If you’re looking for a quick and easy idea that still packs a punch, look no further than a roll of paper tape (sometimes called Washi tape). As functional as it is trendy, this removable, repositionable tape adheres to a variety of surfaces, including paper, glass, plastic and metal. Often transparent, this decorative accent will add cool factor to crafting creations large and small.

We put our thinking caps on to detail a few of the many uses of this whimsical wonder:

We even whipped up a few holiday samples to show how these decorative tapes can accent the season.

What are some other great ways to unleash the decorative potential of washi tape?

P.S. — check out our No Carve Pumpkin How-To for another easy paper tape idea!

Add an element of cute class to an upcoming dinner party with these dressy drinks. Create paper parasols with ease with our latest how-to!

Materials Needed:

Instructions:

Not your style? Check out our summer cup covers!

Bottoms up!

-Claudia

Favorite PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest Fave: Red & White Paper Straws

We were tickled when this month’s Women’s Day featured a project inspired by red and white paper straws. Remember these straws from our Summer Cup Cover How-To? Well, this holiday variation — cleverly called the Straw-burst Wreath — caused a stir among DIYers.

Image courtesy of Tatertots & Jello

We loved the simplicity of the project and statement the wreath can carry throughout the season. But if you need something with a bit more charm, Blogger Jen of Tatertots & Jello created this wonderful paper straw wreath variation, using a snowflake and ribbon accent.

Image courtesy of Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line

Left with extra paper straws? Jenny of Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line shows off a paper straw garland that is perfect for parties or to string around your tree. Read the rest of this entry »

From picking a turkey to assigning side dishes to cleaning house, few obligations toe the line of exciting and stressful quite as well as hosting Thanksgiving, so — to help you along — we dug up some of our favorite fixings for a grateful table. With the help of a paper kit or one of our Thanksgiving How-tos your guests can savor the color of the season along with the feast.

Centerpieces & Table Accents
Try your hand at creating something unique using a fall wreath or paper leaves. Last year, Paper Source Designer Karen showed us three table accent themes built from our kits. This lovely Leaf Light How-to is another great option. Read the rest of this entry »

Take treats for school in paper bags with adorable personalized labels. Run our large circle labels through the printer with our print template or write each name by hand. An adorable back-to-school design that is great for single lunches or an entire classroom!

Materials Needed: Read the rest of this entry »

You’re probably thinking, “Zutter, what?” Or maybe you’re already a fan of this new DIY tool. To help you discover the magic of the Zutter Bind-It-All and its accessories, I created a simple keepsake book in five easy steps.

Items needed:

• Zutter Bind-It-All
• Wire cutters
• ½” gauge wire (thinner books) or ¾” gauge wires (thicker books)
• Envelopes, cover stock and text for pages
• Chipboard for covers (try adding decorative paper or photos to the cover)
• Xyron 510 or Tape Runner adhesive for attaching paper to covers
• Your imagination!

Step 1: Set your guide to “C” for creating the holes in the chipboard. Set your covers (these are finished with Cavallini Gift Wrap) inside opening, stopping at the guide. Make sure the stabilizing foot is out, then pull the handle down. Read the rest of this entry »

Keep those pesky bugs away from your favorite summer beverage. These stylish cup covers are festive AND serve as a drink marker too… write your guest’s name on top! Use this super easy how-to at all your summer fêtes!

–Annie
PS colors: peacock & paper bag
Latest fave: Spritzer Rubber Stamp Cleaner and Rubber Stamp Cleaning Pad

Materials Needed:

• Summer Cup Cover How-To PDF
• Not a Plastic Cup (set of 4 re-usable red cups)
• Red & White Paper Straws
• Circle Cards in Sunshine, Clover & Poppy (or whatever colors you like!)
• Flower Shapes Pack
• 1/4” Round Hole Punch
• Small Zots Glue Dots
• Pen

Instructions:

1. Begin by folding petals for added dimension.
2. Re-punch holes in centers of flowers using a 1/4” round hole punch. Stack flowers as desired in two or three layers. Position flowers on top of circle card, close to the edge (making sure to leave room for writing a name), and punch a hole as far as your hole punch will reach.
3. Write name on circle card opposite from where the hole is punched. Place on top of cup, position flowers on top of circle card and feed straw in place. Place two glue dots on lip of cup.
4. Place cover on top of cup with the straw placed closest to glue dots. This will keep your cover in place AND acts as a hinge allowing for refreshing refills!

Our newest crafting tool has me dreaming up great gifts, like the perfect graduation gift for my nephews. The Zutter Bind-It-All let me turn old photos, loose objects and paper into a spiral bound keepsake book. Since many of you seek unique graduation gifts and creative ways to package your summer travel memories, we’ve taken this project and turned it into a workshop.

Join us for:

Creative Spiral Travel Book Workshop
Saturday, June 11, 2011
11:00 am – 1:00 pm (local time)
Register today!

Get hands on experience with a new tool and leave with a wonderful book for summer journaling or gift giving!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: Zutter Bind-It-All

As we mentioned in our Behind the Design post earlier this week, the new Paper Source catalog features an entire spread dedicated to a customer fave — Recipes! The Art of Craft lets you explore new techniques for rubber stamping, embossing and stenciling, along with digital die cutting and letterpress projects, through 46 easy-to-follow recipes.

Experience the sophisticated side of crafting by clicking an image above or flipping to pages 14 and 15 of the catalog. Then, tell us what technique you’d like us to tackle next OR share what you discovered when trying these on your own.

– Annie & Claudia, PS Craft Design Team
PS colors: fuchsia & paper bag
Latest fave: Silhouette Digital Die Cutting Tool