HOWEVER I wanted a more rustic look for this, so it was fine. I have since cut more shapes out in a better quality thicker wood (from hardware store) and the edges are clean and lovely. (more on that very soon!)

        OR
        Precut shapes of your choosing from the craft store (circles, hearts, etc.)

• Sand paper/sanding block
• Jigsaw, Rockler
• Drill, Rockler
• Transtint (red) from Rockler (and water)
• Bucket or I used a clear plastic show box
• Twine or cord
• Masking tape - real masking tape - not painters tape, etc.

DIY IT!
This is a concentrated tint - it will stain - be sure to protect your work area and wear gloves (I did not wear gloves - I had red fingers for days)

• Cut shapes- I cut triangles that measure 5" across the top and are 6" long I just marked them directly on my board and cut with my jigsaw (make a 5" straight line; find center (2.5"); make a perpendicular line that measures 6" down from the center point; connect the two outer points to the bottom of the center point. If cutting on a large sheet of wood, you can line these up side-by-side). (I will try to add photo tomorrow)
• Sand edges
• Drill holes in both top corners of the triangles (NOTE: I drilled my holes when I was all finished, but drilling them now is a better idea); sand
• Using masking tape I applied it to the triangles, centered, to spell LOVE. (NOTE: I assume you could use stickers or cut letters too). This was an experiment to see how it the tape would work - I ended up loving the effect.. I chose LOVE because the letters were straight. for the O I used small pieces and (1/4 to 1/2 inch) and placed them into an O.

• Press down tape so it is very secure (NOTE: My E was not as secure and some tint leaked, but it is OK for me).
• Prepare tint - the direction say 1 ounce to 1 quart of water. I did not need that much. I used more like 1/2 ounce to 1 quart water using the plastic shoe box.

• Dip each triangle in the tint. You can let it sit for a few minutes.

• Pull out, then run a thing line) along the top edge of the triangle and then stand up straight holding over the plastic box. The wood is wet enough so that it drips down and creates an slight "ombre" or dip dyed effect. I then dipped it back in the tint really quick.

• Let dry.

• Once all dry, peel off the masking tape.

• Run twine through the drill holes.  Here is a visual of how I did the knots - they are all on the front of the banner. Ties 2-3 knots in the same place; thread through and come up the other hole; tie 2-3 knots; measure over about 3-4 inches (just be consistent) tie 2-3 knots and repeat.

So, there is my eclectic, rustic,

very handmade wood dyed LOVE banner.

 

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

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