Try It: Washi Tape Flags

The latest Scrap Challenge on our facebook page is a competition featuring the new trends of flags, bunting and banners on a scrapping layout. (Check out our facebook page if you already haven't, and you might be able to win an embellishment goodie bag!)

I thought it would be fun to share a cute little and very simple technique to make your own flag embellishments out of washi tape (another hot trend this year!)

So, bear with me as I take you through this easy but fun tutorial! Its my first one, so hopefully the photos are up to scratch! (Although I love taking photos, I am by no means a professional photographer!)

Enjoy!


To make your flags you need 3 things:

Any old toothpicks will do. They won't be acid free, so if this is a concern for you, I suggest sealing them with a spray sealer or similar. You could also avoid having them touch your photos when using them on a page.

First, if you have toothpicks that are pointy on both ends, you will need to snip one end off. This will just make the stick more uniform, and the washi tape will grip better.

If you have flat top toothpicks, you can go straight to the next step!

Peel a length of your washi tape off the roll, twice as long as you wish your flag to be and place your toothpick in the centre.

Fold the washi tape over the toothpick. Make sure you line it up or the adhesive will show on one edge.

Then cut it off and you have your flag! Easy!

You can cut your flag into different shapes to vary their design or use a marker to embellish them. So many different possibilities!

Tracey*

A Garden Party

On Australia day we not only celebrate how awesome this country is but also my Bestie’s birthday. This year was a significant birthday, so rather than the typical hottest 100 party or cricket on the beach she went all out and had a beautiful garden party. I wanted to share with you some photos I took and some great ideas which I found inspiring.



Just after the starting line -
the Wheelbarrow Race

Who says games are for kid’s parties? Seanne organised some relay events including wheelbarrow races and apple bobbing. It was so much fun and created a great atmosphere at the beginning of the day as people were mixed into different teams and interacting. Even the parentals got involved. Later in the night she pulled out giant jenga. Sea and her partner Brett had written silly dares on each of the bricks which again added to the atmosphere. The dare’s weren’t too confronting which was nice, rather things like – ‘do your best model walk’, ‘play air guitar’ and ‘make a toast to the birthday girl’.

I loved how Sea set up the table, mismatched crockery that came from a friend’s wedding, beautiful pink and white roses that she got from a florist friend who went to the Sydney Flower markets (these are such a cheap option and apparently anyone can go to these markets, you just have to be out of bed early). The white tablecloths, set against the lush green backdrop. It was just visually stunning.





The Table - Hubby took this great photo!



The Hanging Pom Pom's



Tissue paper poms – another of my friends is getting married in March and want’s to incorporate them into her day. After her initial thoughts of purchasing them I found this great tutorial on a you-tube video  for Martha Stewart Pom’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDAgjtScFpU. Sea and her sister did the test run – rather than costing $30 a pom the cost was a couple of dollars. Sea’s pom’s turned out so well, and they were a great feature on the day.



Chalkboard message by Jazzy



Chalkboard messages, this is an idea I found online– I had a spare chalkboard at home leftover from scrapping projects and gave it to Sea for the day. During the day I popped around and got people to write sneaky messages on the board and took photos. Seanne didn’t see them at the time, so it was great to give these photo’s as a little memento gift afterwards.





While the washing up may of seemed daunting, I was so impressed that they had organised a scrap bin (for the chooks) and general garbage bin – then separated the crockery and cutlery into plastic tubs filled with soapy water. A group of our mums all got into the kitchen later in the night and finished the dishes – I love this sense of community they have, even when they are just pitching in to get things done, they are gossiping and having a great time.



Singing and dancing :-)





This was such a beautiful day topped off by an amazing African singer, who had us all up and dancing, with instruments. Our night ended sitting around glasses full and enjoying being in the great outdoors.

 

Thanks Sea, Brett & Co for putting on such an amazing day!!!!

Fleur x









Where Have You Come From?

My first efforts at scrapbooking

I wouldn’t call myself a “great” scrapbooker, nor would I say I am naturally creative or artistic. For me, the majority of my layouts are a struggle!  Mostly it will take me hours but sometimes it can take me days, and often I will leave projects unfinished. I’m sure that many of you will relate.

My abilities as a scrap-booker have improved with the simple method of practice makes perfect over a long period of time (6 years in fact). These days I am flattered that some people think what I create is praise-worthy, and I’m proud of most of the projects I complete.

More of the early days

So for those of you who are overwhelmed, or comparing your layouts to those that grace the glossy pages of magazines, I want to share where I’ve come from in terms of my scrapping journey, and reassure you that persistence pays off!

The first layouts that I completed by myself are pretty cringe-worthy, but I love comparing and knowing that I have improved my skills. Hopefully with the passage of time, my scrappy projects will be even better!



This is one of my most recent efforts



My little bit of advice …… just get started!  That’s right, put that magazine down, turn the internet off, stop dreaming about those embellishments and get to creating!!!!

Oh and when your done, look back over your old scrappy projects and be impressed about where you've come from on your scrapping journey!

                                                        Fleur x