Something About Nothing

I'm pretty new to the washi tape scene.   I've seen other people use it and be obsessed with it  but I didn't buy in to the craz because I didn't want to get in to something new. Famous last words. A month or so ago, I had a play date with my friend, Dana, a book artist, and the next thing I know I am the proud owner of 17 rolls of washi tape. Oh my!  However it's a good thing I bought all this tape because Quarto Publishing asked me to review a book for them: Paper + Tape: Craft & Create by Marisa Edghill. There are 75 projects in this book and they are pretty creative, like the paper beads pictured on the front of the book. One of my favorite things is this simple gift box made from scrapbook or washi paper, and washi tape.  Where was this idea when the kids were in school and needed clever containers to give Valentines candy in?! There are 15 templates in the back of the book.  One of the things I like most about these templates...

My friend, Dana Ryan Perez, invited me over for a book making play date.  Dana was an environmental scientist (before it was cool) and is now a talented book maker and mixed media artist. Dana and I in front of her son's fabulous painting. Her studio was beautiful!  Lots of skylights for wonderful lighting but I was more focused on the scene below. Her father was a printer and the printing drawer on the wall was his. Dana has been making these adorable little Washi tape covered books.   The measurements on the mat give you an idea of how small they are.  The book in the middle was created with little pockets to store feather treasures in. Dana said she finds herself collecting them from the park and golf course where she jogs in the mornings.   Isn't this adorable!!! The books at the bottom of this photo were created by Dana in preparation for a class she and another friend, Toni, taught to the Utah Surface Design Group w...