Elizabeth February 27th, 2010
Beautiful photograph discovered via weheartit.com
I’m feeling incredibly inspired after signing up for Polkadot Robot’s Quiet Nights Art Journal class, and it hasn’t even started yet! I’ve organised all of my scrapbooking supplies (which are plentiful, despite not being a scrapbooker) and scoured the web for pretty images like the one above that will get the creative juices flowing. It’s been fun.
Other members of the class have begun to discuss their tools-of-the-trade, and after hearing so much praise about washi tape I decided to find out what all the buzz was about. A Melbourne-based online store called Notemaker had lots of different tapes in stock, so I placed an order a few days ago.
There were some lovely little touches in the package that arrived, including a cloth drawstring bag with a pretty pear tree design. Most importantly, the tapes are gorgeous and delivery was swift (and free!).
If you’re reading this from the Northern Hemisphere, you might like to check out Happy Tape for a huge selection. I recognise some of my own designs in there too, so they must be sourced from the same place.
People seem to be using this Japanese tape for all sorts of projects – everything from floristry to cardmaking and wedding table settings. I love the way that this Dallas cupcake bakery (Citizen Sweet) uses it for its distinctive packaging.
In the past 24 hours I have accidentally come across heaps of references to washi tape, but my favourite was a link to this tape dispenser from Tinted Mint, made from reclaimed wood.
Isn’t it beautiful?
I’m looking forward to putting pen to paper in March, with the help of some journal prompts and like-minded people. Tomorrow’s project is to clean up my study a little so that my desk is clear enough for me to work at – we’re still very much in unpacking mode here!
Do you write in a paper journal? Have some tips about using Japanese tape? I want to hear all about it…
