Masking Tapes with Mackenzie

 

 

(I am so happy to be introducing My first guest blogger, Mackenzie Sasser of Secret Pocket Handmade. I first met Mackenzie at Second Storie Indie Market, where I fell in love with her vintage-y yet clean aesthetic and her cheery attitude. She blogs fun bits from her daily life over here and on this blog she will be sharing crafty ideas, inspirations and tutorials. Please join me in welcoming her today :)

Hello everyone! I'm really happy to post here, I hope to be able to share some fun projects and inspiration, and maybe learn some things from you too!

I remember the first time I saw Japanese washi tape. It was the summer of 2008, and I was browsing Kinokuniya in New York City looking for something to complete my thank you gifts for the craft editors at Martha Stewart Living. I was only feeling a tiny bit of pressure to have it be perfect. I found these colored masking tapes, and bought my first pack. I used them to secure my favorite little envelopes  inside hand bound notebooks.
From then on I was in love.
I didn't dare use any of it because I couldn't find them anywhere online, but eventually that changed, and they're everywhere!

Recently I hung a lot of our favorite art work and photos, and I use this inexpensive way to tie them all together: I get glass cut-to-fit by our local glass shop, and then have our local art supply store cut mat board from scraps of white or off-white scraps. I use a metal binder clip or pants hanger to sandwich them together and hang on the wall.
To make sure that the clips/hangers are sturdy and don't slip I use tiny bits of 3M Command adhesive strips to stick the clip to the glass and the mat, and use velcro type 3M strips to keep the bottom of the bigger pictures affixed to the wall. It only costs a couple dollars a picture and it feels modern and simple. 

I found that the tape was a great way to add some color and style to the plain glass for photos and artwork. I did it this way: I cut tape to fit along the sides, leaving a tiny bit at the ends to hang over and cover the edge of the glass. (Be careful it can be sharp!)

You can play with different widths, customizing for whatever you are framing. For mine I actually flipped the glass so the back of the tape was showing. I think it adds a nice depth and makes the color a little more faded and subdued. On another, I  stuck a piece of tape on top of the glass to make it look like I taped a polaroid to the mat.

One of the greatest things about washi tape is that it's easily removable and so you can try things out and reposition it until you are happy. I hope this gives you some ideas on what to do with your tape collection or convince you to start one. They are addicting!

Comments

[Shanna]

as a fellow addict of washi tape i just adore this post! so delight that my pal kenzie is posting on my pal abby's blog. it's like the best of worlds colliding! looking forward to what you share next!! xo

[Megan]

These frames are so cute! Thanks for sharing, Kenzie and Abby, and I can't wait to try making my own!

[Sarah]

i used to think fancy masking tape was just....odd. i've since seen the error of my ways. this is an ADORABLE project.

[Monkey Mind Design]

Great idea, so creative and looks great!

[A Nursing Reminder...aka Jess]

Very very cute. And to think, I was just about to throw an old photo frame (and glass), in the recycling!

[cheap jerseys]

If you can include my nominees and link to my blog--great! Feel better!